Merry Christmas from our boys

Hayden and Ian on Christmas Eve
Hayden and Ian on Christmas Eve | Photo by Laurie Blundell

My boys have been getting in the Christmas spirit this month by helping decorate the Christmas tree…

The boys helping put up the Christmas tree | Photo by Jonathan Blundell

Chillin under the glow of the Christmas tree…

A hipstamatic Christmas
A hipstamatic Christmas | Photo by Jonathan Blundell

Continue reading Merry Christmas from our boys

Top songs of 2009

Laurie rockin' out
Laurie Rockin' Out | Photo by Jonathan Blundell

I used to think I listened to a broad range of music — but after working up a list of my favorite songs from 2009, either my preferred listening tastes are getting more defined — or perhaps 2009 just wasn’t a great year for new music. (Feel free to offer up your own theories.)

Ten spots filled by six different artists. It’s not as diverse as some, but it’s my list and what I’ve been enjoying this year.

Honorable mention:
Knights Of Cydonia – Muse :: this track came out in 2006, but I didn’t find it (or them really) until I saw them open for U2 in Houston. My Muse station has now become one of my favorite stations on Pandora and this track quickly became one of my favorite tracks. See the video on Hulu.
Continue reading Top songs of 2009

Monday Briefs

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highlight(s) of the week ::
While I’m not sure it was a “highlight” of the week, death came as a friend on Tuesday morning for my Granddad. As a result I did get to spend some good time with family, including hanging out with my cousins on Thursday night and my sister and her husband Friday night. The circumstances surrounding us weren’t exactly what we would have chosen, but it’s always nice to get a chance to spend time with family.

Also, received a random (late) birthday gift from some co-workers. Not at all expected, but a very nice gift from some folks I have worked with recently on the African American Read-In.

quote i’m digging ::
“Going to church… I was very young kid… and this was a high Anglican church and this was my first encounter with God’s house. It was very strange. It was a mystical, peculiar almost magical experience going into this beautiful church and wondering why God had such strange taste in music….” on this week’s (upcoming) podcast

music i’m digging ::
I downloaded a copy of So Elated’s album last week in preparation for an interview on Friday with Ben Thomas. Really enjoying the album, especially the song “Open My Heart with Knives.”

God of love please give me peace / Please destroy all of our enemies / Help the rest of the world to learn to live like me / Tear down the temples that worship differently / Hold my hand and make me yours / Grant me power, sex, money and a brand new car / I know I shouldn’t worship all of my stuff / So I’ll ask that you’d please do it in the name of love

work update ::
The position I applied for with DCCCD is still progressing forward. I have an interview today at 1:30 p.m. so I guess I did OK on last week’s test.

freelance work ::
Learning more and more PHP and how it can be used in web development. Did some back-end work on a couple sites over the weekend to make my job in easier in the future.

gym/weight update ::
I think Laurie and I have decided we may try a 20 mile bike ride in Dallas on the first weekend of April. We rode 15 miles last week from Red Oak to Waxahachie. Not too bad, except the chip-and-seal farm-to-market road was a bit bumpy. And I think we both decided we need new seats before we try any serious rides.

looking forward to ::
Hmmm… not sure at this point. Would like another day off without other things coming up, but I’m pretty content as is.