I went back to Boise a couple weeks ago, my mother’s dad died. It was a nice funeral, full of great stories. He was remembered for his contribution to his denomination, which really irked me, but it wasn’t my funeral, so whatever. I took Cora along, which was fantastic. We had talked about her meeting my parents, it was only a matter of when. Then all of a sudden I needed to go to Boise, and privately decided to not even bring it up with her. However one night it just fell out of my mouth. I did feel bad about putting her on the spot and about asking her to take time off of work on such short notice. But it was really nice to have her there. She liked my family and they liked her, so it really couldn’t have turned out better.

I’m enjoying my days working from home. I’d still like to get back into a more normal schedule come August, we’ll see. I’m working on good projects even if the money’s not what I’d like.

I need a new personal project. I don’t have the best track record of finishing personal films, but it just seems like it’s time for a new one. I’ve got a couple ideas. At the moment I have more than enough stuff to do in a day, if I can get far enough head of my bills I’ll have the time to wade into something fun and creative.

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July

This Sunday starts Advent and we’ve been working on a series of videos for service that sheds some light on some people who have really exemplified giving. This is the first of four videos.

Sacrificial giving – Advent from Praxis Church on Vimeo.

I’ve been listening to Sufjan Steven’s Songs for Christmas non stop lately. I’m usually not into Christmas music at all, but I just can’t resist his music. He recorded five small albums of traditional and new Christmas songs and now you can get them all in a little box set for $20. I high recommend it, there is even a great version of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. Sufjan’s Episcopalian, it’s easy to hear the biblical references in any of his albums. I honestly don’t listen to much ‘christian’ music these days, so it’s especially nice to hear a good hymn.

Looks like I’ll be in Boise from December 23rd until the 3rd of January. For a few days I thought I might be in New York for New Years on some business, but it all fell through. I’ve never been to NY and there are few things better than traveling on the company dime… but it would have cut into my time back home. It’ll be nice to have more than a week in the city of trees. Hopefully I’ll see you there. :)

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December?

I spent the weekend in my beloved Boise and then a few days on the Oregon Coast. It was great to see family, including both sets of grandparents and my older sister and brother in law. Though just being in Boise for a couple days was well worth all the hassle of leaving town.
I had really forgot how much I like my parent’s house. Their back yard is so much different than anything I’ve seen here in Phoenix. It’s big, it’s shaded by a huge tree and the grass is so thick it has to be mowed about twice a week.
When I got into town on Friday my dad and I made the drive down to Twin Falls to see his parents. My grandpa is dying of just about everything you can die from and it seems like he’s been on the verge of leaving us for a few years now. It was great to see him, but every time I do it feels like the last time. There is even a running joke now about how many times he’ll ask me to be a pallbearer. I know that doesn’t sound like a funny joke, but what else can you do. There really isn’t any reason to pretend that he isn’t going to die and it’s nice to know that it means a lot to him that his grandson is involved in his funeral. I’ve actually carried a few caskets, it’s an odd duty. Not to mention that even with five other people helping it’s not exactly a walk in the park.
We saw my other grandpa in the hospital and had dinner with that grandma, which was nice. Neither one is really all there all the time, but both seemed to recognize me with a little help. That grandpa is 91… yeah, ninety-one years old. There is a part of me that doesn’t really want to live that long.
I hung out with Luke for a bit on Saturday. He showed me the Gameboy cart he uses to make music and we talked a bit about how we both don’t really miss Wow but maybe miss some of those friends. That night we had a pitcher at 10th Street Station and dodged the sprinklers well enough to lumber up Camel’s Back hill. That is the sort of thing I miss about Boise, it’s a familiarity with places and people. There really isn’t anything special about Camel’s Back park and there definitely isn’t anything special about 10th Street Station. It’s just that I’ve gotten a little tossed and gone up in the foothills enough time to really treasure it. Maybe in a few years I’ll look back on things I do in Phoenix that way. Chances are I’m just being a little too emo about my early twenties. :)

On Monday my parents, little sister and I set out for the Oregon Coast. We met my older sister in Portland and had lunch with her, my brother in law, and a cousin of his, before going on to Seaside. Our family has been going to the Oregon Coast every year or so for forever now. We use to go with some family friends, but on the last couple trips we’ve gone to a time share my parent’s own north of Cannon Beach. I have been up and down the Northwest Coast and it just never gets old. There was sunshine two of the days and a great overcast day in between. We built a fire on the beach the last night and I really had a great time with my family. It’s funny to go to a place and constantly talk about how you miss trees and weather, the desert really gets to me some days. In the end this trip was great because of my family and friends though, that’s for sure.

There are pictures of my trip on Facebook, check em out.

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Northwest passage

My friend Randy is staying in my extra bedroom for a while. It’s different having someone around the house. Even after only being alone for a couple months its still just different to have someone around. He’s a good roommate, he sticks to himself and isn’t loud or messy. He also does something that I guess I don’t see a whole lot of in my peers. It’s something I do, and its kind of nice to see it in someone else. Every now and then Randy will grab his iPod and his longboard and just head out. He has no destination, he has no specific purpose, he just needs to go clear his head. Before moving I use to do that sort of thing almost nightly. I’d go for a walk, I’d listen to a record with headphones, I’d get some pancakes… whatever. I no longer function well without doses of solitude, and music plays a big part in that. I love walking around with my headphones in, in my own little world. I like eating like that, shopping, walking, reading… most tasks that a lot of people don’t do alone, or at least choose to do in silence. I like seeing a person who craves solitude as much I as do at times, and respects music enough to take it along with.

I have finalized some travel plans for this spring and it looks like I will be in Boise for the weekend of May 22nd. I’m going with my family to the Oregon coast that week, but decided that I need some time in the city of trees beforehand.

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The better part of me

I’m glad to report that I have finally made some headway on the documentary I’m cutting. I am up to my nose in interview subclips, but I’ve really been able to get a firm grasp on the story so far. My boss seems to be trying to put his foot down a little bit and doesn’t want anyone in the office to take vacation time until the end of the spring. I have plans at the end of May so we’ll see what happens. The film should be done by then, and I all ready have a few other offers for work. I would like to continue with this company, and they seem interested in keeping me… though I am glad my contract is open ended.

Lately I’ve had the undeniable urge to just buy a plane ticket and head to Boise. Most of the time its just a need to see my family and some old friends… but now and again its a one way ticket that I want to buy. Things are good here, but I really do think there is something about leaving everything behind and starting over that is always appealing. Even when things are great… even when I have work and friends and a great living situation. Some problems still just make you want to abandon everything… its a scary thought. I’m glad I know I could never bring myself to do it.
A simple weekend in Boise though? I do need one and soon! :D

I get to see David Bazan on Saturday. He is playing house shows all across the US, and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ll post some pictures and maybe a little video this weekend.

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Progress