1-26-2025

Althought it is in fact the beginning of the week, I feel as though there is much to discuss...

Country Music

Now what does a California coast boy such as myself even have to do with country music? Well, ever since my older brother put me onto the beautiful ballads of Marty Robbins and the sweet songs of Dolly Parton, I've been hooked. Of course, taste grows and evolves and spreads like the roots of a tree throughout the genre. At the beginning of the month, I went to see A Complete Unknown with a friend from one of my classes. Now, I had already known of Bob Dylan, of course I have! But the most I had ever listened of his music was the inclusion of a song in the intro of Watchmen (the original live action by Zack Snyder) and the cover of All Along the Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix when watching it with my longtime friend. Now, you may say, "Ah! You're a Dylan fan now!" But to that I say: fuck no. I will not deny his musical genius and talent, but watching that movie just pissed me off. Unpopular opinion yes yes but I don't care. He was rude to Pete Seeger and that I cannot forgive ever. Instead, I came out that theater having spent too much on popcorn and soda, but also with a love and appreciation for Joan Baez and a stronger love for Johnny Cash as well, who my friend said seemed to only appear to Dylan like a spirit or perhaps a vision. All in all, my final thoughts on country music are that it is one of the most underrated genres of music. I can't trust someone who claims to listen to everything, yet they turn their nose up to the beauty of a song such as Delta Dawn! Country music has it's roots in so many other genres, it brings people together and early country music has the most beautiful messages you could ever find in any other songs. Yes, some songs can be silly! They can be ridiculous! Who has ever heard of a chicken with the brain of Johnny Cash going on tour making more dough than he ever could?! But on the other side of this same coin, there are songs with meanings that ring as true as ever now as they did when they first hit the airwaves.

The Beautiful Architecture of the Past

Misfortune befalls upon us all at least once in our lives, although it seems the big guy up there sure loves to fuck with me more than anyone else. Scowering the California housing market has lead me to one of my favorite parts of SoCal: the hidden(?) gem of our cowboy culture! A few months ago before my situation was as dire as it is now, I realized how many old homes are in the area up there! One such was a charming little home frome the 1970s I instantly loved. That is, until the smell of the garage hit me... But today, in my latest journey an hour from my current home, I found a true gem! The loveliest 1980s home ever. Sure, it needs some work, but in a world where so-called "renovators" absolutely gut beautiful homes that are nothing short of masterpieces, to find a place like this was a true joy.

Coffee of all Shapes and Sizes

Despite my impromptu trip to the ER last month where I was severly dehydrated and therefore told not to drink so much coffee, my love persists! Hanging out with my friend after class has led us to a wonderful coffee shop with the most heavenly mocha lattes. God... they taste like hot chocolate, so much so I could probably down 5 of them in one sitting and that'll keep me up for the rest of the week! Something I've been meaning to try since last week however, is an affogato... I told a peer of my mission and where I intended to get one, which was instantly shut down as she informed me of the pitiful size of the nearest cafes affogatos. Despite this, I believe I will try to make my way over and see for myself. Ever since meeting my dear lover, he has pulled my strings and made me very fond of cortados! Equal parts espresso and milk, a true joy despite what one of my friends may tell you otherwise. Even with all these wonderful options and this wide variety, my heart still goes to a simple cup of black coffee. I feel like Dale Cooper!

All Things of the Ocean

Sailor uniforms are at the top of my wishlist to one day acquire. Goddamn if there's anything as wonderful as a sailor uniform. To add onto that, I've grown fond of the look many a fishwife has going on. Long skirts and dresses, bundled up warm when needed, and headscarves! What is there not to love, really. Speaking of fishwives, the inteernet has lead me down a rabbit hole and left me with a need to try one billion different tinned fish, and not just fish, but other tinned varieties of seafood. As surprising as it may be for living so close to the beach, I haven't tried much seafood. Mainly lobster, crab, scallops and such, but it's my goal in life to both travel as much as I can and to try as many foods as I can.

National Parks

If there's one thing I will always love about America, it's the national parks reaching from the snowy Alaskan wilderness to the buggy Floridian Everglades. My country may not love me, but by god I will adore her and her landscapes until the day I die. I have a road trip planned for the summer of 2026 with my little brother, we intend to drive all the way up the California coast to the filming locations of Twin Peaks (R.I.P. David Lynch) as he and I are huge fans of the show. On the way to and from, we plan to stop at places such as:

• Carmel-by-the-Sea
• Monterey
• San Francisco
• The Redwood Forest
• Cannon Beach
• Mt. Ranier National Park
• Snoqualmie Falls (but of course)
• Yosemite National Park
• and so on and so forth! Whatever we may find!

Besides this very ambitious plan, all I want to do is travel. To do and see as much as I possibly can before I kick the bucket. It's a pretty good goal, isn't it?