Welcome 2011, my warmth to all.

"I would tell them that if they want thrills, they should throw away their toys and ride the greatest roller coaster of all, the earth on which they dwell. And I would tell them that it will cost absolutely nothing because they gained admission free of charge on the day they were born."

--Richard Bode, Beachcombing at Miramar

This quote comes from my favorite book of all time. That's right, all time. Bode’s tale illustrates the search for an authentic life and, in a way, demonstrates a route to find happiness. Although his path is drastic, his yearning for the sublime resembles the common man. In a roundabout way, it leads into my resolution.

 

With 2011 looming, my resolution comes in two parts. One half deals with the people in my life while the other stems from a major letdown. In the former, I hope the people around me continue their stream of happiness, and remain content in their respective lives. It’s a small resolution that’ll hopefully serve large purpose. What’s more, I hope to add to their happiness and make an impact.

The latter revolves around me coping with major disappointment. Not to open up a sinkhole, but when my abroad plans fell through I had a difficult time dealing with it. Those close to me understood my heartache. Only in the last month did I talk to my oldest friend about it, nearly seven months later.  So, simply put, I need to learn from that experience and  better manage major disappointment. It's easy to brush off the minute details, but larger circumstances take additional poise. It will take time, but it will make things better. It will make me better for it.

I’ll be bringing in the New Year with my girlfriend and closest of friends as we head north to my friend’s New Hampshire cottage. As per usual, it’s a double feature because there is a birthday at the stroke of midnight, which calls for double the amount of tomfoolery.

There were too many memories to count from the past year and it’s time to close that chapter and start a new one. Happy New Year, people!

snow day!

I learned at 2:00 this morning that all of our east coast offices were closed due to the snow storm! It's like being a kid again and looking at the scroll on the bottom of the television screen for closings. The girlfriend is working from home all of this week so I get to keep her company today while she watches The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

I shoveled my car out to get to the gym and when I arrived home, there was home-made mac and cheese waiting. Yum, the perfect dish for this weaher. After more shoveling, we're headed to IKEA to get a new desk for the apartment.

I could use more of these days.

doing the Christmas thing

A second Christmas with my girlfriend's family has come and gone. I am incredibly fortunate to celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas with loved ones and I'll never take that for granted. I was the recipient of stellar gifts: Subscription to TIME Magazine, microfiber plush sheets, slippers, gloves, clothes, a slow-cooker, steak knives, magic-cleansing soap and lastly, a portrait of my girlfriend's nieces in matching attire. The portrait now graces our apartment. We ate, we drank, we played with small children and watched Santa Paws. It was wonderful.

Prior to Christmas, the girlfriend treated me to a facial at a spa in Cambridge. She is persuasive. It was...fun. Then, I took her to see Black Swan at West Newton Cinema. It is walking distance from our apartment and is quite unique. It was constructed in 1937, has only six screens, is cash only and prides itself on showcasing indie films. Therefore, it was a rare treat that Black Swan was showing. The film was everything I expected from Darren Aronofsky, whose resume includes Requiem For A Dream, The Fountain, Pi and The Wrestler. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, it'll make your blood boil.

Now it's time to watch the Patriots clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs!

the good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain

It's been a while since I've posted. There is much catching up to do. Long hours at work have contributed to this and it's time to get the ball rolling. There have been great moments over the last month or so: Thanksgiving, my sister got engaged, New York City and Maine to visit dear friends, great food, a special anniversary, Hanukkah and more. I am going to make a conscious effort to keep the blog going, the ideas flowing and to maintain a creative outlet. Merely attempting  to encapsulate two months in a post is not possible meaning I'll only rewind a couple weeks ago.

One of the biggest highlights was a concert. Live music hits my soul like lightning crashing. It's what I love. It brings happiness, accompanied by rhythm and melodies that make all problems fade resembling the lights. I attended Chad Stokes and Friends to benefit Chad's non-profit organization, Calling All Crows. This was the organization's third benefit show and I went to last year's show at The Center for Arts at the Armory in Somerville with a friend. The crux of the non-profit's mission is to mobilize musicians and fans to promote human rights. I have volunteered with CAC before and it's a powerful movement. This year's show was at the House of Blues in Boston and, as expected, was an intimate, acoustic setting. Many artists flocked to join Chad's campaign including Braddigan, formerly of Dispatch. It was the first year they made it a tour and hit the road to convey their collective message. It was extra special because I took my girlfriend, and she enjoys the same music I do. If I can accurately recall, it was my tenth time seeing Chad Stokes in some form, either by Dispatch, State Radio or solo. I highly recommend checking out Calling All Crows' site and seeing the overflow of kindness people demonstrate

                               Lauren Coleman, White Buffalo, Bonnie Paine, Chad Stokes, Matt Embree, Melaena Cadiz, and Braddigan

                                                           Chad Stokes

 

Remembering Rabin

Today marks the 15th anniversary of Yitzhak Rabin's assassination. His vision was simple; peace for the Jewish State and hold firm on the security and livelihood of the Jewish people. He won the Nobel Peace Prize withShimon Peres and Yasser Arafat in 1994 for the signing of the Oslo Accords. I was fortunate enough to visit the Rabin's memorial in January 2009 during a day trip to Tel Aviv.

Photos of the memorial from my camera:

In memory of.

Memorial of rocks.

Rabin Square.

 

The war report is coming: Zhari

It could be a make or break trial for United States forces stationed in Afghanistan. As focus shifts towards Taliban strongholds on the Pakistan border, the number of casualties is sure to increase on both sides. Zhari, a major area of focus, is a stranglehold of the Taliban, and presents a clash for positioning to ensue

American forces are attempting to push insurgents back into their homes and doorsteps. Reports suggest it’s happening, but looming is the door-to-door struggle of IED’s and ambushes. It is a double-edged sword of sorts. The battle for Zhari is crucial in the Taliban’s power of the cell-ridden area. A war report will be released this winter and the position of American troops and its allies in Zhari is of the utmost importance.

Song that will change your day

Artist: Joshua Radin
Song: The Rock and the Tide

Taking both sides with Rice

It's always easy to take both sides of an argument. Condoleezza Rice believes the United States forces and intelligence should have focused more on the provinces around Baghdad and not just the capital. Later, she mentioned it's too early to judge the progress or success of the war. Are we talking stakes in a segment or the whole? It's not a scale. Foreign policy is something that needs to be set in stone prior to engagements, even more so in a non-western environment where democracy is not fundamental. Imperialism is driven by this concept and the ineptitude of those in charge when pushing different customs often presents a problem. Rice said that the United States entered Iraq because of threat, not to stabilize a democracy. It seems to be the same thing, just in a different vernacular. That is exactly what happened. We have pushed customs, our customs.

Southern roots in this New England weather

This melancholy, disgusting and cold weather combined with today's groupon presented the perfect time to get barbecue. Located a mile from our apartment, the girlfriend and I went to Blue Ribbon BBQ for some eats. Pulled pork, brisket, collard greens, mashed potatoes and dirty rice makes things ok.

A Dolly sighting in West Newton!

My best pal.

Song that will change your day

Artist: Iron & Wine
Song: Each Coming Night

Cubs fans, look away

Today marks the 7th anniversary of the infamous Steve Bartman incident; a play cemented in baseball lore that haunts the North Siders to the day. When a hapless Bartman extended his arms to catch Luis Castillo's foul ball everything froze. The Earth was still. Then, as cruel as endings come, Moises Alou did not make the catch and the rest is history. The Cubs have not smelt the World Series since.

Deuces Wild: Song(s) of the day

Artist: Barefoot Truth
Song: Threads

"We've got to find the love to overcome"

If you dig Dispatch, this is the band for you. New England natives with a reggae-alternative sound infused with rhythmic harmonica.

Video: "Spoonful" Live from Higher Ground, VT

Promo from new album released in February: Threads playing in background.

Paladino issues an apology: Ugly sympathy

In a prior post, I reacted to the comments of New York gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino in which he took jabs at the gay and lesbian community. Paladino said that children should not be " brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid or successful option [compared with heterosexuality]. ... it isn't." In a letter Tuesday, Paladino issued an apology to the gay and lesbian community. He immediately followed that by stating if elected he will fight for the rights of all New Yorkers. These sympathy and image-protecting apologies arise more than towns on a highway. The depths in which a politician will steep to in order to flip a tarnished image is an act we witness all too often. For the public persona, it's refreshing when they don't make it out. Mark Sanford can attest to that.

I'll take a ginger ale.

There was a feel-good story from the Texas Rangers clubhouse after their clinching win over the Tampa Bay Rays last night in the ALDS. Traditionally, teams celebrate via beer and champagne showers when clinching a postseason berth or winning a playoff series. 

Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton, who struggled with alcohol and drug addiction in the past, did not participate when the Rangers took the AL West crown to stay clear of those old demons. 

His teammates doused him in Canada Dry ginger ale last night, a sensible celebration for a great baseball player. Hamilton was the first overall pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays but was derailed by addiction. It must have felt refreshing for Hamilton to return to the Trop with a clear state of mind, and then earn a trip to the ALCS. A story of triumph is good for the soul.

Red Sox fan? Here's a must read tweet

Bill Simmons has it right.

@sportsguy33 Every time Don Orsillo announces a playoff game, I feel like I'm watching my wife make out with someone else.

A peaceful day in Jerusalem.

A simple photograph says it all. 

Remembering a good day.

A summer of sounds: State Radio, John Butler Trio, Dave Matthews Band

Song that will change your day

Artist: Brad Senne
Song: Weighted Wings

Sufism

I watched an interesting documentary this week called Inside the Koran. It focused on the constant struggle between Sunni and Shia Islam and the subsequent bloodshed and religious turmoil that plagues a large population of the Islamic world. I understand the concepts of each religious sector and although the backbone of the documentary focused chiefly on holy disparity, a different branch of Islam called Sufism peaked my attention. I have heard of this mystical dimension of Islam but never educated myself on its fundamentals. It is characterized by embracing life as it is today rather than only achieving paradise when one succumbs to death. They seek to restore themselves, which in turn pleases G-d. Acts such as lowering the ego, poetry and expressive dance are key components in this area of Islam. We do not hear a great deal about Sufism due to the carnage between Sunni and Shia. Sufism sure is captivating in its own right.

Report: Branch back to Patriots

Breaking: Twitter is abuzz with the report of Deion Branch re-joining the Patriots. ESPN's Adam Schefter first broke the news and tweeted that the Patriots are sending a fourth-round pick to the Seahawks.
 
 @Adam_Schefter: Filed to ESPN: Seattle traded WR Deion Branch to New England for a fourth-round pick. Bet Tom Brady is happy.

Damn skippy.

I love that my girlfriend makes me my favorite dessert/cookies

I love hermits.

Song that will change your day

"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain."

Artist: Jack Savoretti
Song: Mother

Have a listen, people. 

No direction in taking steps

The news I read from from the BBC.

The Palestinian Authority will not recognize Israel as Jewish State. Shocking! As is the case, West Bank settlement construction will continue to progress as the moratorium concluded over a week ago. Just today, Israel's Prime Minister said "If the Palestinian leadership will say unequivocally to its people that it recognises Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, I will be prepared to convene my cabinet and request an additional suspension of building for a limited period of time."

The PA immediately shot down that notion.

A poor choice of words

I am flabbergasted by the crude remarks that trickle out regarding homosexuality. In it’s newest case, New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino stated that children should not be "brainwashed" into believing homosexuality was tolerable. The comments, which stem from Paladino’s Catholic faith, are not surprising since he boycotted New York’s gay pride parade. Although same-sex marriage cannot be legally performed in New York, the language used by Paladino suggests children have a choice regarding their sexual orientation. I can only hope that such demeaning words will take him out of contention for election. At the very least, given the recent developments of Tyler Clementi, one would think such commentary would sit on the back burner.

Nine years in the making: CNN's interview with Fareed Zakaria

Is the Taliban feeling pressure? It's possible. Afghan President Hamid Karzai and representatives from the Taliban are apparently talking. Here is an excerpt from Fareed Zakaria's interview with CNN that echoes a newer side of conversation.

CNN: The U.S. military view seems to be that the talks haven't yielded progress so far, and a senior defense official told CNN, "We don't think the Taliban believe that they're losing to the degree that they'd come to terms in large numbers." Are the talks premature because the effects of the U.S. military buildup haven't been felt yet?

Zakaria: First the very fact that the Taliban are coming to the table in a way they had not been willing to before suggests that they are feeling some pressure.
But I also think you can't get too hung up with this idea that you have to negotiate from a position of strength. Ideally we would have them totally prostrate on the floor and that would be the time to negotiate. But the reality is that this is a very mixed military campaign. I don't know if it's going to be dramatically better one year from now or three years from now.

See the whole interview here.

Sidenote: If you want to get uber cultured on the "American superpower" framework, read Zakaria's The Post-American World. I highly recomend it. One of my favorite reads.

Feeling green for Favre

I'm curious what the blogosphere is saying about Brett Favre's revelations that have surfaced over the course of a week. Media outlets are reporting that Favre sent suggestive photos to Jenn Sterger, then a New York Jets sideline reporter when Favre was the quarterback in 2008. The NFL is deciphering through evidence as a suspension looms  given Sterger's employment status in the league. We have seen male athletes send provocative photos of themselves to girlfriends, mistresses, friends, whomever. It happens.  

What I find fascinating is the parallel to Tiger Woods. We have a public figure with a monster ego that collects copious amounts of money and perhaps feels a sense of entitlement to do whatever ceases to amaze them. I think it's entirely possible we'll witness a "Woods effect" in which more and more information is leaked regarding Favre and encounters. I have no proof of such a happening,  but the scenario reeks of fraud and transgressions.  What's more, while Woods was in treatment in Mississippi, his ex-wife, Elin, stayed with Deanna Favre. Reports have indicated that she stayed there because Deanna dealt with Brett's alcohol addiction in the past and could bring closure. Who is to say that addiction stopped at the bottle? This could be Favre's car crash.

Joshua Radin Landing!

I'm overjoyed that Joshua Radin's new album, The Rock and the Tide, is being released on Tuesday. Melodies and catchy rhythms epitomize Radin, at least in the past. In hearing a few tracks off the record, his sound is louder but still has his crux of soft roots mixed in. His sound has changed -- or developed -- which is the case for many artists, and I am not sold on if I dig it. I had this talk with my girlfriend the other day in which she referenced Guster's transformation from Goldfly to their recently released Easy Wonderful. A valid example. The same applies to O.A.R. Perhaps a transformation of sound is what musicians strive for. Though, Jack Johnson has embraced the same sound for a decade and makes our longest of days bearable.