My Friend* is on the Radio!

Today I was driving along in my automobile, listening to Georgia State's radio (88.5), and I heard Luke Temple on the radio! As many of you know, I've been a fan of Luke's for a while -- I've referenced him on my blog several times.

*Okay, so he's not exactly a friend of mine, but he is an acquaintance, a friend-of-a-friend; we know a lot of the same people. In the world of up-and-coming famous people, he counts as a friend by proxy, and because of the fact that I've been listening to his stuff since he released his EP a few years ago. So friend, he is.

Then, later on yesterday afternoon, I checked to see what Daytrotter was up to, and... you guessed it -- Luke's the topic of conversation. Check it out. (There are free downloads.)

He has a new album out that I haven't heard in entirety yet. But the songs I've heard are pretty unique (which is always a welcome quality these days, right?).

Meet Franklin!

About a week ago, I saw this picture on craigslist. This guy was scheduled to be put down last Friday.


And here he is today, laying on our couch.


Supposedly, he's a mastiff/catahoula mix, but the vet thinks he's got some basset hound thrown in there, too. I think he's like one of those inkblots where you see what you want to see. He's about 2 years old -- fully grown -- and 63.5 pounds (of muscle). I know I'm biased, but he is super smart and affectionate. He thinks he's a lap-dog.

But here's the not-so-great part of the story: He has heartworms. Heartworms that cost over $550 to treat. I'm consoling myself with the fact that a purebred dog would have cost this much to buy, and that I did a good thing by saving the little guy, but I don't exactly have $550 lying around to use on his treatment.

Which brings me to -- you know what's coming -- the introduction of the Save Franklin Fund. I know it's crappy of me to write a post that asks you for money. I know that. And I know that it's my responsibility to take care of the animal that I adopted. I know, I know. But if you can spare the $3 that buys you a cappuccino one day and instead write me a check, we'd really appreciate it. Just think about it.

Photos!!!

Here are the photos of my new apartment. See? There is tons of space, so come visit!









I didn't take any photos of the bathroom, but it's tremengigunorm (tremendous/gigantic/enormous). Shower. Separate garden tub. Two sinks. A washer and dryer. It's niiiice.

I should have added in that last post:

You're all invited to my new apartment/neighborhood! Come visit me!

West Side

So as I mentioned in my last post, and as many of you know from talking with me, I've moved to a different part of Atlanta. Yep, Sara and I have parted (domestic) ways -- I think we're talking more now that I've moved out, eh Sara? :)

This move had nothing to do with anything, really. I just needed a change of scenery and I needed to feel like I was living in a city again instead of the suburbs. I'm closer to school -- I can walk or ride my bike (when I get a bike -- anybody have an old one I can buy?). I'm right off of I-20, so it's a much quicker drive to my parents' house or Carrollton, which is nice. And, one of the best parts? I'm now ShanKo's neighbor!

I'm really stoked to be living in this apartment. I brag about it and want to show it to everybody. My roommate is an architecture student at Georgia Tech that is actually living in Brooklyn this summer. She'll get back around the 18th.

I'll post pictures as soon as I find the blasted cable to attach my camera to my computer.

Until then, here's the Castleberry Hill website in case you want to know more about the area.

Subvert!, or I Want to be a Locomotive Engineer

I'm looking out my bedroom window at five railroad tracks -- five highly trafficked railroad tracks. My new apartment overlooks the tracks, and over the last couple of days of being here, I've realized two things:

1. I want to be a locomotive engineer.

Unfortunately, after extensively researching (i.e. googling) the profession of locomotive engineer, I've realized that I'm not qualified. You have to have tons of experience in the other professions with the railroad. Like what, you ask? Like "rail yard engineers," "railroad conductors," "railroad brake operators," or "hostlers." Plus, to be a locomotive engineer, as the title implies, you have to have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanics of the engine itself. Rules me out COMPLETELY, as I don't even know how a car engine works.

Basically, I just wanted to leisurely ride throughout the continental U.S. and Canada on the "backroads," so to speak. I mean, you see some really cool areas by railroad. I know because I took Amtrak from NYC to outside of Philadelphia one time. I've also thought about being a trucker, but interstates are no fun, and there's a certain stigma that goes along with being a lady trucker, I think.

2. Graffiti is a form of high art.

I've watched train after train go by (It's better than television.) and on the last one, a Union Pacific carrying scrap metal, I saw some of the most amazing graffiti I've ever seen. And I've lived in the Lower East Side. (Okay, technically I lived in the East Village, but the LES sounds cooler and more hardcore.) I'm not talking tags -- I'm talking complete Japanimation characters or other caricatures, and beautiful, colorful word art -- DIVE, BASHAROK, and my favorite: SUBVERT!

Subvert. What an amazing word to use in graffiti. So relevant. So... poetic.

Now, I'm not advocating vandalism. But is it really vandalism when it's beautiful, or when it says something meaningful, or when it makes a girl's day by watching it pass by?

This reminds me of a street artist (although he uses chalk or tape a lot of the time) in Manhattan that I loved. He goes by De La Vega (his name is James De La Vega) and he writes inspiring (if not a little cheesy) messages like, "Become Your Dream," or "The Game of Capitalism Breeds Dishonest Men," or "Remember, the Devil was Once a Beautiful Angel," or my personal favorite "Be Mindful Even When the Mind is Full."

I've totally strayed from the original topic(s) at hand. What was my thesis?

Point is, I love trains -- even at 2AM when they're blowing their whistles. It's in the blood, I guess. My great-grandfather worked for Southern Railways most of his life.

And I love graffiti.

And I'm in a place where I can enjoy both. Life is good, my friends.