Egypt/Lebanon: a notable video by Khalid Mohtaseb

A buddy of mine exposed me to this guy's work not too long ago. If you aren't familiar with the Canon 5dmk2, this video shows what pushing the envelope with it looks like. This video is like that band you just "discovered" and can't, no matter how much you try to, seem to quit telling people about it. Egypt and Lebanon might be a bit far off from the Pacific Northwest, but this is just too cool not to share.

Egypt / Lebanon Montage from Khalid Mohtaseb on Vimeo.

Travellin' tunes... top ten.

Firstly, sorry about the alliteration... secondly, I thought to myself this morning, 'how ready am I for the open road?' Maybe I'm not quite back in the groove of things, but roadtrip season is fast-approaching -- I know this because folks have been grumbling that the Yellowstone trip we made a pact on will slip through our fingers like a kid's greased face from between stair balusters.

Perhaps I'm too quick to tag Yellowstone as a curious kid who knows better, but I came to the stark realization that few of the planning bases have been covered. How about the five w's? Or the timeless college kid thoughts: how can I afford it? (This last one may already be solved if we can truley fit all of us fraternity men into one rig next to the mountain of sandwiches we're sure to bring.) Possibly more important than all those minor details is what would we possibly want to listen to on the 8 hours 24 minutes of driving (one way). I don't plan on strong-arming a monopoly over the radio by any means, but I figure I needed to do my part in tunage contribution.

Here's what I've come up with, so far:

The Band - The Weight
This might be my favorite for the early morning trek. I'm not a huge fan of Easy Rider, but the soundtrack is one of a kind.

Dispatch - Two Coins
What's cooler than Dispatch? It's hard to listen to them and be upset at the same time.

Dobie Gray - Drift Away
Drift Away has a good feel to it. Stressing out and this song aren't compatible, but driving long-distances and this song definitely are.

Paul McCartney - Heart of the Country
It's feel good, and that's what travelling needs.

Tom Petty - You Don't Know How it Feels
Not too into all the lyrics here, but sometimes I just crave a harmonica -- especially with my feet propped up out of the passenger-side window. It's true.

John Mark McMillan - Death In His Grave
This link is to a short video clip of the song being played, but I still think the grip of how awesome this song is remains evident.

Mark Mathis - Wasteland
These lyrics and I have shared a lot of thoughts in the last year, and I'm all about not talking sometimes just to be pensive and reminisce for a bit.

The Primitives - Crash (The '95 Mix)
I stole this idea from Dumb & Dumber, which is timeless as far as movies go.

Las Ketchup - Asereje (The coolest version, which somehow may only exist on my itunes)
I can't seem to find the amazing version I have online, but that's ok. I tried to figure out how this song fits, but all I could come up with was that it's plain old amazing...only the cool version, though...take my word for it.

The Beatles - Here Comes the Sun
This song might just say it all. Maybe it's cliche that I threw this on here, but don't judge. The song stands for its self.

Stores Worth A Visit

The curious side of me seems to win out when I'm wandering the sidewalks in a town other than my own. Without a doubt, a must in most small towns when it comes to acquiring a good sense of the local culture is store-browsing. On my most recent trip to Moscow, my checklist was fully checked, most of those items being all about scoping out little shops:

1. Enjoy a steamed "everything" bagel loaded with premium ingredients at Moscow Bagel and Deli
2. Search for the perfect read at TJ's books
3. Hunt out antique cameras, retro art and ideal apparell at the Salvation Army
4. Sip Mexican Hot Chocolate and enjoy good conversation at Sisters' Brew
5. Swing by Moscow Co-op and make a mineola tangelo purchase
6. Attempt to proficiently play expensive guitars at Guitar's Friend
7. Inquire about bear mace and browse the outdoor gear at Hyperspud Sports
8. Catch the 3:35 bus at St. Augustine's back to Pullman

A Commuter's Perspective

When the stress of school begins to set in and the idea of spending nearly every waking minute on campus seems to be less of a threat and more of a reality, the best remedy to this dilemma can be found none other than in a quick trip out of town—specifically to Moscow and, of course, when the chance opportunity arises. Fortunately for WSU and U of I students, accessing free transportation to and from Moscow/Pullman is as easy as simply waiting for the bus with student ID card in hand.

The Wheatland Express offers commuter transportation between Moscow and Pullman; it’s free fare, part of the transit fee paid before the start of each semester. With several stops in Pullman and more than a few on the U of I campus, the Wheatland Express is both a resource for those looking to be commuters and those looking to find a free ride and a potential means of adventuring across the border.

Maybe it's the draw of being able to lounge on the way to an afternoon of strolling through a scenic downtown, or just the prospect of not paying to get to Moscow and having a full day to spend doing unplanned activities that is the attraction of riding the bus. If you're interested in being random, enjoying a day outside Pullman or maybe just both, the Wheatland Express is certainly a recommended option for getting you there. Few things come as close in satisfaction to good traveling than riding a free transit with good company and the intention of having enough fun to fill a couple of days, and all the while not breaking the bank.

You can catch the Wheatland Express commuter bus Monday through Friday, with the exception of on holidays. To learn more, visit http://www.wheatlandexpress.com/commuterbus.html for information about stop times and places.