Site Title

  • The Grand Canyon

    The Grand Canyon is a natural formation distinguished by layered bands of red rock, revealing millions of years of geological history in cross-section.

  • Yosemite

    Yosemite Valley is a glacial valley in Yosemite National Park in the western Sierra Nevada mountains of Central California. It is consistently ranked as one of the best national parks, and it ranks as one of my personal favorites.

    First Trip (November 2019)

    My first venture to Yosemite was as one of the many destinations for the great western road trip that my girlfriend and I embarked on in later 2019. Shipping off from Denver, Colorado, we stopped at many famous locations (including other national parks that can be found in this blog), with Yosemite being one of our favorites.

    My first impression of the grand granite peaks was at nighttime. Coming from the desolate Nevada desert, the scenery quickly went from barren to forested as the car light illuminated columns of pine trees. It was only after an hour of driving did I realize I was driving along the great mountains with hundreds of feet of empty abyss just meters away from my speeding car. Never before has a mountain appeared so intimidating. I felt my skin sweat and my heart drop as I carefully maneuvered us to the lodge in the valley.

    Dramatics aside, Yosemite is an impressive place. Given the time of year, crowds were not much of an issue, so we were able to slowly navigate around the valley. While we didn’t partake in any trails or check-off all the notable sights (we only gave ourselves three hours in the park), we had no trouble finding a rock to lay on and just appreciating the beauty of the valley.

    Second Trip (October 2022)

    My wife and I were lucky enough to return to Yosemite again, this time with more time and preparation. We were visiting my aunt and uncle in San Francisco and were able to make the modest three hour drive to the valley. This time, we made an effort to hike the 4-mile trail, which offered us more spectacular views of the valley from below, above, and everywhere in between. My favorite hiking memory will be Allie and me enjoying a French-style picnic at Glacier point with views of Half Dome and waterfalls in the distance.

  • Kid Cudi Albums

    1. Man On the Moon: The End of Day (2009)

    When I was younger and a connoisseur of a certain smelly herb, my high school friends and I often listened to the guru of Ganja himself, Kid Cudi. While I listened to his first two “Man on the Moon” volumes interchangeably, I find the tracks on the first album more iconic and fun. Some of Cudi’s best and largest songs, like “Pursuit of Happiness”, “Soundtrack to my Life”, and “Day ‘n’ Night” put him on the mainstream map. The infectious rhythms of these songs never fail to bring me happiness.

    It’s not just the pop hits that stick out, though. “Solo Dolo”, while having Cudi’s infamously awkward vocal delivery, is sanctified in my mind for its epic production. It remains a personal favorite of mine from his catalogue. “Alive (Nightmare)” is a groovy track, and “Cudi Zone” will always be a classic Cudi anthem.

    I was pleasantly surprised to rediscover the many bangers on this album. It’s a more than solid hip-hop album. Even the sleepier songs are still quality, which is more than can be said for some of Cudi’s major releases.

    Favorite Tracks: Soundtrack to my Life; Solo Dolo (Nightmare); Pursuit of Happiness

    Least Favorite Tracks: None

    1. Man On the Moon, Vol II: The Legend of Mr. Rager

    Similar to the first Man On the Moon release, I’m a big fan of the The Legend of Mr. Rager. On this album, though, I do hear a drop-off in quality, with the musical titans of the first album replaced with good, albeit less exemplary, songs. That being said, “Man on the Moon II” has some of the catchiest and most exciting Kid Cudi songs out there. Cudi’s flow on “Mojo So Dope” is as smooth as ever, and any Cudi fan will gladly sing along to “Mr. Rager”.

    Unlike the first MOTM album, this album does contain so truly intolerable tracks to me. Tropes of Cudi, like the bizarre sampling on “Maniac” or the off-putting vocals on “Don’t Play This Song”, have unfortunately followed Kid Cudi into his future endeavors. Even the bigger hits like “Erase Me” have become more grating than engaging.

    I do want to end this review on a positive note, though, because I do like this album. The pathos of “These Worries” and “All Along” still conjure sentimental feelings, and every stoner out there will happily tune into “Marijuana”.

    Favorite Tracks: Mr. Rager; Mojo So Dope; All Along

    Least Favorite Tracks: Trapped in My Mind; Maniac; Don’t Play this Song

    1. Indicud (2013)

    “Indicud” was the third studio album release by Kid Cudi, and while MOTM II had moments of classic Cudi greatness, this album showcased his continued descent into the unintelligibly experimental. While I do ultimately like this album for the number of good and catchy songs on it, the bad songs are really bad and an unfortunate omen for the future releases of the Cudster.

  • Radiohead Albums

    1. OK Computer

    Studio Album; 1997

    “OK Computer” is the first Radiohead album that I listened to. Among their work, this album is the most consistent. From the opening track “Airbag”, the tone is immediately set, with galactic instrumentation overlaying the lonesome lyrics of which Radiohead is well-known. As someone listening to music primarily in the 2000-2022 span, it’s hard to ignore this album’s legendary reputation. But you get a sense that the quality of the songs transcends critical opinion, and it genuinely seems like an artifact of music’s evolution into the 21st century.

    “Paranoid Android” will go down as one of the most electric, orchestral, rock songs. The opening guitar riffs are instantly recognizable, and the collapsing melody following the initial guitar break never ceases to inspire feelings of blissful surrender. “No Surprises” remains a powerful song in my memory, never ceasing to pause my thoughts in their tracks and cradle me in its sadness.

    The hits don’t end there. “Exit Music”, “Karma Police”, “Airbag”, and “Let Down” are songs that would attract me as one-off singles on any album, let alone as multiple tracks all contain to one masterful piece of work. Truly an impressive album to which I’ll always be returning.

    Favorite Tracks: Paranoid Android, No Surprises, Karma Police, Exit Music

    Least Favorite Tracks: None

    1. In Rainbows

  • New Year’s Resolutions: 2024

    1. Achieve ASA
      • ATPA
      • PA
      • FAP Modules (1/5)
      • FA
      • APC
    2. Deadlift 405 Lbs.
    3. Squat 315 Lbs.
    4. Bench 225 lbs.
    5. Run 200 miles (0/200)
    6. Read 10 Books (0/10)
    7. Pay $10,000 on Mortgage (0/10000)
    8. Listen to 400 Albums (142/400)
    9. Hike 5 46ers (0/5)
    10. Travel to One New State
    11. Visit One National Park
    12. Practice a Musical Instrument
    13. Pay $10,000 on Student Loans (0/10000)
    14. Watch 20 Movies (10/20)
      • Ferrari
      • Everything Everywhere All at Once
      • Reservoir Dogs
      • Anatomy of a Fall
      • La La Land
      • Asteroid City
      • The Master
      • Good Will Hunting
      • Pulp Fiction
      • The Big Lebowski
    15. Get an Italian Souvenir
    16. Play 10 Video Games (1/10)
      • Ty the Tasmanian Tiger
    17. Get PCP/Dentist/Therapist
    18. Begin Learning one new language
    19. Carpet Stairs
    20. Buy 3 Pieces of Furniture (0/3)
    21. Landscape House
    22. Continue French Learning
    23. Buy Second Car
    24. Cook 10 New Dishes (4/10)
      • Lasagna
      • Chicken and Dumplings
      • Beer-Chicken Stew
      • Cinco de Mayo Feast
    25. Vote