randomness personified

must see tv

I don't care where you reside in terms of political leanings. It's your civic duty to watch not one, not two, not even three but rather all of the presidential debates as well as the vice presidential debate. I'm serious. If this country isn't going to hell in a handbasket (and I'm still convinced that we are) we need to have an informed electorate.

I'm not demanding that you watch and declare my candidate of choice victorious. I'm merely demanding you watch with an open mind. This is especially true, dear readers, of those of you who remain undecided. I know who you are...

So. I expect a full analysis tomorrow. Now go on. You have homework to do.

damn that radio song

I'm about to make a blanket statement that I believe to be entirely true - commercial radio in New York City completely sucks. It's true and I really don't understand why. Los Angeles has KROQ and now Indie 103. In NYC we have K-Rock (for whom edgy is a Modest Mouse single thrown in between Hoobastank and Chevelle) and WPLJ who seems to fancy themselves as alternative yet programs Ashlee Simpson.

Non-commercial radio isn't a whole lot better. I used to love WFUV but as of late it has really become less interesting. WFMU has too much talk to qualify as a music station. By all accounts the best radio in the city originates from a tiny station on Staten Island whose signal rarely reaches the other boroughs, let alone Stamford.

I'm not sure that it's much better anywhere else, though. Can anybody report good news about radio in your locales?

always the last to know

This just in - everything purchased at Old Navy is total crap. Never again. It all falls apart/fades in no time flat. It's cheap for a reason.

randomness songs of the week - 092604

As amends for missing last week's rsotw and in anticipation of randomness' favorite time of year we're proud to present two baseball themed songs.

"Piazza, New York Catcher" by Belle & Sebastian from the album Dear Catastrophe Waitress (2003)

I'm quite certain that the lads have never seen a baseball game in their lives. This song, however, never fails to make me laugh. Certainly the only the pop song that name checks both Mike Piazza and "Walk Away Renee."

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"Sleep of the Just" by Mendoza Line from the album Almost You: The Songs of Elvis Costello (2003)

Not a song about baseball but rather a great cover of one of my favorite Costello songs. The band, though, takes their name from the woeful offensive output of '80s infielder Mario Mendoza.

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death of a routine

I am, if nothing else, a creature of habit. Nearly every Sunday since I've lived here (three years next month) my routine has been the same. I'd first go to the corner bodega to pick up a Sunday New York Times and then down just two more storefronts to bagel place for a bagel and coffee. I then come home to read the paper, eat my breakfast and watch the Sunday morning politico shows. Today, though, I discovered that my routine could be no more.

When I first started my routine the bagel place (then known as the ever-catchy Hot Bagel) was a pretty spartan place run by a guy who'd owned it for many years. The evirons weren't fancy but, as several visitors to the haus of randomness can attest, the bagels were damn good. A little over a year ago he sold the store to a woman from the French West Indies. Soon the place was painted tropical colors, drenched in reggae tunes and offering fruit smoothies. One thing remained consistant, the damn good bagels. New new store, even more cleverly called The Oven, suffered though from simply horrible service. But the bagels...

Slow restaurants simply can't last in the newly trendy downtown Stamford. Today en route to the bodega I passed the new Italian restaurant that replaced the somewhat aging Italian restaurant on my corner. I got my Times and headed to the The Oven. I stopped in my tracks and let out a chuckle when I saw that its windows were now whitewashed and boasting a new sign:

Coming Soon! Lindy's Classic Burger and Malt Shop!

But the bagels...

Lindy's will certainly mark the end of another downtown Stamford establishment. It's being built, you see, next door to the brilliantly named Pat's Hubba Hubba, a '50s style burger joint. It's musty and slow but is open until 3 a.m. and certainly part of many routines. Thus goes progress in downtown Stamford.

murmured hype

Because I still know a couple of people in high places in Athens, I've once again managed to get my hands on the new R.E.M. album a couple of weeks before it is released. (ed. note - I feel a bit less special having found that you, too, can listen to the whole album here) Unfortunately it coincided with the new Elvis albums and the "London Calling" re-release. As a result, "Around the Sun" has had to fight for some time in the CD rotation.

Well, I finally spent some quality time with it this afternoon and I was very pleasantly surprised. By my estimation Michael and the boys have never made a "bad" album. Their last two, however, haven't really excited me. The combination of their slow morph to a more electronic sound and Stipe's relatively lazy lyrics really didn't add up to what I was wanting to hear. It was almost as though the departure of drummer Bill left them unsure as how to re-invent themselves. As a result, "Up" and "Reveal" wore out their welcome pretty quickly.

"Around the Sun" is a beautiful combination of the past and present R.E.M. To my ears it sounds like "Automatic For the People" meets "Reveal" and has the potential to spawn a few big singles. Stipe has said that it's a very politically inspired album but, frankly, the political tones are mostly very subtle. It's not like a 2004 version of "Document." If there's any justice, though, the first single "The Final Straw" will be a smash hit.

As I raise my head to broadcast my objection
As your latest triumph draws the final straw
Who died and lifted you up to perfection?
And what silenced me is written into law

If hatred makes a play on me tomorrow
And forgiveness takes a back seat to revenge
There's a hurt down deep that has not been corrected
There's a voice in me that says you will not win.
-Buck/Mills/Stipe

because i'm a busy lazy blogger

* "The Delivery Man," Elvis' new album, isn't really doing much for me. There are a couple of great songs but most of it just washes over me. I just can't put my finger on it. It's almost like the songs are two dense and don't feel important. That probably makes little sense but it's about the best I can come up with. It's not bad. It's just a patchwork of past glories that combined don't add up to much when listening. Maybe it'll grow on me.

* Went to see Nick Lowe last night. Brilliant. His long-time keyboard player and pal Geraint Watkins opened and, as usual, was jaw-dropping. Can you imagine playing "Johnny B. Goode" on the piano? Nick's set was kinda short but it made for a fun night that didn't last too late and I was able to get this cool shirt.

* Run out and buy the new expanded "London Calling." Seriously. It sounds simply amazing.

* Anybody have Verizon Wireless? What kind of phone do you have? Do you like it? I want to get rid of my crappy LG but have to stick with Verizon.

* I'm laying low this weekend? How 'bout you?

happy days are here again

Take a peek at the new tally at Electoral-Vote.com Based on today's new polls it's Kerry 269 to 253. Keep hope alive.

Did anybody see Kerry on Letterman? I put it on the DVR. I might watch it tonight.

we interrupt your normally scheduled blogging...

Two new Elvis Costello albums and one re-release of "London Calling" (probably my favorite album ever) on steroids (two CDs, one DVD) came out today. At the oh so convenient Tower here in Stamford I also picked up the crazy re-release of Jeff Buckley's "Grace" and the "Angels in America" DVDs.

Regular blogging and the randomness song of the week may resume tomorrow.

best made plans often suck

I had planned a hermit-like geek existance for the weekend that just passed. I was going to be perfectly content installing some wacky MP3 server software on my little home network, installing some new speakers and playing a sh*tload of Fable. However what panned out was infinitely more fun.

Friday night marked the 29+ birthday of Brian (the 646 Guy) and it was cause for drinks aplenty at the ever lovely Siberia. It was a splendid time except for the part where I got a flat tire on my way back to the train. It was okay, though. It wasn't an issue until I got to Stamford which, considering that Siberia is in perhaps the worst part of Manhattan (basically behind the Port Authority), is a good thing.

Saturday I went with Mr. Goldstein and his sister to the casinos in loverly Eastern Connecticut. A splendid time was had by all. I ended up down about a hundred but I could have fared much worse if it weren't for a great comeback at the blackjack table. At the $25 minimum table I lost $100 in four hands. Yep. That quick. I threw in another $60, though, and somehow managed to come out exactly even. Ken summarizes much better than I do over at his place.

Sunday morning finally yielded some much needed Fable time. The evening was spent helping Daniella with her page (hissy fit by yours truly included for no extra charge) and being schooled by she and John on HBO's The Wire over some great wine and mediocre pizza (D - What was that wine again?). It's a show I've tried to watch before but it's crazy dense with story arcs and really needs close attention from the beginning. I think I'm hooked now.

So I still have speakers to install, haven't touched my MP3 server and have a gigantic pile of laundry. Eff it. I had a great weekend.

some random notes

* Hey, Mother Nature. I don't know about you, but my calendar says September 20th. Why, might I ask, did I need to wear a jacket today? Why?

* Hey, Elvis Costello. Alright. You win. I'll watch "Two and a Half Men" tonight to see you. But I won't like it. The only time I haven't hated Charlie Sheen is, well, never. Jon Cryer? Annoying since "Pretty In Pink." Wait. Scratch that. I had the hots for Molly Ringwald. I hated him then, too.

* Hey, moron who sets up displays at Walgreens. What were you thinking with the giant Philadelphia Eagles Bic lighter display? No. Really. I want to know. People here are generally Giants fans. Those who aren't are either Patriots or Jets fans. Eagles? Um, those aren't selling.

baby steps

Well, dear readers, today randomness is a sunny place. No more PICC line. I still have the farting vacuum but no longer have the intravenous antibiotics nor the daily hospital trip and fatigue that they created. Tunnel, meet light.

search engine fun

From time-to-time it's entertaining to look at how people end up at randomness. Oddly the most frequent search that lands them here is simply Mike Wolf. Hmm. Everybody wants to find me. Some others from the past month that humor me are -

masturbatin - One wonders if they just couldn't hit that last "g" or if it's a "Darling Nikki" reference. Whatever it is, I'm not sure what directed them here.

pat dinizio fat - Indeed he is!

i love indie - As do I!

stamford ct massage parlor - Looking for one, perhaps? We should hook you up with that first searcher!

song meanings helen reddy - Honestly? I don't think she knows what they meant.

horse flogged photos - That's just sick.

index of photos butt - If you find it let me know.

ocean size - Really effing big.

what's in percocet - Gooooooood things.

shine on you crazy diamond

Dear readers, I'm leaving you in charge. When I leave this mortal coil please make sure that nobody goes all loopy and does this to me. That's seriously creepy, no?

Oh, and that subject is the first and last Pink Floyd reference here ever. Evah!

randomness song of the week - 091204

"The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me)" by Tom Waits. From the album Small Change (1976)

I have a feeling that a disturbing number of randomness readers are pretty much unaware of Tom Waits. This is the song that made me fall in love with his work. On first listen you'll immediately be taken aback by his growling and, perhaps, by what will at first sound like nonsensical lyrics. On repeated listenings the song will snap out at you and convey all of its brilliances. It somehow manages to be tear jerking, funny, drunken, beautiful, depressing and uplifting all at once.

It's a sort of sister piece to another song on the album, "Tom Traubert's Blues (Four Sheets to the Wind in Copenhagen)," which, to me, is one of the greatest works of the past century.

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as donna summer would say...

Enough is enough.

This past Wednesday, ComingSoon.net had the opportunity to attend Lucasfilm and Fox Home Entertainment's roll-out of the "Star Wars Trilogy" DVD set (Coming Sept. 21st.) One of the surprise guests at the event was Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill. He ended up being one of the highlights of the presentation as he enthusiastically recalled humorous anecdotes about the making of the original films, working with Kevin Smith, seeing TROOPS for the first time, and more.

However, his comments towards the end about Episodes 7, 8, and 9 really got everyone's attention. Mark told those in attendance what Lucas told him the third trilogy would be about. Hamill also went into detail about Lucas' original plans for those films, when they would be made, and more. Plus, Lucasfilm's Jim Ward confirmed that a "Star Wars" TV series is on the way in the near future (though he didn't say when it would be set).

Though our resident Star Wars geek swears 7,8 & 9 aren't happening because Lucas has said as much. I dunno. He's already sucked the life out of the original trilogy. I think he's willing to ride it until someone bludgeons him.

ADDENDUM - After listening to the audio of Hamill's comments it's actually clear that he's referring to Lucas telling him about 7-9 before he settled on doing 1-3. The TV show bit, though, is entirely true and should start sucking in the fall of 2006.

z list blogger meets z list celebs

Long-time randomness fans may recall that I have a long list of minor celebs that I've spotted while out and about in the wicked city. Well, kids, today I can add not one but two more!

At lunchtime I decided to stop in for a Starbucks fix. As I ordered my grande-no whip-caramel Frappachino I heard a strangely familiar voice next to me. I looked up to see the actress who played the annoying model on "Just Shoot Me" (whom I have just identified as one Wendie Malick). She seemed to be very nice. I'm judging this entirely on the fact that she handed me a straw.

On my way back to the train I strolled by Bryant Park. It's Fashion Week and the park was crawling with tall model-types. The excitement, though, was happening outside a hotel which is also confusingly called Bryant Park. Exiting a town car with a camera crew in tow was Victoria Gotti looking like some sort of female Cousin It. Seriously, she looks like a blonde, leathery Crystal Gayle.

Exciting stuff, huh?

a fun game that i totally stole

En route to our Jersey shore extravaganza, Marietta pulled out a little clipping from Spin magazine with an interesting game. Now I'm stealing it from her and you must play along.

You have to assemble your ultimate band. You need to pick a lead singer, a guitarist, a bass player, a drummer and a wildcard that can play multiple instruments. You can't choose Elvis Presley or Sinatra as you vocalist. You can't choose more than one musician from a single band. You can't choose Hendrix as your guitarist or John Bonham as your drummer. The final rule is that the group has to be able to work together. A bit subjective, but I take it to mean that you can't pick Prince simply as your guitarist or Sting as your bassist.

I've changed mine about a thousand times. I'll post it in the comments, too, once I make up my mind.

Okay. Have at it!!

i believe his guitar is weeping

So I've acquired some knowledge that is simply disturbing and simply tasteless. Nonetheless, I simply have to share it for no other reason than to unburden myself.

A friend's boyfriend used the facilities at the same time as Elvis at Joe's Pub on Friday. No, he didn't check him out. No, he didn't try to talk to him. He did notice something disturbing, though. Elvis? Um. Not a hand washer.

Ewwwwwwwwwwwww

randomness song of the week - 090604

"The Elephant's Graveyard" by the Boomtown Rats. From the album Mondo Bongo (1981)

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Today we present the single most blatent Elvis Costello rip-off ever recorded. I love it but bear in mind that I buy Bob Geldof's solo stuff.

you just had to be there...

Yesterday marked my first trip to the legendary Jersey Shore in order to celebrate the birthday of friend of randomness, Mr. Ken Goldstein. If it was fried, alcoholic or took quarters we were all over it. The company was, of course, outstanding (including a couple of other folks who happen to have blogs that you should be reading). Oh, and the fried Oreos? Amazing. I kid you not...

On a sad note, my vast and pointless baseball knowledge is currently taking a huge hit. I could have sworn that Thurman Munson was elected into the Hall of Fame posthumously. Nope. Damn.

nasty little trainspotter

There are very few things that I've done in my life that I won't still own up to when I'm, say, 80. One of the few just happened.

Tonight I followed, nay, stalked Elvis Costello and Diana Krall for approximately eight blocks. I even made accidental eye contact Mr. MacManus. I feel dirty. So very, very dirty.

Goodnight.

workin' for the weekend

Things with my daily hospital visit aren't going so swimmingly, my blog is giving me a headache and I'm absurdly tired. However, nothing's going to hold me down this weekend.

An extra day off, gala birthday festivities at the Jersey Shore and beautiful weather were in the cards this morning. This afternoon I added another little reason to celebrate...

Joe's Pub presents: The Jazz Passengers with special appearance by Elvis Costello / Maroon: Jazz Against War / Fri, September 3

To hell with it. This weekend is going to be spectacular.

and now for something completely different

The inane debate below is giving me a headache. Here's something bizarre to ponder.

rebels without a cause

As of midnight yesterday 28 people have downloaded the randomness song of the week. Yet only 3 of you have followed the rules and posted your opinion. That, my dear readers, is lame. Get to it!!!