October 31, 2002
Mothman
I like to say that lyrics are usually what draws me to good music. Sometimes, however, that's woefully untrue. Quite often I find myself listening to and even singing along with lyrics without even processing their meaning. How many of you really know, for instance, what Elvis Costello's "Beyond Belief" is about? It's one of my favorite songs and I routinely find myself singing along with the lyrics which are completely nonsensical to me.
Other times I'll be listening to a track and its meaning will suddenly hit me. That's exactly what happened to me today. I was listening to Aimee Mann's "The Moth" and it was suddenly very cathartic. I realized that the song completely described the way I acted with my disastrous relationship in the not-too-distant past. It was nice to be able to reflect and realize that, while I certainly messed up, l learned from my long litany of mistakes.
the moth
the moth don't care when he sees the flame
he might get burned, but he's in the game
and once he's in he can't go back,
he'll beat his wings 'til he burns them black
no, the moth don't care when he sees the flame
no, the moth don't care when he sees the flame
the moth don't care if the flame is real
cause flame and moth got a sweetheart deal
and nothing fuels a good flirtation
like need and anger and desperation
no, the moth don't care if the flame is real
no, the moth don't care if the flame is real
so come on, let's go -- ready or not
cause there's a flame I know, hotter than hot
and with a fuse that's so thoroughly shot away
the moth don't care if the flame burns low
cause moth believes in an afterglow
and flames are never doused completely
all you really need is a love of heat
no, the moth don't care if the flame burns low
no, the moth don't care if the flame burns low
so come on, let's go -- ready or not
cause there's a flame I know hotter than hot
and with a fuse that's so thoroughly shot away
Hey y'all
I'm eating a Krispy Kreme. I feel like I'm back in Atlanta. That's all. Carry on.
Oh, happy Halloweenie!!
October 30, 2002
Celluloid Scares
Mr. Moviephone picks the three scariest films of all-time here. They are:
1. "The Exorcist"
2. "The Shining"
3. "Jaws"
Now, the top two, in my mind, are not subject to debate. Those are certainly the two scariest mainstream films, don't you agree? "Jaws," though, I'm just not buying. Wasn't "Halloween" scarier? I think "Blair Witch" was even creepier to me. Lord knows "Carrie" freaked me out when I first saw it. "Psycho" is a masterpiece that still scares the bejesus out of me even after seeing it dozens of times. "Jaws." I dunno. But I guess I'm not big on the water (see 100 things) so it didn't exactly scare me out of swimming. Discuss.
Geekdom follows
From the YACCS site --
2. Why are you making this change?
For technical reasons. To keep YACCS running as smoothly as possible, the entire database is cached in RAM. However, the database is now larger than available memory. I can't afford to buy more RAM (or a few SCSI hard drives in RAID configuration), so I had to pick a subset of comments to be accessible.
Well. I think we've answered the question as to why YACCS runs so slowly. Sounds like the biggest blog comments service runs on this guy's desktop. Amazing.
Internet Red Tape
So in an attempt to make things a little spiffier around here, I'm moving to a real host instead of just my Mindspring personal space. Well, it turns out that it is going to take "several" days. Nice. All they need to do is change my DNS entries... At any rate, if you're reading this you know that you can find your daily dose of randomness at the Mindspring address for the next few days. Why are things never as easy and straight-forward as they seem?
The good news is that that new host will allow me more space so I can put up goodies like MP3s and whatnot.
October 29, 2002
I am Sofa King. Retire Ted!
Look at that list of MP3's. Just look at it, would ya?! Oh, how I was singing!! That last one's for you, Kirsten.
Living in a powder keg and givin' off sparks, indeed.
I spy with my little eye
I feel a full-fledged poll coming on. Well, not really a poll. Let's just call it a participatory exercise. Damn. That sounds too much like work. Let's just call it a thing.
Today's thing - Name all the celebrities you've spotted in public.
For me, in addition to the NYC list, I've seen Arsenio Hall, Bob Geldof, Morgan Fairchild, Robert Wuhl, George Will, one of the Pointer Sisters and Pierce Brosnan. To my New York list add Selma Blair who I saw on the train.
Go!!!
Bright lights
Paige questions my sanity below which is certainly a valid point... Claire is certainly the "biggest" celeb that I've spotted since moving here. However, I've seen several. It's not really all that unusual. So here, for you amusement, are the minor celebs I've seen in the city over the past year...
* Camille Paglia
* Miles Copeland
* Jay Mohr
* Conan O'Brien
* Steven Segal (I THINK. He looked too chunky but my friend Jonathan swears it was him)
* Jasmine Guy
* the woman who does the Doritos commercials. Audrey somethingorother
* Michael Stipe (which was incredibly ho-hum since I've had a couple of encounters with him in Athens and he was a complete ass)
Am I kewl, or what?
Smells like teen spirit
Will you all question my sanity if I pre-order the "My So Called Life" DVD box set? Yeah? Well, I don't care.
My So Called Life
Well, I forgot to check back with a review of the Elvis shows from last week. It'd seem anti-climatic now, wouldn't it? Let's just leave it at they were great, then.
I did however have my best NYC celeb sighting to date. I sat directly behind Claire Danes (swoon...) and her husband (boyfriend? Not sure if they're married yet) Ben Lee. I spoke to them briefly on the way out when we were stuck getting down the aisle
In another of my now famous asides: The Beacon is the worst for leaving. They open two doors at each side of the theatre as well as the doors at the top. All that does is create a traffic pattern that makes no sense especially when you've got a bunch of drunks and otherwise disoriented folks.
I played it New York cool ("Oh. Hi, Claire. Great show, huh?") and she was very cute. Talked for a couple of seconds and I nodded at Ben and he introduced himself. So. I met Claire. Yay.
Now. Anybody know where I can find Parker Posey?
October 28, 2002
Cashed in
This weekend I also picked up the two recent Johnny Cash tribute albums - Dressed in Black and Kindred Spirits.
Dressed in Black is the less commercial of the two and, in my opinion, vastly superior. The contributions from Raul Malo, Robbie Fulks and Hank III are great. I was very pleasantly surprised by Rev. Horton Heat's take on "Get Rhythm." Kelly Willis' version of "Pack Up Your Sorrows" is completely devastating.
On the other hand, "Kindred Spirits" reminds me of the train wrecks Johnny loves to sing about. Bob's "Train of Love" and Bruce's "Give My Love to Rose" are from the TNT special that aired three or four years ago and are great additions. Steve Earle checks in with a great choice, "Hardin Wouldn't Run." Some of the other attempts are passable but certainly not laudable. There are two, however, that make me borderline violent.
Little Richard covers "Get Rhythm." Pick up your jaw. I'm serious. Richard Penniman in all his whooping and wooing glory. Do you think he even knows who Johnny is? I can't imagine Johnny's response when he heard this. Amazingly tacky.
Keb' Mo' also stops by to tackle "Folsom Prison Blues." I was really enjoying his version, a sort of delta blues dirge, until he stopped me in my tracks. I had to rewind to make sure I heard correctly. Unfortunately I did. Keb' Mo' changes Johnny's words. Not just words, mind you, the words. In Mo's hands it becomes...
They say I shot a man down in Reno
But that was just a lie
WHAT?! Now, I'm vehemently anti-gun, too, Keb' baby. However, you don't mess with John R.
Tally
Things purchased on my jaunt to the city yesterday --
1. One exhibition book from the Richard Avedon retrospective at the Met. Richard Avedon: Portraits. I really like the dark naturalism of his photos. It was a great exhibit.
A quick aside - why is it that people who buy the audio guides at art exhibitions become blindly wandering weapons? Apparently you put those on and you lose control of your bodily movement.
2. One Mojo Magazine.
3. Three New York photographs from the gaggle of people hawking their artistic wares in front of the Met. My place is decorated with NYC photos. Only the good ones, mind you.
4. One used copy of Martin Amis' Koba The Dread.
5. One slice of pizza from Two Boots (mushroom, no cheese).
October 26, 2002
A fool and his vodka
So I run the normal Saturday errands today. You know - Wal-Mart, Petco, liquor store. What more could a man need? When I get home I'm carrying way too much as usual. I've got soda, a couple of Wal-Mart bags, cat food and a bottle of Stoli Vanil. Well, my darling kitty is so happy to see me that she jumps up on my lap. You guessed it - the Stoli, all twenty-two dollars worth, goes flying and hits the hardwood floor with vanilla infused crash. Argh. Maybe Ali was trying to tell me something?
On a happier note I hired a new housekeeper today after my last one moved back to Panama. That's okay. I didn't like her much. The new one is a guy and his son. We'll see. They're pretty cheap, only $40, and have good references.
Tomorrow I'm hoppin' around the city.
October 25, 2002
Seek and ye shall find randomness
I completely stole the idea and ability for this from Patricia. However, people stumble here via the strangest searches. This week's favorites.
1 - Graphic work in Bainbridge, Ohio - No clue. Sorry. Good luck!
2 - Orlando Cepeda cocaine - I'm not sure if the Baby Bull is marketing his own brand of coke these days but you won't find that here, either.
3 - P.T. Anderson and Fiona Apple still a couple - Now that's a good question and one I wonder about, too. Alas, no answers here.
4 - Kasey Chambers nude pictures - Nude pictures of the alt.country Australian hottie? Uh. No.
and my favorite...
5 - Adam Sandler protractor - I don't know about you, but I think that's a band name if there ever was one. I don't understand what this person was looking for, though. Pictures of Sandler with a protractor? A protractor with Sandler's picture on it? Protracting tips from Happy Gilmore? Do tell!
October 24, 2002
Sometimes kitsch is just kitsch
Case in point: Barbie as an art medium.
In a New York Moment
Most people who live here have what they refer to as "New York Moments." These are moments that remind you that you're in New York, moments that could only occur in this amazing and wacky city. I've had several. The dog walker with about a dozen dogs that all decided to run down Park Avenue with her at the end of their leashes leaving people darting out of her way and diving in bushes, the first moment I walked into Yankee Stadium, the line of mourning firefighters in their dress garb I encountered outside Penn Station shortly after 9-11. There are many, many more but you get the idea.
I had the most amazing New York Moment last night. Elvis was playing at the Beacon Theater on the Upper West Side (72nd & Broadway) and I was working at a client's site on the upper East Side (96th & Madison) so I decided to walk to the venue. It was a dark, chilly autumn night and I was leaving at 5:30, the heart of rush hour. Manhattan was, of course, in full force. People were out en mass on the sidewalks, the streets were in complete gridlock and the taxis were screeching and honking. I was encompassed with the craziness of this city that I love. In order to get from the West Side to the East Side I decided to cut across Central Park at 81st. I left the loud city streets and descended into the darkness of the Park. I stayed on the main paths until I crossed under the transversal and began to walk near the Turtle Pond. Suddenly it hit me. That is, nothing hit me. I was totally alone in the world's metropolis. There were no lights, no other people in sight and I was engulfed in utter silence except for the few ducks in the distance. Even though I was running late I stopped for a few minutes to take in the solitude around me. Oddly enough, it wasn't eerie. Instead, it was a soothing respite in a busy couple of days. I then kept heading west and emerged to the glorious thunder of Central Park West.
Anybody miss me?
Back home after two long days of commuting to the city and staying in Manhattan until the wee hours to see Elvis. I'm exhausted.
Yes, yes. I know. No sympathy. Anyhow, both shows were amazing. A great horn section composed of the guys from Jazz Passengers joined him both nights. I managed to cram my way into the front row for both. More tomorrow.
October 22, 2002
Because Missy should be heard...
And because you whacked out kids are still obsessed with American Idol and I know it. Meredith reports...
I need a thread in your blog about A.Idol again. I WENT TO THEIR SHOW LAST NIGHT! Stop laughing. Really. I was supposed to take my mother to the show - who, by the way, has terrible taste because she thinks Nikki can sing. I guess I shouldn't be flattered anymore when she tells me I can sing. Anyway, Mama couldn't go so I took my friend Jeff who wants desperately to be in a boy-band. He's probably going to the next Idol auditions.
The show was like any "Revue" you've seen before. Of course they all sang someone else's songs - they don't have any songs of their own ('cept that crappy Idol single that's played everywhere). The ones who can sing sounded great (Justin, Kelly, Tamyra, Christina & RJ - even your little "Ho Ryan" sounded decent), the ones who can't sounded horrible (Ejay, Jim, AJ & Nikki - though Nikki actually sounded OK on Riannon).
There were BIG doses of Kelly and Justin - basically the male and female leads - duh. And that's just fine with me - I LURVS me some Justin, goofy hair and all. Seriously, though he really did give 150%, but why shouldn't he?
The absolutely funniest part of the show came in the second song. They did solos in order of when they were kicked off the show, so they began with #10, #9, etc. Well, the No. 9 guy is Jim - pasty white with gay overtones. They've got removable sections of the stage so that people can rise up on stage from underneath. He comes up laying on a bench dressed in white pants with a white sleeveless button-down. Ewww. He murdered Easy by the Commodores. BUT while he was walking around singing and trying to be sexy, he tried to run up some stairs to sing to the crowd on the side. And SPLAT - down on his FACE. The mic hit the ground, he hit the ground and the audience ROARED with laughter. He continued the song, but we continued to laugh - all 19,000 of us. We didn't hear the rest of the botched song. It was great fun.
That's all for now.
Now Meredith is supposed to have her own blog because, as you can see, he's durn funny. What's up with that, Meredith?
October 21, 2002
Freshness follows
First, read Paige's blog. You'll see it in the blogs I dig bit. She's hella cool (and I'm so hip...).
Second, there's a new link under the mood bit for my 100 things. How do ya like me now?
Randomly Irresponsible
So, did ya'll forget about the mix CD I promised about a month ago? A few have been distributed but most of them are sitting in a purty pile by my door. I'm making it my mission to get them out this week. You kids have no clue how hard it is for me to get to the post office! I almost just want to take them in my bag when I go into the city on Wednesday for work. I just might do that.
Anyhow, if you want one and haven't spoken up yet do so now or forever live in eerie silence with no tracks picked out by DJ Mikey-Mike.
Elvi
Have I mentioned that I'm going to see Mr. Declan MacManus both tomorrow and Wednesday night? I'm so excited. Not like I didn't see him about two months ago, or anything. This recent couple of shows caused my cow orker to yell "He wants to have his baby!" when I was explaining to my boss that I'd be coming in early so I could leave on time. Nice...
Speaking of Elvises (Elvi?), my recent discovery of "30 #1 Hits" has caused me to go back and start pulling out the old, real releases from Mr. Presley. Today's listen, "From Elvis In Memphis." Oh... my... gawd... Why is this not considered one of the greatest rock (R&B?) albums ever made? I really believe that it just might be. Admittedly, the schlocky horns and Billy Sherrill-like backup vocals really grate on my last nerve. However, it's a wonderful album. Has there ever, and I mean ever, been a song recorded with such gut-wrenching emotion as that take of "Long Black Limousine?" That song always makes me want to return to my hometown of Marshall, MI. Maybe in my little Sebring rather than the limo...
Tomorrow - "For LP Lovers Only."
October 20, 2002
Obtusely poetic
I don't know quite how to put into words the wonder of the experience I just had watching "Punch-Drunk Love." Jesse thinks that it sucks. I'm going to have to respectfully and vehmently disagree. I love P.T. Anderson. I love Philip Seymour Hoffman. Hell, I even love Emily Watson. I don't love Adam Sandler. In fact, I pretty much loathe him. Okay, so "The Waterboy" was a guilty pleasure. Sue me. I was worried that his casting, an obvious attempt for mainstream success by P.T., would ruin this film. Well, it succeeds despite his presence.
If you're looking for a film with a linear plot that makes a lot of sense you should certainly look elsewhere. This film makes Anderson's last effort, "Magnolia," look like "Happy Gilmore." Even I had a hard time buying most of the storyline. However, I found it to be a delightful film. Visually it's fully of whimsy and surrealism, certainly two elements of every film Anderson has made. The score from Jon Brion, best known for his work with Aimee Mann and P.T.'s girlfriend Fiona Apple, is wonderfully and beautifully subtle. The pacing is not unlike a turtle but, to me, it allows time to bask in some of the quirkier elements.
I don't even know how to begin to describe the plot so I shan't attempt to. Watson and Hoffman are, as usual, brilliant. Sandler is just quirky enough that he pulls it off. I would have preferred to see Hoffman as the protagonist as I think he would have been perfect for the part. However, Sandler holds his own and surely sells some additional tickets (to some pretty baffled fans, I'm sure).
To quote two teenage girls after the movie, "Okay. That was weird." Yup.
October 19, 2002
Randomly optimized
Okay. Is that easier to read now? I'm not sure that I like it yet. Expect changes this weekend. I'm bored.
Oh, and check out the picture at the bottom. It's by Meredith who's a durn good photographer. There's a link there to her work, too. Check it out. Buy some! She'd probably appreciate if you pay for it more quickly than I have for a couple of England shots I bought. It's in the mail Monday, Missy. Promise!!!
Anybody handy?
Fuk fuk fuk. So in order to put on my new parts (which aren't here yet, mind you) I have to remove two bolts from the frame of my chair. They've got really short heads, like a cap screw I guess, and have a hex for an allen wrench. Well...
One came out lickity-split with some Liquid Wrench. The other. Oh, the other. The hex stripped after about two turns. Honest. I didn't do enough to strip it. I think it was machine driven and stripped to begin with. I can't get a grip with an allen wrench at all any more. The head is also too short to grab with Vise-Grips.
Any ideas? I guess I have to have it drilled out? Fuk. Who would be able to do that? I mean, what kind of shop? Lord knows I don't have the equipment for that. But who? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Buuuuller?
October 17, 2002
The flames went higher...
Oh, Johnny. Why, why, why?
WATCH FOR JOHNNY'S NEW APPLEBEE'S COMMERCIALS! Johnny's newest commercial spots for Applebee's restaurants have started running today (not to be confused with the earlier ones featuring the "Ring of Fire" clip) so be on the lookout!
I "heart" North Korea
Yeah, yeah. They got nukes. Yeah, yeah. Kim Jong-il is basically a despot.
But, c'mon. Could W. look any stupider right now than he does trying to differentiate between Iraq and North Korea?
"Iraq has unique characteristics that distinguish it and that suggest it has nominated itself for special attention because of the threat of what they're doing," Mr Rumsfeld said. "Each of the countries on the terrorist list is different."
So, wait. We have 37,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. The fact that a very hostile government could hit them with nuclear armaments in a matter of minutes isn't an imminent threat? They're going around freely admitting that they have a nuclear capability but we're more concerned that Saddam might possibly have such abilities now or sometime in the future? What am I missing here?
d0rks rewl
M: Hey, guys. How can I determine the degree of camber on these wheels? I need to know so I can order my new chair. I don't have a protractor. Ha.
Cow Orkers: Easy. We'll just drop a string, measure the difference in the fall of the tire and then we'll measure the (geometry term that had something to do with lingerie) and divide by the (another geometry term that was, I believe, a type of soup).
M: Cool. I have a political science degree.
Space Cadet
I literally just argued with my boss. My position? That today is Wednesday. Err... I've been operating under that assumption all day long. I think I need more sleep...
On the other hand, I'm really excited now that tomorrow is Friday!
October 16, 2002
The new kick-ass chair I've decided on
Without the tires this bad boy weighs seven pounds. With the light weight tires I'm getting it'll weigh around 13.
Givin' the peeps what they want
Y'all are easy to please. I appreciate that.
As if we needed further proof
That Ryan Adams, while amazingly talented, is an asshole extraordinare...
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Singer-songwriter Ryan Adams is not amused by the similarity of his name to 1980s rocker Bryan Adams.
At a Ryan Adams concert at the Ryman Auditorium on Tuesday, somone in the audience yelled out a request for ``Summer of '69,'' a Bryan Adams hit.
Ryan Adams, former leader of the band Whiskeytown, reacted with stream of expletives and ordered the house lights turned on, The Tennessean newspaper reported.
The alternative country musician found the fan who made the joke request, paid him $30 cash as a refund for the show, ordered him to leave and said he wouldn't play another note until that happened.
Ryman general manager Pam Matthews stopped the fan on his way out, ``apologized profusely'' and allowed him back into the concert.
The fan kept Adams' $30.
Another reason I hate Georgia. A rant.
With all apologies to my Georgian readers, can I scream for a minute or two about Georgia? Thank you.
I'm not sure what it is exactly, but it seems to me that no one in the service industry in Georgia has any sense of urgency. I dealt with this time and time again when I lived there. Need a plumber? Well, maybe we can get somebody out there the day after tomorrow. Need your car fixed? Well, we can try to work you in on Thursday but, gosh, we're awful busy. Yes, I know. I'm now a New Yorker. We're an impatient lot. However, it's more than I can bear.
Why, you ask, am I screaming this time? Well, the wheelchair place that I deal with is in Georgia. They're great people. I really like them. However, they told me today that the parts for my chair are coming from California so I should have them by next Thursday. Hello? I'm on three wheels here. Let's make it happen a bit faster than that. They seemed literally shocked when I told them it was unacceptable. They're going to "see what they can do." Unbelievable.
Here's hoping I'm repaired by Sunday in time to see Billy Bragg, let ALONE in time to see Elvis on Tuesday and Wednesday!
Thank you, kind surfer!
I'd like to publically thank AfraidAmerican for coming by randomness and sending me several pics from the Bowie show we attended. She was very near where we were standing!. I'll put them up here for all to see soon.
Also, "Look Back In Anger" should be on the setlist between "I've Been Waiting For You" and "Rebel Rebel."
Anybody see Bowie last night on the literally unwatchable VH-1 Fashion Awards? If it comes on again, just watch the opening. He does the great version of "Rebel Rebel" that we heard the other night.
October 15, 2002
Music is your own experience,
Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom.
If you don't live it, it won't come out your horn.
They teach you there's a boundary line to music.
But, man, there's no boundary line to art.
-Charlie Parker
Long live the King
We've long established that I'm a diehard music snob. As such, I generally don't buy greatest hits packages. I prefer to hear "albums" as whole works as the artist intended. However, let me rave for just a minute about this new Elvis Presley 30 #1 Hits. This review from CDNOW says pretty much what I thought both before and after picking it up...
With this new single-disc collection of Elvis Presley's monumental hits arriving as both a capper to the mementos marking the 25th anniversary of his death and as a sort of answer to the Beatles' 1 CD designed for the convenience of a new younger audience, it could seem like just one more repackaging unlikely to hold many surprises.
But this disc turns out to be a remarkable new addition to the Presley legacy -- an ear-opening must-have for longtime fans who own every Elvis box set as well as for newcomers who want an introduction to what the King of Rock and Roll could really sound like.
Going back, for the first time, to the original tapes on which Elvis' music was recorded, engineers have performed remarkable feats of upgrading on everything from the 1950s mono classics to the multi-track rave-ups of the '70s -- not distorting the recordings, but bringing out more of the brilliance that was there.
The remastered "Love Me Tender" captures Presley's every breath and guitar string touch; the sense of presence is extraordinary. Latter-day Memphis rock era like "Burning Love" and the complex "Suspicious Minds" now sound like screamers recorded this morning -- crisper, clearer, more rhythmic, more "here."
The choices of which "#1 hits" to include here may be controversial -- they always are. By choosing No. 1 pop hits from the U.K. as well as the U.S. and other "related charts," the producers of Elvis: 30 #1 Hits have included on the single disc not just the indisputable worldwide smashes but such refreshing surprises as "She's Not You," "Hard-Headed Woman," and "Crying in the Chapel" as well. JXL's recent, popular remix of "A Little Less Conversation" is tossed in as a bonus.
This collection is not only a more than worthy successor to previous Elvis hits CDs, it should have fans old and new clamoring to have similar painstaking magic applied to more of the Presley records.
Hear! Hear! If they can do this to these tracks why haven't they yet done the same to his first album, "From Elvis In Memphis" (this remastering is much better than the recent re-release of that great album) and "Elvis is Back!" So pick this up. I pretty much guarantee you that it'll be the only time I recommend a greatest hits package.
October 14, 2002
A pointless new feature
In the ultimate in vanity, you'll now find a "groovin' to" feature below the tag board. It'll show the last ten songs I've listened to with Winamp. Yeah, I know. Who cares. If any fellow bloggers would like to torture their readers with it the code can be scarfed from BlogAmp.
I'm still putting off the "100 Things" that are blogger du jour. Soon...
October 13, 2002
It's party. It's a party party weekend
Well, Jim asked what happened to my wheel. It's best told in a whole swoop on my weekend.
Friday night I was going to see my aforementioned pal Orrin play with Seana Carmody at the Knitting Factory. It was a horrible night, it had been raining all day. I've been to the Knit many times. It's a great club. It has about four different venues inside of it, though, and Seana was playing in the Alternknit Theatre. I got there at about 7:00 and the place was already hoppin'. Seems that The Bevis Frond were playing in the main room that night and it was sold out. I milled around for a bit and then decided to find the Alternknit. Baaaa... Downstairs. Steep, no elevator. Crap. I had also forgotten to take Orrin's cell number with me. I waited around until 8:00 hoping to see him until I almost literally got crowded out by the Frond folk. Drat...
Fast forward to Saturday morning. It's still nasty - it had been raining all night and it was, well, just really disgustingly wet. I was going to hopefully hook-up with my friend Matt for brunch. No luck. You suck, Springer :-) I met up with my friends from Atlanta at about 3:30. By then I was DRENCHED. I mean, DRENCHED. Think about it. I sit down. My pants were completely waterlogged and my jacket just didn't repell water like the fine folks at Calvin Klein claimed. I was pretty miserable.
We decided to go to Grimaldi's Pizza in Dumbo. Dumbo? Yes, Dumbo. It's a Brooklyn neighborhood that stands for D-irectly U-nder M-anhattan B-ridge O-verpass. Cute, huh? Anyhow, we grabbed a cab in the Flatiron District. We only marginally knew where we were going and the bridge was completely backed up. The cabbie had even less of an idea. In the end, we got out and walked the rest of the way. The pizza was, of course, amazing.
Now, Brooklyn isn't exactly crip friendly. There are very few curb cuts and with all the rain I can't ever really tell if one exists. I just see a puddle of dirty water. Ick. So at some point I just hit a curb too hard, I guess. The actual frame on my right front tire cracked. I didn't notice it until I got home from getting a bagel this morning and, when I did, it simply snapped off. I need to get it welded, I think, for a temporary fix and then find a permanent one which will probably involve buying a new chair as this one's about four years old. Would you believe I can balance almost expertly on three tires, though? Weird, huh? I gots mad skills.
The craziest thing also happened on our way back from the show. We were having a really hard time finding a cab when a car pulled up and asked if we needed a ride. It was two kids from MIT who were at the Bowie show. Good karma for them. They were really cool and that was such a bizarre happening especially in New York.
So, an eventful couple of days...
Sound & Vision
I was about ten feet away from David Bowie for about two hours last night. I'm practically deaf in one ear and I have a chair with three wheels now that is going to require some emergency repairs tomorrow. However this was totally worth it. I may be changing my poll answer about the best show I've ever seen.
Sunday
Cactus
Breaking Glass
Fame
Ashes to Ashes
Slip Away
China Girl
5:15
Survive
I've Been Waiting for you
Rebel Rebel
I'm Afraid of Americans
Life on Mars
Heroes
Heathen (the rays)
October 11, 2002
Not very exotic
I think that prairie dogs just might be the cutest creatures on the planet. However, it just seems to me that this is horrific idea. We don't need to try to domesticate an animal that normally lives in colonies that number in the thousands and needs to burrow. Just a hunch...
This makes a lot more sense. I had no idea that they were so widespread as pets. Turns out it's legal in Connecticut.
However, if my cat could tolerate a chinchilla I'd be all about that...
trouble, that’s what we had
trouble, that’s what we had
and everything that goes around
comes around in a bittersweet lament
well my heart’s already broken down
looking for a sweeter sound
looking for a brighter day
i’m face down on the pavement
step aside, see the light, close your eyes
and let us live our lives
as they rally ‘round the sinking ship
looking for a better way
it was just the blind leading the blind
- gary louris
October 10, 2002
You Hurt Me (And I Hate You)
You know, even when you know someone's evil and have pretty much resigned yourself to that fact it still smarts when you get whacked upside the face by it yet again. That's all I'm sayin'...
Not the cat!!
This may be the most bizarre attempt at murder I've ever heard...
October 09, 2002
Where are my manners?
I've completely forgotten to mention that I had a lovely lunch with Kirsten and her mother on Sunday. Yay. It was nice to see her even though there was no tomfoolery since her mother was there. Damn chaperones.
Anyhow, we went to the Southport Brewing Company which is a short walk from my place and had some really watery brews. I dunno. I've had beer there before and liked it. This was, well, a small step above Budweiser. The food and the company were great, though.
Who wants to join Mark?
You, too, can have your own island! Even your very own private eight island archipelago!!
Bon Voyage!
So is $39k too much to pay for a kick-ass vacation? I thought you'd say that. Damn.
October 08, 2002
Mike the Hipster
This pretty groovy quiz comes courtesy of my pal Jim. I'm completely baffled by the results, though. It says I'm only 13% geek. While this description seems to fit, I'm still a pretty heavy duty geek.
OK, so maybe you ain't a geek. You do, at least, show a bit of interest in the world around you. Either that, or you have enough of a sense of humor to pick some of the sillier answers on the test. Regardless, you're probably a pretty nifty, well-rounded person who gets along fine with people and can chat with just about anyone without fear of looking stupid or foolish or overly concerned with minutiae. God, I hate you.
What say you?
But this is just ducky
I love these!!! I'm particularly fond of Mr. T and Dracula.
Whimper
Will someone please come take care of me? I'm sick. Had to pee in a cup!! Oh, the humanity! I have a little infection that tends to crop up about once a year when you sit on yer ass all day like I do. I'll feel better by Thursday (maybe even tomorrow if my past results are any indication) as I'm on Cipro but I'm the biggest crybaby on the planet.
October 07, 2002
The power of Bush
My father has always been politically independent but has tended for the last several years to vote Republican. We've actually gotten into some pretty heated arguments over such matters because, frankly, my father doesn't deal well with dissenting opinion (but that's another thread altogether).
Tonight I spoke to my parents to plan holiday travel when my mother said "so what do you think about Bush speaking tonight?" As a reflex, I shut up quickly. You can't imagine how surprised I was to hear my father say "I don't want to hear him unless he's talking about the economy." My father actually said that he was going to vote straight Democratic in the mid-term elections because he feels that Bush is just using Iraq to keep the Republicans rolling and not having to answer for the economy. You have no idea what a monumental statement that is. My father probably last voted straight Dems when JFK was on the ballot. No exaggeration.
My point is this, maybe there is some hope. If my father can see through his crap perhaps more people will protest that I'd been anticipating. I'd like to think my years of spouting liberal BS at my father paid off. Unfortunately, I think was merely the power of Bush.
A good Monday smile
Actually, I'm not really a Zeppelin fan, but this illuminates lyrics that I had no CLUE about.
October 05, 2002
Overjoyed
The Yankees lose, theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Yankees lose.
More like it!
So I'm finally having a friend-overload week. Regular contributor Kirsten and her mother are in the Nutmeg State this weekend for, unfortunately, her grandmother's funeral. They're coming over tomorrow and we're going out to lunch. I'm off work on Friday because me amigo Matt from Chicago is going to be in town for a wedding. That night my friend Orrin will be playing with Seana Carmody at the Knitting Factory. On Saturday I'm going to see David Bowie with two mystery guests who will be in town for the weekend. I'm so stoked! I miss my friends! Remember, you're always welcome here! Plenty of room and a short trip to the city.
Is this heaven?
It's starting to feel like autumn in Connecticut. Autumn is my favorite season by a long shot. One of the many things that I didn't like about living in Atlanta was the lack of seasons. It was either hot, hotter or moderately chilly. Yes, it snows from time-to-time but the next day you can count on it being sunny and 70.
It's also baseball playoff time. I'm just staying in today to watch all four games. It's the greatest.
Okay, it's almost the greatest. It'd be much better if it wasn't baseball on Fox. Does anyone value that stoopid "Instant Manager" thing they do? It makes me crazy. For those of you who don't watch, they ask questions during the game regarding strategy and you're supposed to go online and vote. You get things like "48% of people think Barry Bonds should bunt right now with the shift on." Who gives a ratzass? Dusty Baker gets paid to make these decisions, not some drunk guy on the internet in Slidell, Alabama.
October 04, 2002
yawn
I hate taking something to help me sleep. Hate it, hate it, hate it. However, I think I just might have to. I'm tired as hell. However, I know the minute I lay down tonight I'll be wide awake and I'll be up early so as not to waste any of my weekend. Urgh. Anybody have any good sleep-aid recommendations?
October 03, 2002
Official concert poll
Since we all seem to be having fun on the concert thread, let's pose the real questions. Answer in the comments...
1 - What was your first concert?
2 - What was your favorite concert?
3 - What was the worst concert?
4 - What concert would you never admit to attending?
5 - What was your most recent concert?
Yay! Polls. I hate them. But you have to play along. I'll go first.
October 02, 2002
Must see music
So based on today's ticket purchases I can now cross Bowie and the Stones off of my "I must see someday" concert list. I've also been able to cross off Dylan and The Who recently. Those that remain?
Johnny Cash
Willie Nelson
A Beatle other than Ringo (guess that'll have to be Macca now)
Tom Waits
Prince
That's it. I should make a list of everyone I've seen sometime. Might be interesting (well, to me at least).
Crippin' it pays - vol. 2
I just bought two tickets to see the Stones at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, January 18. Yes, that's next year. Anyway, MSG has a separate number that you call for disabled seating. They sell you tickets at the lowest price (in this case $56.50 and no service charge) and move you to more expensive seats (in this case the $200 section). Sweet! Only on one catch, you can only buy two tickets. Otherwise people would totally abuse it. I'm taking my cow orker Jonathan because he loves the Stones and needs to get out more. A community service brought to you by me.
October 01, 2002
Now that's a New Yorker
David Bowie loves to claim that he's a New Yorker. Yeah, whatever. I bet he said "Ich bin ein Berliner" when he hung out there in the '80s, too. However, he's now going on a New York tour which is just crazy. He's playing one night in each of the boroughs. St. Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn, Music Hall at Snug Harbor in Staten Island, Jimmy's Cafe in the Bronx, Golden Center in Queens and The Beacon in Manhattan. With the exception of the Beacon those are just insanely small venues that never get big names. I've got an in with the box office guy at St. Ann's so I'm going to do my best to get in. That would be a great show.
Archival purposes only
If I spend time figuring out how to do archives will any of you crazy cats actually read them? Well? Will ya?
The importance of being earnest
Despite universally gushing reviews, I'm not completely sold on "Jerusalem" being one of Steve Earle's best albums. I think that's because it's too familiar. It's very much like his last three albums (omitting the great one he did with Del McCourey). You can almost draw a song-to-song comparison. It's better than 99.9% of records being released these days. However, as a Earle fan, it's a bit disappointing. I think it's probably a grower, though. I like it a lot more than my first couple of listens.
That said, I think it's probably the most "important" album he's ever done. Never one to shy away from his beliefs, Earle is often compared to Springsteen. I think that's an unfair comparison. Steve's been writing rings around The Boss for the last decade. However, both have released very "important" records this year. "The Rising," as mentioned here a few months ago, is vintage Springsteen. It's big, it's moving, it's great. But where Springsteen offers elegies to his fallen brothers Earle offers vitriol and anger with the status quo.
Stanzas like
That every tower ever built tumbles
No matter how strong, no matter how tall
Someday even great walls will crumble
And every idol ever raised falls
And someday even man's best laid plans
Will lie twisted and covered in rust
When we've done all that we can but it slipped through our hands
And it's ashes to ashes and dust to dust
from "Ashes to Ashes" and
Half a million soldiers fly across the water
One in ten are never comin' back again
Fifty thousand sons who never grew to fathers
Don't you ever wonder who they might have been
What if you could've been there on that day in Dallas
What if you could wrestle back the hands of time
Maybe somethin' could've been done in Memphis
We wouldn't be livin' in a dream that's died
from "Conspiracy Theory" as well as the previously posted "John Walker Blues" tackle subjects that other songwriters wouldn't touch or would sound trite addressing. Steve doesn't. He sounds earnest, sincere and truly desperate. Pick it up. You need to hear what he has to say.