A few weeks ago I found these at Easy Street Records…Okkervil Eps.
Mr. Will Schaff holding it down with those scratch boards.

Me and Christopher will be flying “home” to Oklahoma to stay with the parents for a few days in celebration of Juliannes gradiation’ -Say it with Oklahoma Accent. Should be fun to see the family.  I made the investment of some shoes. I sort of felt guilty about it. but like my mom said sometimes you have to buy something so that you can see you’re not just living and working to buy food and pay bills.

I feel like I have yet to gain traction in this beautiful place that I live. I wonder how I can do that. I need to quit spending money on little things like new shoes and occasional cd purchases because my computer is coming up on like 6 years and it’s probably going to die soon. It cannot endure too much more I’m thinking. I also need an oil change ( Past due ).  I have moved to daytime electronics dept. for Target which allows me to socialize with customers and that sort of helps me get through the day. I’m sure for the most part they look at me as someone below them working at a retail store and thats okay. Let that slide.  I think I’m going to start drawing up an arsenal of shirt designs I would like to make and perhaps one of these days when I get some money flow I will get to it. either that or  I will pay Clint off and he can get to it. ( Do work son!) Hope that Memorial day business helps you out.  I’m going to get some momentum. I will and then I will be on top of things. Cross your fingers.

Currently:
Hating the fact that people that work shit retail jobs often watch shit tv on their breaks. Is it loud enough? Soap Operas are a NO.
Glad I have friends and family who keep me living.
Glad I’m going to be eating some snitzel this weekend.
Glad I have an Ipod for plane rides.
Glad I don’t have to worry about food/bills for 3 days while I’m at home.
Glad that I will be able to see my sister. Hope fully her dog lets me sleep.
Glad that Lindsay has a good job and she is having fun learning.
Glad Chris is still pulling some freelance.
Grateful that I have a job.
Glad that my car is still running.
Hoping I can get to the doctor/Dentist sometime.
Wishing for some time to read. ( Plane ride?)

I will be in A-town Thursday-Sunday. If you feel so obliged do come say hello. I’m not going out of my way for anyone. Its Julianne’s weekend.

Give Them Rope She Said

Its been a while, I know.

Updates:
Mike has a job working at Target ( Its paying the billz. sort of. )
Chris is doing freelance for more than a couple places.
 Julianne is  a Valedictorian for Altus High School.
Lindsay has a job here in West Seattle.
Shannon and Emilys Baby is doing great.

I have procrastinated on the following due to lack of momentum:

Online Webcomic.
Making Kolby’s “RIDE AT MIDNIGHT”sticker. 
Personal work of any kind.
Editorial type artwork.

I have done the following:

Applied for numerous design posts on Craigslist, Monsterjobs, Volt, and other such services.
Started playing drums in a crust/punk/hardcore band.
Am moving from Backroom position at Target to Electronics
( Normal shift and I get to see people now)

Purchased the following books:
Understanding Comics by Chris McLoud. Ideas and Opinions by Albert Einstein.

I have avoided purchasing:
More new Books.
More new Shoes.

I have busted out these old albums in leu of curing some nostalgia?  
…or to cure my taste for the heavy in the last little while:
Melvins:Houdini (I’m missing the 25th anniversary show to go to OK, Singles 1-2. The Maggot.
Bad Religion 80-85, Recipe for Hate,Suffer, No Control
Nirvana:Bleach
Fugazi: Instrament, In on the Killtaker, Repeater, Furniture EP
Minor Threat: Discography
Coalesce: ( new ox rip ), Give Them Rope She Said, 0:12 Revolution in Just Listening
The Clash: The Clash, London Calling
(This list could continue but I’m switching subjects )
 
I have cooked the following: ( with a helper slash team-mate on some of them)
Mariners style Garlic French fries ( Lindsay’s idea! They were awesome.)
Habanero , Honey BBQ Chicken. ( Better Barbecued, but still awesome baked )
and not so new to the Lee Bros arsenal of make-shift sandwhiches: The Turkey-Pepperoni Sandwhich.
 -which by the way we would love if you could think of a name for it. Lindsay calls it The Special. But me and chris cringe at that. haha. Such Fascists!

Watched the following:
The Office Seasons 1,2,3,4 (almost halfway)
Party Down:Season One:
Metalacalypse:Season One ( Halfway through, rewatching for the most part) 
The Venture Brothers: Seasons 1,2,3. 
Kungfu Panda
Mallrats ( Lindsay had never seen it. SNOOCHIE BOOCHIES!)
The Wave (German) 

Anyhow. I hope all is well on whichever front you are on.

Swallowing Your Pride

Its about time I updated isnt it?

Lindsay is here and in full effect. It has been extremely nice to have her in my company and have her to confide in and talk to since she has arrived. We went camping last weekend at Cape Disappointment which was pure awesomeness.
( Minus freezing in our mummy bags ).
We were less than 100 yards from the water ( try 100 ft ) and could hear the water crashing all night long. We drug our cameras everywhere we went and will be uploading photos to our respective flickr’s sometime soon I imagine.

For those who don’t know. I lost my job a few weeks ago. It was rather abrupt, unexpected, and definately caused me to immediately be aware of my situation and the company I had worked for. I miss the people that I met through work and feel like they sort of helped me feel good about my decision to be here in their own little ways. I am pretty sure this next little bit of trying to find a good job and get my life going here is going to take alot of work on my part. I will as per my usual be starting at the bottom somewhere and working my way up. I am pretty sure this is one of my life-callings. “barrel scraper?” I dont know other terms that I could use. In any case it has caused me to see that I need to up my illustration game and get things going to boost my freelance abilities. It appears as though I have the abilities but have yet to prove to the world that I am worth my weight. so I will be taking submissions and ideas from everyone. Please do not overlook this and I want everyone to feel welcome to give me ideas on things to draw, paint, conceptualize, etc etc. I will be making a huge list and going about each of these assignments as though they were given to me by paying clients. so that I may build my portfolio online and also prove to myself that I have what it takes to make a living drawing. So, any ideas please send to me at michaeltecture@gmail.com. Anything from portraits, to sketches of ideas you have, paintings, comic ideas, anything. Force me to work people.
” The devil will find work for idle hands to do. “

Currents:
Job Sites, Craigslist (jobs, and still dreaming of my bus), surfboard sites, flickr, still reading a few books, and mostly hanging with the gf.

listening:
Rogue Wave- been hitting the spot the last few days. the older stuff not the new one.

To break your fall.

This last few weeks has been rather intense for me and it took me a little while to muster the courage to sit down and write.

I have been wondering how to quite explain it…This will have to do.

Death:
My good friend Ashley who is pregnant with her first child, lost her husband Kolby Lankford last week. There is little known on cause and the shock of this, will unfortunately be felt indefinately. I was on event for my work and was out of town and immediately felt that a haze had been put over me. I was unable to concentrate and wandered about inside myself, debating this news, and feeling hurt for her and their families…Kolby lived his life fully and I will miss his perspective, humor and commentary regarding my own life choices. I am proud to have met and been befriended by him. My heart feels nothing but sympathy, shared sorrow for her loss, and her upcoming challenge, which is to raise their beautiful child. I have no doubts as to Ashleys strength and fortitude, but to ask someone to bear this task, is truly unthinkable.  It is alot to take in. It is alot to overcome.  It would be unfair of me to write much else regarding this…there is duty in silence.

Life:
Shannon and Emily Kolvitz welcomed a new addition to their family, Sophia Kolvitz, Born Friday the 13th.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilystrange/3361581448/
Childbirth is a monumental moment. For the child and the family. I cannot imagine their excitement, nor can I expect to, until I have a child of my own. (I am truly happy for you both.)

Change:
In 8 days, I will be picking up Lindsay from Sea-Tac Airport. She will be gratefully and nervously be boarding a plane for change and new experiences. She will be staying with me and Chris temporarily before her intership begins, and during that few weeks I have tried to plan things and absorb that time with her as much as I can, before we are left with weekend visits. There will be alot of smiles from both of us, I’m sure and there will also be pictures soon, post arrival.

Currents:
Over and Over- A Catalog of Hand-drawn Patterns by Mike Perry
Cradle to Cradle-Remaking the Way We Make Things by William McDonough & Michael Braungart

Go-gurt.

It was a pretty rough day yesterday.

There are no words to express what I feel for your loss Ashley.

The Heater

Tonight I went out to eat with my brother and then on a date. via skype ( and that marvelous intanets). and got to share dessert with my girlfriend. She had a cookie brownie, and I had Lactose-free coconut milk Icecream. She was being really cute about the birthday thing and even had a candle in her brownie so she could sing me Happy Birthday. It was quite special and sweet of her. We talked about what movies we’d watch when she came to stay, we talked about each other’s days, and we talked about her favorite animal as a child. ( See video above) . I learned something new. Pandas were her favorite childhood animal. I can’t even remember what mine was. Maybe my mom will know. or chris. Who knows.  Overall turning 28 was pretty nice. I enjoyed the day and looking back I can feel some sort of accomplishment at where I’ve been and where Id like to be.

Re-live little minutes, keeping the dream awake.

I received a call this morning from someone from my senior class, informing me that they wanted to invite me to my 10 year reunion for Altus High Schools Class of 1999. I politely informed her that I would not be going and did not plan to go back for any reunions. She said in her post cheerleader-dancey voice: ” ahhh really? You dont want to come back to visit your home for a weekend and hang out with old friends?” I shirked at the fact that she called Altus my home, then I shuttered, but I did not hesitate to say ” No, not  at all.”  It was so gratifying to hang up.

So now is the time for me to write a little more detailed version of recent events. Me and Chris now live in West Seattle and after living at my good friend Roberts house for about 5 months there is this sigh of relief and a feeling of contempt as we “finally” made it. I cannot express my gratitude to Robert and Family for allowing us to stay in their home for so long. It has been well worth it and though I havent been out exploring that much I am super glad that we made the journey. From the middle of our street we can see the mountains across the Sound. Snow capped and magestic. It is 2 blocks walking to my bus stop and 15-20 minute busride versus the 10-15 drive plus 45-60 minute (or more) commute from Tacoma.  Every morning I cross the West Seattle Bridge and see the Seattle skyline and think to myself how glad I am to be “here”. Instead of “there”.
I have hardly expressed my excitement in being here. There is just so much to do and so much to see that I cannot begin to tell everyone how much better I feel as a person just by being here. I can breathe and for once I feel like this place may become my home .
In other news Lindsay will be here at the end of March. I can’t really express myself very well regarding that either. I am so excited that she will be closer and that we will have the opportunity to grow as a couple and see what becomes of our already great relationship. Sure the distance has been a pain and we miss each other terribly, but one cannot under-estimate hope and love.  I am so grateful that she has found it in herself to be out here and enjoy this beautiful place as well. It will be well worth it for her and hopefully being closer to me will be just as beautiful and bountiful as the surroundings. haha. There are so many places to go and see with her…Serious.

Ive been in a real creative funk lately and I feel that I could soon be out of it with the addition of personal space (and hopefully getting my books out!) I will be trying to work on a few projects for myself and would love to keep focused on getting some of these things done: Childrens book. ( Its in the pre-pre-pre-stages). Designer and Friends  Trading Card Illustrations ( Keep buggin me Chris). and sketches for tattoos. ( me/clint.) and possible graphic ideas for Ersays new upcoming line of longboards. So if anyone is so inclined keep pestering me and send me some links/books for inspiration.

Links to share:
Letterpress fun:
http://www.beastpieces.com/
Nice Layout:
http://switchcreative.com/
Has that old Glaser feel to it:
http://www.alextrochut.com/
I love this guys approach:
http://www.andretoma.blogspot.com/
Hockey made more fun:
http://www.warriorhockey.com/
And most of these Ive seen before but still awesome:
http://weburbanist.com/2008/04/28/20-brilliant-bookcase-and-bookshelf-designs-creative-modular-and-unique-urban-furniture/

Currents:
C-Rayz Walz
Cannibal Ox (F-word ep)
From Monument to Masses
Mercury Project and Masaratti

Too many

michael says:
dude. we need to get you a job so we can play hockey sometime
Christopher says:
I need to get a job so I can help with the bills. and buy new shoes.

Got to love us Lee Bros.

Uh-Oh SpaghettiO’s

Meet my girlfriend and her french friend.
Not all french people are skinny and have moustaches, but this guy is a real pro. Even has a beret.
I have been thinking about her being close and even though I will be so happy to have her close.
There is a lot be said about our goofy video conversations.

-Me and Chris are getting settled into our new place and liking the whole christmasy-getting stuff out of boxes feeling.
Its been a weight lifted off my shoulders to have personal space again and as we meander through our belongings  I have really noticed the lack of connection with so many of these objects that I have now carried 4,000 miles. A clearing of the house is a clearing of the mind perhaps? A cleaning is definitely in order. Less Clutter. More Air.
Also. the foosball table is a few steps away from being in action. As well as the other entertainment equipment.

There will be pictures up soon. And a longer post. Believe it. (Because 2-3 hours just got added to my day, thanks to shorter commute!)

But most importantly a future filled with lots of love.

I decided to redo this post.

Tis the season to be cheesy and be all rosey red with affection and hallmark sentiment. F-that. I have my reasons for not giving a crap about this holiday. I feel like I am a romantic. She knows I love her. I know that I feel deeply, and I act on my feelings. She knows this. Sees this. Sometimes to a fault.
I’m not going to say anything more on this.
V-day pisses me off.
(Among other things.)

Me and Chris are going to sign the lease on a place (basement apt) in West Seattle tomorrow after work. For those who are into doing searches on Flickr to get their visual fix, try a few of these keywords: Alki Beach, West Seattle, Lincoln Park, etc etc. There is a weekend Farmers Market, and an avenue of shops much like a small-town. Its approximately 20-30 minutes to my work (traffic), and a few minutes (5 to the park, 20 to the ocean probably ) walking to a beach or a park. We are going to be in for a new experience as we are going to be a few minutes from the ocean (YES!)
and we will be alot closer to Seattle. We are excited and nervous and all over pretty content with the fact that we’ve made it this far. We are grateful for the support we’ve had from our parents/friends.
( THANK YOU MOM)(THANK YOU ROBERT)(ETC,ETC)
We are relieved to have survived thus far and will continue to push ourselves to move further towards our goals.

In other news. I think I am a few months away from crossing a line in my life: http://www.emeraldcitycomicon.com/
I never thought that I would end up going to a comic book convention. It is a line that I was sure I wouldnt cross. But as I’ve become older and I’m starting to realize that deep down I am a “drawer”/”Illustrator” -type, and the allure of seeing some really great “drawers” is a little much to overlook. Mike Mignolia, and Grim Grisley will be there. So I’m sort of excited about that. I am also pursuing some possible involvment with the Cascade VW club. (www.cascadekombis.org) So hopefully when I eventually get a bus someone will be around to be like: “NO, dont buy that piece of crap, buy this sweet ride instead…”

I am all over anxious to move. I feel as though, regardless of the freedom, I have been slightly caged by the commute and the 10 by 10 room I share with my brother. I thrive on personal time and space, creating and reading which I have not done that much as of late. I will welcome it. And along with welcoming it, I will be welcoming my girlfriend to the greater state of Washington. She will be here late March.

I am excited.
Heres to weekend visits and to whatever lays ahead of us.

Currents:
Damien Jurado: Caught in the trees
Perspolis ( Yes, I know. Its not that I am a slow reader, its that commute. I can’t read on the bus or I’ll end up puking.)
96 Nudes by Ashley wood. There is no real reading here. nudie paintings of girls. Someone teach me to paint like that  or John Singer Sargent. ( oh I will someday. You’ll see )