David Gilmour made the following statement:"Like most people I want to do everything I can to persuade the G8 leaders to make huge commitments to the relief of poverty and increased aid to the third world. It's crazy that America gives such a paltry percentage of its GNP to the starving nations. Any squabbles Roger and the band have had in the past are so petty in this context, and if re-forming for this concert will help focus attention then it's got to be worthwhile."
What I wouldn't give to be at this show. I've been into Pink Floyd ever since their pig-shaped blimp crashed into the roof of my church around the time of the Division Bell tour.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Mike Doughty on God
"There's a lot about Jesus that I really dig. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." That strikes me as absolutely beautiful. That central Christian idea of God turning himself into a human and volunteering for human suffering is so moving to me.
"I wanted to say that God can be a huge part of your life without being a fanatic. What fanatic, Christian, Muslim, or otherwise, is really compassionate? The God I struggle to have faith in is all about compassion.
"It's fucked up to me that to believe in God is to be on the wrong side in the culture wars. Why the fuck do we let the Republicans lay claim to God?!"
I've been a fan of Doughty's for many years and have met him on a couple of times. Very cool guy. His blog is quite entertaining. He did a nice little entry about how much he loves Oregon and the Doug Fir while he was here touring last month.
"I wanted to say that God can be a huge part of your life without being a fanatic. What fanatic, Christian, Muslim, or otherwise, is really compassionate? The God I struggle to have faith in is all about compassion.
"It's fucked up to me that to believe in God is to be on the wrong side in the culture wars. Why the fuck do we let the Republicans lay claim to God?!"
I've been a fan of Doughty's for many years and have met him on a couple of times. Very cool guy. His blog is quite entertaining. He did a nice little entry about how much he loves Oregon and the Doug Fir while he was here touring last month.
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Elliott-Pederson Family 1
It's once in a great while that all the members in my family happen to be at the same place at the same time. This weekend was one of those times; without a major holiday, marriage, or death, we all happened to be in Central Oregon to get this pic taken, brothers, sisters, spouses, future spouses, grandkids, and all. I could have never guessed that two divorces and a blended family could produce something so beautiful. I am truly blessed.
The Pain of Growing Old
I was in Central Oregon this past weekend for my brother's bachelor party (the big day is June 25th). It's amazing to me how much different bachelor parties have become as all of us have aged. Most of the group from this weekend also happened to be at Dustin's bachelor party about 5 years ago, where things were much more out of hand, including Dustin tackling a tree in the front yard and falling over my car later on (his face was ripped to shreds 2 days before his wedding; needless to say, his wife was not happy with any of us).
This weekend began with a poorly played round of golf that ended early (let's go, I'm too drunk to play...). We then headed over to Dustin's for BBQ, beer, and poker. As we sat around, we BSed of years passed and of the all the wild things we used to do. It struck me strange that a bunch of men in their mid and late 20's at a bachelor party were spending their time talking about their crazy antics rather than making new ones. Was it fondness in which we looked back on all the wild times, or did we look at it as "how could we be so stupid"? I honestly could not tell.
It often scares me when confronted with my fading childhood. B makes fun of my age and does claim on many occasions that I am acting immature, but perhaps it's because I'm so deperately trying to cling on to a youth that is no longer there. The hardest transition to adulthood for me as been accepting that I am no longer a kid, as much as I wish I was. As I drank my beer and became sleepy at the early hour of 11pm, I wondered if the best has come and gone, or is it yet to come?
It reminds me of an episode of Friends in which Chandler and Ross get so excited about their friend Gandolf coming to town so they can "paaarty, whoo!" But they soon find that that's not what they want to do; they'd rather kick it in the coffee shop and talk with the rest of the friends. It's like me: I hate going to Taylor's and other bars where the music is too loud and I can't talk with anybody. I'd much rather kick it at a chill place conversing with people. Of course, I'd much rather talk about the now, as opposed to this weekend where we talked a lot about the past. It just depresses me. That's a chapter in my life I can't experience again and I'd rather not dwell on it. Instead, I want to write new chapters with new experiences with my friends, with B, with my future family. Hopefully, I end up with one hell of a great book, not one where the first part was good, but then it got lame after the first few chapters.
This weekend began with a poorly played round of golf that ended early (let's go, I'm too drunk to play...). We then headed over to Dustin's for BBQ, beer, and poker. As we sat around, we BSed of years passed and of the all the wild things we used to do. It struck me strange that a bunch of men in their mid and late 20's at a bachelor party were spending their time talking about their crazy antics rather than making new ones. Was it fondness in which we looked back on all the wild times, or did we look at it as "how could we be so stupid"? I honestly could not tell.
It often scares me when confronted with my fading childhood. B makes fun of my age and does claim on many occasions that I am acting immature, but perhaps it's because I'm so deperately trying to cling on to a youth that is no longer there. The hardest transition to adulthood for me as been accepting that I am no longer a kid, as much as I wish I was. As I drank my beer and became sleepy at the early hour of 11pm, I wondered if the best has come and gone, or is it yet to come?
It reminds me of an episode of Friends in which Chandler and Ross get so excited about their friend Gandolf coming to town so they can "paaarty, whoo!" But they soon find that that's not what they want to do; they'd rather kick it in the coffee shop and talk with the rest of the friends. It's like me: I hate going to Taylor's and other bars where the music is too loud and I can't talk with anybody. I'd much rather kick it at a chill place conversing with people. Of course, I'd much rather talk about the now, as opposed to this weekend where we talked a lot about the past. It just depresses me. That's a chapter in my life I can't experience again and I'd rather not dwell on it. Instead, I want to write new chapters with new experiences with my friends, with B, with my future family. Hopefully, I end up with one hell of a great book, not one where the first part was good, but then it got lame after the first few chapters.
Such a Lovely Drive
I was lucky enough to spend some time in Central Oregon this weekend. It's not often enough that I make it back to see my family and friends. One of the strange benefits of heading home is the beautiful drive. This time of year is such a great time to take a drive with the sunroof down, listening to some tunes. I put on the new Gorillaz, which I was highly disappointed with (with the exception of a few tracks), and the new Black Eyed Peas, which I was diggin'. The bummer about the drive is the other drivers who feel the need to go so ridiculously slow (could they at least do the speed limit?) and it's one lane practically the whole way there. But there is so much to see while driving at 40mph: the highway follows alongside the river and there are the Sahalie Falls at the top of the mountain, which are beautiful. There are also plenty of quaint little places to check out on the drive. I hear the Log Cabin Inn has a great breakfast, which I will have to take my beautiful B to someday. I've also tried the infamous Logger Cakes at the Vida Cafe, which were something else. If time permits me this summer, I will definitely have to make a couple of drives over this summer with my beautiful B as she head to the C.O. for work.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Memorial Day Thoughts (Belated)
My good friend, Sanjay, sent this email out to his friends a couple of days ago and I felt compelled to share it. It talks a little about the death of U of O student, Joel Meyer, who passed away this weekend while at Shasta. Such a tragedy...
May, 30, 2005
I guess I haven't written one of those long mass emails for a long time so I'm about due. Unfortunately, it was spurred with somber news. Today is Memorial Day, a day to remember War Veterans, but its also more than that, it just not just another Holiday off work, some off have to work anyway. I know now that it is a time to remember your loved ones you lost or possibly some people you've never even met. This is one day to STOP! Just take a moment and think... think about what and who is really important to you... think about those who you've lost, than think about who you have...think about who you haven't spoken too but were thinking about calling a few days ago...think about those people who you were close friends but are not anymore and you really don't know why?...think about all those people you care about and love.... what would happen if you found out they passed away yesterday? How would that make you feel?
Well the strange thing is it happened to me today. Today was like any other day. I woke up went to work, you know the same routine, worrying about money, worrying about jobs, worrying about where I will be in 2 months and thinking about certain friendships and relationships...
I woke up from my nap today and I happened to leave the channel on the 6 O'clock news. I heard a University of Oregon student had passed away at Lake Shasta. They showed the picture for just a few seconds and my heart started pumping and my mind started racing because that face looked so familiar. The news story came back and I knew who it was, I was hoping it wasn't anyone I knew, but it wasn't! It was my fellow business school classmate and friend JOEL MEYER. Joel and I were not close friends, but he was my classmate for at least 2 terms, we were getting our Business Administration Minor together. Joel was a very smart guy, he was very dedicated and took charge in our group and he loved to share in some Sanjay humor during class. I still have his number in my phone, I still have our group project together, it is so trippy, we must remember one day we are here, tomorrow may never be...
So please, today is the perfect excuse to call and reach out to those people I listed above. No matter how small of an effort at least you tried to reach out. Some of you must be saying there goes Sentimental Sanjay again, yeah maybe, but I have to tell each and everyone of you, family, friends, coworkers and whoever, however and regardless of how long or what from... YOU HAVE ALL INFLUENCED MY LIFE AND I THANK YOU ALL, I CARE ABOUT ALL OF YOU AND LOVE EACH OF YOU IN SOME WAY SHAPE OR FORM.
Please take a moment and at least think about calling someone you haven't and tell them how you feel. I know it makes my day when someone tells me they were thinking of me...
I would love to hear from all of you, just a few minutes out of your day would mean a great deal. I just wished I knew all the emails to everyone I knew...
I hope all is well
My love and prayers go out to all your hearts
Thank You
-Sanjay Prasad
May, 30, 2005
I guess I haven't written one of those long mass emails for a long time so I'm about due. Unfortunately, it was spurred with somber news. Today is Memorial Day, a day to remember War Veterans, but its also more than that, it just not just another Holiday off work, some off have to work anyway. I know now that it is a time to remember your loved ones you lost or possibly some people you've never even met. This is one day to STOP! Just take a moment and think... think about what and who is really important to you... think about those who you've lost, than think about who you have...think about who you haven't spoken too but were thinking about calling a few days ago...think about those people who you were close friends but are not anymore and you really don't know why?...think about all those people you care about and love.... what would happen if you found out they passed away yesterday? How would that make you feel?
Well the strange thing is it happened to me today. Today was like any other day. I woke up went to work, you know the same routine, worrying about money, worrying about jobs, worrying about where I will be in 2 months and thinking about certain friendships and relationships...
I woke up from my nap today and I happened to leave the channel on the 6 O'clock news. I heard a University of Oregon student had passed away at Lake Shasta. They showed the picture for just a few seconds and my heart started pumping and my mind started racing because that face looked so familiar. The news story came back and I knew who it was, I was hoping it wasn't anyone I knew, but it wasn't! It was my fellow business school classmate and friend JOEL MEYER. Joel and I were not close friends, but he was my classmate for at least 2 terms, we were getting our Business Administration Minor together. Joel was a very smart guy, he was very dedicated and took charge in our group and he loved to share in some Sanjay humor during class. I still have his number in my phone, I still have our group project together, it is so trippy, we must remember one day we are here, tomorrow may never be...
So please, today is the perfect excuse to call and reach out to those people I listed above. No matter how small of an effort at least you tried to reach out. Some of you must be saying there goes Sentimental Sanjay again, yeah maybe, but I have to tell each and everyone of you, family, friends, coworkers and whoever, however and regardless of how long or what from... YOU HAVE ALL INFLUENCED MY LIFE AND I THANK YOU ALL, I CARE ABOUT ALL OF YOU AND LOVE EACH OF YOU IN SOME WAY SHAPE OR FORM.
Please take a moment and at least think about calling someone you haven't and tell them how you feel. I know it makes my day when someone tells me they were thinking of me...
I would love to hear from all of you, just a few minutes out of your day would mean a great deal. I just wished I knew all the emails to everyone I knew...
I hope all is well
My love and prayers go out to all your hearts
Thank You
-Sanjay Prasad
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
The Controversy of Star Wars
An interesting thought: who is right? It seems strange to me that the group has only criticized BK about this, as there is Star Wars marketing all over the galaxy for this movie, including Pepsi, 7-11, and countless others. I walk into the grocery store and it's like I've walked into the Mos Eisley cantina; Star Wars characters are all around telling me to buy certain products. Is this the Star Wars we know and love? It's like Woodstock '99, the spirit is gone with all of this mass marketing. So why target one company specifically? Of course BK is going to cash in on this. These marketing promotions rarely make any money for fast food companies, with the execption of a BIG movie like this. And isn't Star Wars for all generations? Sure, the latest installment is quite violent and very dark, but Star Wars is a national treasure. It should be required viewing for all Americans (it still breaks my heart that B hasn't seem any Star Wars movies...). Instead of going after BK which is just trying to make a buck, as a corporation should want, go after Lucas. He's the one that allows this wonderful franchise to be bastardized by his allowing of the Star Wars name to market laundry detergent. How can you create such an amazing story that has meant so much to so many people and then whore it out to the extent it has been? Does Lucas really need to extra cash he is getting from all these tie-ins? Lucas should know better and should take the brunt of these criticisms.
Monday, May 09, 2005
The Day is Getting a Little Better
Live Dave Matthews Band concert is being webcast on AOL right now (6pm Pacific). Great show to promote their new album being released tomorrow. It's bringing a smile to my face.
Perfect Rainy Day, Broken Heart Music
Ryan Adams Cold Roses (especially Disc One)
Songs like "When Will You Come Back Home", "Now That You're Gone", "How Do You Keep Love Alive", and "Cold Roses." How can you go wrong? His website even lets you stream the entire album for free.
"I ain't afraid of hurt
I've just had so much it feels just like normal to me now
I'm alone and I'm dancing with you now
In your old room, in your old house
I'm alone and I'm dancing with you now
In your old room, but there's nobody there
Now that you're gone
Now that you're gone for good."
Beautiful, depressing music. Perfect for today.
Songs like "When Will You Come Back Home", "Now That You're Gone", "How Do You Keep Love Alive", and "Cold Roses." How can you go wrong? His website even lets you stream the entire album for free.
"I ain't afraid of hurt
I've just had so much it feels just like normal to me now
I'm alone and I'm dancing with you now
In your old room, in your old house
I'm alone and I'm dancing with you now
In your old room, but there's nobody there
Now that you're gone
Now that you're gone for good."
Beautiful, depressing music. Perfect for today.
Guess Who's in the News?
While researching a phone number online for B, I stumbled across this article featuring none other than my good friend, Allen. Good times.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
What a S---ty, S---ty Day...
In addition to addressing some relationship problems, I kicked my toe against the wall. It hurt like a mutha... but I didn't really think too much about until later in the evening when I looked at it and saw my toe had turned a lovely shade of black. And it still hurts like a mutha... Anyway, I'm hoping the week turns out much better this this lame day has.
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Podcasting Takes Off
Great clip from CBS News on podcasting. Even gives a quick "shot-out" to Beercasting, which I found to be very cool.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Star Wars Convention This Weekend
Thousands of people gather together to not get laid. Is Gears one of them?
Found a New Site...
It allows me to post pics on the blog now. Now you have to look at my cute little face while listening to my pointless ramblings...
Monday, April 18, 2005
A Summer's Worth of Shows
After looking around Pollstar.com for a bit, I found a list of the shows I'd love to hit up this summer. Of course, I won't be able to get them all, but hopefully I can catch a few:
Eugene:
Living Legends 4/24
Portland:
Velvet Revolver 4/21
Moby 5/1
Audioslave 5/13
Mike Doughty 5/18
Pixies 5/26-27
Snoop Dogg 5/27
Def Leppard/Bryan Adams 6/1
Chris Isaak 7/15
Neil Diamond 9/17
U2 12/19
The Gorge, Washington:
Sasquatch Festival (Kanye West, Pixies, Modest Mouse, etc.) 5/28
Dave Matthews Band 8/19-21
Eugene:
Living Legends 4/24
Portland:
Velvet Revolver 4/21
Moby 5/1
Audioslave 5/13
Mike Doughty 5/18
Pixies 5/26-27
Snoop Dogg 5/27
Def Leppard/Bryan Adams 6/1
Chris Isaak 7/15
Neil Diamond 9/17
U2 12/19
The Gorge, Washington:
Sasquatch Festival (Kanye West, Pixies, Modest Mouse, etc.) 5/28
Dave Matthews Band 8/19-21
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