RoBeastRo

My name is Kurtis and I was born and raised in Minnesota. Moved to Nebraska where I have been living since 2011. I have a teenage daughter and a cat named Rigby. Spent nearly twenty years working restaurants ranging from Townie Bars and Grills, corporate chains, to fine dining. The restaurant life was wearing on me, so I went back to school and, in 2019, graduated with a degree in computer programming. Today I work Web Applications Developer for the State of Nebraska, DHHS.

I try to stay active and enjoy kayaking, bicycle rides, hikes and running. During the height of the pandemic, I started doing virtual 5k/10k races. Usually do at least one a month; however, sometimes there are two cool races. Especially around the holidays. I am also really into politics and current events. Probably watch too much news/podcasts and sneak in a book on political theory now and again to keep learning. Guess I Like to feel angry and hopeless. 🙃

Since restrictions have eased, I have been trying to travel more. Took my daughter on a seven day 14 state road trip in June. Mostly the south, but followed the Gulf Coast all the way to Houston then on to Albuquerque/Santa Fe before deciding to head home. The trip was a refreshing eye-opener and about as close as I’ll ever get to a “Kerouac” experience. My plan is to keep getting away periodically even if only a visit back to Minnesota. Plus, a perk of traveling is that I listen to less news.

Covid renewed my interest in postcards. Was really active on this site from 2007-2011, then moving states and other life events put swapping on the back burner. Sprinkled throughout the years, I'd log on and do a few swaps. Being back at this, though, has renewed my interest in painting, drawing, photo editing and now collages. It has been enjoyable getting back into the arts again.

I send swaps on time and try to rate as soon as possible. If you haven't received something from me, please let me know so I can make the necessary corrections.

My music taste is rather eclectic. Just not a huge fan of death metal or country music. Not to say I won’t listen to those if someone suggested a song on a postcard or wanted me to listen. I can dig the older metal or older country/folk music a little more.

Recently purchased and old Zenith record player and have been diving into the wonderful world of vinyl! It has been a pleasure digging through old dusty records in dank record stores and taking a chance on random LPs. One of the best things about having a record player is that I’m actually listening to music again and it also keeps me less occupied with politics. So, overall, good for my health!

Been listening to a lot of jazz since getting the record player (Vince Guaraldi, Dave Brubeck, Sonny Rollins, Bossa Nova compilations..), and picked up some more recent alternative/indie stuff like Elliot Smith, Weezer and Fitz and The Tantrums.

I am a huge fan of The Smiths! I also like Talking Heads, The Police, Stark Reality, Jamiroquai. Two of my favorite (Pandora) stations to play, especially while getting crafty, are Thievery Corporation and Pete Rock. Both of those stations are pretty chill. Jamiroquai radio and English Beat radio are also pretty good. A little more upbeat and have wide ranges.

A few I really like:

• Locked, Stocked and Two Smoking barrels
• Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
• Annie Hall
• Love and Death
• Manhattan
• Hedwig & The Angry Inch
• Mushrooms
• Big Lebowski
• Royal Tenenbaums
• SLC Punk

Never was much of a reader. Always felt like I didn’t have the attention span or was intimidated by having to read. Guess I was used to having due dates, papers to write and being tested on the materials. Made it seem like a big task. A little over a year ago I signed up for an audiobook app (scribd) and started listening to audiobooks while taking walks, runs and such. Then there were some books I really wanted to listen to, but weren’t on the site, so I had to read them. From there, I started reading a lot more. Usually I have an audiobook going and one that I am reading. I mostly enjoy fiction (contemporary classics, postmodern, etc..) and political science. Not much of a fantasy / science fiction fan. Last year I finished twenty-three books (mostly audiobooks) and this year I have set a goal of completing 25 books for the year. So far I am on pace and maybe even surpass the goal. Below are what I am currently reading and listening to, along with some of my favorites.

Currently Reading: TBD

Current Audiobook: Hot Stew - Fiona Mozley

Some Favorites:

• Bongwater - Michael Hornburg
• Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
• Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Hunter S. Thompson
• Tortilla Flat - John Steinbeck
• Inherent Vice - Thomas Pynchon
• Snuff - Chuck Palahniuk
• The Rules of Attraction - Bret Easton Ellis
• Super Host- Kate Russo
• Bright Lights, Big City - Jay McInerney
• On the Road - Jack Kerouac

I watch a lot of news, but these are some of my favs:

• Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar
• Jimmy Dore Show
• Get Your News on with Ron
• The Zero Hour
• The Vanguard

Outside of news..

• Modern Family
• Quantum Leap
• Home Movies
• The Wonder Years (Original)
• American Dad / Family Guy
• The X-Files
• Walking Dead
• Rick and Morty
• Portlandia
• Freaks and Geeks
• Cowboy Bebop

• Bicycles
• Coffee
• Tea
• Handmade things
• Running
• Politics
• Psychedelic Art
• Puzzles
• Postcards
• Mushrooms
• Beer
• Cannabis culture
• 1960's / 70's / 80's / 90's
• Beatniks
• Photography
• Philosophy
• Painting
• Art Museums
• Cities
• Nature
• Snowy days
• rainy days
• Sunshine
• Stars / Planets / Space
• Bars
• Wind chimes
• Autumn
• Books
• Cooking
• Kayaking

If you need a postcard idea, I'll point you to the random likes section above. If you have a postcard that you're afraid to send because it may be inappropriate or whatever, I am you guy for those! Otherwise, I am pretty open to any kind.