fire water burn

Prepare for perhaps the most immense blog yet! Buckle up.

Mr obbs returned to beantown Monday after one of the most enjoyable weekends he's had in quite some time.

My company sponsored a rafting trip up in the nether-regions of the great state of Maine. The plan was to go and camp Saturday, then get up early Sunday and raft until 3 or so, thus leaving ample time to get back to Boston Sunday night.

Being a native of 'vacationland,' I took a few hrs off from work and left the stress and congestion of the city mid-day Friday alongside co-workers joe mac and Marfa and headed up to my momma and poppa's house. I had spoken with the cook prior to our arrival and put in my request for the menu-- shish kabobs... burgers... caesar salad. There's something about cheese on a salad that I am a big fan of. Anyways, my body was fiendin for a square meal. During my frantic and stressful apartment hunt i had often completely forgotten dinner. One night it consisted of a bowl of canned vegetables. Pathetic.

Friday night was great. A cousin of mine from my dad's side of the family is currently sailing around most of the world with his wife. They are now docked in a harbor about an hour from my house, so they were actually able to come for dinner as well, thanks to a man near their boat who was generous to let these two strangers borrow his car for the evening (does stuff like that happen in other states? Really? Some stranger letting two sailors use his car for whatever they want. That blows my mind.) Anyways, I hadn't seen this guy in approximately 21 years (my dad's side of the family is MUCH more spread out and distant than my momma's).

He's had a pretty remarkable 34 years, to say the least. Grew up in British Columbia, CA. Went to trade school... learned the pipe-fitting trade and also got trained in welding and scuba-diving, among other things. He worked for the film industry doing special effects and explosions for awhile. He grew up fishing and being outdoors, so he told me he just could not imagine having a job where he would be stuck inside. I don't blame him, really. Somehow he lucked out and found a job doing underwater welding, which paid him enough money that he could afford to work 4 months a year. I asked him what he did with the rest of his year. "I was in Australia." "Oh, that's awesome. What did you do down there?" "Surfed. Yeah I'd work, make money, then fly down to Australia until the money ran out. Then I'd fly home and work some more." I was growing mildly jealous of this guy's lifestyle and total disregard for the traditional model of working, saving, and then retiring.

And now he's taking a solid 3 year vacation. on a sailboat. Who does this guy think he is? Marfa compared him to Hansel from Zoolander. And I have to admit, she nailed it. His mannerisms, way of talking, APPEARANCE, and general aloofness were so Hansel-esque that I was a little disappointed in myself for not thinking of it first.

Anyways, we ate and drank and made smores all while sitting around a firepit in my backyard as the stars shone down from above. Friends Kbell and my future housemate Al_Likes_Waffles also joined. To put it plainly, it was perfect.

Saturday we arose and played pool... then basketball... then horseshoes as we waited for two of my highschool friends, Jon and JJ, to arrive so we could make the 150 minute jaunt to the sparsely populated town of Jackman, ME-- where we would camp and eventually raft.

Whenever I get together with JJ and Jon, it's pretty much laughs the whole time. I get on a high I'm laughing so much. We took a trip to Montreal a few years ago, along with my good friend Jarrod, and-- not only was it an amazing experience alliteratively-- but we had an awesome time just catching up and, well, laughing. I didn't get too many pics from that trip... but here's one:



ahhhh memories.

Anyways, we got up to the cabin after a car-ride full of laughs and a massive stop for booze. Got all set up and pretty much commenced the crunkulation. We went swimming and played wiffleball and flipcup and ate burgers my company provided. Partied until about 2 or so. I'm not sure really... i turned my phone off due to there being no reception. Regardless, there was fire, foods, booze, and friends. What else does one need? honestly.

I realized how much I love a fire. I always have... but now they just seem to be such great settings for endless nights of conversation. I mentioned last entry how much I enjoy just sitting and talking with people... and I guess a simple fire or firepit is a great way to do that.

Two years ago at New Year's Eve I went to a huge party with family friends in my hometown and they had a huge bonfire. There were friends playing live music and people singing and drinking and reminiscing and talking and just generally enjoying one another's company. My hometown has a great community feel to it. I hope to experience that when I get older and hope my children can as well.

Anyways, on Sunday we got up and made it to the rafting site at 8am. I. love. rafting. It is pure adrenaline and laughter and exercise and... just an amazing time. Also a great cure for a hangover. I wanna go more often... a tad expensive... but so damn fun. It's similar to paintballing in that adrenaline-rush sort of way... only less ingrained with redneck DNA.

We finished up without any flips or people falling overboard and headed for home. Marfa, Joe, and I got to my house and decided that A) none of us felt like trekking another 3 hours back to Boston B) None of us wanted to work on Monday morning and C) We would much rather eat homecooking, and drink cold beers for another night.

So we did. Made it back to the city for a few hours of work on Monday...and it was perfect.

_________________________________

Garth Brooks -- The River
Just a cool song. We went rafting. Talks about a 'river.' Damn...Garth sure can write a song.

Schooner Fare -- Portland Town
This is pretty much the perfect osng for anyone from Maine who is coming back for a visit. "Momma... won't you make my bed?"

The Rolling Stones -- Play With Fire
I like fire... but I'm not really a pyro. My bro and I would occasionally melt our GI Joes and such... but that was really the extent of it. I always loved just standing around the fire when we'd go camping and burning a stick or something, howveer. I love the smell of a campfire too... wouldn't mind if AXE made a 'smoke' spray one of these days... hmm.

all for now fans!
-- obbs

real talk

First off, this book above is essentially based on my younger years and how I remember my relatives and the 4th of July. I think I had a post where I touched on that. Great book. I'll let you borrow it sometime.

Anyways, I just got back from a weekend of spendin some QT with my cousins, aunts, and uncles. I'm real close with the cousins from my mom's side, so I love being with them, and now that we're a bit more spread out over the eastern seaboard, need to take advantage of the times when we are all in the same area.

Saturday I went to my uncle's in Holliston, MA and we had a huge lasagna feast. It was friggin amazing food and a great time watching to Olympics and catching up. One of my cousins had ridden his bike from California. Another cousin had just returned from 5 weeks in Argentina. So they had some stories to tell. I regaled the crowd with stories of how I spend my day in front of a computer. Somehow they didn't make quite the same effect as my cousins' experiences. This life.

Today I went to another aunt and uncle's place and just chilled all day with my two cousins. We played Scrabble, then went to a neighbor's house for more good eats and good conversation. The shish kabobs were friggin amazing. The neighbor's were cool. They'd gone to Dubai to visit one of their sons who works there-- so they had some interesting stories. That country is friggin crazy. Unlike anything you can imagine.

Have you heard about the structure they are planning that will constantly change shape and has built-in wind turbines...?!



But anyways. I realized I really miss just sitting around with other people and talking. Not in a loud bar. Not with a bunch of broskis about who the Patriots will be playing. But adults. You really don't get it much in the normal day-to-day routine, really. Have you ever sat down with a senior citizen who can tell a story? Storytelling is a lost art, I tell ya. Everything and everyone is getting increasingly detached. I watch the people around me on the way to work. Earbuds stuck in their ears. Completely shut off from the world. Boring. I saw this cute girl on the T one day, but there's no way in hell i'm even gonna say hi to them if they have their headphones in. Got dammit.

I'm goin home next weekend to see the parents briefly and to go whitewater rafting with my company. Dope. So i'll catch up with the 'rental unit and perhaps have some more intellectually stimulating convos around some foods and such... should be good.

Anywhoo, for some music, check out Pink Floyd's take on verbal communication.

Pink Floyd -- Keep Talking
"For millions of years, mankind lived just like the animals... then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination..."

And for some hilarity, check out R. Kelly's absurd take on givin it to a psycho bitch over the phone for hasslin' her man in "Real Talk."



enjoy the week.

-- obbs

supastah

I love music. I don't really know why I didn't get into it more in the performance side of things... but I wish I had. Sports pretty much dominated my childhood. I was traveling every weekend for soccer tournaments or basketball tournaments or practicing. But I loved it... so I guess i can't complain.

Anyways, karaoke is my golden opportunity to live out all my musical dreams of glory. Last night I went to a bar in the Harvard Square area with some buds and performed some classic numbers. I had been before and rocked "Friends in Low Places" with joe mac, but this night wanted to switch things up a bit.

80's numbers are always popular-- Livin on a Prayer... Like a Virgin... 867-5309... you get the idea. I wanted to take it back. Motown baby. Joe mac and I did a rousing rendition of "Sugar Pie Honeybunch" to get our vocal chords loosened up.

It was merely a taste of what was to come.

Now, a few years back, NBC broadcasted perhaps the greatest musical made-for-tv movie in the history of western civilization. I am talking, of course, about The Temptations.

Most people only know these guys for sangin "My Girl." A typical sappy, catchy Motown love song.

But they had so much more. VH1 Behind the Music needs to get their shit together and do their story. They had a whole funk era... drugs... fights... you name it. Anyways, I ended up buying the VHS and watched it bout 18 times. They had some awesome dance moves which I like a lot better than the synchronized crap in today's videos. Chris Brown ain't got nuffin on David Ruffin!

One of my favorite scenes in the biopic was when David Ruffin, lead singer for most of their biggest hits but had been kicked outta the group for bein a self-absorbed piece of s, storms one of their concerts and steals the mic from their new lead singer to do a few songs.

It's drama!

Anyways, back to the karaoke. I chose "I'm Losin You" and had Joe Mac and Senator Cream as my dancers and backup singers. I even did the spin with the mic behind my back! So sik! To get a better idea, just watch this vid...


Anyways, the performance was epic. People were dancing and all that shiz. Awesome.

The actor playing David Ruffin is Leon. Just Leon. Like Cher. He was in "Cool Runnings" if your memory is good.

Here's another dope vid of the REAL Tempts. This song is one of my favorites. Check out the pink suits!



i should get back to work.

-- obbs

party hard

When i first heard Andrew WK on Saturday Night Live, I watched a group of disgusting, hairy dudes in cutoff flannel shirts wielding guitars for a few seconds and switched the channel. For their second song, I gave them a longer chance, and was eventually sucked in by their crunchy riffs and catchy hooks.

Ever since, this man has amazed me. His devotion to partying and living life the way he wants to is truly an inspiration for all! I remember going to his website one day. It was simply a solid wall of text. No pictures or anything. Just straight up talk from Andrew WK about how much he loves life and wants to live every moment as if it were his last and how he just wants fun.

What a role model.

His music is evidence of that. I am not sure how many songs have the word 'fun' or 'party' in them, but it is a lot.

He's an interesting dude. He went to the same highschool as a buddy of mine, before transferring to some special music school. He's classically trained on the piano, and performed ALL instruments on his album "The Wolf."

A buddy at work said he performed here in Boston once, and after the show he chilled with some kids at Emerson and sat and played video games.

Whenever I'm driving home late at night and need some caffeine, i put his cd in. Instant adrenaline. It's crazy.

Please. Just watch some of his videos and try not to get amped up.

"We Want Fun" with the dudes from Jackass.


Here's an interesting interview. He sounds like an everyday dood.

...i think it's a joke?

and one more vid for your nite.

For some reason i can't imbed it... but its rockin. just AWK on his piano and playin air drums.

"Never LEt Down"

enjoy your thursday.

-- obbs