Talking shit about a pretty sunset.

ozcat
Originally uploaded by legally_beaumont

Back in March I was interviewed by Ozcat Radio from Vallejo. I got to go on air and answer some questions about The Spinning Compass and Wandering Rose stuff.

It was fun and getting these questions directed towards me for the first time really forced me to think about what the zine is and what our goals have been and should be.

The zine is topic that has been coming up lately in our Wandering Rose meetings and again I am a little bit flustered thinking about what the future may hold for it.

Sierra and I have really made this our baby and we have built it into something we like. While I am excited of the possibility to work more steadily with other, new, people I am also a little bit wary of what that really might mean.

I want us to push towards something that really represents our ideals and aesthetic while also supporting the local scene. I want people to associate the Spinning Compass with something slightly different than what I think they associate to Wandering Rose.

I like the idea that more contributors can lead to a more genuine sense of safety when it comes to being blunt and honest about what we see. Today, if we were to publish a story about how shitty a local band is, we wouldn't be able to live it down, people would single us out and want to start shit. This town is small, and the staff of our zine is even smaller. I think a lot of us are afraid to speak critically of our peers and those in the music and art scene because of it.

Here's the interview:

Let Nebraska Disappear

DSC04301
Originally uploaded by legally_beaumont

Nebraska is my favorite album by Bruce Springsteen. I'd never listened to the whole thing before, and now I see how much I have been missing out on.

The whole thing sounds like it was recorded by ghosts. The few rock and roll songs on the album are distinct, yet they fit within the whole theme.

I want to respond to every misguided comment on the NVR with download link for this album. It's all there.

Last week we interviewed Pete Davies and we ended up using almost a whole tape.

I'm not looking forward to transcribing the interview.

Last December

La Puma
Originally uploaded by legally_beaumont

It will be one week since Puma had his accident, tomorrow.

Initially it was really heartbreaking because we were all so unsure about what was going on with him. I know my father is feeling regret about choosing to take him to an expensive emergency clinic. In the end, it would have worked out just fine for us to have just waited for the morning to take him to a regular vet. Nevertheless, we found out a lot from the emergency visit.

We are still faced with the problem of the paralysis in his left-front leg. Up until now he has not shown any sign that thee feeling will return. The vet told us today to wait another two weeks and the we've really got nothing to lose.

Unfortunately for us, this accident has really caused a lot of stress because of how greatly it has altered our plans for December. I think my parents are handling it all in a very childish manner.

Regardless of what decisions the rest of my family make, I have already made mine. I am scheduled to work the next three weeks and I have no intention of asking for that time off. My hope is that I will be able to work on the various art projects I want to do, as well as apply for some more work.

Forget this dead man's town.

From Alaska
Originally uploaded by legally_beaumont

Last night was probably one of the best night's of my life.

Right as I was about to get off of work I get a phone call from a number I don't have in my phone. I heard her say it was "Christin" my old boss from BGC. Christin was told she's not supposed to get in contact with any of us since she had to leave. I was thoroughly perplexed.

Eventually I realized it wasn't her because she asked me if I was going to the art show in Yountville.

Sierra and I agreed to give Kirsten a ride out to the art show.

The actual show was really nice, pretty classy. As soon as we saw the gallery, we felt a little out of place. There were blazers and ties inside, and not in an ironic/hipster way the way we're used to. We quickly ran into all of our friends, Daniel, Paul, and Rick. The first thing we ended up doing was going across the street with Paul and Rick to pick up some beers and some bourbon.

We drank out by the Baker's bus in the parking lot. Afterwards we were fully ready to take on any social event.

I saw practically everyone I grew up with or hung out with in high school that was part of our group. At one point we were drinking out by the bus with the usual crew as well as Emma and Jaime Godinez's sister. We knew that the only thing that could make it better was driving out to get Dom.

After the show we all headed out to Pancha's which seems like the best bar in the Napa Valley. They didn't have a door man, the guy serving the beer looked like he listened to hardcore, and they had two dollar Pabst on tap. We got on the juke box and I put on the stupidest things we could see. We dropped bows, pushed it, and got cut from the team.

Kirsten ended up driving us home, she's a lifesaver.

First holiday of the Holiday Season

Skot's Tattoo, my drawing
Originally uploaded by legally_beaumont

It has been a long weekend and it's only Saturday. I got Wednesday off from B&G, Thursday was Thanksgiving, and Friday was also a day off.

Thanksgiving was what I expected, and not all that bad. If we've wanted to be all together as a family, it was Thursday.

The issue of me going to Mexico for three weeks has been on my mind. Initially it didn't seem all that important, but now I am starting to see it as mandatory. I haven't seen my mother or sister since August. They'll be coming back in January, but I still feel like I need to go.

I'm worried about Sierra. I'm going to miss her, I'm sure I can't even imagine how much I'm going to miss her yet. It makes me sad to know that those feelings will be even worse for her.

Whatever happens, I know that I will make the most out of it. I'm not looking forward to being away from my girlfriend who is the closest person to me on all levels, but I am excited to be going to a place I love. I am excited for the opportunity to get out and explore the hillside.

On another note, I can't believe the tattoo that Skot put on himself! It's the same drawing I did of the Cruz Missiles logo! From this first picture, it looks really good with just the outlines, I can't wait to see it filled in.

I'm putting it up on my website.

The website and the new issue of the Spinning Compass are both due on Tuesday.

Progress

There has been a lot going on in the past couple of weeks. We've had our big open forum at the Di Rosa. The turnout out was the best we've ever had! There was a diverse crowd of young and old and many different perspectives on art, but we were all united by a common desire for more opportunities and representation within the city of Napa.

I led a small group in our discussion points. Out of the five, we only covered two and a half. We had a lot to say.

We've moved forward with the Strong-Hayden conversation and we are hopeful that we will one day be able to use one of the spaces downtown.

I've been receiving a lot of responses to my Facebook blasts regarding our meetings and workshops. This week, I advertised the artists workshop on Saturday instead of the night before. I never thought of doing this because to me I have always seen my posts as a night-before notification, as well as a week-before. It's a weekly workshop, if I'm telling you about this week's meeting, I'm also telling you about next week's.

Anyway, I got positive responses after this early notification and I hope to see a ton of new faces!

Six Months!

Six months ago today, Sierra and I went out to Skaggs Island, drank bourbon, shot out windows, and had our first kiss.

She's horribly sick tonight so we're not going to get a chance to get together. It is depressing.

As depressed as I ever get these days, I can't stay upset very long about anything anymore. Sure, you might think it sounds generic, but having Sierra in my life has given me very few things to complain about. I am no means in the best place financially, professionally, or even physically, but being with her makes everything seem so secondary.

Last Thursday we went to see Lawrence Arms. It was around my sixth time seeing them, it was her first. There were a couple times during their set that I looked at her, looked over at my best friend, and just got overwhelmed with how perfect things were in those few moments.

Pabst never tasted better.