12.30.2013

A few words and their definitions

Fact is, I like words. I compiled a list of words I didn’t know and their definitions. 

vacillate: alternate or waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive.

propinquity: nearness
manqué: having failed to become what one might have been; unfulfilled.
pernicious: having a harmful effect, esp. in a gradual or subtle way.
sacrosanct: (esp. of a principle, place, or routine) regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with.
umbrage: 1) offense or annoyance. 2) shade or shadow, esp. as cast by trees.
quotidian: of or occurring every day; daily.
ebullient: cheerful and full of energy.
intuited: understand or work out by instinct. [known word, new tense]
dirigible: airship
boondoggle: an expensive and wasteful project usually paid for with public money
pedantic: precise, exact, perfectionist, meticulous
pine: to feel a lingering, often nostalgic desire.
rue: regret, remorse, or sorrow
prole: a person who has low social status; a member of the working class
wan: (of a person's complexion or appearance) pale and giving the impression of illness or exhaustion.
predicate: found or base something on.
environ: to surround
mete: dispense or allot justice, a punishment, or harsh treatment; allocate.
perdition: judgement; (in Christian theology) a state of eternal punishment and damnation into which a sinful and unpenitent person passes after death; eternal punishment; damnation.
decry: publicly denounce
opus: (Latin) work
exult: rejoice, show or feel elation or jubilation, esp. as the result of a success.
vociferous: (esp. of a person or speech) vehement or clamorous.
sept: a clan; originally in Ireland
cynosure: 1) something that strongly attracts attention by its brilliance, interest, etc. 2) something serving for guidance or direction.
voluble: speaking or spoken incessantly and fluently; loquacious, verbose.
sluice: 1) a sliding gate or other device for controlling the flow of water, esp. one in a lock gate. 2) an act of rinsing or showering with water. (“a sluice with cold water”)
hoar: grayish white; gray or gray-haired with age.
phylactery: a small leather box containing Hebrew texts on vellum, worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law.
prestidigitation: magic tricks performed as entertainment.
prognosticator: one who predicts future events or developments.

12.12.2013

Top 5 Favorite Albums of ALL TIME

This is my list of top five albums of all time. All time. 

Metallica’s Master of Puppets was an early introduction to heavy music. When this album hit my ears I was steeped in punk rock so the sound was fresh and easy to like. “Damage, Inc.” will always be an underrated contender to “Master of Puppets”.




The Illusion of Safety is an easy favorite. If I had to listen to only one band for the rest of my life it would be Thrice; definitely my favorite band of all time. This album was a gateway when I first heard it: opening my eyes (and ears) to thoughtful, intentional music.




Mineral. It’s a tough call between their two releases (Endserenading and The Power of Failing) but without a doubt one of them makes my top 5. Honesty and raw musicianship at its finest.




Relationship of Command wanted to turn my world upside down. At The Drive-In created such a multilayered sound, I can hear something new each time I listen to this album. 





Saves The Day’s Through Being Cool is a simple favorite. It’s nothing incredibly special but the memory associations keep it fresh. I remember driving a 1990 Volvo 240 with the windows down and this album blaring in the heat of summer. This is one of those albums that I can hear the final track fade directly back into the first track and repeat forever.





This may be the toughest list I’ve ever made. This is my top five albums of all time. Here is a supplemental list of five honorable mentions. 

The Scaries – Souvenir (2002)
Black Sabbath – Paranoid (1970)
Sunny Day Real Estate – Diary (1994)
Isis – Oceanic (2002)
The National – Boxer (2007)

12.10.2013

Salt

A little bit of something I’m working on. It’s about brand identity design.