Dedication

So slow the return to regular blogging has been. Gradually I've been getting ready for this, the first blog entry after being permanently installed in San Fran and starting the internship. Many ideas were debated and rejected: trip stats (states/fill ups/sandwiches), lists of projects I'm working on, and of course, emotive blah blah blah.

As all of you know, I hate moving, always have. But after all the build-up (and trust me, there was a metric shit-ton of build-up, I have witnesses) strangely, none of it really transpired. After a few days I've actually settled in here pretty well. It would definitely be a stretch to say its been completely seamless, but its certainly the easiest transition I've made. I do feel reinvigorated with an energy that can only come from the beauty of this place and the excitement of actually getting to do the things I've always wanted to. I can't really say much about those here, but call me and I can tell you a bit more.

And so, something needed to change. Death to Congo Blue shall be no more. The colors and title no longer fit my new environment, the zeitgeist of J. So, welcome to contact closure. Now, the only two people who actually read my blog use RSS feeds so this is all a little bit like rearranging portraits for a blind man, but fuck them, I like it better this way.

"contact closure... what the hell is that supposed to mean?" you ask? Okay, first and foremost it sounds cool. Just say it out loud. I'm serious. Right now, where ever you are, airport, computer cluster, church, say it out loud.

It's ok, I'll wait....



Still waiting....



There. Didn't that just feel great?


Damn straight it did.

Obviously it also means something. It comes from show control systems, the computers used to sync content in very complicated shows and theme park attractions. A contact closure is a physical switch that can be thrown on command by a computer. Think about it like a circuit breaker that you can control with your laptop (metaphor only). Unlike computers, which have millions of switches, these have a physical air-gap until the device is told to be closed. There's something about that idea, relating to my being out here on this internship, that I can't entirely articulate but feels very right.

**Any other interpretation of the title is not sanctioned by the blogger and may void your warranty.**

And so there you have it, the re-dedication of this blog. Let me know how you like the new layout. What follows is the first in a new series, sequences, which is NOTHING like bullets at all. It is completely innovative and new and much, much better.

1. Finally got the car to a carwash and the interior cleaned. She's a little worn out from the road trip, but 20,000 mile service should happen soon and I may get a few of the dinks and dents dealt with.
2. Purchased Zelda for Wii. I've been holding off on getting the big Wii "launch title" until I had time and energy to play it. It took a while, but that time is now. I'm actually glad I held off, so that I had a great game waiting for me.
3. Getting all 120 stars in Mario Galaxy seems irritatingly complicated. I may hold off on that for a while.
4. While at Best Buy I nearly bought a gorgeous 32-inch HDTV that was onsale. Man I want a big TV, but I'm going to do my best to hold off on thoughts like that so I can save the money I'm making for the ultimate move to LA. It's only 14 months, no sweat... until football season anyway.
5. Speaking of football, someone at the office was laughing about the Pats SB loss. He's lucky Ninja Stars aren't a common fashion accessory.
6. Weekend flights to Vegas can be had last-minute for $40. This could be a problem.
7. The weather here is retarded beautiful. I can't wait for spring.

Leah got my desk chair, Henry got Dale's monitor

Austin's stuff is still up for grabs...

Insurance Anyone?

Violinist: Fall fractures $1M fiddle
By THOMAS WAGNER, Associated Press Writer

LONDON - Can his fractured fiddle — a million dollar Guadagnini — be fixed? It's too early to tell.

David Garrett, a former model who has been called the David Beckham of the classical scene, said he tripped while carrying his 18th century violin as he was leaving London's Barbican Hall after a performance, smashing it to bits.

"I had it over my shoulder in its case and I fell down a concrete flight of stairs backward," Garrett said Thursday. "When I opened the case, much of my G.B. Guadagnini had been crushed."

Garrett said he bought the 1772 violin for $1 million in 2003, and he is now hoping to get it repaired in New York, where he is based.

"I hope and pray that it can be fixed, but if it can't, I hope my insurance policy will let me buy another great violin," the 26-year-old musician said. He told The Associated Press that other published accounts saying the violin was a Stradivarius were incorrect. Guadagnini is believed by some to have been a student of Antonio Stradivari.

The accident occurred Dec. 27 but only came to light this week when he returned to London for another concert at the Barbican and told British reporters what had happened.

For his Valentine's Day concert there, he is playing a Stradivarius that's been loaned to him.
Garrett gained attention as a child prodigy. Before he was 10, he played as a soloist with the London Philharmonic, according to his Web site. When he studied at the Juilliard School in New York, he became a parttime model to help supplement his income.

Lateral Move

A really interesting wine article, with a metaphor so overwrought you'll think I'd have to have written it!

When Syrah met Pinot:
One's Feisty, the other's finicky

Bullets

Went to the SFMOMA on Thursday, had a few really great pieces but lots of dreck too

Spent what I'll consider my last day in San Fran as a tourist doing a very tourist-y thing: Alcatraz. It was fun, pics on Facebook soon.

CMU's season was announced, sadly for Josh it did in fact include Into the Woods

Spending tonight at a Chinese New Year party in LA.

In little more than 24 hours I will say goodbye to one of the best friends Ive ever had for what could be a very long time.

Greetings from Sunny California

Today I awoke in California... the first time with it as my home. It smells vaguely of the famous redwoods in my quaint Mill Valley apartment. This is going to be great.



A long december and theres reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last

And its one more day up in the canyons
And its one more night in hollywood
If you think you might come to California...I think you should

I cant remember all the times I tried to tell my myself
To hold on to these moments as they pass
And its one more day up in the canyon
And its one more night in hollywood
Its been so long since Ive seen the ocean...I guess I should

A rock and a hard place

yesterday Dale, Josh, and I went to Momentum-- an incredible indoor rock climbing gym in Salt Lake City. I successfully completed four routes (as they're called) a four partial completions. For me it was pretty good considering the heights thing. Ultimately I had a blast-- its something I'll definitely consider as a hobby in the future.

After that we went to a Super Bowl party but strangely the NFL canceled the game at the last second. Odd.

NaCl H2O Complex

Two busy days of driving. Spent Friday night in super exciting Kearney, Nebraska. Dale and I turned to a mutual friend, a Mr. Anejo, for entertainment. Other highlights included a Dale-required stop at a Sonic Burger. The burgers? Actually, great. The blast? Terrible.



We arrived at Josh's place in Salt Lake City early enough to enjoy some beers before an ill-advised attempt at watching Sin City.



Photos should make an appearance on facebook soon.



Go Pats!!!