the idealist

New Site

Andrew — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:47:19 +0000

Though this site exists as an archive of sorts, if you want to stay up-to-date with me, please visit my twitter feed, which I update regularly:

http://www.twitter.com/friedriches

Also, I have a new blog that I’ve started throught the very cool tumblr service. Rather, I’m going to start using the blog I started over there about a year ago. Please visit me over there:

http://www.friedriches.com

As always, my email is my nickname (which is friedriches, for those that don’t know by now) @ gmail.com (I say it like this so that web spiders don’t start using it to send me junk mail).

Moving (in real life and blogs)

Andrew — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:43:04 +0000

Moved out of my parents house (as my mom put it “for real this time”) a few weeks ago. It’s been great. I really didn’t want to move out, to be honest, but it was getting to be that time. I needed to be out and on my own, for better or worse.

Also, this will probably be my last post on wordpress. I am switching everything over to tumblr, a really cool little service I signed up for one year ago or so. I originally thought that it was some sort of between twitter and blog sort of space, but I’ve discovered that not only is it way more fully-featured than I thought, but that’s all I need. I don’t really have time for all of the updates over here. I’m going to leave it up and update it periodically (probably not anything of significance) but if you want to stay up to date with me, friedriches.tumblr.com is the new way to do so.

I love all of you, and hope everyone has a Happy Easter. Our Lord has paid the price and has risen in glory so that we may live… what an amazing love. Something truly worth celebrating!

Digital Jackpot: Scary but True Edition

Andrew — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 06:11:02 +0000

That is terrifying, people.

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Random Splurge

Andrew — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 08:32:57 +0000

Lately I’ve been doing very well not spending money. Really, I’ve been doing a great job of saying no to buying… anything, really, even food. But I’m in Dallas this weekend and needed some studio headphones for editing a video. I had seen a pair of Audio Technica ATH-ES7s at the Apple Store in BTR a few days ago and, for some reason, went and found them at a Dallas Apple Store and bought them.

I am still a little shocked at myself for spending the amount I did on them (less than the MSRP, though I won’t discuss specifics) but I can say that I’ve NEVER heard a pair of headphones sound so well. Listening to the Killers’ newest CD on them at 192 kbps is almost addicting… ask me to listen to them sometime. They’re insane.

Click here to view the ATH-ES7 page @ Audio Technica’s website.

Cirque du Soliel – Saltimbanco

Andrew — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:14:23 +0000

Recently, Mom blessed my sisters and I with the chance to see Cirque du Soliel live at the local arena (Baton Rouge River Center). I had not planned on attending the show, but I jumped at the opportunity to have such a chance. The seats were amazing and the show, though fairly provocative, was absolutely amazing. I am sure that it will remain on my top 10 list of shows and performances for the rest of my life.

The showmanship was top notch- for a detail-oriented guy, seeing such great attention to detail is the most important thing- and the hybrid blends of circus-style feats with ballet and modern dance were so cool.

I know there are a lot of hurting people in the world, but this is one of those things where I just thank God for the material assets I have so that I had the chance to see the show. I feel very humbled that the masterwork of artistry on display there cannot be witnessed by everyone, and yet I had the chance to see it for free.

Digital Nostalgia

Andrew — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:05:42 +0000

I used to watch this show every day as a kid… how time flies!

Digital Jackpot

Andrew — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:35:00 +0000

You’ve been BarakRoll’d!!

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Chef Friedriches

Andrew — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:35:43 +0000

Last night Jared A. and I made an incredible dish at about 11 (always a good sign, right off the bat- cooking at midnight). This is one of those dishes that has the true potential to be great, and I just wanted to share the recipe with you.

1 box macaroni and cheese
1 can no-beans chili (going to try homemade chili soon)
1 can of pinto beans (we’re going to try Blue Runner red beans next time)
Tabasco Pepper Sauce
Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning

Make the box of mac and cheese. Once it’s done (off the fire), stir in the chili and beans. Put it back on the fire and stir in Tabasco and Tony’s to taste. Simmer until bubbling, and then serve!

I’m sure some Fritos would go great with this.

The result is a spicy, salty, savory mess! I’m going to try making my dad’s chili recipe with cubed steak and whole tomatoes and mix that in the next time. After that, the third itiration will be to put the whole thing in a casserole dish and baking it with cheeses on top.

As we near the beginning of the Obama Administration:

Andrew — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:04:05 +0000

Relevant Magazine asks,

If you could tell President Obama one thing, what would it be?

My reply was this:

I would remind President Obama of the things that matter- especially the power of a bipartisan harmony in such a trying time. It is impossible to envision a U.S. government that doesn’t have swathes of partisan tilt in every phase, but with hard work and a lot of compromise under Obama’s leadership ability, a better U.S., and as a result, a better world, is possible. (Of course, the world does not revolve around the United States. But it would be irresponsible to ignore the sway the United States has in the world in almost every phase of modern civilization.)

One man cannot fix anything alone, but he can lead others to repair our hurting nation. He is not a savior, he is a president. It is a heavy burden to bear, especially with a lot of doubt based mainly on his lack of experience, but he is fortunate enough to have those same doubters desperately needing change as well. I am praying for the Obama presidency, and hope that he really is the change that people are looking for.

Digital Jackpot: It’s True Edition

Andrew — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 02:59:10 +0000

Oh yes, He is. But that doesn’t make this video awkwardly funny.

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