We

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Need to start something...

First of all, I'm really happy about the election. Tuesday night was so memorable. I couldn't help but get a bit emotional when Obama walked with his family onto the stage to give his acceptance speech. Overnight, I am feeling really positive about my country and the world again. I wish everyone could share in this.

I saw today the launch of Change.gov. It seems that finally, my country's leadership is starting to move with the current of progress, instead of against it. Obama held his first press conference as President-elect, and anyone around the world can now view it. I hope this is the kind of "warts and all" portrait our leaders will encourage us to paint of them, instead of all the phony boloney and covering up of the last administration. It seemed like politicians didn't get that we now can see and record everything they do on camera. Obama seems like he is encouraging this. It set's a fine example. It keeps politicians honest, and if they really believe in the ideals they stand up for, that those ideals are self-evident, they should have nothing to fear from this level of visibility.

I'm feeling a bit inspired by all this positivity and progress. I've been pretty lazy the past 6 months, and it's starting to get to me. I'm no longer satisfied with making due and treading water. I need a new big project/direction/purpose. I have surprised myself in the past when I've met goals I thought I were too ambitious, so I'm not going to set the bar low now. So far the ideas I am interested in are these:

-start a cooking podcast
-start a band/music project
-learn a programming language and work on some apps for Android/iPhone
-start looking at grad schools in the pursuit of becoming an Art professor.

One factor here is that I'm getting burned out on computer animation. So far, all I've done with that skill is to further the agenda of Walmart. I think that does help some people in a way. Like it or not, some people do depend on that corporation for their needs. While it has given me a means to support my family, I feel like I could be doing something even more satisfying.

A band, let's face it, is a bit of a vanity thing, but can be very, very fun.

I like the idea of the cooking podcast the best, because I believe in food as the most driving force behind culture and society. I think that most people don't really cook in an expressive way, and that's a shame. I get that sometimes (a lot of the time), I and most people want to just come home and want to eat and veg out. That's perfectly fine. But there is an opportunity for discovery and expression and joy in cooking that could really enhance everyone's lives.

I could also work toward the professor thing too. I don't expect a podcast to become a significant source of income. It could. But the schedule of a college professor really appeals to me. I am finding the 8-5 office environment very unnatural. It doesn't agree with me. I need naps, and I probably need to explore polyphasic sleep.

I wonder if there is a way to work the mobile phone app into the podcast thing (or vice versa). Hmmm...there's a thought.

A few initial thoughts on a few bands

The Annuals: Like 'em. Varied and fun. Maybe similar to Flaming Lips, Arcade Fire, Talking Heads.
Jason Collett: Meh to good. It's Wilco-esque indie alt country. On second thought, there's nothing exciting.
The Walkmen: I like the band, but the singer's overly Bob Dylanisms are too much. I need melody in my vocals.
Kelley Stoltz: This is the White album with different songs. Like it.

Big Fat Caucus

Last night (1/5/08) was the Democratic caucus and the first I had attended. The organizers had underestimated turnout to an insane degree. The line outside Asbury Methodist (at 75th and Roe Prairie Village, KS) eventually stretched to my estimate, a half mile or so. It was a sight to see, I loved it as an event. Everyone was voting Obama.

Movies watched this year:

(In semi-reverse order:)
-I Am Legend - 2.5 stars
-There Will Be Blood - 5 stars
-No Country For Old Men 5 stars
-Elizabeth (from 1998) - 3.5 Stars
-Capote - 4 stars

Also tried watching The Protector but it was too terrible.

Life of Pi

by Yann Martel. Reading this with James. Very very good writing style - Fiction that reads like an autobiography.

New Music

Just some quick mentions of bands I've discovered lately and liked:
-Menomena
-Dan Deacon
-Vampire Weekend
-Wolf Parade
-Holy Fuck
-Dead Meadow
-Kelley Stoltz
-Klaxons
-Black Mountain
-Dungen
-Blitzen Trapper
-Deerhoof

I've followed my musical New Year's resolution by more than 200%. I'm going for extra credit.

New Year's Resolutions

At a party this past New Years I was disappointed that so few folks had resolutions. I was looking forward to hearing some good ones because you can learn much about someone that way. I was let down. I thought about mine quite a bit, and I narrowed it down to a few. I'll share the ones relevant to this blog:

1.) Read 1 book or about 500 pages each month
2.) Find one new artist every two weeks (I learned that his will be easier than expected, so it will be one a week).
3.) Find one new band each week.
4.) See a new movie each week.

I'll be tracking my progress and sharing those here. Should be fun.