What can I say, I'm a flake.

Alright, last week I set a short term goal that I would post five times in the following days. And I didn't do that. I was going to jot down some short and sweet words about whatever awkward observations I've had or places I've slept or something. And I didn't do that. Instead I'm spitting this dribble down. Again, only hours before I depart. I leave for Barcelona in 9 1/2 hours and coincidently enough, it was also approximatly 9 1/2 ago that a convinence store clerk, who is Arab, was informing me of Osama Bin ladens new threats. I thanked him for the update and assured him I would "be careful." Anyway, I'll be gone for maybe six weeks or so. Depends on financials, otherwise know as the ability to not spend money you don't have. Either definition will do. So off I go. Barcelona, Ibiza, London, Munich, Rome, Prague, and of course Amsterdamn. Plus whatever places I end up because of improperly getting off trains. Sometimes known as "the wrong stop" however more frequently expressed as "god DAMMIT!" by me. So I'm a flake I say. It's true. I've always been a flake with skipping plans or not calling people back, bouncing crowds and now because of writing. I'm a flaky writer. Sometimes I can. Somtimes I want to. And most times I don't. I had grand aspirations, of well the earlier mentioned "five posts in the next week" kind of grand. Plus I really wanted to write something that kind of made me feel like...I felt something. An almost equally cofusing way of saying that also comes to mind, it goes "I thought about thinking but didn't" In any event This is another one of those times where my ambition has exceeded my talent. So I'm a flake. But that isn't likely to change.

Rolligun

Sorry Janie...

Dear Janie,

I am a horrible person. You have been so kind to me this past year and even extended an invitation for me to say hello in person while I was in Seattle. Not only didn't I take the time to meet you, but I didn't even have the decensy to call and say hello. I want you to know that I know that. My first excuse is that the nature of our trip was simply fast. We breezed through many states and places with out having as much time as we would have liked. I could have called regardless, just to add a personal touch to our acquintenace, but you mangaged to support a selfish and unappreciative soldier. My next excuse. I meant to call you, but I had forgotten. I remembered again, but by then I was in Wyoming and apparently Wyoming has some on going disagreement with the satelite companies, which basically disallows use of cell phones in that state. Eventually, we entered Coloarado and I remembered again how bad I felt about not even calling. Excuse number three. So I felt bad and started to wonder what I could have done differently. I still meant to call, but then I started wondering about Pluto, and how Pluto must also feel excluded. Then wondering about Pluto got me thinking about whether or not there has ever been a disney character named pluto. Then I started thinking about how I've never been to disney land. And so on. Anyway, this is my apology. Sorry Janie.

~Rolligun

Aspiring Arts

Below you will find several random photos from a quick (13 days) road trip out west. I’ve decided that I need to add a hobby to my life, and photography is my new passion! Granted, this endeavor is heavily influenced by my friend Will who assigned me the responsibilities of taking the photos. This is what I ended up with. It’s his own fault for not owning a camera, but I think this is something I want to get into. So any photo enthusiasts out please feel free to email me some simple photography terms and other appropriate types of jargon so that can effectively convince people I know what I’m doing with a camera. Obviously those photos won’t help.

Some notes:

The picture of a lady with turtles is a picture of a lady with turtles who wanted to charge me for that picture. I asked if she took visa, she said "no." So I thanked her instead and left. What's up Venice Beach.

The big statue thing is a knome under a bridge in Seatle. I want one for my apartment.

The dudes playing basketball was also at Venice Beach. I took the photo because it reminded me of the backetball scene in "American History X" which is where the setting of the story took place. Anyway I was determined to find some skin heads and say "Hey man, have you seen Derek or Danny Vinyard?" My buddy Will told me that he would have no part of that, but I could find any skinheads anyway. Perhaps another time.

The other photos all fall under a particular "style" that I have, but more on that later.

~Rolligun

RaNdOm PhOtOz