"If I am not for myself, who will be for me?

And when I am only for myself, what am 'I'?

And if not now, when?"

- Hillel the Elder

 

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The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

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spud

:: 2021 3 May :: 3.53pm
:: Mood: Seasonal


A staggering proportion of humans are allergic to the semen of plants.

A perennial reminder.

worst intentions


spud

:: 2021 29 April :: 11.03pm
:: Music: Tauk - Sir Nebula

Jet Lag

I used to have arguments with my uncle about language. I insisted that there were grammatical structures and rules in place in order to keep the meaning of language consistent. If we are to communicate and exchange ideas, it is critical to have the same words and sounds mean the same thing to both parties, in order to successfully transmit all information in the idea accurately. I thought that the rules helped to keep those meanings from shifting.

His primary contention was that language was alive, constantly evolving and changing in meaning. Different languages cherry pick words and phrases from other languages, sometimes at random, sometimes by conquest. New words are constantly being born, while old words slowly die off and are forgotten. I think he viewed slang as some kind of nursery for future linquistic possibilities.

I have to admit, he may be right.

After all, they condensed an extremely specific phenomenon - in which one traverses the surface of the planet at such an incredible rate, that their biological rhythms have difficulty adapting to the dramatic change in diurnal cycle - into just two syllables.

1 wishful thinker | worst intentions


gillette

:: 2021 16 April :: 11.24pm

How do you help yourself when you feel all of the feelings and anxiety of everything around you so deeply.

worst intentions


spud

:: 2021 1 April :: 10.30pm
:: Music: The Great Outdoors (1988)

life goes on, man.

finished a painting gig today. gonna try to hold off on any more work until after the trip to phoenix. aside from the laundry list of chores amassed for me by past chris. occasionally he surprises me, but usually he just kicks the cans down the road for future chris to deal with. hopefully some dedicated time will help future chris in his efforts.

-----


the spirit of god is alive wherever people are helping others, and growing in understanding. in places where people are wrongly harming others, the spirit is dead. even if that place is a church. or a school. or a home.

this may sound like a bummer, but it is actually very encouraging to witness the spirit thriving in many diverse and unlikely places. don't let the trimmings fool you. look at the people. see who's helping. join them. doesn't really matter where.

<3

4 wishful thinkers | worst intentions


spud

:: 2021 13 March :: 8.43pm
:: Music: Breaking Bad

There's a Martian yelling, "CUT! BOOM IN THE SHOT. EVERYBODY BACK TO ONES!" but you can't hear it above the wind noise.

worst intentions


pop-tart

:: 2020 21 September :: 2.55pm
:: Mood: anxious
:: Music: Cascada - Evacuate the Dance Floor

OKay... We'll start small.
Gotta be honest right?... anxious and overwhelmed is not a new new feeling but talking about my feelings intensifies those emotional reactions. I am not even sure anyone will avidly read my posts. knowing people might read them at all intensifies my anxiety.... *deep breath* okay... um. My music is positive. That is a reflection of my emotional state past the anxiety. its not a bad day. Its nice out. I am getting around at some point and taking the dogs up north for a few days. I have no immediate financial concerns or responsibilities to deal with. I have kind of set myself up with a comfortable period for mourning. I know there is no right way to grieve but I feel what I have been doing is not working. I see a pattern of behavior developing that is dangerous for me and I need to try something else... so here this is.... I can already hear the little therapist in my head pushing me to share more... I will try to get there. Today I must start small. Today I miss my brother very much, Today I dont want to cry, but I will. I will also smile and love. Some parts of my day are gonna hurt. It all sucks right now and its so overwhelming.

So here are some of the major thoughts bouncing around my head....

I wonder how my ex is doing in a very passive aggressive way. I have a lot of anger over the person he turned out to be and didn't anything remotely like closure. But given the opportunity I cannot think of anything to say that would be worth the breath. part of me hopes he is doing bad cause I think he is a dickbag and its be nice if karma were real. but, also, part of me hopes he is doing well. Im not a soulless harpie who just stops caring for someone instantly.... I think thats all fairly normal after a break up.

I worry alot about how my younger brother is grieving and what he has lost. I stress about not knowing what to do or say to help him.

and there has been so much change lately I feel like I am left without a direction to move in. I cant even see whats out there my head is so foggy.... and I am afraid Im going to stay frozen... and overwhelmed...and not move anywhere.... and loose time.

time is too precious to waste like that...

so on that note. I am going to go pack for the woods. Just me and the dogs spending a few days in "sanctuary". That is what it is for me. Home. 20 acres in newaygo and a little pop up I renovated. I plan taking the dogs fishing in the canoe on Wednesday. its supposed to 77. post again when I am home.



2 wishful thinkers | worst intentions


pop-tart

:: 2020 21 September :: 2.24pm
:: Mood: curious
:: Music: Mnt Joy - Silver Lining

Hello Ghosts of the Past.
... can you hear me?

I cant believe this place is still a thing.... I am extremely happy it is. I need a safe place to document all the shit floating around in my head before I drown in it.... So much dramatic change in such a short time. So much grief and emotion to deal with. It fucking sucks. That's the nature of the beast. Life carries on. Weather you want to deal or not. Its fucking hard... and this journal holds me grammatically responsible. I love that... no half thought out, momentary, spaz blabbery, posted out to a mass of judgmental, surface-deep, cyber sharks.... okay, maybe. ;)... fucking old school emojies <3.... a safe space. What is safer then an online journal from high school? where some of my closest friends and family could come read if they so choose? forcing me to open up the door just a bit to those who could most certainly be considered safe..... Wow... Where the fuck do I start? lol

2 wishful thinkers | worst intentions


spud

:: 2020 19 March :: 4.00pm

COVID-19


If I get stuck at home, you can bet your sweet booty I'll be uploading lots of recordings ;)

As it stands, I still have a job, and we're staying open, so I get to continue working. But if that changes, expect to be seeing some updates <3

Stay safe out there, friends.

2 wishful thinkers | worst intentions


spud

:: 2020 1 March :: 8.01pm

Recorded on 2.29.20
OPEN TALK

In which I am joined by a host of promises. I gave an open talk at the alano club in Grand Rapids, and didn't really talk about booze that much.

Links to stuff I mentioned:





(Ultraclean floss is rad, btw. It is stretchy and doesn't break or tear like normal floss. Get you some ultraclean.)


worst intentions


spud

:: 2020 2 January :: 1.12pm

Recorded on 12.31.19
POD 22

In which I am joined by Katie <3
We dissect the annual Christmas gauntlet to which she was subjected.

Links to stuff we mentioned:









worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 7 October :: 4.42pm

Recorded on 9.20.19
POD 21

In which I am all alone

Links to stuff I mentioned:








3 wishful thinkers | worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 25 July :: 11.27am

Recorded on 7.21.19
TECHNICALLY NOT A POD

In which I am joined by Trevor, who wields an axe with superior majesty, and has the hair to match.

ALSO NOT A POD

worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 15 July :: 2.45pm

recorded on 7.10.19
POD 20

In which I am joined by Nick and Sam. Nick wrote the songs. Sam is an open mic legend here in Grand Rapids.

We were rehearsing for a gig at Mulligans Pub; an establishment whose threshold I had not darkened in nearly a decade. It hasn't changed at all.

worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 10 July :: 10.25am

Recorded on 7.5.19
POD 19

In which I am joined by Eliot. He wants to start a 90s cover band, but neither of us sing. The set list is epic ... if we can ever learn all the songs. Or find a vocalist.

Links to stuff we mentioned:







worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 5 July :: 11.30pm

PART 2
POD 18.2

In which I am joined by Doyel and Jaclyn. They JUST GOT ENGAGED! Also, Jaclyn and I are nerds, but Doyel doesn't care.

Links to stuff we mentioned:







worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 26 June :: 6.13pm
:: Music: (part 1 of 2)

Recorded on 6.24.19

POD 18.1

In which I am joined by Doyel and Jaclyn. They are rad, and fun, and you should probably just be friends with them already.

Links to stuff we mentioned:


LILLY THE KILLING MACHINE




worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 24 May :: 11.15am

Recorded on 5.22.19
POD 17

In which I am serenaded by Alec.

worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 18 May :: 1.23pm

looks like it's time for
yet another DRUM BREAK!

I happened across an old recording of this drum pattern I'd written for basement audio lab. It was a crappy demo version consisting of me tapping on my legs and kicking the mic stand. It was virtually unlistenable, with a horrendous click track going in the background. I was surprised to find the pattern came much more naturally to me this time around, and the click was not necessary. I just wanted to make a better recording of the part for future reference. I don't know what prog rock band I'm going to join someday that will have a need for a part in 7/8 time, but you never know. When the time comes, I guess I'll have this to contribute.

Doing fills in 7 is hard. It's not a natural thing to feel when you were raised on groups of 2 and 4. Most people understand 3, I guess. Waltzes and such. Sometimes you'll hear radio stuff in 6 (which is really just 2 groups of 3, or 3 groups of 2, depending). 5 and 7 are a lot trickier, since you're mashing a 2 and a 3, or a 4 and a 3, or 2 twos and a 3 together at once. Makes it harder to find the downbeat. Actually, what I really like to do is carry it over 2 measures, then the "down" beat becomes the "up" beat for the second measure, before it turns back around again.

worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 16 May :: 10.52pm

I went to the KCCC meeting tonight
They were having elections. I am now officially Trustee #3 on the Board of Directors. Which is mostly an honorary title, but it was nice of them to include me.

I decided to celebrate at a place down the road ... with a poke bowl:




then i was like, wait...

poke bowl = poke ball?

2 wishful thinkers | worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 14 April :: 10.46pm

Recorded on 4.3.19
POD 16

In which I am joined by Mike. He will make you want to have his babies, with piercing blue eyes and gravelly baritone.

Links to stuff we mentioned:







1 wishful thinker | worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 9 April :: 11.30pm

recorded on 3.29.19
POD 15

The second episode with Kevin, in which we were highly inappropriate. You've been warned.

Links to stuff we mentioned:







worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 3 April :: 10.47am

Recorded on 3.27.19
POD 14.2

The second part, in which snacks were had and recording quality suffered accordingly. You've been warned.

Links to stuff we mentioned:







worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 2 April :: 6.30pm

Recorded on 3.27.19
POD 14.1

After much deliberation, names were left un-bleeped. If we talk about you and you want your name bleeped, please forward your bleeping requests to: complaints@spud.com

Links to stuff we mentioned:
THE OFFSPRING IS A GOOD PERSON BAND

CAKE IS ALSO A BAND

1 wishful thinker | worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 26 March :: 11.28pm

No new podcast yet, just a fun video I wanted to share. There's a lot of good stuff here, if you're into recording drums.

worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 19 March :: 11.15pm

recorded on 3.19.19

POD 13

Happy hostful super-mega-ultra-blood-oath-moon-equinox thing.

Enjoy a podcast.

Links to stuff I mentioned:
meeting guide app

"demo" site - sandbox mode engage!

current (i.e. lame) site

worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 12 March :: 8.20am
:: Mood: Woo

3 wishful thinkers | worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 10 March :: 10.26pm

Recorded on 3.6.19
POD 12.2

Jess came back! And we talked for so long, I decided to split it into two episodes.

Here's the big cliffhanger! We mostly talk about god, or the potential lack thereof.

worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 8 March :: 11.13am

recorded on 3.6.19
POD 12.1

Jess came back! And we talked for so long, I decided to split it into two episodes!

Get ready for a big cliffhanger. Or don't. Whatever. We won't judge your level of preparedness.

worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 2 March :: 1.01pm

Recorded on 2.26.19
POD 11

Thanks to Jessica (not Jess) for joining me on this episode, in which smartphones, will smith, sharknado, and student loans are discussed.

worst intentions


spud

:: 2019 22 February :: 2.41pm

READY FOR SPRING.

worst intentions

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