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| Hello my Xanga Faithful, I know it has been quite some time since I last posted anything here. Actually about 4 months time! So this post is a little bit of a recap of what's been up with me.
SCHOOL
So I am officially done with my undergraduate at UW. Four years and an extra quarter for a double major. Hopefully it's good enough to find me a decent job (more on that later in this post). I have to say that college was the best experience of my life thus far. I met some lifelong friends, had some fun times, and as cliche as it sounds, have truly grown as a person. I feel that I've come a long way and have to admit that I am happy with who I am today and that's what counts right? I don't think I'm really done with school just yet, I still have aspirations of getting my MBA, but ideally I'd like to work for a place that will pay for it cuz that's hella money.
WORK
So since I have yet to find a career-oriented full-time job since graduating, I've just been working more hours at Circuit City to pay the bills until I find that job. I've interviewed at quite a few places and am still waiting to hear back from some places. It is frustrating though. The most frustrating thing is how long it takes companies to even get back to you at all after applying if they even do get back to you at all. Pisses me off...Boeing, I'm talking to you!
REST OF LIFE
My personal life has definitely reached a high and it gets better everyday. While I don't see as many people since I'm no longer in school and I've graduated, I still manage to keep up with some of my closest friends. Whether it's a birthday, a happy hour, or even just coffee, it's nice to know that there are these great people in my life. None better than my amazing girlfriend, Amy. My life has just gotten better since I've been with her and this relationship is a good thing going. We have been unofficially together for about 10 months and have an official 4-month on Wednesday, Valentine's Day. It's kind of funny, this year is the first time I've ever had a valentine. Even when I dated girls in the past, I was never actually with anyone during this time of the year. So kudos to me! 
OTHER RANDOM HAPPENINGS
~ The Mariners offseason was horrible and they will be lucky if they win 70 games this year. Terrible trades and worthless free agent signings. We even traded one of my favorite players, Chris Snelling for a washed up overpaid scrub in Jose Vidro. Me and Brian have vowed to go to games this year with the sole intent of booing Jose Vidro.
~ I managed to see a few concerts in the last few months. I saw All-American Rejects with the Format for free, that was a fun show. Saw Keane at the Paramount, that was amazing, their lead singer sounded so good and dead-on. And just saw Jack's Mannequin and Head Automatica for free at the Showbox last week, good show and they even played some Something Corporate songs.
~ I have a new laptop, it's a Dell Inspiron E1405, it's pretty sweet. It was a Christmas/Graduation gift from my parents. My dad got it through a corporate discount at Boeing and got a pretty sweet deal on it.
~ Two of my favorite TV shows are back with non-stop new episodes! "Lost" and "24"
That's all I can really think of right now. I'll try to blog a little more in the near future.
Later,
Jason
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| Hey folks, I know it's been awhile, almost a month, but yeah I guess I've been pretty busy lately.  So here's a little taste of what I've been up to.
My 22nd birthday was on the 12th and it was the best birthday
ever! At midnight, Amy surprised me with birthday gifts and cake.
So on my actual birthday (a Thursday) I was trying to organize a small
dinner of close friends but coicidentally all of them (except Calvin)
was busy. So I just thought I was gonna go to dinner with Amy and
Calvin. Only to arrive home that night and see a group of friends
there to surprise me! We ended up going to Cheesecake Factory and
there were more friends there. So who was the mastermind behind
this surprise, none other than Little Miss Amy. Thanks to all who
were in on the surprise (Amy, Di, Ryan, Calvin, Eileen, Dustin, Kiera,
Brian, Lydia, Gerald, and Tina)
We had a party at my house that Friday too. It was crazy fun,
sorry there's no pictures, I think I was too drunk to take any. 
I know I had at least 10-12 drinks that night and was in the bathroom
for a good hour or so. It's ok, I wasn't as bad as Minh, who got
very comfortable in the other bathroom. Hahaha!
That's ok, the next day we ate some good ole pho straight from
Vietnam...err Minh's restaurant. But anyways, I had so much fun
that weekend and it seriously was the best birthday yet!
So for Halloween this year, I went to a couple of different parties,
neither of which was on the holiday itself (since it was a Tuesday this
year). Last Thursday, went to Chris and Dustin's for a party and
on Saturday went to Amy's friend's party around Alki. We dressed
up together, she was Snow White and I was her Prince Charming.
Yeah yeah...I can just hear you all going..."Awwww" Anyways,
here's some pictures from Halloween '06.
Snow White and her Prince Charming!
With Peter Pan and Tinkerbell (Brian and Lydia)
With Speed Racer (Ryan) and an Army Chick (Di)
Dustin as Derelicte from Zoolander
I love this picture of Steve
Don't I look sexy
That's it for me folks.
Later,
Jason
| | |
| Greetings my people. Another school year is upon us now, well
some of us. This school year will be extremely short since this
is my last quarter of my undergraduate. Classes are ok. Com
451 seems pretty interesting and the prof, though quite old, is pretty
cool. The Econ classes should be ok too, though 472 seems like it
may be a little trying. Already had a quiz today and it seriously
was like a midterm. 
I hit up the Career Center yesterday and got some materials. I redid my
resume again and found out about upcoming career fairs and such.
Applied to some jobs online. Man, I really hope I can find a job
as soon as possible it'll be one less thing I need to worry about and
then I can just concentrate on school.
Not a whole lot else going on, back to my normal weekend work schedule,
working about 15-17 hours per weekend. Friday is my only day off
again, no work, no school.
Haven't had much time lately to keep up with my TV shows, I'm so behind
right now. But one new show that I absolutely love is Studio 60
on the Sunset Strip. It's an Aaron Sorkin show and I used to
really like The West Wing. The show has that same sort of
feel. Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford really make a great
combo and have great chemistry. I highly recommed this show, it's
on 10pm Monday nights.
Another random note, since I've been enjoying the wine these days, I
bought a battery-powered corkscrew at work the other day. Got it
on clearance for $3! Salut!
MORE MUSIC REVIEWS
The Killers - Sam's Town (9.5/10)
- When Brandon Flowers said that The Killers new album would be more
"American" and less like their first album, which was more of a new
wave synth pop album, he wasn't kidding. From the first single,
"When You Were Young" there's an instant Springsteen feel to it.
And that theme is carried throughout the album. Not only in the
instrumentations and arrangements but the lyrics too. "Brother he was born on the 4th of July"
is heard on the opening track, "Sam's Town." The Killers draw
upon a number of influences on this amazingly focused album everything
from Bowie a-la Franz Ferdinand, Queen, and Depeche Mode. The
album's standout song has to be "Read My Mind" it's just so
infectious. Best lyric: Now Adam’s taking bombs and he’s stuck on his mom because that bitch
keeps trying to make him pray. He’s with the hippy in the park combing
over the dark just trying to get some of the little girl play.
[Jason recommends: "Read My Mind", "Bones", "When You Were Young", "This River is Wild", "My List", "Sam's Town"]
John Mayer - Continuum (9.5/10)
- I remember when I first heard John Mayer I thought he was destined to
have a career being compared to Dave Matthews. Well three albums
later, he clearly has made a name for himself and distance himself from
the comparisons. His latest effort builds on the live album he
put out last year under the moniker John Mayer Trio. The album is
very much a blues rock album infused with a little politics. This
album is hands down one of the best I've heard this year. It
doesn't get old and really puts me at ease when I listen to it.
As expected, the guitars are flat out amazing. Some of you may
have some reservations about this album but strongly urge you to give
it a listen.
[Jason recommends: "The Heart of Life", "Vultures", "Waiting on the World to Change", "Gravity", "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room"]
Lupe Fiasco - Food & Liquor (8.5/10) -
Now this is what hip-hop albums should be, smart, funny and
aware. Lupe Fiasco, much in the mold of fellow Chicago rapper
Kanye West is one of the best hip-hop has seen in some time. The
genre needs more like him and less stale rappers with "Lil" or "Young"
in front of their names. He's got a mad flow and writes smart
lyrics. It just seems like most of people who listen to hip-hop
are too bogged down in the other crap like the new Ludacris
album. Give this guy a listen, you might be amazed at what you
find.
[Jason recommends: "Kick, Push", "I Gotcha", "American Terrorist", "Sunshine", "Daydreamin" feat. Jill Scott]
Jet - Shine On (7.5/10) -
This album doesn't really sound like their first album at all in fact
it sounds like it could be an Oasis album. Given the fact that
they toured with them and have the same producer on the album I guess
it's easy to derive the transformation. Everything from the
arrangements to the lead singer's voice on some of the ballads make the
comparison uncanny. Though I don't like the unoriginality, I do
love Oasis and can't help but like some of the tracks on this
album. There's no "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" but there are more
songs like "Look What You've Done" if you're looking for some context.
[Jason recommends: "Bring It On Back", "Shine On", "Kings Horses, "Eleanor", "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is"]
Later,
Jason
| | |
| Wow it's been a month since I last updated...it's been some busy times
for me lately. Been working at Circuit a bunch more this last
month and been kicking it with some certain people.
So what's new?
~We had a party at the new place a couple of weeks ago for Calvin's
birthday. Was a good turnout and there were no carpet stains to
speak of so that's always good.
~Been drinking a little more wine lately rather than the beer or hard
alcohol. I have to say I feel more sophisticated now. Hehe.
It's better for you anyways right?
~School starts back up in a few days. It's my last quarter of my
undergraduate degree. I'm not so worried about the class aspect
of the quarter so much as the "looking for a job" aspect.
~I think I'm gonna hold off on buying the TV for awhile now...wait until I get the job situation figured out.
Hmm...I thought I had more to say but guess I didn't...anyways, here's
some new music album reviews for your reading pleasure. Haven't
seen hardly any movies this summer but have kept up with new music for
the car rides back and forth to work.
New Found Glory - Coming Home (9/10) -
I remember back in high school when these guys were one of my favorite
bands (hence the AIM screen name), those were my pop-punk days.
Fast forward and a couple albums later, these guys are still cranking
out quality music but have definitely shown a maturity in their
music. The lyrics are better, the arrangements more intricate,
the melodies are still catchy. While this album is more mature
it's not entirely different from their past work, not like how that
last Blink 182 album was. Overall, the album is more mature but
also is their most honest album. [Download: "On My Mind", "It's Not
Your Fault", "Hold My Hand", "Familiar Landscapes", "Too Late To Be"]
The Decemberists - The Crane Wife (9.5/10)
- These guys keep getting better and better with each album. This
one is based on a Japanese folktale and features a few
"Decemberist-esque" epic songs...one coming in at 12 minutes
long. Not really anything new here other than yet another focused
and enjoyable album. [Download: "Yankee Bayonet", "Summersong", "Crane
Wife 3", "O Valencia"]
Outkast - Idlewild (7.5/10)
- The soundtrack to their movie of the same name, this album like every
Outkast album is...unique. This one has a little bit of a
throwback feel almost big band like, similar to the theme of the movie
I guess, though I have not seen it. The problem with the album is
its length...at nearly 80 minutes long, it begins to wear thin and lose
steam by its end. Some of the songs work and others don't and
seem like filler. It would've been so much better if they cut the
6-8 interludes and other filler. [Download: "Mighty O", "Morris Brown",
"Idlewild Blues", "Peaches"]
Justin Timberlake - Futuresex/Lovesounds (8/10)
- I'm not afraid to admit that I like this album. You have to
give Justin Timberlake credit, he could've made a nice little pop album
like his first one but this album shows just how ambitious a project
this was. He made a good move by getting Timbaland to drop all
the beats and produce the album. There's some crazy good beats on
some of the tracks. Timberlake still has a ways to go with his
lyrics. This album seems alot like an updated Prince album
especially with all the sex-infused lyrics but it's pretty good.
[Download: "My Love", "What Goes Around", "Lovestoned", "Sexyback"]
Here's to a great quarter for those of us still in school!
Later,
Jason
| | |
| Amount of money earned for a day's work (before taxes): $65
Cost of a kick-ass Format concert at Neumos: $15
Cost of a Jaggerbomb at this new lounge (Advantage) in Capitol Hill: $8
Seeing your friend get hit on simultaneously by a married woman and a gay guy: PRICELESS
Later,
Jason
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