Craig sent me the follow link to a story about the cruel names parents give their children.  Why do parents need to get so creative with naming their kids?  I was never  particularly fond of my own name “Scott” and can recall a time during high school when I considered changing it.  Granted, I am glad that I did not change it and am glad of it now.  However, I am even more grateful that my parents did not name me “Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii.”

The judge in New Zealand made Talula a ward of the state so that she could change her name to something less tease-inducing.  However, the courts in NZ also ruled that the name “Number 16 Bus Shelter” was OK.  Poor little Number 16 Bus Shelter.  I hope they grow up to be a healthy, happy, productive citizen of the world and not have too many people try to huddle under them in a storm.

Among other things going on in the world Radovan Karadzic, the Butcher of Bosnia was finally captured. Once a psychiatrist, Karadzic became one of the engineers of Bosnian genocide. His capture ends 10 years on the run from justice.

One of the places I frequently eat near my new job is called the Lake & Union Bar & Grill, which is a decent enough greasy spoon. Grilled Ham & Cheese, Italian Beef, pretty decent daily specials like Sirloin of Beef (etc) all for under $10 a meal. Apparently, though, on Thursday nights they have strippers? What the hell is going on there?

This will not prevent me from grabbing their excellent Sirloin lunch special tomorrow.  However, I think I will go elsewhere on Thursday and Friday. :D

I love my job. I am learning lots of new things, although I think my brain and personality are geared for what I do. I like the people I work with, I like my boss(es), I like the free soda and decent coffee in the kitchen area…I like the catered breakfasts on Tuesday…I like the fact that I enjoy the day to day stuff as well as all the swell perks the company provides. I’m walking more and feeling better.

Last night I had a very strange dream. A few scattered elements: I was stressed in the dream, I smoked an entire pack of cigarettes while wandering the city. I think the dream signified death, because the next piece of the dream I was at a retirement community with lots of older faces, being welcomed with open arms. “You can do whatever you want to do here, it doesn’t matter any more.” Smoke, drink, stay in bed all day, do nothing, do everything.

I protested, like I knew I was dead or something. “I’m going to go. And I’m taking my cell phone with me.” “You can leave whenever you want. You can take whatever you want with you. We’re not captors.” But I was almost 100% sure I had died in the dream. When I woke up, I was rather surprised I was alive.

I was worried though. Christina was nowhere to be found when I woke up around 6:30. It turns out that, unconsciously, I enacted retaliation for a recent disruptive teeth grinding incident by snoring loudly all night long. I found her sound asleep on the couch.

The haze from the dream has cleared, but some of it seemed so vivid. I miss having such vivid dreams. I feel like I haven’t had them in a long time. The desire to smoke is also very high, but I will soldier on without acting on it. It’s been more than a year and I am feeling healthier. Plus, it’s difficult enough walking around the city with a laptop strapped to my back and my extra flabbage.

Last Monday, June 30th, I celebrated several important things:

1. The start of my new job with a prestigious online marketing agency

2. My 28.5 birthday

3. My first year anniversary of quitting smoking.

The cravings to smoke have not gone away, which makes me realize the “triggers” to smoke were there long before I even started smoking. But it’s rather nice to not “really” want a cigarette any more. I can even be around smokers and think, “yuck”. I still notice the packs behind the register and think, “Well, I could always have one.” But I know that is a deception. Cigarettes were my heroin. I spent 5 months (or more) on the nicotine gum to ween myself off and I am finally there.

Now that I am in a more nurturing work environment too, I find the stress to be significantly reduced, the urges lessened. I’m even drinking less coffee than I am used to. So far so good!

It has indeed been a long time since I have updated this blog.  Several reasons being:

a) I moved to Des Plaines, IL.

b) I got married in Vegas to my beloved wife Christina.

c) I celebrated our union with close friends and family at our phenomenal (and frugal) Wedding Celebration party.  (I will never forget this day, for wonderful reasons.  Thanks to one and all who made this day so special.)

d) I landed an amazing job with an agency, which I will start on June 30th. (My half birthday, and anniversary of quitting smoking!)

e) We got the cutest bichon frise puppy in the world, Shaun “Underfoot” Walldren.  I had a bichon growing up and he is an adorable monster (he’s teething).  He’s remarkably well behaved and adjusting well to living with us.  He’s also getting us to get up and move more, and I already feel better from our activity.

I’m winding down my tenure at my current job, working diligently to transition my projects and accounts.  So far, so good.  Ever onwards. 

Excelsior!

Scott

Scott Walldren and Christina Cunningham are tying the knot on April 22, 2008 in Las Vegas, NV. They will be staying at Mandalay Bay and a private service will be performed at the Chapel of the Flowers.

A celebration will be held over the summer to commemorate the event with family and friends on a date to be determined once all of this busyness calms down. :)

In other news, I wish to God someone would do something about the hipster teen / pre-teen population that seems to congregate directly outside my apartment window every single friday and saturday night.  That is all!

One of the records that is finding it’s way into heavy rotation these past few months is Joe Henry’s “Civilians”.  By no means am I a music journalist, so I’m just writing this out of my pure appreciation of this unique musician.

I first became acquainted with Mr. Henry’s music upon hearing “Richard Pryor Addresses a Tearful Nation”.  I was essentially looking for “something like Tom Waits” and stumbled upon the album Scar and its sequel Tiny Voices.  Both are masterpieces of “the atmospheric record”.

As a good actor disappears into his/her character, so the good singer/songwriter plays his/her song.  “Civilians” feels like an Americana record written 20 years in the future looking back on the present day.  And like his previous records, it is atmospheric, but less so on the production, more in the beautiful / sad moods of his songwriting.

Anyway, check it out if you get a chance.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted, and, while the rest of my mind is in lockdown, I’m making the following list.  My favorite vocalists of all time.  I’m not sure if these truly go in any particular order, but hell, I need to write something.

1. Neko Case - I’ve had a thing for her voice since I first heard her album “Blacklisted” played on WXRT.  Her previous album, “Furnace Floor Lullaby” was one of my picks for best albums listened to in 2007.  I eagerly await future releases.

2. Jack Lukeman - Not really known on this side of the pond, Jack L sells out shows months in advance in Ireland.  A bit of an anachronism.  One of the last great crooners, expressive baritone–and also one of the more unique musicians I’ve discovered over the years. I would very much like to see him in concert, and steal his voice.

3. Chris Cornell - I was first exposed to Chris Cornell with his Temple of the Dog project.  I didn’t pay his music much mind till Soundgarden’s “Superunknown” and its follow-up “Down on the Upside”, both of which are still in heavy rotation.  His first solo record “Euphoria Morning” showcases his voice quite well–equally home at screaming heavy metal or belting the blues, he has one of the most expressive voices I’ve heard on record.

4. Billy Bragg - Billy has one of the best voice tones and sounds good with or without reverb.  A lot of people I know can’t get past the heavy cockney accent, but that’s all part of the charm.  Even putting politics aside, he’s a great singer and songwriter.

5. Tom Waits - Arguably one of the most influential musicians of the late 20th century, Tom Waits voice really has grown on me.  His later works are mind-blowingly bizarre–for better or for worse.   Whether he’s singing sad bar-room ballads or losing his sanity, one thing Tom Waits has is passion.  One of my musical heroes.

6. David Bowie - Another expressive voice, once you hit the 1980’s.  His earlier work is great fun and set many a trend, blazed many a trail.  But as Mr. Bowie’s matured, his songwriting, experimentation, and vocal range has improved dramatically.  Check out “Sunday” from his “Heathen” album, dirge-like as it is–beautiful. Another of my musical heroes.

7. Martin Sexton - I cannot say that there is a single album of Martin Sexton’s that I actually like, but the live material I’ve heard from him is probably the impressive live performance I’ve ever heard.  Smooth, soaring, Mr. Sexton has an incredibly range both in vocal ability as well as his guitar playing.  I’d love to catch him live some day.

8. Elvis Costello - Another musical hero of mine.  Partly because I’d like to do what he did with his life.  Like me, Mr. Declan McManus (for that it is his real name) was a computer programmer who finally got his break after a few years.  Elvis is hit or miss with me, depending on the album.  I like his early and later career probably the best. Both have piss and vinegar and demonstrate a keen pop sensibility, biting lyrical wit, and strong musicianship.

9. Nina Simone - Wow.  How did she get so far down this list?  Probably because I don’t listen to her music nearly as much as I’d like to.  One of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard.  Now that I think about it, she has one of those voices that stops you dead in your tracks and you can hardly pay attention to anything else going on around you.

10. Keely Smith - Music and life partner (at least for a time) of Louis Prima.  I actually like her voice much more than Ella Fitzgerald.  Probably because she didn’t scat nearly as much.  Smooth as silk and rich as cream.  I caught her on late night television a few years back.  Conan O’Brien I believe it was.  She still has it!

Honorable mentions: Pat Dinizio (of the Smithereens), Ella Fitzgerald, Yukimi Nagano, Cristina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil), Nick Cave, Maynard James Keenan (Tool), Jeff Mangum (Neutral Milk Hotel), Erlend Oye (Kings of Convenience, Whitest Boy Alive), John Grant (The Czars)