box of Jack » Brain Dump

Tagged: books, music, travel

Ok I seem to be not enjoying blogging as of late. There are a few things going on right now that I’d rather not blog about. Instead I just tell anyone who will listen. Also, I’m thinking too much about comments. I whore myself out for comments and maybe if one of these hobo jokes land hard enough I’ll become more popular. Because it’s so great to poke fun at the homeless and the general fucked-up nature of this country’s treatment of their own impoverished and mentally ill.

Um, moving on.

Maybe I just need to do some spring cleaning in the part of my brain that is responsible for writing. It’s hard to nail down what exactly is on my mind these days.

One, I’m going to an Oasis concert in August. Never been fanatical about their stuff but the Morning Glory album was and is still a thing of beauty. The awesome thing is it will be at a venue that’s only three or four blocks from my apartment. Radiohead is playing here soon and they’re 20 miles away and tickets will be impossible to get. Ben Folds will be playing 100 miles away and I’m ready to drive down there as soon as someone agrees to go with me. Some friends of mine are actually going to a Dave Matthews concert and they are bringing their camping gear. This idea is unfamiliar to me.

Two, I’ve stopped spending money on my Xbox. I usually buy one game a month so I always have something to play but I think I haven’t bought anything since December. Am I saving money? No, I have been taking the money and spending it on books instead. I am loving the idea of secondhand books because I love paperbacks when they’re kinda worn-in. Maybe I should write a post about books. I have two new books on their way from Amazon right now: a Korean phrasebook and a traveller’s guide to South Korea.

Three, before you say anything, I’m not using these books to hit on Korean girls. That’s silly and something a creepy white guy would do. (Maybe I should write a post on creepy white guys.) I’ll actually be vacationing in South Korea and Hong Kong at the end of June and first week of July. I won’t regret missing out on Independence Day because last year it was ok but pretty boring. Fireworks alone are not American enough. I want fighter jets and bald eagles and rock music. Maybe some apple pie. I’ll be taking this vacation with Diana and it will be nice to finally have someone to sit next to on the plane.

I seriously look forward to Hong Kong though. I always imagined I’d first travel there with my dad but, eh, I’ll take what I can get. I’m a little anxious about whether my Cantonese is up to snuff or whether I’ll just feel really stupid the whole time.

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16 comments »

	Deutlich I really hate how the Americans treat their own, too. We seem to care too much about shit going on elsewhere, but can’t get our crap together on the home front. Hurricane Katrina, anyone?
	tiff hmm… whoring yourself for comments is very easy. But write what you feel, and the people that matter will still be here.
	poodlegoose You’ll have to fill me in on the trip to Korea. ‘Cuz… you know. I’ll wanna know and stuff.
	Jack Deutlich: It drives me crazy to hear about how bad it can get in parts of America while the administration is so focused on spreading democracy. Natural disasters, widening gap between classes, crushing debt, failing education system, etc. tiff: Yeah, it’s hard to remember to write for myself sometimes. Darn these mindgrapes. poodlegoose: Sure thing. I am completely foreign to Korea except for kim chi. That doesn’t really count.
	V I love used books, if not just for the books stores. Elliot Bay is my favorite. Also, Half Priced Books on Capitol Hill has a decent travel section. … and yes, this country is a disaster when it comes to social programs. Our priorities don’t match our expectations- which is probably why our behavior is so remarked upon and appalling. There are a lot of good people and organizations though, doing great work outside the gates of government. I’m not trying to put a positive spin on failure, just adding that even without government we can do our part. Having a messed up administration is not an excuse- although it certainly doesn’t help.
	jo anne There was an isolated pier I often visited when I was studying in Hong Kong. I’d tell you the name but I can’t remember. Enjoy the airport! :)
	ExposedNYC On behalf of creepy white guys everywhere I feel compelled to comment! :) It actually sounds like you’ve got a lot to look forward to. I have a soft spot for Oasis’s Morning Glory because it reminds me of my first boyfriend. A concert where you bring your camping gear is COMPLETELY worth it to see Dave (or almost anyone) at the Gorge. It is an other-worldly experience. And you’re flying around the world to use a language paid tribute to in Wayne’s World. Here’s wishing you a Tia Carerre.
	chris I would love to read a creepy white guy post.
	Jack V: I visited Twice Told Tales in the U-district a few weekends ago and I really like it there. Elliot Bay is great too. jo anne: Are you being sarcastic about the airport? :/ Should I expect a real nightmare experience? ExposedNYC: I only understand half your comment, haha. But I do remember Tia. She appeared in all manner of B movies. chris: You got it. :D
	so@24 I’d stop putting money into your XBox too… … … and into your Wii. Oh snaaaaaaaaps!
	poodlegoose Just re-read your first paragraph, and I hope your week is going better. You can always find me on Gchat if you need someone else to listen :)
	Jack so@24: Pfft, Wii sucks. poodlegoose: You rock and I love you.
	Maxie I hate it how when I stop spending money on one thing it just ends up getting spent on something else. I swear I’m allergic to saving. and yes, please do write about creepy white guys. that sounds like it will be good :-)
	CET camping out to see the dave matthews band is DEFINITELY worth it! last may a couple of friends and i flew from london to dublin for ONE night, just to see them play. i wasn’t even a huge DMB fan then but they converted me, oh yes.
	nancypearlwannabe Fellow comment whore here. No worries, we all do it.
	Jack Maxie: Yeah I feel really restless when there’s too much money just sitting in my checking account. It must go somewhere! CET: I’ve only ever listened to one Dave Matthews song and that was because it was on house. NPW: I know you only commented so I would go to your site and write something. ;)

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