Matchstick Men

So the year is coming to an end and I suppose some reflections is called for. It has been an interesting year. One of a great loss, one of a great gain of hair (both on my head and face).

It was a time for traveling alone and making efforts to find myself only to realize that all that I want is a companion to share these experiences with. I saw more than I ever imagined as I drove across the country. I experienced isolation and solitude in these states and woke up to new suns and retired to an ever changing sky.

I finished my MS degree and now begin a life free of the shackles of student living. I found a new sense of peace in the present and am learning to appreciate everything and everyone. Not only was this a year of physical movement but also of the mind. A year spent wrapped up in books.

Where will the new year take me I do not know. Personally, I try not to think about it too much. Just let the current of life carry me from place to place, from person to person. It is no use fighting fate, it eventually wear out the body.

And with those few words
my mind ignited like that!
Burning with ideas, memories and love
Your words the flame that set it off
My love continues to burn...



-FB

Come On! Feel The Illinoise!

Drove to Chicago
all things know
we sold our clothes to the state
I don't mind

The Sounds of 2010

Here are the most memorable albums of 2010 that graced my stereo in no particular order. It was a good year for music.

Sufjan Stevens-Age Of Adz

Different from all of his other albums in a good way. More electronic, deep, personal lyrics and weird guitar solos. This album will forever remind me of the Pacific Northwest.












Sufjan Stevens- All Delighted People-EP

Usually EP's serve as predictors for what to expect on the upcoming full-length. This was not the case. Beautiful songs written in the traditional Sufjan way. The only consistency between this album and the full length are the lyrics that set the stage for Adz.













The Tallest Man on Earth-Sometimes The Blues Is Just A Passing Bird-EP

It has been awhile since I anticipated an album. This was such a great EP with insightful lyrics, wonderfully played guitar tracks. It's just fun to listen too!













The Drums-The Drums

Lo-fi recording with fun lyrics and upbeat rhythms. This is probably the closest I will ever get to being a fan of The Smiths.













Vampire Weekend- Contra

Released during the cold, cold months of January listeners were magically transported to a secluded beach, sipping on a pina colada or in this case, horchata.













Dum Dum Girls-I Will Be

Surf + Punk + 60's garage rock = Dum Dum Girls. If punks surfed, I imagine they would listen to this.













Foals-Total Life Forever

Contains one of my favorite tracks this year "Black Gold". As one friend put it "This record is eclectic".













Eryka Badu-New Amerykah Part Two: Return Of The Ankh

Played this while driving through Santa Barbara Wine Country and it was so perfect as my car hugged the curves of the road. Funky, soulful and smooth.












Sleigh Bells-Treats

Fun music to listen to on a long bike ride. Loud, crunchy guitars, pulsating drum beats and aggressive female vocals. I put this on when I am having "One of those days".













Local Natives-Gorilla Manor

Harmonies, harmonies, harmonies!!! Enough said.













The National-High Violet

Once you get used to the monotone vocals it is a really enjoyable album. Lemon World captured the feeling of driving to Wyoming with my closest friends.

"So happy I was invited. Gave me a reason to get out of the city".













The Walkmen-Lisbon

Didn't like it at first. Listened to it while doing some bike repair. Loved it! Not sure why I like it so much. It's juts a great Walkmen record.













Club 8-The People's Record

Fun pop record with calypso, afro, and brazilian beats. In search for unique sounds this year, this did not disappoint. When you listen to this album you cannot help but smile, feel happy and shake yo money maker.

Red Light, Green Light

Red light: It has been pouring the last 3 (or is it 4) days and I hear we have one more before it clears up. There was a time when I used to hate the rain. I just could not stand driving in it. I hated how it made the roads even more dangerous than when they were dry. I disliked how much traffic slowed because of all the nuts who spun out of control after pushing 100mph on the highway. It made chores and errands horrible! But that was all in the past.

Truth is I have found myself enjoying the rain these past few days. I have been living as if life continued regardless of the downpours. Running in the rain, driving to my destinations and slowly taking walks between buildings, feeling the gentle (an sometimes not so gentle) kisses of rain on my face. Life feels slower now and that's alright. A red light here, a traffic jam there creates an opportunity to hear the patter of droplets dancing on top of my car. I see the grey clouds blanket the sky illuminating all the lights around, 24/7 holiday lights. Yes, the earth is not a cold dead place but I often forget that it is very much alive. Caught in the race to the finish line we often exhaust ourselves and miss out on the daily beauty that exist in every millisecond.

Green light: Time to slowly move on in the rain, rain, rain rain and I don't mind

People As Places As People

We were the people
That we wanted to know
And we're the places that we wanted to go
It's hard to get hold of
And hard to let go
Always something we look for
From the day we were born
Instead we're the people that we wanted to know
And we're the places that we wanted to go

And the people you love
But you didn't quite know
They're the places that you wanted to go

All this scrambling around
Hunting high and then low
Looking for the face of love
Or somewhere to go
I hardly have places that I need to go
Yeah you're the places that we wanted to go

Shouldn't have to ask
You shouldn't have to ask
'Cause we are your real place

-Isaac Brock

...

Do not be so anxious after doing something. Sorrow follows happiness, then happiness follows sorrow.

-Krishna

Table For One

I heard it proposed lately that two young men should travel together over the world, the one without money, earning his means as he went, before the mast and behind the plow, the other carrying a bill of exchange in his pocket. It was easy to see that they could not long be companions or co-operate, since one would not operate at all. They would part at the first interesting crisis in their adventures. Above all, as I have implied, the man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready, and it may be a long time before they get off

-Thoreau, Walden

Never Tear Us Apart

One of the best recordings I have heard this year :)

Record Club: INXS "Never Tear Us Apart" from Beck Hansen on Vimeo.

Farther On

Even enjoying oneself takes practice.

-Duncan, The Brothers K

Thank You

Dear,

mom, dad, alyssa, adam, grandpa and grandma gomez, grandma rachel, albert, joe, gil, greg, rob, alice, irene, tracy, yvette, yolette, debra, dora, albert, austin, allison, sonya, felix, christine, candice, caitlin, gabriel, joe, marcos, nathan, ava, josh, vern, glenn, sherwin, george, hiep, mary, david p., david d., joycie, mitch, paul, peter, laura, thao n., daisy, sandra, marisa, patrick, april, kelli m., kelli l., tracy, scott, susan, bryan, tiffany, eric, carlos, jon, christy, rocio, stephanie c., cesar, carmen, gi, tisha, khani, araceli, phil, mckay, marmalejo, matt c., jose c., erika, becca, iris c., iris, s., marco r., brittney, melina, danielle, amy, art, bailey, blanca, carlos a., jerry, christina (piedad), brenda, bryan p., gary, hollis, racheal, heather, vennus, latosha, jackie, melanie, gohar, charzetta,, chris c., daaaavey, denise, diana, iverson, dr prescher, drew, hector, hiba, victoria, nicole, eliza, gabrielle, guillermo, gus, hanh, heather g., sula, janet, jena, jon m., judy, katie n., katrina, linda, ryan, nalah, sherry, melissa v., nicole, g., michelle n., michelle p., natalie b., aaron, baron, nepthys, sloan, sy, costa, strauss (sgt. boogie R.I.P), dr. mejia, dr. smart, casey, turner, eric b., ania, shun,dj, erin, isaac, ines, jason g., jameela, jane, mayra, paty, ray, roger, sandy, stephanie l.,tatsu, travis, valerie, brandon, oliver

thank you for your support over the past 7 years of academics. Whether, you helped me with an assignment, proofed a paper, listened to my troubles, loved me, befriended me, bought me a drink (or two),fed me, nursed me, made me laugh, traveled with me, let me sleep on your floor, let me use your printer/computer, burned me a mix cd, danced with me, cried with me, or simply just sat and had a cup of coffee, you filled the ocean with memories which time quickly traveled across. I share this accomplishment with ALL of you!!!

Peace & love



-Frank Aaron Borunda

To West Texas

An adventure is just a misfortune correctly understood.

-Anonymous

Locks of Love Pt. XII

December 2010

Officially one year without a haircut! Hair be all up in my face!



-FB