alright already. vale ya!

first. new jams- Bon Iver. check that

second. just got back from barcelona. PICS are taken there minus the flamenco  (Corlita). incredible.

third. quote of inspiration and then a big ol' update

Alright Goofordites,

Permission for a ex nay on the Gooford-a , and pausa conmigo. Let’s talk me, in Spain. Me perdido ( I lost myself). My mind wanders. I am trigged by the sound of a native tongue.” ¡Oye! Como se va a…” I have arrived. She obviously hadn’t yet, because she was consulting the apparent Sevillano local for some directions on her whereabouts (and it has happened multiple times). So I figure I better live up to my billing.
It has been one month (mas o menos) in Sevilla. Ups, downs, alredadores, y todas las cosas entre. Let’s get this straight; Spain and I are great together, like peas and carrots. We both enjoy the following: art, music, community, education, people, architecture, fun, food, style, and so on. Don’t be fooled, at first she was my date to the middle school dance. Arms extended to ensure ample distance and awkwardness. This is not because we were afraid, but because it is all so unfamiliar. Now, flamenco.

Speak of it; flamenco is a flawless art form. As far as ability and understanding, I lack both. It is far beyond my grasp. It embodies enigma at its essence. It seems the level of passion is so high that if the dancers approached each other closer they might explode.. It has been a long ways coming, but I decided to present myself to the Spanish world and take a leap.
It is rather intimidating at first to approach the Spaniards. Plus, I am not even funny here, kind of a bummer. I just act like the natural goofball that I am and hope for the best. I think naturally I have done well for myself with it. The beauty of it all is that in being so basic, they have to except me with no front at all, just as I am, and as vulnerable as I’ll ever be.

I am definitely figuring out why I’m here. Walking everywhere is glorious (pasear not caminar). I have really learned to enjoy the time in between plans. Stale time isn’t dead time. I’ve seen the beauty of Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia in Barcelona to the Cathedral in Sevilla, both distinctively ornate. The beauty of the place is unparalleled. Having a language barrier just lets me enjoy being in the moment with people and enjoy their company.

I acknowledge the parallels between us that collide perpendicularly. The beauty is real. The looks, the fashion, the glasses, the high-tops, and just a flat out way of composing themselves, it is all beautifully done. Inside the core of all this is a sense of brokenness in most. There is void in the hearts of many. Beautiful cathedrals, no one inside. For the most part, there is not where to turn for most. Be praying for this.

I can be something different; beyond my own natural and flawed ability. I’ll let you know how all of this plays out. So what is your purpose? Why even get out of bed today? The future is very intriguing here, much more ambiguous than back home. No structure. I delight in this insecurity. Life is happening in more place than one.

-J

Am not!- AM TOO!

And so here we meet, all together, very different but all the same in that fact. (thanks ryan). Spanish has been enlightening on so many levels. Beyond the basic need to breakdown the communication barrier, I have learned so much about myself and my tendencies through the mirror of language. Samuel Fernandez, my spanish teacher explained to us that in Espana, people are more apt to use the present tense juxtaposed against the tendency of Americans to speak in the future and the past.

Take a step back, now why does this even matter, and what are the implications?

First, calm down, its going to be fine. Secondly, let's examine our own culture. So much of what America is founded in is focused on prospering, and excelling in hopes of a fulfilling life down the road. People working to retire (and then enjoy life) or get to gray hair and tell stories all day long.

Something called life happens in between all of that static. There is never enough family in Spain. Lunches for 3 hours, joking, chatting, and the world comes to a halt for it. Most of you can count on one hand how many times your family has gotten together in the past year. Most of the time, it is simply tolerated.

"But I have to work, to get things, to make money, to have a family, and leave them content."
Just show up and be there, that is where it's at.

By golly, just give everyone a chance to prove themselves.

So go make a jello mold for your neighbor. Everyone deserves a thumbs up.

Ciao- Gooford.

and for a bit of musica for those who need a kick

The French Kicks- So Far We Are
check the side bar

Wake Up

so people. who ever is out there. this is appropriate for two reasons. gooford is back, but never really got started, so wake up already! And arcade fire is a finer thing of life. 

ciao

-gooford

Wake Up from gohn on Vimeo.

Peace and Mullet Grease

Bigger is better, Manifest Destiny lives, and capitalism and materialism define an identity that is America. Indulge as much as you please in this society wherever, at a buffet or a mall. Thank the Lord for the economy bringing us back to the root of what matters, people. Gooford is moving to Spain. In order to truly appreciate and intentionally experience what is in store, we must define what is America. Then we can vividly see the dichotomy in the cultural boundaries. Instead of taking the easy way out, we took the pathway that would lead us to understanding these American ideals. Its name is I-40. 

Oxford, MS to Orange County, CA is 1,876 miles. The trip took us through the Ozarks of Northern Arkansas, through the barren wasteland and densely native Oklahoma, to Shamrock, TX, to Santa Fe, NM, to the Grand Canyon, arriving at the paradigm of bubble lifestyles in Orange County. Experiencing the culture, the people, and the quaintness in America gives me a pretty good idea of what we are. I may not always look like everyone I come across. Some people tend to have more body odor than others, or look like me in the 90’s, but in the end people are people. Although many of us find identity in our culture as well as a level of comfort, that should never get in the way of people being people and interacting without deprecation or prejudice.

-Gooford S.

So, what do you mean?

It seems that it is an opportune time to explain the state of Gooford, as well as defining really what on earth Gooford is. The blog has been stagnant, but the time has been used to figure out the beginning of our direction and our pursuit.

 

There is so much out there that does not get noticed, whether it is a nuance or something marginalized. Embracing this reality and bringing issues to light are the ideas that Gooford will embody.

 

Gooford is not me or someone else, it is a perspective that is shaped by the embrace of culture, and the good within all people.

 

All of this will be taken in the most lighthearted way possible because reality is already blunt enough.

 

Because this stage of the idea is about defining, then we must dive into what defines our culture and what is around us. Keep in touch with things. 

fine, fine, fine!

the finer things club is a group of individuals that meet on a consistent basis to discuss the finer things of life. Including but not limited to: art, literature, music, and so on. The times have been excellent. We wrote this poem to commemorate our times together, as we will be in a hiatus from meetings. 

The stench of moth balls burned his nose hair as he searched through the old boxes in the attic The box was large, its contents unknown It perplexes me as I gaze at it and wandering and peeping I do not condone The box lay still by the hearth that was lit until the cat got to it This boys eyes were shut tight with only the cat as his friend he could not see the light uninvited and rejected little did he know how much he was affected The cliches abounded, pathetic fallacy too black clouds surrounded his feeble form frozen with fear he lifted his eyes heavenward his gaze set as little black drops pelted his nose with inspiration he rose to his feet he did gain no longer did he want to put a bullet in his brain! so he said, Bump That. fellas want some sugar Na more suckas droppin' like flies.

-Meg Johnson (wanted credit so she gets it, only for being a closer)

crack open the craic

In the appreciation of things that are good, all of them in fact, and awareness. I would like to approach this in a manner with a lack of restraint. It is what it is (and that is good). With that said, let us begin being.