Ed's Open Mic

So we recen't went to a open mic night that was put on to celibrate the resident minister's birthday. He's a big music guy. Well for those who don't know, Eva loves music and loves to dance to music. We had a great time with her at the open mic as she weaved in and out of people, dacing and clapping away. Here is just a clip. The residents really got a kick out of it as well.

Guitar Ice

So Heather and I's friend, Jessica Malan, bought me a christmas gift, that we just got (we live far away from everyone) and its awesome. Its a ice tray, shaped like three different guitars, a Accoustic, Electric and Bass, with little fret boards to put in the ice as it freezes. The result is a guitar ice cube. Perfect for a good glass of whiskey. Today was my first time using it, and I present the awesome results to you, the faithful two viewers :)

Tattoo weight loss idea

So I've wanted a tattoo for a long time. Knowing that my parents are not that into the whole idea, but I want something that means something to me at least. Many know that one of my passions is American Indian studies and advocacy. I'm also a tremendous fan of Northwest tribal art, I really believe it’s the most beautiful art in the world.


Some day I wish to get two tattoo's one on each shoulder. The first one I wish to get is of a killer whale or Orca. Now this is my favorite animal in Northwest art but because it means something deep. In Haida and many coastal tribes’ religions, the orca represents past leaders and family come back to offer guidance or to look after you. To me the symbol reminds me of those in my life that have passed on who I do believe still watch me...my grandfathers in particular. Grandpa's Aiken and Brackett couldn't have been two more different people but they both had their strengths and faults and I really see both their good's and bad's in me. They both left my life sooner than I ever wanted and over the years this symbol has come to remind me of them and causes me a great amount of comfort, sadness and joy.


The other I wish to get is that of a Hawk, which isn't tremendously represented in NW art and I don't feel like explaining my meaning for this one but I'll let you see what one I'm thinking about.

I've struggled with weight for years now, shrinking down, and jumping back up. Part of my back issues today I have no doubt are due in some small part to my two year weight lifting binge in which I did trim down and bulk up, but I think did even more damage to my back, creating a situation now where I can barely life anything. Needless to say it’s a tough subject for me. Yet, I need to get down again...and I need a goal. I think that if I can get below 250 I'm going to see if my wife will agree to let me get my right arm tattoo...I think that would be a good motivation...we'll see.

Training is all done

Its been a long time since I blogged but this last month has been incredably busy. We've been in the middle of training for hall staff and as of Wednesday at 7PM we'll be done. Students will move in on Saturday and school starts on Monday...seems fast but at the same time not, considering that the last 9 years I've been used to class starting in August.

This picture at the top is my staff this year. From to right its: Veronica (my Assistant Resident Director), Jose (CF), me, Jaclyn (CF), Lindsay (CF), Gustavo (CF, bending over), Francis (CF standing up in back), Claudia (CF), Ed (Resident Minister) and Aldo our student goverment rep. CF stands for community facilitator, known as RA's else where.

This photo is at our retreat/camp which was abotu 45 minutes from San Jose. It was fun but very tiring.

They're a good group and it should be a fun year. Hope you all are doing well!

New York Pizza...in San Jose?

Friday my wife, Eva and I went to dinner with my Resident Minister and his wife. The Resident Minister is a pastoral studies student who lives in the resident hall and works with me and a faculty member to run the residence hall. His name is Ed and his wife is Christine.

They took us to a place called, Rosies New York Pizza, in San Jose. It was amazing. It was a huge pizza and it tasted great, not to mention the company was good. I think that Ed and his wife are going to become good Friends of ours. They're really down to earth and Ed is a musician who loves Nirvana. What more could I ask for?

Fancy Cars

I've been in California for a month now and there is one thing that stands out in stark contrast to Washington. The amount of "Member compensating" cars here is amazing. In Washington I grew up in a town where a majority of the men spent their money and time restoring old cars. This to me is a good habit, you put your hard work into a car and come out with a project/product that really means something to you.

However, here in Silicon Valley people spend ridiculous amounts of money on very expensive brand new luxury and sports cars. In the last month I've seen more BMW's, Mercedes, Jaguars, and many other more rare cars in the bay area than I've seen in my entire life. We went to a steak house a few weeks ago with my wife's folks and saw four Jaguars parked in the parking lot, and I'd only seen them in magazines up till that point.

I don't think I could ever bring myself to buy something that much, especially when there are much cheaper alternatives but I am definitely the minority in that view point in Norther Cal.

The pic above is some fancy sports car that I happened to be following on I880 the other day...just to prove my point, I don't know what it is but its got to be over 200,000 dollars. My God!

DMV in California

So I went to the DMV today, fearing the worst. To anyone outside of Cal, the stories of day long visits and mean attendants and other horrors. Well not all of its true. As soon as I got into Cal and found out my work schedule I did the smart thing and made a appointment at the DMV. The soonest I could get in was today, the 30th of July. Part of this is that the DMV is closed most fridays this month due to budget shortages and only have fridays but whatever.

Upon arriving at 1:30 for my appointment I had a relatively great experience. I stood in line for only five minutes, because of my appointment. Got a number and was called up before my paperwork was even done.

However, after completing everything the nightmare did kick in. I'm used to only paying 50 bucks to register your car no matter what...thats the way it is in Washington. However in Cal you pay a percentage of what the cars worth. On top of that I was charge 100 bucks in fines for being two days past my 20 day limit to register, despite my explanation that this was the earliest appointment available and the only days I could have come down and waited were the days they were closed (fridays)

So 500 bucks latter (new license included) I'm now a legal resident of Cal and can drive and vote. Sigh...Cal isn't perfect after all.