Lake Pictures

Summer's fading but the sunsets are still magnificent. I tried to get up to the lake a little bit more this summer. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I spent an entire semester in Germany. The land there was pictaresque, but there's nothing quite like being a kilometer from such a large body of fresh water. Maybe it's mystical, or maybe it's just gravity, but I'd be surprised if it didn't exert some kind of force on us near water dwellers. Either way, it makes for some nice pics:

 

 

 

 

House 'Warming' Party 08.08.08

Come check out our new house and have a drink. Also, some good tunes will be played (probably by Kyle).

Summer sweets, Sunny songs.

So I wasn't lying when I said I was going to keep posting.

As far as music posts are concerned, the link will be in the picture. The argument for and against music piracy is long and (can be) involved. I suppose my general theory on the whole matter is that all of this music is available all ready on the internet, in one form or another. Those who are going to buy music will, and those that wish only to download will also. I, for one, download an inordinate amount of music, but then again, I buy an inordinate amount of music. Not that this justifies the downloading of albums, but I generally buy what I've heard before (on vinyl, most times), and I've discovered more than one good band by finding their whole album on the internet. If everyone decries the death of coherent long players (LPs) then it seems as though music blogs offering one or two tracks from said album are only aiding and abetting this process. But then again, it's not my right to give away someone else's intellectual property (but I suppose that's not stopping me either.. the tool's have been easier to obtain than ever). I suppose my point is, if you like it, buy it. And if you don't like it, delete it. And if I shouldn't be hosting the link, I'll take it down (let me know). But this is really my way of spreading my musical taste on to my friends (which means no one will be downloading these, since my friends think I have horrid music taste). All right, more discussion later, on to the music. [edit - after re reading this I realize it rambles and doesn't make much sense.]

This has been on my turntable almost everyday this summer. It just never seems to get old. I'm a sucker for female fronted vocal bands, ala Discount. But these guys do a really good job of combining the male and female vocal parts. Not in sugary sweet harmonies, but rather in waves of alternating male and female vocals that manage to be different enough to offer two distinct voices, but certainly not enough to be jarring to the ear. The vocal flipping works within a song, verse to verse, but it also works song to song, as the songs on this album are all short and flow together seamlessly. This is usually points against an album, but I think it works for this band and this album. Also, the lyrics on the album are written by all three members, but again, they are similar enough to form a cohesive package. There are songs about girls and drinking, like any good pop punk record but also there are songs about death, loss, and not really appreciating those close to us until they're gone. So in a way, maybe the similar song structure is a ruse to hide some of the deeper themes of the lyrics. The surface provides enough sugar and glitter to hook you in, all the while drawing you down to some of the darker and definitely more mature depths.

So that's my stab at trying to be a rock critic. Either way, this is a really catchy record, and it's 12 songs fly by.


Buy it here: Asian Man Records - Lemuria - Get Better (2008)

Or check it out :

Actually, I think the only things on Superior Ave are Banks.

 

(click for an actual readable size)

So this is my try at a web comic. This is taken (more or less) from a conversation that Tim and I had on our way home from camping. I thought it would make a good comic. My artistic skills aren't so good, but I'm actually kind of proud of the way this turned out. I want to try to post more comics/stuff I make since I'm more or less out of pictures from Europe to post. Also, maybe expect some full album reviews and downloads in the next few weeks. If I actually get around to it, I'll try to put a few of my more favorite albums up.

A brief interlude

Here's a picture from an open mic night in Germany. Our 'group' wrote a song and then performed it for a bunch of people. It was cool, even though I'm sure we messed up a few times. I'm hidden behind Adam, who's playing keyboard. Tami and Sebastian are playing bongos. Anders is in the middle, and then next to him is Verana singing. Can't see Vera who's standing next to Verena and also singing. It was a lot of fun. We recorded it too, but the quality is pretty horrible. Still, I'll probably post an mp3 of it at some point.



Anyway, time to enjoy the weather and not study. Hope everyone is well wherever you are. I'll try to post more pictures when it starts raining or it's cold or just not fun to be outside...

Western Europe Trip - Brussels, Belgium

This set of pictures is from the first stop on our Western Europe Trip (beginning of March, which seems like an eternity ago). I was a big fan of Brussels. If I remember correctly, we had warmer weather for most of the trip. I know at least one afternoon was rainy, but we were stuck in meetings for the duration of that day so it didn't matter too much. The weather has been so odd during this trip. Warm in February, decent in March, cold and rainy in April. But today it's finally starting to get warm and the sun is peaking it's long hid face through the clouds. Maybe just maybe it will stay dry and warm for the remaining month of the trip. Anyway, on to the pictures:

View from our hotel

 

Adam and Phil

 

In the main Square in Brussels (it was sunny but kind of chilly, if I remember correctly)

 

The tour group

 

Another view from the city center

 

A tall building (fairly self explanatory)

 

If you look at the lower part of the photograph, you can make out drinking monks. This harkens back to the tradition of monks brewing beer in Brussels (there's a special name, but it's alluding me)

 

All washed up historical figures one day end up working the street...

 

Everyone's favorite pissing little kid. That gets dressed up in something like 232 (this number is made up) different costumes. You can't really see the kid through all the clothes, though.

 

Part of the old wall. And two people that I think were speaking Italian and making out before our group of 30 Americans came upon them.

 

Two shots of a large church that looked cool (you can be the judge)

 

 

Examples of Brussel Urban Planning. I think the walls going in the wrong direction though.

 

 

Beer! Brussels has so many varieties! Like Ice Cream! But Better! (beer and ice cream are sometimes strangely combinable, though)

 

The group walking up a random Belgiesh (?) street

 

Two guys who got their heads cut off. That's what you get for standing up for what you believe.

 

A lovely day and an Art Noveu (i don't know how to spell) building

 

Me eating a waffle! sooo good.

 

The beer we drank. I forgot to eat dinner. Not so good.

 

A series of panoramas:

 

 

 

 

Geneva

So, truth be told, I've been somewhat lax in my photo posting duties. I understand you loyal readers have needs which is why I'll try to rectify the situation by posting lots of pictures in the next few days. But, of course, I can't make any promises. I do finally have some free time finally. Classes are finishing up and most of my major work is done. Our trips are over with so I've been able to hang out around Freiburg a bit more. These pictures are all from around the 2nd half of the semester, I suppose. They begin with a short one night trip to Geneva and end with the cookies that we baked last weekend (they were quite yummy). So let's get started...


Our Hotel:

 

Pretty picture:

 

Some shots from inside the United Nations building:
(They rent it out for MUN conferences on weekends)

 

 

A view out the back window of the UN building / complex. I'm fairly certain no one ever gets any work done here...

 

I've been here.

 

Empty Chair (missing a leg). Artsy (Tommy's favorite word).

 

Right across from the UN.

 

A conglomeration of birds. If it's a gaggle of geese, then what are swans?

 

An accordionist under a bridge. I swear they're all over europe. You can't not go to a city and fi

 

Trying to find the flower clock...

 

Finding the flower clock... not as cool as we thought...

 

Hiking up to a church on top of the hill

 

A cool looking church (one of the many in Europe)

 

This is the playground at the top of the hill next to the church. It's either bad english or a messed up sentiment.

 

This is actually in Brussels, but it was in the Geneva folder. You might have to make the picture to read the window...