Memorial Day

The weather was pretty nice yesterday on Memorial Day. So I went out to take some pictures around my neighborhood. Unfortunately, there are not a lot for me to shoot besides flowers in front of people’s homes (what else? 300-pound middle-aged man holding a beer?). Here are some of my pictures. Click on the pictures for a closer view.

I like the light in this one a lot:



Chessy ass picture with the flag:



I like this one:




Beautiful colors:

Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken?

I'm very happy to receive the two hard to find 7 inch singles of Camera Obscura from the mail today (from Elefant Records in Spain, to be excat). Earlier through e-mails, Tracyanne (singer of the band) told me she was pretty certain they'll come to Houston this time. Yet I was quite disappointed when I couldn't find "Houston" on their upcoming U.S. tour schedule.

Camera Obscura is going to Dallas and Austin, but not Houston. Damn it, bands always do that to Houston. Skip Dallas, man... don't skip Houston. I'm pretty sure Houston has more music geeks (or thugs, for sure) and we're cooler town.

Anyway, I'll still go to Austin to see them. I missed the chance last time because some jerk crushed my car the weekend before Camera Obscura was playing at SXSW. You can say they are not the greatest band of all time, but their music is definitely beautiful. They have the perfect formula for indie-pop--- jangly guitar, delicate organ/piano, sweet and shy vocals. I'm currently enjoying the vinyl only b-side "I Can't Stay Mad At You" off their new single "Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken". Camera Obscura makes the kind of perfect pop that will melt the heart of its audience.

They are a lot more than a Belle & Sebastian-look-alike.

And there are a lot more Scottish bands I wanna see.

When will I see the Fannies?

Weekend at Austin

I spent my last weekend (5/13) in Austin. Overall, I had a good time. It was good to take a day off, which was a first for me in 2006. I spent most of my time hanging out with my sister and my friend Andy. I have not seen them both for quite a while.

After my sister's non-stop complaining of the length of my hair (from the time I stepped into her house), I asked Andy to cut my hair in order to keep her quiet. I still remember that days when I was still in college and Andy would cut the hair of me and our friends because we were cheap ass bastards. He always does a decent job (hey, it's free. I have no complaints). As much as I like Austin, it always reminds me of the past, for better and for worse. It is a melancholy feeling-- to think about the good memories that are gone. But more important is I treasure what I am and what I have now.

Seeing my sister in college reminded me that I am not that kid in college anymore. I am a much different person now. I recognized how much I have grown all these years. It is a good thing that I am not stuck in a stage whereas there is no growth or learning. I can't imagine (or accept) to live a life without learning and growing everyday. I hope I'll keep it up with myself.

I finally visited Waterloo Records. When I used to live in Austin, I never went there because 33 degrees (now closed) was right by my home (i didn't have a car) and 33 was a very independent/underground record store (the kind that you won't find Coldplay but definitely Acid Mother Temple). Anyway, Waterloo is kind of cool because they have a big ass collection of indie/rock vinyls and t-shirts. It was like a candy shop for me (not the kind of candy shop 50 Cent goes). All the money I saved by cooking at home was flushed down at waterloo after buying numerous records-- a couple Bob Dylan, be your own PET (imported from UK! hard to find), Entroducing...(which i longed to buy), Sea Change and more... I'm glad I'm not living in Austin anymore, or I'll go bankrupt soon.

White power my yellow ass

I can't stand the cable news channels anymore. I still found it funny and laughable for their redundance and ignorance, but the white supremacy, male supremacy and classist shit is totally getting into me. It's so annoying it just made me wanted to fight back more

One of these days, you gonna see me wearing a shirt saying "FUCK WHITE SUPREMACY".

Yes, you will.

Taking Control

While David Blaine was wasting the past week living his life in a bowl of water, I was trying to change some of my living habits. I can proudly say that I have cooked dinner for myself 7 out of the past 8 days (the only night I went out to eat was Cinco De Mayo). I know it is nothing big for a lot of people, but I'm glad that I am not eating out all the time anymore. Eating at home saves me quite a lot of money and the food outside is not always satisfactory anyway. I also feel productive and content about being able to take care of my duties outside of work. Besides, I did try to clean up my place, well, it's about only 60% done but it is a good step.

I'm longing for the June 6 release of Camera Obscura's new album "Let's Get Out Of This Country". I hope they will tour in the U.S., I mean HOUSTON TEXAS to be excat.

Los Angeles Rapists

A basketball team has 5 starters. In the Los Angeles Lakers, two of them are rapists. Kwame Brown, one of the biggest bust in the NBA, is now under investigation by the police department. Innocent until proven guilty? Who makes this kind of shit up?

Just one more reason to dislike the Lakers.

Speaking of innocence, Kobe was so innocent that he agreed to issue an apology to the victim for what he had done after they settle the case. Who would apologize for their actions if they really think they didn't do anything wrong? (hint: someone on the Lakers team)

I'll cheer for the Suns to beat the Lakers (even before all this Kwame Brown bullshit).

I'll even cheer for the Los Angeles Clippers (hey, they are the life-long underdog).

not the lakers.