beginning of the week, end of the year

I should be doing homework right now... but I left my bag in the car, and it's cold outside, and I'm just making excuses. I'll get the bag after I write this post.

Today is tuesday. I went to Landfill Records today, and got the following albums:

carlos santana- love, devotion, surrender
mahalia jackson- live in europe
pat benatar- live from earth
sergio mendes- home cooking
mahalia jackson- right out of church
mahalia jackson- great songs of love and faith
the time- ice cream castle
constantino "mixmaster" podovano- viva ibiza
frank sinatra- sinatra special
roberta flack- killing me softly

i'm pretty pumped about these finds. they seem to be a random mix of things, which is fine... today i'm feeling random.

In other news... my gramma died 3 days and 4 years ago. On thursday, my grampa will have been gone for 4 years. It's wild how they "went" so close together. I guess that's what happens when you are with someone (in marriage) for 66 years. You become attached.

I bought some whiskey, to drink on thursday, in honor (rememberance) of my grampa. Jen and I played cards the other night, with thoughts of my gramma. Grampa used to drink shitty whiskey. I couldn't subject myself to "ancient age", so I took a (small) step up in quality. Too bad he didn't drink good beer, or single malt scotch, or top shelf anything. Oh well. Ancient age, dried toast, a big belly... all those things made him who he was.

I'm listening to that santana album right now. It's weird. The first song is "love supreme", which is cool to hear his take on it, but then he gets all "santana-ish", but not like you hear now days, but the old santana, like 1973 santana.

I'm bumbling, rambling, teetering.... no not teetering. I'm bored. Tomorrow is new years eve. I think I'm going to Bobbi and Linda's house for a while, and then I have no idea. A year ago, I was in Tahoe, snowboarding down a mountain.... and then wiped out and got a concussion. Head injuries....never fun. No snowboarding for me this year, not yet anyway. I haven't played any hockey either, mostly because it's been so cold outside.... but really, i need to get my skates out and just go. Anyone want to join?

Happy new year everyone. Be smart/safe.

secret santa....

a few shots from secret santa at the pub tonight. twas wonderful...

jen and mike

kevin and sue

lil jim and kevin

mike guthrie

jonas

cindy and sue

leo and jonas

tom and sue

cindy and kevin

mike guthrie

steve

jen and kevin

lil jim

dave and eric

the xmas police

me and kev

merry fuckin christmas!!

love asha.

p.s. if you want to download these pictures, just click on them (they will expand into a larger size), right click and hit save.

make believe

When I was a little kid... I used to say "mape-ba-leave" instead of make believe.... i guess they sounded close enough to the same thing, that it didn't matter.

I'm "sick" today. Nothing important, just a little fever, a dry cough, and a bad attitude. I'm sitting on my couch, starting a book called "Acing Your First Year of Law School"... I don't know that I'm going to study law, I've thought about it, but reading about it now seems better than doing the stuff I should be doing.

As I sat here today, flipping through the first couple of pages, I started thinking that I should write a story. Well, actually I started thinking about the power we each have, to write our own stories. I mean, if life is completely fucked up and terrible (which thankfully, mine is not), then one could write their own story, live in a fantasy land, make believe their own happiness.

Everyone has different ways of "coping" and "living" and "being". Some do it through story, others through music, many thought booze and drugs, etc... What's my way, you ask? Hmmm.... all the above? No, not really.

If I were to write a story, there'd be a little girl as the main character. One with brown skin and skinny ankles. She'd have a cool bmx bike, and be riding around her neighborhood, talking with kids, parents, and elders. Her name? I don't know, yet.

This girl though, she'd be riding her bike, dragging her toe when she needed to stop, ruining the shoes she'd been wearing too long. She'd ride and ride, and the sun wouldn't set. Nope, not in this story. There'd be a decent breeze, about 10 mph, and the thermometor out back her mom's house would read 82 degrees. Not too hot, especially not with the wind. The sun just beats down on her neck and shoulders, reminding her she's always around warmth and protection.

She falls off her bike. Fuck. She wiped out good. Oh well. It just adds to the many scars on her elbows and knees, scars she's proud of and shows off to the neighbor boys. She picks herself up from the street, puts the chain back on her bike, and wipes her greasy hands on her already dirty jeans. That's what soap is for, she thinks, although she hates washing her clothes, because they always get dirty again. What's the point, she wonders? Whooosh! She jumps back. A car flies by. Some coins fall out of her pocket. She smiles, as her dirty fingers pick them up, one at a time, and return them to her pocket.

heiruspecs

The long awaited Heiruspecs show was this saturday. It was amazing. I got a new camera (the D60), and just shouted "media, media!" and made my way to the front. It was weird... usually people aren't so nice...but I guess when you have a nice camera in hand, the believe you really are with "the media". Someday.

I'll post a couple pics from the show. I'd like to post more, but I've got a paper due by 5pm tonight, and I haven't started it. Go figure.

In all, I took about 350 shots. It will take some time to go through them, edit them, etc... but I will put more up as time becomes available. Feedback on photos is definitely welcome(d).

andy.

leigh, kareem, brad, keith

muad'dib (john), felix (chris)

(good) energy

josh peterson

muad'dib

zach (of Kanser)

p.s. blogspot has destroyed the picture quality. i'd recommend clicking on the picture, to see a bigger, better representation.

the beholder's eye

So I've been on this "hunt" for the perfect camera. I went to school this morning to sell back my science book, and then went to borders to look at photography books. From what I understand, the lenses are more important than the actual camera itself. Does this mean I should get the Nikon D60 and spend the difference on a decent lens? Or should I get the Xsi and get an extra lens? And, which lens should I get? A telephoto, wide-angle, fish-eye, macro? Fuck! So many options. I guess first I need to know what I want to shoot. As of now, I want to shoot live music, friends, family, and everyday shit that strikes my fancy.

Okay, so a dSLR is going to cost me a lot of money. More than I want to spend. However, I know I can learn to take some sick shots with it, once I get used to it and study it for a while. Here's the thing. I never really gave my current "point and shoot" camera a fair chance. Sure, I took it with me on occasion, and would click the shutter button when I felt like there was potential for a decent shot. But I never really got to know it, understand it, and be proud of it. And certainly it never became an extension of my arm (like some photographers claim).

Lately, I've been pretty sure that I need a Digital SLR Camera, in order to take good photographs. Afterall, those crummy point and shoots can't really capture magnificence... can they? OMFG, they can!! Well, if the person behind the camera knows what they are doing.

My homegirl Sally has been taking pictures for quite a while. She uses a regular old point and shoot digital camera (a Canon SD850, actually). And she turns out some bangin shit! For real. I found these on her facebook page, and she gave me the ok to post them on here. So... here's some of sally's shots, making me re-think the need for a dSLR. Is spending a grand on a camera going to give me a "better eye"? Unfortunately not. Is learning how to take good photos with a point and shoot going to produce better images than I could create with a dSLR? I don't know. In the meantime....please enjoy the following magic, by my friend and inspiration, Miss Sally Nixon.

dancing at agape

graf

dancer at powderhorn

zap mama in new york

sally's beautiful brothers


miss sally herself.

Daaamn! See what I mean? This woman has wicked talent. Even the pictures she takes on her camera phone are better than anything I've ever taken (with any camera). I hate to say it, but I'm thinking I should work harder at learning how my current camera works, and how I can create more powerful images. And maybe then I would be deserving of an dSLR camera. Or not. We'll see. Often times, I can be erratic with my electronic/gadget purchases. I've been researching Digital SLR cameras for quite a while now, but I have a feeling that when I end up getting one, it will be on an impulse. Spontaneity isn't always bad.

untitled.

I'm in the market for a new camera. A dSLR. I've got a decent "point and shoot" camera right now, but I borrowed a friends "Nikon D60" a couple of months ago, and I loved it. Right now, I'm leaning towards the Canon Rebel Xsi. It's probably the most popular right now, and while I like the feel of the D60 a little better, I do like the software that comes with the Canon. Both are wicked expensive (when you consider bills that need paying, etc...). So we'll see what I end up getting.



The heiruspecs show is on Saturday. I'm flippin stoked! They've been all over the media, including the cover story of City Pages. I kind of want to have a new camera by then, so I can get some good shots of the guys.

Speaking of the city pages and good photography....here's a photo worth noting. Click here to see the whole slideshow.




The Kredentials are playing tonight at Turf Club for reloaded wednesdays. I'm thinking of heading that way, if I can get my brown ass to the Y and on a treadmill before hand.

Last sunday, after the Vikings game, I perused the bar and got 15 of the "regulars" to sign up for "pub secret santa". I'm pumped. It was a fun day, until lil Jim had a 5 minute long seizure. It was really scary. I will say however, that everyone at the pub did a really amazing job of reacting fast and getting help. I had trouble sleeping that night... but I think I am getting back to normal. That's good, since I'm a total bitch when I am not well rested or well fed.

Oh yeah, also worth mentioning.... yesterday was my last day of classes (for the semester). I've got a couple of papers due next week, and that is all.

I really want to go to sakura right now, for their kick ass happy hour.... but I really should do something more productive with my day. Something like...?

heiruspecs, peace bracelets, and the magical runner.

Couple of things to note:

1. Heiruspecs is releasing a record on December 13, at first ave. Mayda, Big Quarters, and DJ Anton will precede them. It will be fun. Be there.

2. I made a peace bracelet with some 4th and 5th graders, while helping out at a school today. There are 5 beads on it (a leather piece of string). Yellow = honesty (to others and yourself). Red = respect (others, yourself, places and spaces). White = sharing (passion, items, hope, time, conversation). Black = Kindness (to others, yourself, intentions, etc). A blue bead holds it all together, which represents peace that starts from within us. I enjoyed doing this little project (twice), because it made me think about the things which I can do that are honest, respectful, open, kind, and peaceful. And it was nice to see some kids in the same mood, really thinking about what all these concepts mean and how to apply them to their own lives.

3. I've been reading a book that forrest recommended to me, many years ago. It's called the magical runner. I recently found it at half price books, and have begun to read it. I like it, as it's (much) more than just running.... it encourages a holistic approach, and helps you be accountable to yourself with your training and follow though. I wish I would have gotten it earlier, but perhaps it is in my life now for a reason. Anyhow, thanks Forrest.

4. I've got a ton of shit to do today, before the wild game. I should probably get on it.

peace,
asha.

Things that I love

Tis the season to be thankful, merry, and reflective. It's also hockey season.

I thought I would jot a quick list of the things that I love, before I get going on my school work...

I love the following things (in no specific order):

hockey season, friends, the pub, winter beers, old vinyl records, heiruspecs, value thrift, libraries, christmas lights, challenging professors, white russians, slippers with rubber soles, and time alone or time with others.

Oh yeah, and Legos. I love them.

The semester is over in a couple weeks. Lots of work to do until then.

p.s. Pi has officially closed. It's too bad they didn't get enough money fundraised, but hopefully they will find some better luck soon, and get a new place up and running. Maybe it could be called "Big Sally's Bar". Oh yeah, my girl sally is doing much better after her surgery... glad you are healing up, homie.