David Given Schwarm

Married, Father, United

Zombieland

I watched this on instant view from netflix–I watched the first half on the mac and the last 30 minutes on the iPhone. It is way better then I thought it would be–there are very funny scenes, Bill Murray is fantastic in it, the Kiss at the Fair scene is one of the best post…
Dreadheads: Portrait of a Subculture

I got this from Netflix. I watched the first thirty minutes with Lisa standing and laughing. I watched the last hour at 1:00 AM laughing. Clearly the highlights are all the dead intelligentsia commenting–Blair and the boys are just constantly a crack up. Weir is very spaced out. The heads themselves are all over the…
Curse of Yig by H.P. Lovecraft

I read this online & then listened to the hplovecraft.com podcast which discusses this great tale. Actually, a fairly straight foreword horror tale–what tied it to my own experience the most directly was the native american drumming. I got a whiff of UCLA Ethnomusicology during that section–something that I need to work more on next…
Quiche, Grapes, & Orange
Abba Dioscorus

If we wear our heavenly robe, we shall not be found naked, but if we are found not wearing this garment, what shall we do, brethren? We, even we also, shall hear the voice that says, “Cast them into outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.” (Matt. 22:13) And, brethren, there will…
CASE 85: The National Teacher’s Gravestone

Emperor Shukusô asked Chû, the national teacher, “What would you wish me to do after a hundred years?” The national teacher said, “Make a seamless gravestone for this old monk.” The emperor said, “I should like to ask you, master, for a design.” The national teacher remained silent for a long time. Then he said,…
My Idea of a Perfect Sunday

Father and son surf lesson in Morro Bay, CA – image by Michael “Mike” L. Baird surfing
My Holiday Travel Plans

Mother in Law
A Letter to Someone from High School

Guy who came to the party at my parents house and thew up in the bushes–stay home. love david s
Three Countries I’d Like to Visit

China, Greece, & Brazil