cedar.
lavender.
mint.

holy shit it's burial mound for realz...

I'd like to take a moment to thank whiskey and bill groundhoug day ghostbustin' ass murray.
Thank you.

...the poster for the benefit I've been working on for Portland non-profit, Bikes To Rwanda.

BTR's goal is to improve quality of life in Rwandan farming communities through a bike workshop and maintenance program that provides transportation resources for basic needs and enhances production of quality coffee. Cargo bikes help farmers harvest their crops quicker and easier, making it possible for more of the crop to reach potential buyers. In the past few years, Rwanda has developed a reputation to producing top-quality specialty coffee for export throughout the world. The result has been tremendous economic and social benefits for the people of Rwanda: coffee now generates more than half of Rwanda's export income—some US $46 million in 2006—and it helps support thousands of families. As Rwandans earn more for their coffee beans, families take a step up the ladder of economic development toward a better life.

This year, BTR will be focusing its efforts on building bike shops for Rwandan co-ops. The shops will be gathering places and resource centers where people in the co-op can maintain, service, and construct bicycles. It is our goal at Octane to support this community, our global coffee family, as we work to raise enough funds to construct a bike shop in Rwanda.

So much going on right now, but I wouldn't have it any other way!!
I need to do a MEGA POST about the Bikes To Rwanda Benefit I've been throwing together at full speed...but in the meantime, if you are reading this, I really want you to get involved. It's all about community, and one that is bigger than just the city you live in. Ride your bike in the race, submit a spoke card for the art show, come to our shop and just have fun over the weekend, whatever. I just want to see your face.

Quick Schedule of Events, ALL @ Octane!

Friday April 11th: Latte Art Throwdown + Octane Kitchen Kids Grillout Session (PBR Keg on the Patio?) @ 8pm

Saturday April 12th: Bike Relay Race @ 6pm / Spoke Card Art Show @ 8pm + Queen Zarlacc, Lord Slug and Rhythm and Booze on dem platters!

Sudnay April 13th: Pecha Kucha time TBD, watch really cool 4000 second slide shows on cool topics. I (+ others?) will be tracing a coffee to it's origin in 20 slides!

Monday April 14th: All Rwandan Coffee Cupping led by M'lissa + guest speakers

This big weekend keeps getting bigger! So keep your lookin' balls locked!!

thoughts...

...spencer recently brought to my attention that almost all of apples' oh-so-chic products have been directly inspired by this man...Dieter Rams. Rams designed for German consumer electronics manufacturer- Braun, for 40 years, and was their director of design until 1995. His talents embody functionality and aesthetics: from personal radios, lighters, speaker systems, and cameras, to turntables, calculators, personal razors, and televisions- his pieces are elegant and timeless, and his philosophy for creation is a guiding ethos.




















Dieter Rams' 10 principles for good design:

• Good design is innovative.
• Good design makes a product useful.
• Good design is aesthetic.
• Good design helps us to understand a product.
• Good design is unobtrusive.
• Good design is honest.
• Good design is durable.
• Good design is consequent to the last detail.
• Good design is concerned with the environment.
• Good design is as little design as possible.

P1 pocket record player, 1959, and T41 pocket radio, 195

LE1 loudspeaker, 1960

look familiar?!...more at

dieter rams @ design museum

What is your great ambition?

















To become immortal- and then die.

IT ACTUALLY SNOWED TODAY!!!

Dammmmmn it has been a truly amazing year.

2007: a Highlighted Review

(show and tell)

:Music:

Swamp Ape
























With each performance... with every listen... an experience emerges from sound.
...and each time it's different, but every time it's dark, heavy, and full of doooooom.
And yes, that is six O's on the doom scale (on a scale of none to six, mmhmm).
My favorite show of the year: Halloween- which featured Swamp Ape's brother in noise, Mr. T.J. Blake. T.J.'s knack with the sampler, paired with his expressive sound manipulation, added a deep level of spatial texture to the already mind melting duo.
Plus, Spencer was a wizard and Joe was an unraveling mummy who actually kicked over his cymbal and bled on his snare. So hard.
MY BOYS!!!
You propel me to distant lands filled with morbidly inviting rivers of evil.
Gracias.

The Pretty Things
















Another new band for me this year...London's The Pretty Things.
Thanks to Joe, I heard S.F. Sorrow and was completely blown away. Psychedelic pop at it's finest, complete with provocatively dark lyrics and creepy layered sound collages.
Some interesting trivia: members of the Pretty Things can be heard in, Dawn of the Dead under the moniker Electric Banana. Their song "Cause I'm a Man" is the track playing when some logger-esque zombies get all hacked up and stuff (if I remember right). I was lucky enough to snag the Defecting Grey 10" a few weeks ago and haven't been able to stop listening to it since. It features 4 crunchy tracks from the 67/68 era and is must listen for anyone who digs S.F. Sorrow, or the Pretties at all for that matter.

Dungen

















Gustav Ejstes, can I tell you I love you? So what if I can't speak Swedish, but god damn, JEG ELSKER DEG!!!
So what if that's Norwegian and so what if I still listen to Ta Det Lugnt like more than once a week.
It's fucking perfect.
Two things I can be thankful for this year...I finally got the self titled release featuring dungen's early works. Spanning the years between 1999-2001, the album is actually 3 long tracks seamlessly woven together into one cohesive, yet distinct arrangement. According to Gustav, each track is meant to provide the listener with 3 different experiences: Stadsvandringar is about city walks and observations on urban life, Midsommarbongen- (midsummer bong) is a musical homage to summer life, and Lilla Vannen- (little friend) represents love.
Each track is full of beauty and pure Scandinavian magic.
Second thing...dungen released a new album in May of 2007. Swedish for "10 Bits", Tio Bitar features 10 eloquently crafted tracks that range from dynamic psych rock to true pop- from folk to sweeping melodies, all of which certainly call this lady away from American reality.

SunnO))) and Earth @ the Independent, July 4th 2007
























Aside from a totally weird crowd and a chic in attendance who was actually wearing a blanket and neon yellow dayglo face paint, this show ripped. SunnO))) was great and fucking loud as shit and all, but the true show stealer: Earth. Dylan Carlson shreds so hard yet so subtlety, creating what could almost be a soundtrack to a lost and dusty Leone film. Adrienne Davies played her kit with such patience, every cymbal sizzle gave me chills. Perfect keys, and an impeccable bass player, the 4 person assemblage of Earth could have played music for 15 hours and I wouldn't have batted an eye. A truly captivating performance. I witnessed skill and heard time.

:Things:

Our Lady Lupe



















You are a magical animal and I love you.

Pause Button Mix Tapes
Made my first, and was given my first. Thank you Spencer and Joe for showing me your ways.

Felt
Probably my favorite material ever. So much diversity and depth, yet so simple. I made a felt mask this year.

Magical Journeys
Taking trips with friends and people you love without even leaving your house can hardly be topped.

Ill Grillin'



















Eating is ill. Grillin' is even iller, especially with all your homies. So many baddass meals with friends went down this year.

Gnomes



















My Halloween costume and in general life inspiration, Gnomes are not only cute and clever, they also help injured animals and have smart home remedies.

Richard's 25th Birthday @ Karaoke Melody



















This was one of the best birthday celebrations I have ever been to. Gettin' crunk in a private room + singing + hilarious videos = where it's at.

Tattoos by Dave Talsma



















I think it could be said that Dave is a wonderboy, a jack of all trades, a player on many stages... and now that this one's got a tattoo machine, a dream combination has been made. Coming soon to your skin, this man is on the up.

Smart Wools
Thanks to Rena, the entire Picket Street Familia has warm, dry, cozy feet and toes. What a great sock.

Chomp and Stomp Chili Cook-off
























I had a fucking blast making chili for a bunch of people I didn't know (and a lot that I did!). Larisa and I entered one chili each, under the name The Pinto Bean Assassins, and cooked up around 6 total gallons of Asian themed, bomb ass chili. The response from the crowd was supremely flattering, as the day was beautifully rewarding.

Aprons by Mackie
























In conjunction with the Stomp, Larisa and I rocked beautiful all over print aprons crafted by screenprinter, artist, and super dude- Mackie. We now wear these gems in the kitchen at Octane so come by and see them in action. The print features all kinds of kitchen items, utensils, and appliances, and is by far the most fun and unique all-over design I've see this year.

:Places:

San Francisco



















Fucking amazing public transit, beautiful architecture, breathtaking landscape. I can't say that I left my heart there, but I most definitely made a space in mine for the golden city by the bay.




















Mi Barrio
571 Memorial Drive Atlanta, GA
A neighborhood staple. A true family business. The best Mexican food, served by the most amazing and genuine people. Plus, they change the channel to Soccer for our crew.

Books Japan
6251 Peachtree Industrial Blvd
Atlanta, GA
I love simple places that make you feel like you are in another country. Books Japan has the cutest staff and the largest selection of Japanese books and magazines that I have seen anywhere in the U.S.. Plus they have a cafe- serving coffee, tea, and elegant pastries and cakes. The seating area features modern, plywood tables and a plasma screen t.v. that plays anything from anime to Japanese melodramas.

Full Moon Records
1653 Mclendon Ave NE Atlanta, GA
Great selection, great prices, groovy owner.

Victory Vintage 303 E College Avenue Decatur, GA
http://www.victoryvintage.com/
THE best in mid century modern with a great selection of new books and other kitsch items. Affordable classics, plus too many dream pieces to count. Pure design inspiration.

:Acquisitions:

My 1993 Geo Metro Hatchback


















I'm in love with my car.

My Gretsch Catalina Jazz Kit
























I am also in love with my drums.

Mi Casa


















My first house, plus an awesome roommate with a crazy awesome kitty. It is home.
-------------------------------------------------------------




















Thank you to all who are in my life.
Thank you to all who got me back down to Atlanta, and who keep me grounded and full of love everyday.
To all my new friends I couldn't be more grateful for the friendship I have found in you.
This year, a love was lost, but a big one was was gained.
...to my Grandmother Marsha-Ann Rose Rochau. You live on in me, and will for all time.
(and yes he is tall!)

falling asleep to owls,

waking up to marta.

in-between dreams and bed covers,
the daylight seems too far away.

ode to saturday...













(and to sunday, haha!)

I should be reading about policy evaluation right now but my mind has been overtaken!!

...feverish excitement compels me to collect each and every moment, nuance, and fraction of good that has occured the past 10 months, and assemble them into some monolithic treasure that can be kept for all time.

My basket is getting huge.

...and current company continues, with increased momentum, to burrow deeper into my existence...thank you.

These times and places feel nothing but right.

...this is for matt...

This for the thinkers
This for the urchins allergic to they own stingers
This for the absurd verdict linkers
This for that cat at my shows that's always got prophetic opinions
but cant remember where his drink is...

(thanks aes rock)

how is it that every year, you seem to wake up and, all of the sudden- fall is here.
and you can see your breath in the newly brisk air,
and scarves get wrapped around your neck,
and you must dig out the gloves you so hastily stashed away when spring did the same,
and the warmest bed becomes your haven,
and all you want to eat is soup,
and some place close, a fire burns- and either the smell or the heat penetrates you in some way...

as things around me in the natural world dry and change and put themselves to bed for a while-
in many ways I'd like to do the same...
and with them shrivel into a new existence.

one that isn't far from what I know, but is a state that truly is different.

okay now something good for bedtime.

Sometimes I feel like everything's going on around me and I'm just watching, and although I feel "busy" I don't really have this glorified sense of completion I seem to assume everyone else has.
Some days I think maybe my actions don't add up.
Or that I am out of context with myself.
Like, at one time, I had bigger plans....or something...
And it's that something that gets me.
I guess I remember my last few days of camp I guess I just turned 13...we had to fill out these silly fill-in-the-blank surveys, joking about what we would be doing in 5 or 10 years, and what we would be doing when we were 30. My answer to this was blandly: "probably still in school for something".
sommmmmmethhhhhing.
Like I already knew at that point that I wasn't going to have a clue how to focus my brain even when I was older and supposed to have things figured out.
But then again, what does that even mean?
And who should really give a fuck?
Why all this bogus pressure on myself? It's mostly self-concocted anyway...
Can't something be as tangible or elusive as one would like?
Isn't that the beauty of the freedom and choice that surround the option?
Despite my ability to agree- my placid observation is temporary, and this inability to put my finger on what I want to happen in my life (and consequently put this into action) is stressing me out to beyond ridiculous levels. But, I fear my obsessions surrounding this are jepordizing some extremely vital relationships, that are all fine and good until I start fucking shit up with these stupid thoughts.
My head spins- realizing that I am acting silly, but yet I continue to do so...over and over.

Larisa the other day was telling me about someone who once offered enlightenment with the basic fact- there are simple beginning steps for everything. I can't remember how many she referenced but let' s just say 4 steps. Regardless, the requirement of identifying issues one through four, helps to put the situation in an immediate context- which naturally will lead you to the next set of steps, and the next part of the situation. They sighted how you can't (or shouldn't is better here... I suppose, you can do whatever you want to) even begin to think about step 99 until you simply take care of the easy ones at the beginning. As common sense as this process seems (basic addition, rational thinking) her telling of this really clicked with me: I'm compulsive about things I can't control.
It's quite basic to understand, that when you create unpredictable scenarios in your head, you constantly victimize yourself with those assumptions. And this is a dangerous cycle.
Simply put...as Mr. Stanton taught me in 6th grade: to assume is to make an ass out of u and me.

And I know this.

And as much I dream to think and plan for the future...it's so ridiculous to think I can control an outcome by simply (or complexly) mulling over it.

But seriously. It's 3 am.
And a person that loves me and that I love back is directly behind me, and to break it down into simple steps, somewhere around the 2nd or 3rd, I should have been comfortably sleeping with him by my side. Stressing about how I am going to make sure I can convince him the goods outweigh the bad, should not be included in steps 1-4. Playing with emotional scales should not even be in any steps. Neither should adding up actions, or tallying arbitrary debts.

I guess I just need to read some Kant and shut my face.
...and open and relax my head a bit more...

if I hear that new band of horses album one more time at work (or EVER again for that matter) I might just have to kill-a-man.
fucking auto-tune bull shit, and the lamest lyrics I've heard this in a minute.
total fucking crap.
...just had to get that out.

ode to self-portraits with meredith...

...a fraction remains. But the reality of what truly is, is much larger...
I'm ill with horrible thoughts right now-
all that I hope are never ever true.
Get cooked, but stay sweet.
Get cut, but stay whole.