Does anybody read this thing still? Wrapping up year 1 of PhD program. Loving the west - made it to San Francisco, Montana, Vegas (twice!), Los Angeles, the O.C., and bits of Utah. Thought I didn’t get any writing done, but got a bunch of writing done. Time goes. Writing weirdening. Here’s something I did for a class this semester:

The Image is an Abandoned Fortress.

It’s cold here! Shit. Anyway, I’m listening a lot to Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid’s Exchange Session(s) CDs. Good stuff, especially for writing, or sitting and thinking about writing, or doing 1000 other things besides writing with the intent of sitting down to write. Other than that, all’s well in the SLC. I’m working on some freelance writing for some documentary people, which is really interesting. Writing about Everest, something I dont know anything about, but super interesting and enlightening.

For those who still check out my minimally updated blog, here’re my favorite records of the year which probably looks just like Pitchfork’s list of their favorite records of the year. This has been a crazy year for me, so I’ll blame that on my boring musical adventures. So in no order, my favorites from this year are:

Battles Mirrored, Pig Destroyer Phantom Limb, Wu Tang Clan8 Chambers, Ghostface Big Doe Rehab, Bjork Volta, Panda Bear Person Pitch, Animal Collective Strawberry Jam, El-P I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead, Dillinger Escape Plan Ire Works, Aesop Rock None Shall Pass, Kieran Hebden/Steve Reid Tongues, Les Savy Fav Let’s Stay Friends, Band of Horses Cease to Begin, Antelope Reflector.

Heading to Vegas tomorrow for some Wu Tang and r and r before school starts again.

Goals for 2008: Write more, read more, find a horse track.

Hey party people. Here are some things I’m up to in Utah:
Being swamped (in a good, bad way.)
Not writing as many stories and novels as I thought I would be as a grad student in story and novel writing.
Generally okay with that. Reading lots of great stuff and reawakening dead parts of brain.
Despite not writing, have some new stuff, a few new drafts. Next semester should be lighter.
Looking forward to winter break and going back East briefly.
Surrounded by amazingly talented and supportive writers. Amazing party people, they.
Eating soups and occasionally making them.
Playing bass (and maybe will play guitar after some soldering) with a singer/song writer who sings and song writes these amazing songs.
Listening to Aesop Rock and Animal Collective.
Not going to shows because many bands don’t play here (props to friends Love Like Fire for stopping here to rock Kilby Court and for enduring watery beer and the Twilite Lounge.)
Being showered (mostly) daily by the blinding, golden light of the West.

Hey blog people, if there are any of you still out there. It’s all rock and roll here in SLC. I have a story in the forthcoming Hobart along with some other fine folks. Pre-order it here and support a rad mag.