So it's been a while since I've updated this page! Lots has happened since my last post - I've been in Chicago for 1 year now! It's fun being back in my home state, in a city I'm very familiar with, and closer to many of my friends.

 

I've had an interesting summer so far - I've been catching up with lots of the "St Louis Crew". Two weeks ago I traveled to New York City to visit some DC transplants, as well as to take in some shows for NYC JazzFest. My sister recently moved to Whitefish, Montana, and I visited her over the 4th of July holiday. I'd never visited Montana before, but I hope I return soon! We did some hiking in Glacier National Park, and enjoyed some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. picasaweb.google.com/bsmith81

 

Most recently I went to a concert at the outdoor ampitheater / picnic ground Ravinia (ravinia.org). Feist was performing, and although I didn't actually see her perform, I did hear her ubiquitous song from the Ipod commercials.

 

Until next time!

Well, I'm not missing, or dead, despite my utter disregard for updating this site lately. I had almost forgotten about this thing until I was looking at Kyle's homepage,( www.kylepriddle.com ) where he referenced my 'space'.

 

It's been quite a month since my last post! Aside from the usual shit: riding my bike, playing soccer, working, hanging out with friends, or reading at Murky Coffee ( www.murkycoffee.com ), adventures and tragedies abound! The good stuff first...

Darren and Andy came to visit. We had a great time, as neither of them had been to DC before. I had to work during the day, so they did all their touring without me. At night, we went out to eat, did some touring under the lights, and nearly got arrested at the Watergate Hotel, for taking pictures of the Saudi Embassy, which is right across the street, and then walking around near what we came to find out, is Condi Rice's apartment. oops

A few weeks ago, the first annual Duke Ellington Jazz Festival ( www.dejazzfest.org )was held here in DC. Great free jazz concerts in the shadow of the washington monument?!?  It hardly gets better than that! I got to see Wayne Shorter, and several other great performers there. Then in the evenings the fest continued on U street, where jazz is the music of choice. For you cats reading this, there is some quality music to be heard here in the capital.

 

I have information, from a source who will remain anonymous (since that's all the rage here in this city), placing me at the same bar as Jenna Bush one friday night in October. ( www.localsixteen.com ) I cannot verify this firsthand, but I did see a big dude in a black suit at the door, several black cars out front, and heard a lot of talk in the bar. It sounds lame now, but at the time I thought it was pretty cool. After we left that place, we were trying to hail a cab, and found this little bar/cafe which had a sign in front of the door which reserved the right to refuse service to anyone with a 'popped collar'. Of course, we had to go there, too. I have a picture of the sign, and as soon as I can get it uploaded, I will. Hillarious ( www.saint-ex.com )

 

Last weekend, as some friends and I were in a cab coming home, we noticed a fucked up lamborghini sitting on the side of the road, with a range rover behind it, all cordoned off with police caution tape. The front fender, which is carbon fiber, had a huge chunk out of it, and a b roken windshield and driver-side window. Sure, it's not every day one sees a lamborghini, but i didn't think too much of it. Sure, I laughed inside at the misfortune of the dumbass who was trying to drive a lambo in downtown DC, and was glad he going to be out the 50 grand it would cost to fix. The only thing that struck me as odd was the number of people gathered on the side streets. IT seemed to be quite a commotion. Well, the next morning I turn on the news, and whamo: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/23/AR2005102301334.html
I guess p-diddy was throwing some party, and as cam'ron (some other rapper) left, somebody tried to carjack his ass, and shot him through both arms!  Also, I heard there is speculation that it was not a 'carjacking' so much as a 'publicity stunt'.  umm... your dog wants a new PR firm.

 

Much more has happened, but it's late, and that's the stuff that sticks out in my mind. Now, on to the travesty....

As those who know me well can attest, at times I teeter on the brink of retardation. There are many examples, like when we were launching big rocks out of a waterbaloon launcher, and one stuck in the pouch and whipped back into my chest. Or maybe the time I got drunk at the botanical gardens in St. Louis and peed on some (probably exotic) plants. Well, this tendency struck its coup de grâce last week when....

i locked myself in my apartment.

now, I know what you're thinking.. "you did what?"   And to you, I say: it takes a special kind of stupid to do this. In my defense, there was a series of events here that seems to reveal the forces of the universe aligned against me, but I won't list them here, as nobody will read them. Anyway, I missed a half-day of work, and had to actually say to my boss "uhh, well, you see... I'm locked in my house."  Thankfully, after he composed himself, he said that it was ok, and to make it in when I could, then promptly told all of my coworkers. Try regaining your dignity after that, ok?

 

Well, It's late. I'll try to do this more often, because i'm forgetting a lot here, and my original goal for this is to keep my friends posted on whats up with me, since I'm so far away.

 

Peace out.

 

-Brian

Today I received quite possibly the most important news i've gotten since my college admissions letter... i got a J-O-B!!!!   I start on August 8th, which is not a day too soon, since my student loan bills are coming due now.. haha  

 

So, let the celebration commence!!!  And all you people who are too far away to join me, have a drink for me! :)

After a rave review from Adam Roach, I'm thinking of going pro. In lieu of that, however, I've added some pictures. both recent and old, from my trips near and far..

Well, what the hell. I've never had a 'blog' before. Not exactly sure what to say. It's like a summer vacation here... Which is nice, but i'm getting bored....