Monthly Archives: December 2011

The Year in Concerts 2011

Posted on December 25, 2011 by zoomloco

Seattle’s Bumbershoot festival. Fleet Foxes, Portishead, Mogwai, STRFKR, Vetiver, Little Dragon, They Might Be Giants, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Ave, Cave Singers, Shabazz Palaces, PS I love You, Ray LaMontagne, Creole Choir of Cuba, Wet Ink Ensemble, Despot, Danny Brown, … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 1 Comment

Lithuania My Fatherland

Posted on December 21, 2011 by zoomloco

Užupis Constitution in Vilnius. Those last 3 points are an inspiring summation of the Lithuanian spirit. Lithuanian forests are so deep, so haunting, so ancient, so filled with spirit, they would make the Blair Witch cringe. Moonlit views of those … Continue reading →

Posted in International | 1 Comment

How the Other Half Lives: Slovakia

Posted on December 20, 2011 by zoomloco

Clock tower views of the Bratislava central square’s holiday booths. When ethnic tensions no longer held under wraps by the USSR split Czechoslovakia in 1993, Czechia definitely took most of the fame. Slovakia, the lesser known brother, is a small … Continue reading →

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Czech Yr Head: Prague

Posted on December 19, 2011 by zoomloco

Prague, the center of Bohemia. Free love. Beer. Atheism. World’s oldest bridge. World’s biggest castle.  Absinth. Kafka. Prague is Eastern Europe’s most glorified city. But after this, my second trip, I still ponder why.

Posted in International, Pondering | 2 Comments

Bloc Party Budapest

Posted on December 16, 2011 by zoomloco

Budapest, Hungary. The quintessential Eastern European city in that it’s so quixotic, so different from the rest of Eastern Europe yet it echoes with so many historical and cultural similarities to elsewhere in Europe. I’d like to put my finger … Continue reading →

Posted in International | 3 Comments

Revolution is my Name: Poland

Posted on December 13, 2011 by zoomloco

What, what’s the sun doing in Poland in winter? Oh, setting at 2:45pm, that’s what it’s doing… The scent of diesel and smoldering rubbish, a gloomy populace and an ethos of perpetual defiance. I must be in Eastern Europe! Am … Continue reading →

Posted in International | 3 Comments

My AP Top 25 Songs List

Posted on December 10, 2011 by zoomloco

When we were kids, every month I made members of my family list their AP (Audio Popularity, not Associated Press) top 25 songs. I’d then compile them based on points ranking and come up with the family’s favorite song. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Lists, Music | 1 Comment

Counting Countries

Posted on December 8, 2011 by zoomloco

Kabul, Afghanistan, 2004. Let’s count: Looking this way I see one–one country here. The USA base at Bagram is 30 miles behind me. Let’s travel to as many countries as we can! But wait, what does it mean, “country”? Must … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Lists, Pondering | 1 Comment

Going for speed: The Annual 5 Minute Mile

Posted on December 1, 2011 by zoomloco

Here is a truth about training that is hard to swallow: It’s not that you get in shape and the workout hurts less. It’s that you get in shape and are able and ready to hurt more. It’s not about … Continue reading →

Posted in Physical Exertion, Pondering, Running | 4 Comments