Of Elections, Expeditions and Exodus

June being nearly 2 weeks old has already rendered interesting turns of events.
The 5th of June marked in the Great State of California, the 2012 Presidential Primary. Now being the enterprising individual that I find myself to be, and being a registered voter, I was elated to find the opportunity to serve my County of Ventura as an Elections Officer. On Sunday night, I sent the email application to the Office of elections in Ventura. Monday morning I was contacted by Mr. Don M. in charge of a handful of the local precincts and was offered to be trained that afternoon in Ventura. Monday afternoon found me in the elections office being trained with a motley assemble of other last minute individuals. I also took the opportunity to visit the Mission of San Buenaventura, and then made my way home. I arrived home to find I had been appointed as an Inspector. This however required of me to drive all way back to Ventura again to pick up my supplies for my polling station. Now a County Elections Inspector is in placed entirely in charge of his or her own polling station and has final say on what goes, how the station is set up and the fluidity of its operation during election day. Tuesday, was one of the longest days of my life. I was at the polling station at 06:00 to begin the setup of the polling station before declaring the polls open at 07:00. Due to redistricting that occurred within the past few years, many people who had traditionally voted at my station, were required to vote elsewhere near by. However, on account to the lack of national importance of the primary and attention paid to the sample ballots that were sent to everyone by mail, many failed to notice that their polling station had indeed changed. By mid afternoon our voting machine stopped working, which made for an interesting vote count at the end of the day.
   I officially closed the polls at 20:00 and began to disassemble the 2 voting machines and pack everything away. We, (myself and three clerks) didn't leave until 21:35. An inspector and a clerk then must deliver the ballots and all the accompanying paraphernalia to one of the fire stations nearby. The clerk and now a friend, Ryan E. then needed a ride home, which I provided. All in all it was a valuable and most gratifying of experiences, one which I would gladly repeat in the near future.
    Subsequently, my cousin Connor graduated that evening and held a graduation party at his house for himself and a close friend of his who also graduated. I felt then obliged to make the necessary appearance at said party, congratulate both my cousin and all the other graduates in attendance and make the rounds within that scholastic society. Minutes to midnight, I fell exhausted into my bed.
    The 12th of June Luke H., Mike R. and I drove into downtown Los Angeles to eat at Sarita's Pupuseria in Grand Central Market. Pupusa is a Salvadorian dish which can be best described as a pita bread stuffed with whatever is on the menu. In our case, cheese and pork (Queso y Chicharron) served with a spicy salad, rice and beans. This was hands down the best Hispanic meal I have ever eaten to date. We then ambled along broadway to china town, observing the sights and sounds of downtown as Luke and I had both spent very little time there. China town was quite and experience indeed. We perused various stores in search of anything we could find. We finally ended up in "Sincere Imports" were Luke and I both bought a pair of "Kong Fu Shoes" to wear around the house. We returned home at around 18:00. My parents also arrived from Switzerland that evening. So Mama and Papa will be around for an month and two weeks respectively. I'm very excited to have them here as I haven't seen either since Christmas.
    As for my long term plans it would seem that I am indeed staying here in the Great State of California until next spring, to gain my Associates Degree. There after return to the alpine democracy and complete 21 weeks of boot camp and begin the journey of Swiss Army Service. Operation Exodus: Postponed.

Welcome back my Friends to the Show that never ends...

March, April and May... I don't know how they seem to slip away... and yet, every year I find myself at the beginning of June wondering where the past 3 months have gone.

March ended well beginning work and heading towards the end of school and a much needed much enjoyed spring break.

April brought my First paycheck. Before I got paid however, I had the great good fortune to see the Saw Doctors live at the Troubadour in L.A. Later in the month my sister came to visit for two weeks. I hadn't seen her since Christmas. We had a great time hanging out and catching up with each other. We celebrated Easter with our extended family here. My sister is also as of this year a GBT student and fortune afforded us the opportunity to travel down south to attend Local class for her and then one of the regularly scheduled Full Moon Balls. We danced and sang and had an excellent time with all of our friends in and around the Escondido area, despite the torrential downpour. That night we spent at the Sister's L. house as they were to host a GBT V-er Party the following evening. The four of us had a great time getting ready for the Party. Hannah and my sister hit it off right away and have become fast friends. A friendship, I hope that will transcend their continued journey through the next 4 years of GBT that lie before them. April showers came and went and from them was born a new blog. My friend Luke H. and I have co authored a blog in which we write all of the stories and ideas that we discuss on the long walks we take through our local Regional Park.

While in the merry month of May! I wrapped up my second Semester at the local regional Community College.  I received my custom embosser, a project which has been a year and a half in  the making. On the 18th of May I had the great good fortune and honor to accompany Ms. Kathleen D.  to her senior year prom in Fullerton. Kathleen and I though both having been in GBT with each other for quite some time, only recently made each other's acquaintance.
    With the End of May came also the End of an influential chapter in my life. Great Books Tutorial, a in depth journey through much of Western Literature beginning with Homer's Iliad and ending with C.S. Lewis' God in the Dock. Wednesday the 30th I drove down to Escondido, with a brief detour to Fullerton to visit on Heidi K. whom I had not seen in person for over a year, and I greatly enjoyed seeing again if only but for an hour. I arrived in Escondido at my Teacher's estate as we closed out our five year journey with the wise words, thoughts and observations of Mr. Lewis. As the clock on the wall struck midday, there was not a dry eye in the hall as we were all acutely aware for whom the bell tolled.We then lunched together on the lawn with a pick-nick potluck. In sharing this meal together we reflected and regaled many of the momentous and glorious moments of the past five years. The afternoon waned as we talked and laughed and as the evening heralded its self, I made the journey back to my beloved Ventura County.

And thus I have arrived in June, the half way point of the year... it never ceases to amaze me with what inexplicable speed time relentlessly marches onward. 8 days in and June has already brought with it a host of new and exciting circumstances.

And I wish I was on that N17...

The first day of the forth month is known as April Fool's, however the only fool this year was anyone who missed the chance to see "The Saw Doctors" at the legendary and iconic Troubadour in West Hollywood. Doors opened at 18:00. Enter the back bar, where the walls are lined with memorabilia of the music legends that have headlined here. They range from Billy Joel to Elton John, the Eagles to Guns and Roses, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers to System of a Down, and many many more. The Troubadour is, as anyone from Hollywood can tell you, one of the most revered nightclubs in the Greater L.A. area as well as one of the best places to see live music, including up-and-coming singer/songwriters.
   The opening act was a band from San Diego, "The Donkeys". They played well. No one in the crowd that I conversed with, knew of them, but as they wrapped up their act, so too left a few their fans. I was pleasantly surprised, by both music and performance and could recommend them to anyone who likes a loud rock n roll feel in a band. "The Donkeys are a Californian band through and through. There's no escaping it. A four-piece from San Diego, they've spent the past few years developing a close relationship to distinctly homegrown source materials, bridging the gap between the Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, Buffalo Springfield, and the Grateful Dead." (source: Donkey's "Born With Stripes" Review )
    At 20:00, the featured act, the Saw Doctors, appeared on stage. Now the Saw Doctors are an Irish Rock band from Tuam in County Galway. They have been rocking the world with their quirky, funky and uniquely Irish sound since 1986. Standing around me were many a veteran listener and fan of our Irish friends, for me though it was my first time to see them live. A friend, Vinnie B., introduced their music to me a year or two ago during my quest for some of the best music from the Emerald Isle.

    The concert was class act, Leo and Davy are great entertainers and very down to earth humble guys, who love their music just as much as they love their fans. The music is loud and fun and everyone sang along. I had a great night out and was lucky enough to wind up with a signed set list of the last performance of their American tour. All told, I wish I was on the N17.

I need a Dollar... A Dollar is what I need... Hey, Hey!

The 19th of march brought about my departure from my splendid sojourn to San Diego County. The trip home was an uneventful one and I made record time once again, only experiencing a slight delay due to traffic at Almeda Ave. on the 101 in Downtown LA. After getting home, I was back out the door to go to school! Oh, night classes! Though in all honesty I don't mind typography. I've been working on a personal project which is nearing its completion. A project that has been a year in the making and will find it's self on all of my future correspondence.
    On Tuesday night I called the Store where, according to my understanding, I was to start work the following day. I had however not heard back from the store at all. I was elated to find that I indeed was supposed to come in the next day at around 12ish. My first day went well as a sales associate! Selling clothing is definitely something new and exciting. Working at the mall is also a plus! I hope hang out with a few of my other friends who work at the mall as well!
   For the record, this is my first official, contracted job. Minimum wage is what it is but I feel if i work hard, and get good hours I should do alright.

Irish Celebration

Sunday morning heralded church. Hard to believe that I had already been in and around San Diego for a week already. Church was good and I had the opportunity to meet more of Ryan's multitude of siblings. After church we went back home and just hung out. We played on the Wii and drank tea and made ourselves ready for the St. Patrick's Party at Jessie S. house in Escondido.
   Now I had been looking forward to this party for quite sometime. I had proposed and Irish, Guinness laden pudding for dessert which was well under way by the time we arrived. It is to be understood, this party was the monthly GBT V for march. The best part of the local's were able to make it. It was my first time meeting Kanan D. which was great fun as he and I are of a like mind and had conversed for 2 years or more since the beginning of GBT III. The party was a great hit. Lots of fun! I was clad in all of my Guinness attire (which is quite and extensive collection). Equipped with a hand selected Irish playlist. We night was fraught with laughter and debate. I had the great good fortune to get to know Jenna L. better and further my friendship with her.
   We supped of the Cabbage and Cornbeef (though I still question whether the denizens of the Emerald Isle actually eat either) Along with stew and  homemade salad. Our most gracious hostess did a mighty fine job in preparing all courses of the meal and made us all feel right at home.
   Just as we all began engaging in a most interesting discussion, it was time for Ryan and I to take our leave and collect two of his siblings and return to his home most fair. That concluded a great night of music, food, conversation and AMAZING Guinness pudding!
Alas the morning would bring my departure.

Jamba Juice and the Princess of Mars

Friday was yet another awesome day in the Southland. Ryan and I went up to Escondido that we might socialize with other GBTers as well as visit Ryan's older sister who's residence is juxtaposed there abouts. After spending a delightful time with many our friends. We decided to spend some time with Jenny R., contemporary of ours, at the Jamba Juice in Escondido. We spent an hour and a half discussing all sorts of things. It was a great pleasure to get to know her better, as neither Ryan nor I had spent much "Quality time" with her previously. Soon after we had parted ways, we received a call from Jenny, who is not from Escondido. She was in dire need of gasoline, and Ryan's new phone is equipped with a Global Positioning System. So we turned around and thus ensued an hour long semi emotionally draining adventure navigating the streets of Escondido. We then made our way home to spend quality time with the family, after a most delicious dinner. We played a rousing bout of "The Settlers of Catan" in which it came out that my self most resembled presidential Candidate Rick Santorum. Ryan on the other hand was Mitt Romney. His brother David, Newt Gingrich. Mr. M their Father, Ron Paul. Needless to say we had great fun and though failing to win out in the end, I did so within an Ace of victory.
    Saturday, brought rain. A lot of rain. Cats and Dogs does not begin to describe how much it rained. In the morning, Ryan had Orchestra practice for Oklahoma yet again! In the afternoon we drove down to record music at a friends house. We were going to go to a beach party in Oceanside, however the host fell sick on Thursday and the beach is no fun when it rains. There were those of us from the GBT community though, that were still interested in getting together. The sisters Lambert, Mr. Evan O and Ryan, David and I met at Ryan's sisters house to then go watch a movie. First however, we dined at the Windy City Pizzeria vis-a-vis from the AMC Cinemas in Escondido. We had a tough time deciding what film to watch. After some debate, we decided to take a risk in seeing "John Carter".
   I think we all enjoyed it. To quote the general consensus: "It wasn't half bad". Cons: Some of the lines were delivered interestingly. The character of John Carter seemed to have just come from a marathon and would breath heavily between each word in all of his lines. The story is kinda strange if you aren't a Sci-Fi person. I we couldn't get over the hilarious spray tans. Pros: There are a lot of funny one-liners. If you like Sci-Fi, the story is real fun. The visual effects are absolutely stunning and awe inspiring. The Soundtrack as good and fitted the whole plot and film well.
   After the film we went home and made another episode of the daily talk show "Nick & Ryan", had some more tea, watched community and went to bed.

All over La Jolla

Thursday, the Ides of March, we woke up, fell out of bed, ate  yet another scrumptious breakfast and then drove down to La Jolla, which was quite exciting for me, as I had never been to La Jolla before, though heard much about it. First on our list of days seizing events was to watch "Act of Valor" for cheap (provided one sees the showing before 12pm). The film was quite enjoyable, though the acting left something to be desired, however, it is to be understood as all the actors are in fact active duty US SEALs. The plot is your typical thriller with a twist of conspiracy ending in both victory and loss. Cinematographically, its quite a stunning piece, full of intense fire fights, explosions and a great deal of exciting military hardware and tactics.

    Next we strolled around La Jolla cove taking in the sights, sounds and smells. It was an overcast day, and somewhat cool but La Jolla is La Jolla and is always worth a visit! For lunch we went to the near by World Curry in Pacific Beach. I had the Katsu Brown Japanese Curry and Ryan dove into the Green Curry. We shared a side of the Garlic Na'an. All of it was very tasty and filling.

   Thereafter we returned home, accompanied by the cool tunes of the Beach Boys. Ryan then had Orchestra practice for a local production of the musical "Oklahoma". I tagged along and kept myself entertained with a rousing bout of Sid Meier's "Pirates". The night brought with it another video update to the loyal followers of the show "Nick & Ryan", my strange new liking towards tea (which is quite novel by all accounts), another episode of our favorite community college sitcom and restful sleep!