Scananigans

Well everyone, I finally got a scanner, so you will be able to continue to enjoy my random scribblings. Unfortunately since it is an old model the driver software isn't available for Mac OS X.5 (thanks for removing classic support, Apple), so I have to use it with my laptop only. But at least it works and it was cheap- as proof, enjoy this vignette of the top of the Mayo Hotel in downtown Tulsa.

My pre-ordered copy of Wilco (the album) arrived unexpectedly quickly on Saturday, and so far I like what I hear! Tweedy and co. have brought more teeth back to their sound, but there is also a notable absence of- as my friend put it- fucked up guitars. I'd use this extra time to try and scoop a review from the major music sites, but I'm just enjoying listening to it too much to do a complete write-up quite yet. You might get one out of me soon. If you just can't wait until tomorrow, NPR is streaming the entire album over here.

Gateway Music: The Soft Bulletin

I realized today that yesterday was the ten-year anniversary of the release of the Flaming Lips album The Soft Bulletin. Not only is this album widely regarded as one of the most important albums of the past decade, it holds a special place in my heart as well. I can’t remember how I learned about the Flaming Lips, or heard that the Soft Bulletin was worth my time, but I ended up buying it my Junior year of High School, probably sometime late 2002. At this time I was mainly listening to 'juvenile' music like Weird Al Yankovic (how embarrassing!), 3 Doors Down, and Less Than Jake. The Soft Bulletin was a revelation wrapped in swirling synths. I suddenly realized that music could be so much more! The potential was unlimited! Everything else I had heard before paled in comparison; I couldn’t explain why I liked something that was so “weird” or unconventional, I only knew that I liked it, even though I felt that other people wouldn’t understand. But The Soft Bulletin caused me to start looking at music in a new light, and wanting more from what I listened to, causing me to go out of my way to discover new music. In this way this album is one of the causes of the important status music holds in my life; it is the best kind of “gateway music”. If you’ve never heard The Soft Bulletin, I strenuously suggest you pick up a copy, get some good headphones, and enjoy the lush soundscapes of this modern classic. Who knows what you’ll want to listen to after that!

Sustainable Tulsa Poster

Wow, one meeting with the good people at Sustainable Tulsa and I already have my first (kinda) commissioned poster design! This one actually included a lot of experimentation on my part, and I hope the extra quality shows. Be sure to come to the seminar next week!

Volunteering

Since I currently have so much time on my hands, I have been signing up for several different volunteer organizations connected to my interests in architecture, social justice, and sustainability. This includes organizations like the Tulsa Habitat for Humanity and Sustainable Tulsa. If anyone would like to join me in contributing to the quality of the Tulsa community, please feel free to volunteer and then get in touch with me.

Also, I am considering starting a Tulsa chapter of Architecture for Humanity. This would be quite a large time commitment, so if are an interested party who feels you would be reliably dedicated to social architecture in Tulsa, please let me know so I can gauge the level of interest.

More thrilling sketches and/or photography pending!