Noah Has Ideas

She was puttered around her room right before bed. Placing her clothes from the day in the hamper and preparing to brush her teeth. They hadn’t spoken in awhile and she began to grow weary as each minute went on, as each brush stroke went back and forth. She played with her hair as the tooth brush dangled so delicately, wondering if her hair is the reason he doesn’t call. She began to pinch her stomach fishing around for fat, trying to convince herself the fat is there and is the reason for his absence. The water runs over the brush and cleans it of foam, she slides it back to it’s holder for the night.
She washed her face, splashing the water to her skin, absorbing the warmth of the water. Dabbing her face with a towel, she looked at her teeth, “well, maybe it’s my teeth” she thought, putting the towel up, she started her walk out of the bathroom. She shut off the light and started to think of different ways she could spend more time awake. Hoping to get some form of contact from him. It was times like those she wished  she had more hobbies, more things that could steal her time, more things that would distract her from the thing she wants to think about. It was times like those she wished she had met more people, made more friends. Friends she could talk to about what she is feeling, what she wants, what is going on. But alas, this wasn’t  the case, she just stood in the doorway of the bathroom, thinking how she could waste more time before she crawls into the cold sheets. Slowly, she paced towards the bed, hoping for a sign of anything. The sheets bit at her legs as they descended into the black hole that were her covers. Her head rested on the pillow as she locked eyes on the ceiling and began to day dream. She day dreams for what could have been, what could be, how simple things should be. Almost cinematically the door makes a thumping sound. She rushed out of bed she thrusted her self to the door. Quickly gained composure, and slowly pulled the door open.
The door was open, and it was him, in all the glory that she wanted, he stood there, just like she imagined. He was there, but he wasn’t there, this was the person she wanted to see, but at face value, it wasn’t him. It was raining outside so his hair was a victim of this sudden down pour. He wore his glasses and was smoking a cigarette, something she thought he’d never do. “hey” he said quietly as he took drew from the cigarette. “um..hi” she replied wondering what else she could say. “you busy” he said as he invites himself into the room, walking past her, he puts the cigarette out on the wall and then flicks it into the hallway. “We need to talk” he said, she looked at him and shut the door.

Mix one part tailgate with one part hostage situation, and you have Every Time I Die. One of the guitarists of ETID is Jordan Buckley, frantic and unapologetic on stage. While he is accompanied by Andy, who is the other guitarist, who just stands still and looks threatening. Keith, the lead singer, who engages the crowd with his brother. Josh, is their newest bass player and hopefully their last. I’ve had the pleasure of attending and surviving two ETID shows. If we wanted to get nostalgic, I’d tell you my first concert was an ETID concert. But that is beside the point,
Jordan was nice enough to answer some art questions I had for him, and then some bullshit questions.

Enjoy..

Noah- What made you start producing art at such a fast rate? both for the NJA cover and booklet, and all the vans?
Jordan- pure enjoyment

N- What inspires your art? I truly have seen nothing like it, which I guess is the point of art.
J- thanks!i find my life to be inspirational. i hate wasting a single moment. so drawing is a great way to use every second fully.

N- What are the steps you are taking to get your art out there and seen?
J- well, I see my bad as a great way to expose my illustrations. and since they get to use it for free, it’s a win/win!

N- And what are the next steps in your art venture? Selling pieces? Galleries?
J- yea man, i am hoping to have a showing of all the New Junk Aesthetic art hung, as soon as i’m done painting them all. This could potentially ruin them, so wish me luck!

N- What’s your favorite piece of your own art?
J- unfortunately, the only art i own is my comic book collection! maybe once i buy my mansion, i can start hanging dope pieces!

N- What’s your favorite famous piece of art?
J- you know, i had to take art history classes in college, and i forgot everything i learned. i guess if it was that good, i would have remembered it! i love anything by Alan E. Cober. not exactly famous, though.

N-Where are you guys headed on your tour? Who are you touring with?
J-oh come on, do your homework. ( I’ll be honest, I didn’t, they are in Cali. But they are not going to be in MI before they head off to Europe.)

N- How is everyone like Josh, fitting in well with the normal ETID antics?
J-Josh has been in the band for about 3 years, so he is ETID.

N- Favorite movie of ‘09?
J-I know i’m going to remember as soon as it’s too late. Inglourious Basterds was great. Bruno was hilarious.
N- What tattoo do you wish you had, most outlandish thing you can think of, right off the bat, Go!
J-any tattoo i wish i had, i would have had by now.

N-Any truth to the rumors of a Shit Happens 2?
J- rumors? you mean when we openly talk about when and where we have been filming it for the last year now? including RIGHT now? not much of a rumor.
N- What are your theories on this coming season of LOST?
J- it’s pointless to say. Locke is obviously that other guy from the beginning of the last episode. It’s gonna be fun to see who that guy has been taking the shape of this whole time. it’s been a couple months so i need to recollect my thoughts. they are probably brothers.

N- Will we ever have the pleasure on seeing you on Dancing with the Stars?
J- no.
N- Could you ever beat Andy in a true fist to fist fight?
J- no.

N-What would you say if you had the chance to take the mic from Taylor Swift at the VMA’s?
J-i wouldn’t. ever. i actually like seeing others do well.

N- What are you going to buy from the money you guys get sales from NJA?
J-i have never made a single dime in cd sales in the 11 years i’ve been in a band. that question seems straight up outlandish.
N- What song would you most want to cover?
J- never really felt the need. something grunge for sure.

I picked up ETID’s new album, New Junk Aesthetic, it’s great. Full on ETID, not letting up on the usually punch in your face music. They’ve done it again with a fun DVD to accompany the music, Party Pooper.
Check them out, support them.

Thanks for reading.

-Noah

I recently Watched the Beard/Travel time lapse video and was really inspired by it. Not only was it amusing and cool to watch, but I’m a sucker for travel and travel blogs. So I got in contact with the guy that made it, his name is Christoph Rehage and he hails from Northern Germany but is currently living in China.
Here is the interview…

Noah- So where are you at right now?
Chris- Shanghai
N- So how are you liking it? What has stood out the most?
C- About Shanghai? I like it better than the last time I visited in 2006. I guess I am more forgiving.
N- haha, How long did you travel for? and by what means did you do it?
C- I covered my distance solely on foot. There were times when I had to take other means of transport to take care of some things, but my distance was pure walking.
N- How did you fare? Ever feel like giving up? What kept you going?
C- I was mainly riding on principles, like, there are high times when it’s easy to just keep going, then there are tough times, that’s when the principles kick in, and guide me through the dark.
N- Very true, I think we all experience those moments. Yours was probably more intense because you were traveling by foot in a distant land haha. So where are you headed to now?

C- I’m Going to get my degree in Asian studies.

N- What prompted you to make the beard time lapse video?

C- Well I wanted to make a time lapse from the start. Something between Matt and Noah ( To other time lapse videos dealing with photography and travel.) Then the beard just started growing and I thought what the hell, why not.

N- What do you think of your recent popularity? I first saw you on Soulpancake.com, Rainn Wilson’s websited, Dwight from The Office.

C-Don’t know him, but the attention is charming =)

N- What do you miss about home, both important and materialistic? Or has China become your home?

C- I am not sure about this, after all, it’s all about the people. Sometimes I miss the desert, but then I guess I would miss something else if I was in the Desert. The thumping of my shoes is nice, heavy boots, haha. Seriously, I always miss my family.

N- Understandably, In the video you thank a Teacher Xie, Who is he?

C-  The day I met him is archived on my website, Thelongestway.com, I had it moved to a different server, just on the weekend. Lunarpages were being such bitches.

N- Hahah, Do you stay in contact with Teacher Xie? Or is he still walking, planning on retiring at 65?

C- He is still walking, has a mobile though. I just spoke to him two days ago, and met him in august.

N- Did he inspire no only with his dedication to walking, but with other things?

C- Other things entirely, he was wise.

N- Did you meet anyone else in your travels that really left an impression?

C- All the Chinese people together, but also my big brother HuiHui, and my uncle Shen. My (real) brother Ruben, my girlfriend at the time, but most importantly, all the wonderful people.

N- It’s truly the people you meet and have that make things worth while.

C- Especially since there are so many awesome people in the China countryside.

N- hahha, In your travels what was the craziesst thing you saw? be it scary, beautiful, funny, whatever.

C- Well, I would have to think about that one. A sandstorm can definitely be pretty scary

N- Hahaha, I bet, what’s the plan of action when you find yourself in one?

C- I don’t know up until today, I just held out, kept walking and enjoyed the punishment.

N- You have some guts.

C- Nah, what else is there to do?

N- I guess just grin and bare it like you said haha

C- There is nowhere to run, so you’re in for it anyways. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t make a squealing sound when I saw my first one though.

N- So you spent a year in the states while in high school, what did you think of the States?

C- I loved it, Wichita was very interesting for me.

N-  Ever plan on coming back if the opprotunity presents itself?

C- I think I will, I miss my American family.

N- If someone were to come up to you and say ” Christoph, I will pay for your trip, where in the world would you like to go.” Where you want to go?

C- I wouldn’t, at this point, I would not be able to come up with anything.

N- So you’re content

C- I wouldn’t think so, but I have my mind set on other things.

N- Very good, kind of an off question, but music makes us who we are, so what are you listening to these days.

C- I walked into a small shop yesterday and it hit me. It was an old Metallica song I think. Absolutely awesome moment in that small shop. Besides that, I am listening to Snoop Dogg

N- Hahaha, really, in a small shop in China?

C- Yeah it was awesome, just rhythm guitars shredding, it was cool as hell.

N- Haha, that’s great, I feel like those two things only meet when everything in the universe is aligned perfectly.

C- Haha or someone behind the counter is a cool ass heavy metal dude.

N-  haha, how are the movies over there? Do you get to see some new releases? Or do you not pay attention anymore.

C- I don’t honestly, I want to see that new disaster  movie, I don’t remember what it’s called, some number.

N- 2012?

C- Could be.

N- So what are your plans after you are finished studying?

C- Dunno, gotta stay flexible

N- Well christoph, I have to say you’ve had some pretty awesome adventures.

C- haha, I wouldn’t dare to say so.

N- No? well they are pretty awesome from the perspective of a kid in cold Michigan haha.

C- Well, it could always be Montana or Kansas, right?

N- True, seriously great talking to you, best of luck in your travels.

C- I had fun, thanks little dude.

N- haha I’m 6″7 but I’ll take it.

C- haha my bad.

N- Good luck, God Bless

C- You too dude.

Great guy, Follow him on his site thelongestway.com and The beard video that started this whole thing can be found under videos.

Thanks for reading.

With a few friends recently, we were all on a coach with the room dimly lit by the subtle glow of Christmas lights. The room was warm, not only on a temperature level, but also the mood. It was an extremely laid back environment we all found ourselves in as we started to watch the movie.

I have always been a fan of this movie, I saw it while in theaters and it blew me away. It is a truly gripping story with characters that you cannot help but relate to. We were all watching it in awe, due to the fact that it was a few people’s first time watching it. Their reactions to certain events throughout the film could be felt in the room. It is just that powerful of a film.

The movie has such a great tone to it, and more importantly, it has a great message. And this message may be different for different people who watch it, but this is how i interpret it. I feel like it only further enforces the phrase of ” We only have one life to live”. Which is a great phrase to live by, because it is so true.

Benjamin Button was given a challenge that he overcame with the help of great friends and family, but he also realized that life is so bitterly short, and to not enjoy it would be utterly wasteful. The movie also has a theme of ” At the end of the day, do what makes you happy”, which is simply beautiful. Live it to the fullest, take it for all it’s worth, no regrets, caution to the wind, these are all things that should be in the back of someone’s mind when they are thinking of passing up an opprotunity that may make them step out of their comfort zone and live their life. To quote the movie ” Life is made by the opportunities we take…..and the ones we don’t”. This quote should resonate with all of us, and this simple line truly does explain what makes someone the person they are today.

In the film, Benjamin Button narrates how some people are meant to sit by the river, to swim the english channel, to be mothers, etc. Basically describing various roles we all play in life and even certain parts in life.
This is my favorite scene, because you can pick which of these descriptions are yourself. I feel as if I am like the ship captain of the Chelsea who was born to be an artist. Or the Pygmy, who was meant to sit by the river, who knows, maybe to worship?

The point is, this movie is very touching and makes you think what you truly want to accomplish with this short time we have in this life before we go to the next. But for now, I am fully content with the amazingly well done movie night I just shared with some awesome people, that is good for now.

Thank you for reading.

Well dear friends,
I’m going to tell you the surprisingly hilarious story of how I broke my leg.
It was a summer afternoon, the sun was coming in through the windows. I decided I needed to get some clothes together for the upcoming weekend, so I get a pile of clothes together for the wash. Once the pile was completed I picked it up and begin to walk down the easily maneuverable set of stairs. I get three stairs above the landing, and lose my balance, I then lunge forward and land on my foot. Well, not my foot, my ankle, which decides to roll, the energy of this rolling shoots out my Fibula bone. The bone breaks in two places ( as seen below).
It was a one in a million fall that could’ve gone a lot better, or a lot worse. I went to surgery about two weeks ago, I have two pins and a plate in my leg and am walking without crutches now. So I’m progressing everyday and I’m proud of it, ready to get the cast off. I am thankful that I am defending my title as THE clumsiest in the Class of 2009.
So that is how I broke my leg.

Saying GOODbye to friends is bittersweet.
When you know you will see them again.
Patience will make you a better man, look foward to what will be earned.
Potato