Dead Format.

My obsession with vinyl seems to never cease. There is just something about opening an LP for the first time and looking at the oversized twelve by twelve artwork that is satisfying. From the first crackle of the needle touching the grooves, to the sound of the tone arm moving back into its return position, the process of listening to a record is unlike any other format. There is something about vinyl that commands your attention. When I put a record on, I feel the need to focus on what I am listening to. Collecting records makes me feel like a little boy again. It makes me feel like I am vesting stock into rock and roll history and truly supporting the art. To put it simply, records are just timeless and classy.

Today, I ordered the one record I have been wanting for the past 3 years: Jimmy Eat World’s Clarity 2x12LP. This is my all time favorite recording and not I finally own it in analog format. This particular record has never been repressed. It came in several different color combinations, the one I got is grey marble. Even cooler, the packaging is still sealed, so it’s like I am back in 1999 buying it from my local store. Anyways, tickle me pink.

I need to update my recordnerd account, but if you want to check out my collection, here is the link:
http://www.recordnerd.com/lists/joshmickelson

Baldey Spears photoshops! lol

Another insane article:

By JUAN CARLOS LLORCA, Associated Press Writer

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala - A 330-foot-deep sinkhole killed at least two teenagers as it swallowed about a dozen homes early Friday and forced the evacuation of nearly 1,000 people in a crowded Guatemala City neighborhood. Officials blamed the sinkhole on recent rains and an underground sewage flow from a ruptured main.

The pit emitted foul odors, loud noises and tremors, shaking the surrounding ground. A rush of water could be heard from its depths, and authorities feared it could widen or others could open up.

Rescue operations were on hold until a firefighter, suspended from a cable, could take video and photos above the hole and officials could use the documentation to decide how to proceed.

The dead were identified as Irma and David Soyos, emergency spokesman Juan Carlos Bolanos said. Their bodies were found near the sinkhole, floating in a river of sewage.

Their father, Domingo, was still missing, according to disaster coordinator Hugo Hernandez.

4am at the Grocery Store

World's Tallest Bridge

This is seriously mind blowing:

Construction of the Millau Bridge in France

The Millau bridge over the River Tarn in the Massif Central mountains is more than 300m (984ft) high - taller even than the Eiffel Tower. With its concrete and steel pillars soaring high above the morning fog in the Tarn Valley, the construction makes a spectacular sight.



Construction began in October 2001 and was intended to take three years, but dragged even longer because of weather conditions. The bridge was built by Eiffage, the same company that built the Eiffel Tower.













A complicated system of hydraulic rams was used to slide the vast bridge deck into place. It was provided by Enerpac Hydraulic Systems - the company which also "lifted" Golden Gate Bridge off its foundation for better cushioning against earthquakes. Here is a diagram of pushing the bridge's deck:




The deck was pushed in two sections from both sides of the valley. Each push cycle lasted 4 minutes and moved the deck section 600mm a time.








From both sides of the valley the metal sections of the bridge are assembled, lifted slightly and then in an elaborate manoeuvre pushed into place on each of the seven supporting pillars. The architect, Norman Foster, said the bridge was designed to have the "delicacy of a butterfly"

links

PS: I updated my links. Any other blogs I need to be checking on a regular basis?

I call you back to the place beside me.

So I have been getting all caught up on the “Lost” dvds. I just finished season 1 last night, and let me tell you, I am super excited to start on season 2. I will say that the cliffhangers get a bit annoying, but it’s a great story line that has kept me entertained through the whole thing.

Reality is really starting to set in about that fact that my close friends Olivia and Josiah are moving in a few days. I am seriously going to miss them. At the same time, I am excited about their future, and truthfully, it gives me hope for my own. Some day, I will be with the one I love and pursuing my life’s dream!

Mark, Sean and I started a new song last night. I really like our initial progression. I think we need to figure out a more structured way of writing, so we can get these parts together, but I am super excited about our start. I must admit, my head was not in the game last night. I drank an Old Guardian from Stone Brewery on an empty stomach and it went to my head a bit…haha.

Wow, what a nice long weekend! It was great seeing my friends Chris and Thomas. They are such awesome guys. We all got together and had a few beers on Friday night which was a blast. The night ended with Chris and I covered in sharpie marker and I had a "confederate" mustache.…haha. It’s nice to let loose every once and a while.

In other news, there is this girl named Bethany that I have liked for a few years now. I am not sure if it was my own self-esteem, or being afraid of the fact that she lives in Ohio, but I never told her. Yesterday, I finally sat down and wrote her a letter explaining my feelings. I put it in the mail box this morning, and I am super nervous about it, but I couldn’t go on any more with out telling her. Anyway, we will see what happens! Give me a prayer if you think about it! Hahahah. Pray that she wants my hot bod! (jk)

Have an awesome week.

-J

PS - Listen to some Bonnie Prince Billy asap. He is way too good.

God is Love and Love is Real

This week has been interesting. I have been really sick the past couple of days, which is no fun. Not only does the physical part of being sick suck, but sitting around the house and doing nothing for 2 days straight really wears on me mentally as well. I came into work today, even though I am still not 100%, but hopefully I get through this soon. I watched the following movies over the past 3 days:

The Departed

Black Dahlia
Crank
Shawsank Redemption
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Silence of the Lambs
Jesus Camp (again)

In other news, my friends Chris and Thomas are in town from L.A., so I will be hanging with them all weekend. Good times will be had by all!

I hope you all had a great Valentine’s Day. I know a lot of people like to hate on this holiday, but I think it’s a good excuse to let your loved ones know how you feel about them.

My Evening

my Evening

All of the people come and go, never really lived.

I think God has really pressed on my heart lately to start finding happiness in Him, and not my circumstance. I get so caught up in think about my next move, that I forget to enjoy life and the beauty that surrounds me. It’s easy to find discontent when you’re looking in the wrong places. With that said I think my “next step” is getting closer to God and finding contentment in Him. I don’t think I would make a very big imprint on the world (whether it be in music, missions, etc.) if I can’t find happiness solely in Jesus.

I really think God offers us true independence through walking in His love. We can make it through any hard time, or transition by simply finding joy in Him. It’s a pretty incredible thing when you think about it.

Judi's glasses look good on me!

I was driving home, listening to "Jump" by Van Halen and noticed these lovely glasses on the seat. I think this is a good look for me.

Thanks again to Mark and Judi for letting me use their truck while my car is in the shop!