Conversations with Ricky, cont'd.

When I told him I was having a rough day
"Are you getting nostalgic again? I would send you a cheesecake from Cecilia's if I had the time."

Regarding his wedding cake
"I think I'm going to want a strawberry shortcake for the groom's cake but in the shape of Iron Man."

When I complained how guys give mixed signals
"did he kick you? ask you to play duck duck goose? did he ask you to share his mat during naptime?" (investigative questions).

Saying goodbye
"Peace playa. 'Playa' means beach in Spanish. Life is a beach."

Album: The Golden Unplugged (Radiohead)

Acoustic guitar with a soulful voice? Check and check. Plus, covers of songs that every single person has on his/her "emo" playlist to life.

Check it: The Golden Unplugged Album by Radiohead.

Capri Sun

He thought he was the coolest shit since capri suns...I don't know why I thought of capri suns. May be cause I really want one right now. those things are so good. but you need to drink like 3 of em to feel satisfied.

ZitFacePunch

Oldie: What's that on your face?

Newbie: My eye?

Oldie: No! Next to your EYE.

Newbie: [self-consciously fingers her zit] It's a blemish.

Oldie: Oh. I thought someone had punched you in the face.

Bands on the Periphery of my Indie Rock Radar IV

Kids in the Street (All-American Rejects).
Good beats and poppy lyrics have swayed AAR back on to my playlist. Their past few albums have had some hits (Dirty Little Secret, Swing Swing) and amidst the generics, and this album is no different.

They stay true to the essence of AAR: Upbeats followed by slowed tempo harmonies. The body bounces along with your head shake.
I went to their concert a few weeks back. I had to. Why? Because, when I was 17 years old, they were playing in Athens, GA and I couldn't make it then. This was me arriving eight years later. They don't age, by the way. If anything, the band has grown comfortable with their insanity (as it was always present) and is proof of youth (yup. i would totally do this btw).

Personally, I like them for being young (it's how I live). They likely have a personal music taste that is more deeply evolved than their own genre. And yet, everyone needs a little bit of pop to their beat.


Instantaneous reaction: Ba-bum-bum.

Someday's Gone

Fast and Slow

Kids in the Street

Out the Door
Really...the whole album deserves (at least) one listen (with some songs on repeat).

Excursions

Today was filled with traffic, sun, sweat, rain, dirt, clouds, and taxis. Well worth it.

Goodbye, shoes

I'm not a fan of shoes. When I finally have a pair that I like, I never let go of them. I can't even remember the last pair of shoes that I've thrown away. They disappear by two main ways: the universe or the madre...basically, they either get lost/stolen or simply thrown out.

I like to think about all I've experienced in a pair of shoes--what moments did they bear my weight? When did they support me while I was going through a rough patch? It's a bit strange, I know. But take my Keds, for example. It's torn, worn out, and has its own battle scars. That permanent scuff you see on the side, over there on the left, if from the cobble stone streets of Jerusalem, and the tear marks you see on the right shoe are from a rough fall during a kickball match.

These shoes etch a picture for my own stories. They are reminders of moments, however small, I may otherwise forget of what all has happened in the short time I've had a certain pair of shoes.

The reason I'm writing this is that my sandals are broken. And when I say broken, I truly mean beyond repair from tape or glue (because I've actually tried). It's a bit disappointing in my eyes. In those shoes, I started my first day of college, explored places in five different continents, and they immidiately were one of the first things I'd pack for a family trip.

I kind of feel ridiculous about this, but oh well.

Thanks for the memories.