Goodbye FaceBook

After my last melt down. I have decided that FaceBook takes too much of my time. I'm too opinionated, vocal and loud to be on there. I have found I'm much more productive since turning it off. I'm going back to this blog and old fashioned email. Later. It's was amusing.

-chris

Oh Adobe.. Oh Adobe

Oh Adobe... Oh Adobe... you will be in my life forever... won't you. The first program I used on the MAC 7600 was photoshop 2.0 in 1993?.

Using PhotoShop lead me into graphics where I became an expert level PhotoShop and Illustrator user.

That in turn bought me into designing web pages using Dreamweaver and Flash. Designing web pages paved the way for programming. Programming lead me to Adobe.

At Adobe I spent 7 years working on mostly on installer technology for Creative Suites and Point Products.

NOW! I am installing CS3 and CS4 on 150 MACS as my main project. Essentially, I will be configuring, testing and reverse engineering the hell out of years of my own work in some cases. THAT'S JUST WEIRD! LOL!

Following Adobe was following my heart as an artist and free thinker. Adobe is why I use a MAC. I was able to take 2+ years OFF and travel the world after working for them. They afforded me the opportunity to buy an airplane and nice cars. Nothing but good has come out of it. I am honored to have been part of such a KICK ASS company! At such a magical time!

So for all my friends still working there THANKS. It is a really great place to work. The people there are what make it great. I met some of the most interesting people in my life at that company. I will always be a fan of the work you do for me! Rock On!

After much thought

I have decided to go back to blogging in lieu of FaceBook. I can write a more in depth article, and not be tempted to write everything I "don't think".

Salvador DALI was a douche bag! Thank God he could paint!

Music Music Everywhere!

I have found a whole new appreciation for this music thing. Wow! So much to learn. So much fun. The act of creation is like magic coming forth from the unknown. Where does it come from? What makes it so amazing is how it comes forth as music. Music is a strange thing. What makes it sound good and what makes it not sound good. It is quite a magical art form. I love the recording aspect to it how it can capture a moment in it almost like a photograph. It's a special thing and is why obviously it is the most popular art form. I am glad I discovered it's magic on my journey through life.

I have been visiting more and more live music venues as well on this journey. Paragon right down the street is where I sit at this moment has some really terrific music. I am listening to the Blues. And admiring the beautiful bartender Jackie. Hot tea tonight because I have voice lessons tomorrow with Kaycee Cole.

Facebook has overtaken my blog!

So with the advent of Facebook I find it kind of mundane to keep up my blog. Although my blog has historical context which I don't think Facebook does. So I can go back several years and recall just what I was thinking.

So for now it is cold and rainy. Not sure I can handle it too much longer. I've been checking flights to Thailand/Amsterdam/Sydney and although Amsterdam isn't warm either.

Arrived in Seattle.

Had my little blowout! Now it's to to get my shit straight and rock the joint. Got a place to stay with Johnnie Walker. Got a 30 day plan with TDoug. Getting a haircut. Hanging up my drinking glass. And looking for a fitness outlet! The next will unfold as it unfolds. Currently learning to sing some old classics. Due by end of week.

Salt Lake City(nixed)... onto MOAB

So after Grand Junction.... I stopped to take a picture. A young guy on a road trip asks me if I want him to take a picture of me on the bike. I say no I've got a tripod. He asks where I am headed. I tell him Salt Lake City. He then informs me that I should got to MOAB instead. Says maybe he'll see me. Well I did detour to MOAB and ended up following his car. First photo op we stopped at the same time. I asked if he was alone and camping. Maybe he could use some company. He said he was and kept admiring the bike. So I followed him someways to a camp site. We decided to put all my stuff in his car and take the bike to Arches National Park. He'd already been there... and every time I screamed WOW! He told me "Just wait until the next turn." And he was absolutely right. He also knew his geology and explained what we were seeing. I enjoyed his commentary. We watched the sun go down then headed back to camp. "He said he'd been waiting his whole life to come here... he said it was the best day of his life!" I was honored to have shared in what some one considered the best day of their life. On the way back we talked bikes. He was an avid cyclist and the conversation turned to motorcycles. He'd never ridden one. I told him I'd let him but it was a big bike... not for the beginner. Then we stopped for fuel. I noticed he was tall. He told me he was 6'6". Well this is just a kids bike for him. And although you'd think I'd have learned a lesson from a broken bike in Costa Rica at the hands of my dear friend Conrad. I can't help but share the joys I have in this world with those who don't. So I stayed up until sunrise listening to music as a vampire does. He woke up and asked what I was still doing up. I went to the tent and told him the sun was coming up and it was time for his ride because traffic was light. I made him squeeze into all my riding gear. 2 sizes too small... but it's armor. I gave him a few lessons and set him on his way. Told him I'd come looking in 2 hours if he did not return. Apparently he rode it through Arches National Park successfully as the sun rose. He woke me up and said he had to go. Thank me for the experience and said he needed to get going because he was inspired to see more. Or something to that effect. He packed up his shit. Exchange contact information. And off he went. It was really a nice experience. I hope my journey has inspired him. And I think I did.

Onto Aspen, Colorado

WOW! Spectacular ride across Independence Pass. The continental divide. Absolutely Amazing. I said WOW so many times... I was hoarse. I also kept looking around and nearly killed myself around some of the bends. It was the most amazing ride I ever had on a bike. Truly awe inspiring. Then to Aspen. What a beautiful little town. I stayed at a hostel and roomed with an aspiring pianist. He was cool... although I think I freaked him out when I came in drunk high on Tequila and talked like I was on blow. Tequila does that to me. It's like speed. But he was very genuine... and I'm always impressed with some one follow their muse. I was really amazed at the fact there is no music scene in Aspen. I ended up going to the only place with live music in Aspen. I saw Thievery Corporation in a 300 or so seat club. It was a great show. I got a fist shake from the guitar player for my enthusiasm for his playing. He was really awesome... I screamed "Make me hear colors" and he did. That's when he gave the fist of approval. After that I journeyed around town until late. Played in a sprinkler and had a shot of Patron from a closed bar. The next day I left town. On the way out of town I noticed the little airport was absolutely full of private jets. Like 40 or so. Too many to count as I drove by. I was thinking wow no music scene. All these influential people... WTF? Good place to be "discovered" by some famous person... I think. Anyhow onto Salt Lake City.

Onto... Denver, Colorado

I had a really great time in Denver. I was impressed mostly by the cleanliness of the city. I also noticed the city planning was superb, good transit system, and it seemed like all the buildings were coordinated. They all seemed to go together. It gave a very pleasant feel to the city. I was fortunate enough to meet a young fellow that had just ride-shared from Northern California. He was kind enough to remind me of how great the weed is in Denver. A joint really had me high for several hours. He shared his story with me and had apparently been in some trouble and lost his license for 5 YEARS! That's a long time! He said he had trouble finding work because of transportation issues... he was only 23. That is a big chunk at of life at 23. Everyone I met was pretty nice from Denver. Only thing is they all seemed sad. Maybe it's the fact that they are used to so much snow and on this day it was 97 degrees. Not sure... but everyone seemed sad that I met. Curious! Onto Aspen!

So on my journey... I meet a song smith.

Funny how life weaves itself on your path. I've been really serious about this music thing and practicing my songs while I ride. I stop at Dairy Queen somewhere in Texas and meet Todd behind the counter. He asks me to read something. It's song he's written. It's about a broken heart he has. I even have the pleasure of hearing him sing it. I thought it very poignant on my journey of music. Good luck Todd. Never give up on your dreams.

Night of the living DEER!

The guy at Dairy Queen(in the middle of nowhere Texas) says, "It's about to get dark. You should stay here in town. When the sun goes down the "DEER" come out." I say ,"no... 1 more hour of travel." Not 10 min. later... I hit a DEER. Luckily only it's leg, as it bounded over the front of my bike. I rode 10mph for 1 hour to a Motel. Every DEER I saw after had a look of evil in its eyes.

Austin, Texas... Damn it is hot! 106 degrees. Holy Crap!

Amazing! It just gets hotter and hotter. Everywhere I go is gets hotter. Jeebus! 106 on the bike feels like riding through the stream of a giant hair dryer. I am surprised there wasn't a stream of black rubber behind me on the highway. I swear I heard my skin frying and could smell burning hair. Man I just can't express how hot it was to me. I think this was the hottest day I ever experienced. Even night time in the tent is hot. So unto the update. Here is my mid trip update.

Alexandria, LA to Austin, TX 7 hours and 11 mins.

I leave on Wednesday morning. My last day of flying with my Paw is tomorrow. I look forward to my journey because I know many friends are at the end of that journey. I learned somethings(reinforced about what I already know). Parents love you for who you are but if you are a confrontational artist... like I've become... they have no appreciation for your art. They tell you... you should carry yourself with more "class". This is me people... I don't fake it. People that are "classy" are usually the biggest fucks I know. Anyhow... I carry on as me. Trying to find honesty in myself at the moment. As honest I can be... because I am tired of liars and fakes... including me.

Learn something from me... at least a little. Don't be scared to be yourself. Because who you are is way more interesting than who you pretend to be.

You'd think the older people get the closer to me they'd become. But some don't... some are still scared to claim their life as their own. Who are you living for? I hope the answer to that question is... MYSELF!

A day of Flying with my Dad

This is the 4th of July 2009.