It looks like the idea of going to Chicago to see Leigh and the reunited rock band Slint (an adventure I'm calling Operation Sleicago) has just moved closer to becoming a reality. They've added an additional show—March 24, at The Metro—to their already sold-out stint in the Windy City.
When Leigh called me yesterday with the news, I told her to go ahead and buy tickets. I'll figure the rest out later.
1.12.2005
1.10.2005
Rare, OOP Blog
Netflix has implemented a Friend's Page feature where you and your friends can share ratings and recommendations on the movies you're renting. I'd really like to get in on this. I often have a hard time trying to pick out movies for my queue. If you have an account and would like to share the wealth of your movie-watching knowledge, let me know.
[via Slashdot] Google Groups lists its 20 Year Archive of Usenet Timeline featuring some interesting first-posts dating back to 1981. My favorites include First mention of MTV ('82), First mention of a compact disc ('82), First "Me too" post ('83), and First discussion about "New Coke" ('85).
largehearted boy had a link a few days ago to this band, Tungsten74, who have posted the theme music to the Nintendo classic Metroid. Looks like they're planning to cover it. Anyway, it reminded me of this remix electronic/IDM artist Lexaunculpt did a few years ago, which may or may not be the track “Samus” on the Children of Mu compilation. I dunno—I haven't heard that one.
+ One of my favorite records of 2004 was The Concretes' self-titled debut album, so I decided to pick up their first full-length, Boyoubetterunow, a CD released on UP records which compiles two of their EPs. I somehow got it in my head that this record was out of print, an idea reaffirmed by this auction I found. Before considering a bid, I decided to do a little more research. I soon discovered that this “VERY RARE OOP CD” is available from Sub Pop for $10. The auction, starting at $29.99 and ending with a winning bid of $55.55, was a complete sham. This guy (let's call him Hugh...Hugh Jashol) completely lied (whether he intentionally lied or not is beside the point). Scams on eBay??! Shocking, I know. I'm just saying this as a reminder: be careful and always research that shit. For my five minutes of extra Googling, I got a reasonably-priced copy in a timely manner and without the hassle of waiting for some goon to get off his ass and go to the post office.
[via Slashdot] Google Groups lists its 20 Year Archive of Usenet Timeline featuring some interesting first-posts dating back to 1981. My favorites include First mention of MTV ('82), First mention of a compact disc ('82), First "Me too" post ('83), and First discussion about "New Coke" ('85).
largehearted boy had a link a few days ago to this band, Tungsten74, who have posted the theme music to the Nintendo classic Metroid. Looks like they're planning to cover it. Anyway, it reminded me of this remix electronic/IDM artist Lexaunculpt did a few years ago, which may or may not be the track “Samus” on the Children of Mu compilation. I dunno—I haven't heard that one.
+ One of my favorite records of 2004 was The Concretes' self-titled debut album, so I decided to pick up their first full-length, Boyoubetterunow, a CD released on UP records which compiles two of their EPs. I somehow got it in my head that this record was out of print, an idea reaffirmed by this auction I found. Before considering a bid, I decided to do a little more research. I soon discovered that this “VERY RARE OOP CD” is available from Sub Pop for $10. The auction, starting at $29.99 and ending with a winning bid of $55.55, was a complete sham. This guy (let's call him Hugh...Hugh Jashol) completely lied (whether he intentionally lied or not is beside the point). Scams on eBay??! Shocking, I know. I'm just saying this as a reminder: be careful and always research that shit. For my five minutes of extra Googling, I got a reasonably-priced copy in a timely manner and without the hassle of waiting for some goon to get off his ass and go to the post office.
Back to Bidness
Though I'll spare you the details, let's just say that one sick day became three, which ultimately became a five-day weekend. So here I am, back at werk and heading into a full werk week. Hooray.
I really didn't do much, other than the usual relaxing at home (music, reading, video games). I did however have a surprisingly good time at the 611 Florida show on Saturday. I was surprised because I normally don't have much fun when I go to a show alone. Jonathan decided not to go, so not only would I have to go alone, but also ride the Metro (whose Greenbelt-bound L'Enfant platform I would soon find out smells much like a Porta-Potty), which is something I hate doing when not absolutely necessary. Then, I heard that a friend I was sure would be there wasn't coming. Damn. It looked as if I might be standing around by myself.
Well, I was taking some pics of Derek——practicing my low-light, flash-less photo skills——when, lo and behold, I spotted John H and Marc (of the Plums). Excellent. A few minutes later, I heard a familiar voice coming from the hallway. It was Les (no less)! She was with her friend Theresa(?). I don't know Theresa(?) but she was apparently friends with my ex-girlfriend, Sara, who used to live in DC but who currently resides in Seattle. Weird. I wouldn't have known had she not asked me out of the blue, "Do you know Sara C____?" Small world. Anyway, things were looking up.
The show itself was pretty good, though I didn't stay for the headlining act, Birchville Cat Motel. I went in support of Derek's band, the Mikroknytes, who were great. Donna Summer and Howard Stelzer were both a bit underwhelming, though. Donna did feedback stuff with two delay pedals for her set, and Howard was manipulating a bunch of tape decks. Both performances are interesting in theory but came off a little tedious, I thought. I don't know, I guess noise just isn't my thing. It was cool, though. And I found it pretty funny that people were smoking pot all out in the open. House shows are interesting like that.
As I mentioned, I did take some photos. I've posted some of them to my flickr account, in fact. You may notice that I've added a flickr “badge” to the sidebar on the photos page. I figure I'll make greater use of that site by actually posting to it——specifically, by posting photos that might not be too great technically but that I feel are worth sharing anyway. Check it out and let me know if you're on flickr too so we can link up.
I really didn't do much, other than the usual relaxing at home (music, reading, video games). I did however have a surprisingly good time at the 611 Florida show on Saturday. I was surprised because I normally don't have much fun when I go to a show alone. Jonathan decided not to go, so not only would I have to go alone, but also ride the Metro (whose Greenbelt-bound L'Enfant platform I would soon find out smells much like a Porta-Potty), which is something I hate doing when not absolutely necessary. Then, I heard that a friend I was sure would be there wasn't coming. Damn. It looked as if I might be standing around by myself.
Well, I was taking some pics of Derek——practicing my low-light, flash-less photo skills——when, lo and behold, I spotted John H and Marc (of the Plums). Excellent. A few minutes later, I heard a familiar voice coming from the hallway. It was Les (no less)! She was with her friend Theresa(?). I don't know Theresa(?) but she was apparently friends with my ex-girlfriend, Sara, who used to live in DC but who currently resides in Seattle. Weird. I wouldn't have known had she not asked me out of the blue, "Do you know Sara C____?" Small world. Anyway, things were looking up.
The show itself was pretty good, though I didn't stay for the headlining act, Birchville Cat Motel. I went in support of Derek's band, the Mikroknytes, who were great. Donna Summer and Howard Stelzer were both a bit underwhelming, though. Donna did feedback stuff with two delay pedals for her set, and Howard was manipulating a bunch of tape decks. Both performances are interesting in theory but came off a little tedious, I thought. I don't know, I guess noise just isn't my thing. It was cool, though. And I found it pretty funny that people were smoking pot all out in the open. House shows are interesting like that.
As I mentioned, I did take some photos. I've posted some of them to my flickr account, in fact. You may notice that I've added a flickr “badge” to the sidebar on the photos page. I figure I'll make greater use of that site by actually posting to it——specifically, by posting photos that might not be too great technically but that I feel are worth sharing anyway. Check it out and let me know if you're on flickr too so we can link up.
1.05.2005
Music Up
Thanks to a sick day, the music section is finally up. Whew. There are no reviews yet, because I've been devoting all my poorly-written musical thoughts to my favorites of 2004. Since virtually no one visits my site, I decided to post some MP3s. This is only one of the many perks of being under the radar. They're not there to stay, however, so get 'em while you can. You'll also find a few of the mixtapes and CDs I've made and a song of the week that will change—you guessed it—weekly. Enjoy!
1.04.2005
Winter Eyes
The possibility of seeing a reunited Slint in Chicago is...well, possible. Leigh called me last night with the idea of me flying out that weekend in March to visit her and go to the show. I'd been thinking the very same thing but had yet to bring it up. Anyway, turns out tickets are an outrageous $70, after pretty much selling out both nights, so I'm not too into that. There's a chance, though, if Leigh can work her scenester magic, that we might get a cheaper pair of tickets. We'll see.
Totally unrelated, but what the fuck is going on with this weather? It's January and like 65 degrees, for chrissake. I don't like it. For one, it just doesn't feel right—not while I'm stuck inside all day at work. Secondly, my winter wardrobe is far superior to my warm weather wardrobe. Sweaters and jeans, sweaters and jeans, man. I look good in sweaters, goddamn it. Today, I wore my coat but had it unzipped. Then, when I got to the office, I had to take my sweater off because of the ridiculous heat in our building. I'd go outside to smoke and it was just cold enough that I was chilly in my t-shirt. Dumb. And another reason to move. This bipolar swamp beast must die.
So while I'm rambling and everything, I guess I'll tell you about something I was thinkin' on early today. It's maybe kind of creepy in a way, but I don't care. See, I have this fantasy that I will someday meet a girl who is as lonely as I am. Maybe I'll meet her walking in my neighborhood or on the train on the way home from work. Yeah, on the train. Ok.
I notice her while waiting on the platform. She's cute, but relatively nondescript. She just got off work and, like me, is waiting to go home. The train arrives and we board. I sit down in an empty seat on left side of the car. The girl takes the seat next to me. The chimes sound, the doors close, and we're off. I'm reading the newspaper (light reading, the Style section) and she pulls out a printed document from one of those accordion-type legal folders and begins reading. After a few minutes, I notice she's put the papers away and is sitting with her head in her hands. I continue to act like I'm reading. We pass a few stops. She doesn't move. I get the sense that something is going wrong in this young lady's life. Finally, I say excuse me and ask her what's the matter. She turns and says “Oh, nothing. I just had a bad day at work. I'm fine.” I ask her if she's sure she's ok. She starts to speak but then pauses. We look at each other intensely for a moment as our eyes lock and then she smiles.
Funny thing is this actually happened the other day. Except when I finally said excuse me, and she turned to look at me, all I could say was “This is my stop.”
Your Friend,
The Coward
Totally unrelated, but what the fuck is going on with this weather? It's January and like 65 degrees, for chrissake. I don't like it. For one, it just doesn't feel right—not while I'm stuck inside all day at work. Secondly, my winter wardrobe is far superior to my warm weather wardrobe. Sweaters and jeans, sweaters and jeans, man. I look good in sweaters, goddamn it. Today, I wore my coat but had it unzipped. Then, when I got to the office, I had to take my sweater off because of the ridiculous heat in our building. I'd go outside to smoke and it was just cold enough that I was chilly in my t-shirt. Dumb. And another reason to move. This bipolar swamp beast must die.
So while I'm rambling and everything, I guess I'll tell you about something I was thinkin' on early today. It's maybe kind of creepy in a way, but I don't care. See, I have this fantasy that I will someday meet a girl who is as lonely as I am. Maybe I'll meet her walking in my neighborhood or on the train on the way home from work. Yeah, on the train. Ok.
I notice her while waiting on the platform. She's cute, but relatively nondescript. She just got off work and, like me, is waiting to go home. The train arrives and we board. I sit down in an empty seat on left side of the car. The girl takes the seat next to me. The chimes sound, the doors close, and we're off. I'm reading the newspaper (light reading, the Style section) and she pulls out a printed document from one of those accordion-type legal folders and begins reading. After a few minutes, I notice she's put the papers away and is sitting with her head in her hands. I continue to act like I'm reading. We pass a few stops. She doesn't move. I get the sense that something is going wrong in this young lady's life. Finally, I say excuse me and ask her what's the matter. She turns and says “Oh, nothing. I just had a bad day at work. I'm fine.” I ask her if she's sure she's ok. She starts to speak but then pauses. We look at each other intensely for a moment as our eyes lock and then she smiles.
Funny thing is this actually happened the other day. Except when I finally said excuse me, and she turned to look at me, all I could say was “This is my stop.”
Your Friend,
The Coward
1.03.2005
See You This Year
I spent New Year's Eve at home with a small group of folks. It was pretty tame, but that's OK. Comfortable has a lot going for it. I enjoyed the time off, spending most of the time relaxing, reading, and playing my new video games. Housemate Jonathan's birthday dinner at Lebanese Taverna last week was a fun highlight. The food at that place is always awesome.
I've also been working more on the music section of this site. I almost have something presentable (including my favorite releases of 2004) and will probably post it sometime this week. Selected photos from the holidays are also forthcoming.
Here's to you, 2005. May you not suck so much.
I've also been working more on the music section of this site. I almost have something presentable (including my favorite releases of 2004) and will probably post it sometime this week. Selected photos from the holidays are also forthcoming.
Here's to you, 2005. May you not suck so much.
12.29.2004
For Against
Nebraska?! Holy crap, this is good.
The perfect marriage between Joy Division, Comsat Angels, Cocteau Twins, Cure, The Sound and especially Porcupine Echo & The Bunnymen.
- Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover
The perfect marriage between Joy Division, Comsat Angels, Cocteau Twins, Cure, The Sound and especially Porcupine Echo & The Bunnymen.
- Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover
What's Next, Ketamine For the Sniffles?
An interesting Washington Post article I missed while on vacation:
'Ecstasy' Use Studied to Ease Fear in Terminally Ill
Not a registered Post reader? Try BugMeNot, loser.
'Ecstasy' Use Studied to Ease Fear in Terminally Ill
Not a registered Post reader? Try BugMeNot, loser.
Xmas Reviewed
My holiday weekend was approximately 90% good. I visited with family, hung out with friends from out of town, saw my 79-year-old grandmother for the first time in a few years, received a few neat presents, ate several great meals, and caught up on some much-needed sleep.
The 10% bad was picking up my father at 4PM on Christmas Day to find that he was completely sloshed. He must have been drinking all day. Fortunately, he could walk OK and everything, but he was slurring and repeating himself so much on the drive down, that I wanted to smack him. Getting a little drunk with your family at Christmas dinner is one thing, but showing up already fucking wasted in broad daylight? Fucking pathetic.
I felt better once I got to my brother's. At least I could commiserate and joke with my sister-in-law and brother over my father's condition. For example, there was his apparent inability to control the amplitude and pitch of his voice. He was feigning excitement for my nieces by neighing like a horse. Needless to say, there was lots of eye-rolling and head-shaking between the three of us that night.
Aside from that nonsense, it was overall a very enjoyable time and much better than I expected (and not nearly as lonely as I had feared).
Here are the highlights:
+ Thursday: Off of werk early. Hung out at Twice As Much (my housemate's DJ nite w/Mojogogo and Sally-Go-Round) at Saint-Ex with Jennifer, housemate JP's sister in town from Seattle.
+ Christmas Eve: Had a very good lunch with Leigh, Leslie, and Dan at Harmony Cafe in G-town. Wrapped presents. The evening was spent lounging with Wally and watching videos.
+ Christmas: Presents, of course, both given and received. The softest fleece pajama pants, Metroid Prime 2, a 512MB CF card for my digicam, and an Ikea gift card were the top gifts this year. Dinner, prepared by my brother the chef, was...how-you-say...off the fucking hook.
+ Sunday: Visited my grandmother and much of my mother's side of my extended family in suburban/almost-rural Maryland. Mom-mom was giving things away all day (decorations trinkets, mostly) and I was practically forced to take something directly off her wall. I really didn't want to but was told it would make her happy. She doesn't think she'll live much longer and would rather give this stuff away than have us “pick her bones” once she's gone. Well.
+ Monday: Went to Ikea with the always enchanting Leslie, where I promptly spent the gift card I'd received just two days previous. Bought a CD shelf to help alleviate the ever-growing piles that plague my bedroom floor. Kitchen stuffs, a new bowl for Wally, and some other crap were also purchased.
+ Tuesday: Played video games in my new soft pants (note: games were not actually played inside my pants), assembled CD shelf/reorganized CDs, had dinner with Tim, Hal, and Butch at Luna Grill.
What will New Year's Eve bring? Nobody knows. There have been talks of a small gathering at the house, but nothing really seems to be coming together on that front. Ideas???
The 10% bad was picking up my father at 4PM on Christmas Day to find that he was completely sloshed. He must have been drinking all day. Fortunately, he could walk OK and everything, but he was slurring and repeating himself so much on the drive down, that I wanted to smack him. Getting a little drunk with your family at Christmas dinner is one thing, but showing up already fucking wasted in broad daylight? Fucking pathetic.
I felt better once I got to my brother's. At least I could commiserate and joke with my sister-in-law and brother over my father's condition. For example, there was his apparent inability to control the amplitude and pitch of his voice. He was feigning excitement for my nieces by neighing like a horse. Needless to say, there was lots of eye-rolling and head-shaking between the three of us that night.
Aside from that nonsense, it was overall a very enjoyable time and much better than I expected (and not nearly as lonely as I had feared).
Here are the highlights:
+ Thursday: Off of werk early. Hung out at Twice As Much (my housemate's DJ nite w/Mojogogo and Sally-Go-Round) at Saint-Ex with Jennifer, housemate JP's sister in town from Seattle.
+ Christmas Eve: Had a very good lunch with Leigh, Leslie, and Dan at Harmony Cafe in G-town. Wrapped presents. The evening was spent lounging with Wally and watching videos.
+ Christmas: Presents, of course, both given and received. The softest fleece pajama pants, Metroid Prime 2, a 512MB CF card for my digicam, and an Ikea gift card were the top gifts this year. Dinner, prepared by my brother the chef, was...how-you-say...off the fucking hook.
+ Sunday: Visited my grandmother and much of my mother's side of my extended family in suburban/almost-rural Maryland. Mom-mom was giving things away all day (decorations trinkets, mostly) and I was practically forced to take something directly off her wall. I really didn't want to but was told it would make her happy. She doesn't think she'll live much longer and would rather give this stuff away than have us “pick her bones” once she's gone. Well.
+ Monday: Went to Ikea with the always enchanting Leslie, where I promptly spent the gift card I'd received just two days previous. Bought a CD shelf to help alleviate the ever-growing piles that plague my bedroom floor. Kitchen stuffs, a new bowl for Wally, and some other crap were also purchased.
+ Tuesday: Played video games in my new soft pants (note: games were not actually played inside my pants), assembled CD shelf/reorganized CDs, had dinner with Tim, Hal, and Butch at Luna Grill.
What will New Year's Eve bring? Nobody knows. There have been talks of a small gathering at the house, but nothing really seems to be coming together on that front. Ideas???
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