Shot in the Heart by Mikal Gilmore

This wonderful biographical work on the life and family of famed double murderer Gary Gilmore is both tragic and witty while maintaining an aura of darkness throughout. The story of the Gilmores (who lived primarily in Portland, OR) is told through the eyes, stories, and second-hand accounts of the youngest member of the six member family. Mikal does an amazing job of both breaking your heart, reconciling guilt, and bringing slight smirks of amusement to your mouth without you yourself being conscious of the involuntary movement (someone told me). 

Much of the story revolves around Mormon history and how it intertwines with the partially, but ancestrally Gilmore family as well as all of their gut-wrenching dysfunctions. 

It is almost revealed as destiny that Gary ended up dying the way he did (I won't ruin it for you). The family history remains as much a mystery as is revealed in the incredibly rich pages. I can't recommend it enough. No one breeds murderers like the northwest!

Oregon outdoors

One of the things I love most about my home state is the ability of almost everyone to drive for 30 minutes and be in the wilderness. I recently had a conversation with someone who had moved here recently from North Dakota and I asked him why he decided to come here. He said that throughout his youth Oregon remained a "mysterious and somewhat magical place" he wanted to discover. Though that is a bit romantic, the statement is more or less accurate. Deserts, oceans, rivers, mountains, lakes and a sense of rugged individualism encompasses the place that has shaped my outlook on life and nature. It is easy for someone to lose oneself in the sparsely populated state, which is probably why the Pac Northwest remains a favorite hideout for fugitives and serial killers (no one makes serial killers like the NW). 

Anyway, this state is my home. It is quirky, eccentric and mine. 

Diaspora

As the last one of my inner crew in Eugene to graduate from U of O (Go Ducks), there has been a natural separation of friends that has been taking place. Granted we are all eventually headed to Portland to be reunited in a glorious burst of coolness, but it will still be sad that the summer will not be like the previous in Eugene. 

One of my buddies, Bryan, is moving tomorrow. This is a good picture of him. Throughout the last year and a half, Bryan and I have spent countless hours at our favorite coffee joint (Espresso Roma) smoking too many ciggies, reading countless local newspapers, laughing about frivolous shit and drinking enough caffeine for a small country of sleep-deprived cops. I thought it would be a good idea to capture the routine at least once. 

New Camera

As luck would have it, my mother was coming up to Eugene, OR from Medford, OR (about 260 miles south) when she realized she forgot her camera. Being that I was graduating from college the next day she told me to go out and buy a new digital camera for myself, and that is exactly what i did. If I could take a picture of my new camera with my new camera and post it, that would be what I would do, but alas....

So, with new photographing device in tow, this haphazard shell of a blog has been born as a forum for me to share my life, views, fashions and general witty commentary with the world. Though no one will read it.... enjoy.