Saturday night I went to one of best concerts I've ever been to. NINE INCH NAILS at the Oakland Coliseum Arena.
We had OK seats, 2nd row in the upper reserve with a nice complete view of the stage. Binocs would have been nice to have, but we really weren't THAT far away. We got there about a half hour late so we missed the first group "Autolux", but that's OK, we saw them a couple years ago and they sucked. Then Queens of the Stone Age came on. They were OK, they played a good mix of their older stuff with a few songs from their latest album. "Burn the Witch" was the highlight of their set.
Then it came time for Mr. Reznor and NIN. I have this to say, Trent Reznor is as big a rock god now as he's ever been. With an elaborate yet simplistic stage design, a translucent projection screen that drops down in front and possibly the best lighting design I've seen in a while his performance was nothing less than amazing. I just awed at how much energy is in his voice and how he's able to maintain that vocal strength throughout the show.
The entrancing "Right Beside You in Time" and Joy Division's "Dead Souls" were the most surprising songs to hear in the set. There were a couple songs that I didn't recognize and supposedly he's been playing songs from his future second part to "With Teeth", so it's possible that either those songs were new or I just need to educate myself better in the NIN catalog. But may I just say that "Head Like a Hole" is probably the best song to end a show with, it really brought everything to a climactic and satisfying close as we bid farewell to Trent and NIN until next time.
My only complaint about the show, which finally explains the title of this "blog", is since we were in the second row, that means that there was a row of people in front of us, obviously. And wouldn't know it, there were about 4 chubby girls in black t-shirts and wearing thick black eyeliner who just couldn't resist the temptation to get up and dance along with the music. After about the second song from NIN, we couldn't take it anymore and moved one section over to where for some reason the entire front row was empty. So we sat, put our feet up and enjoyed the show comfortably, which I think is the best and most effective way to take in a NIN show. The dancing chubbers reminded me of an old SNL sketch where they were at a Phil Collins concert and this one fat and drunk chick kept dancing while all the adult contemporaries were sitting and trying to enjoy the show. Now, don't get me wrong, I love seeing people dance at concerts, just don't stand right in people's line of sight to the stage. For example, I could see across the arena a pair of girls dancing (quite provocatively, might I ad) in an entry way. And it looked cool because the light behind them created a sexy kind of silhouette, like an opening sequence from a Bond film. So please, girls, fat, average or thin as a toothpick, please dance in more open areas where you're not going to annoy people.
After the concert we went to Mel's with our friends Ben & Leila who just happened to run into us at the BART station afterwards. A word to the wise, never go to a Mel's Diner at 2am...apparently that's when the start doing things like serving wilted/brown green salads, waffles with green onions mixed in the batter and nearly rare burgers even though you requested it to be well-done.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Thursday, November 10, 2005
I write the best surveys...
1. What’s your deep psychological or sociological reason for even starting this survey?
It's just a little temporary escapism from my job.
2. If you were to purposefully piss somebody off, who would it be and how would you do it?
That one dude in my editing class, I'd take his cell phone and throw it on the ground then stomp on it, busting it to pieces
3. Is an open fly sexy?
It's more of a preview really
4. “The Thong” Sanitary or Unsanitary?
If your curious, look in that girl's laundry basket...yeah, an article of clothing really can't get any dirtier.
5. In your opinion, is President George W. Bush from Texas or Connecticut?
He has land in Texas, but I maintain that he's from Conn.
6. Why don’t you clean your room?
'Cause it's really not THAT messy
7. What are your skills?
Origami skills, knife and hatchet throwing skills, 22 calibre rifle skills, drawing skills, writing skills, filmmaking skills, macking skills
8. What Thanksgiving food item do you NOT like?
My mom made candied yams using Peeps instead of real marshmallows...it was horrific
9. What’s public transportation’s biggest annoyance?
The stinky homeless people who sneak in through the back door and populate the rear of the bus.
10. What’s the best thing about riding a bike?
It's excercise as you're sitting plus the scenery is great, what can be better?
11. Was Paris Hilton ever “hot”?
Not really, before I knew who she was I thought she was some greasy Eurotrash.
12. What horror flick scares you the most?
"Poltergeist" freaked me out the most as a kid, yet I watched it all the time.
13. Are you closer to your mother or father, and why?
I spend more time with my Mom, we have the same taste in a lot of things. But my personality is a lot like my dad's.
14. What childhood TV actor or character would you most like to meet in person?
Mark Summers, Double Dare was the shiznit
15. How do you get rid of your nose hair?
I detach the razor from it's handle then stroke the inside of my nostrils...it works really well
16. Somebody totally eats it on the sidewalk, do you help him/her? (Honest answer please)
If I'm within his/her vicinity, yeah. Vicinity meaning about 30 yards
17. Nestling under a shady tree or basking in the noonday sun?
I enjoy nice cool grass more than anything, so yeah, shady tree please
18. When a bird craps on someone else, do you tell them?
I probably should, but I always assume that maybe they already know and I don't want to remind them.
19. When candy gets stuck in your teeth, do you painstakingly pick it out or just wait for it to dissolve away?
Just wait it out, it'll go away
20. What recreational drug needs a big time comeback?
LSD, so much good music came out of it. I think it would be a cure for a lot of the crap that's coming out nowadays.
21. How much time should pass from when you get his/her number before you call him/her?
The next day, late afternoon or evening I'd say.
22. What is it you love that you could also possibly make a career out of?
Filmmaking
23. Do you ever find Bugs Bunny attractive when he dresses up like a girl bunny?
No, but I used to wish that Jessica Rabbit would really exist
24. What are your means of turning a light switch ON or OFF when your hands are wet?
It's all in the elbow
25. What distinguishing body marks are you most self conscious of, and why?
The scar on my cheek I guess...it wasn't there when I was born
26. What’s your definition of “Emo”?
I refrain from defining, I just know that I like it sometimes and hate it other times.
27. What celebrity do you have dreams of punching out?
I actually had a dream that I punched James Woods square in the nose, he seems like a cool guy, he's just really good at playing the jerk in the films he'sin.
28. Which tastes better, toe nails or inner cheek skin?
Inner cheek skin...mmmmm
29. What is Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” really about?
I think it's about the innocense and excitement of newfound love. Quentin Tarantino's definition is always entertaining though.
30. What if he/she DOES like you?
I'd be flattered
31. What’s your best move?
Being Jon and not going totally over the top or lying to impress someone.
32. What’s REALLY goin’ on?
Couldn't tell ya, why don't you ask Stephen Hawking or somebody smarter.
It's just a little temporary escapism from my job.
2. If you were to purposefully piss somebody off, who would it be and how would you do it?
That one dude in my editing class, I'd take his cell phone and throw it on the ground then stomp on it, busting it to pieces
3. Is an open fly sexy?
It's more of a preview really
4. “The Thong” Sanitary or Unsanitary?
If your curious, look in that girl's laundry basket...yeah, an article of clothing really can't get any dirtier.
5. In your opinion, is President George W. Bush from Texas or Connecticut?
He has land in Texas, but I maintain that he's from Conn.
6. Why don’t you clean your room?
'Cause it's really not THAT messy
7. What are your skills?
Origami skills, knife and hatchet throwing skills, 22 calibre rifle skills, drawing skills, writing skills, filmmaking skills, macking skills
8. What Thanksgiving food item do you NOT like?
My mom made candied yams using Peeps instead of real marshmallows...it was horrific
9. What’s public transportation’s biggest annoyance?
The stinky homeless people who sneak in through the back door and populate the rear of the bus.
10. What’s the best thing about riding a bike?
It's excercise as you're sitting plus the scenery is great, what can be better?
11. Was Paris Hilton ever “hot”?
Not really, before I knew who she was I thought she was some greasy Eurotrash.
12. What horror flick scares you the most?
"Poltergeist" freaked me out the most as a kid, yet I watched it all the time.
13. Are you closer to your mother or father, and why?
I spend more time with my Mom, we have the same taste in a lot of things. But my personality is a lot like my dad's.
14. What childhood TV actor or character would you most like to meet in person?
Mark Summers, Double Dare was the shiznit
15. How do you get rid of your nose hair?
I detach the razor from it's handle then stroke the inside of my nostrils...it works really well
16. Somebody totally eats it on the sidewalk, do you help him/her? (Honest answer please)
If I'm within his/her vicinity, yeah. Vicinity meaning about 30 yards
17. Nestling under a shady tree or basking in the noonday sun?
I enjoy nice cool grass more than anything, so yeah, shady tree please
18. When a bird craps on someone else, do you tell them?
I probably should, but I always assume that maybe they already know and I don't want to remind them.
19. When candy gets stuck in your teeth, do you painstakingly pick it out or just wait for it to dissolve away?
Just wait it out, it'll go away
20. What recreational drug needs a big time comeback?
LSD, so much good music came out of it. I think it would be a cure for a lot of the crap that's coming out nowadays.
21. How much time should pass from when you get his/her number before you call him/her?
The next day, late afternoon or evening I'd say.
22. What is it you love that you could also possibly make a career out of?
Filmmaking
23. Do you ever find Bugs Bunny attractive when he dresses up like a girl bunny?
No, but I used to wish that Jessica Rabbit would really exist
24. What are your means of turning a light switch ON or OFF when your hands are wet?
It's all in the elbow
25. What distinguishing body marks are you most self conscious of, and why?
The scar on my cheek I guess...it wasn't there when I was born
26. What’s your definition of “Emo”?
I refrain from defining, I just know that I like it sometimes and hate it other times.
27. What celebrity do you have dreams of punching out?
I actually had a dream that I punched James Woods square in the nose, he seems like a cool guy, he's just really good at playing the jerk in the films he'sin.
28. Which tastes better, toe nails or inner cheek skin?
Inner cheek skin...mmmmm
29. What is Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” really about?
I think it's about the innocense and excitement of newfound love. Quentin Tarantino's definition is always entertaining though.
30. What if he/she DOES like you?
I'd be flattered
31. What’s your best move?
Being Jon and not going totally over the top or lying to impress someone.
32. What’s REALLY goin’ on?
Couldn't tell ya, why don't you ask Stephen Hawking or somebody smarter.
I don't know what happened...
...it's all a repressed memory that's going to surface at an ill-opportune moment
Wednesday, November 9, 2005
My top 10 favorite films of all time...
After reading my friend's list, I figured I'd make my own as well. Not worried about what others might think and not concerned with the fact that some more pretentious film buffs will find my selections cliche, I mainly aimed for films that have in one way or another inspired me to be a filmmaker and have also entertained me without end.
And of course this list excludes the Star Wars films and all but one Terry Gilliam film, as it just wouldn't be fair.
So here it is, my top 10 and the reasons why they made the cut...
10. Fellini's "8 1/2" & "La Strada"
I know, I've just started and I'm already cheating by trying to squeeze two films in one slot, but I honestly could not decide which of these films I enjoyed the most. "8 1/2" is perhaps Fellini's most personal film and his most surreal with beautiful cinematography, symbolism and dream sequences to give us just a little peek into the man's brain. "La Strada" is perhaps the best "road movie" ever, a traveling sideshow performer Zampano and his newly acquired assistant Gelsomina (Fellini's wife Giulietta Masina) venture across the wide plains of Itay. These two films opened my eyes to foreign cinema, and most importantly to the world of Federico Fellini.
Favorite Scene: (8 1/2) The cocktail party with the psychic and the "Cabaret-esque" MC "Asa Nisi Masa!"
(La Strada) Everytime Gelsomina is dressed is a clown.
9. "Raging Bull" by Martin Scorsese
Flawless performances by the dynamic duo DeNiro and Pesci, a boxing match has never been approached in a more effective manner and the b&w cinematography is without flaw. Not to mention the writing is excellent and it's a story of failure and regret that's all too common in society. Scorsese's best film in my opinion.
Favorite Scene: Any of the boxing matches with the great cross dissolves between the fight, flash bulbs, bells and round card girls. Stunning and memorable.
8. "Metropolis" by Fritz Lang
Lang, a true pioneer in filmmaking, really set the standard with this film. It's probably the most impressive silent film ever created and is the root influence to possibly every sci fi film that has followed in its wake. Be sure to check out the new restored version which has the original music.
Favorite Scene: "The Seven Deadly Sins" dance performance as hundreds of men pant and writhe with lust for her.
7. "Vertigo" by Alfred Hitchcock
Hitchcock's masterpiece they say and I believe it's his personal favorite of the films he's made. Based in San Francisco, this psychological mystery, drama and thriller sums up everything that Hitchcock was about. Obsession, dementia, love, lust, death, deception, it's got it all. Jimmy Stewart is great as a retired cop hired by an old friend to tail his wife who he suspects of either going insane or under the influence of a deceased relative...and the plot thickens.
Favorite Scene: Madeline jumping into the SF Bay
6. "Edward Scissorhands" by Tim Burton
It's a suburban fairytale with Johnny Depp as a pale young man with cutting utensils for hands. How could you not love this film.
Favorite Scene: Winona Ryder dancing in the falling snow from Edward's ice sculpture shavings.
5. "Dr. Strangelove: Or how I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb" by Stanley Kubrick
Dark comedy at its best, this film was made in the heat of the cold war and is just as funny then as it is now. Sellers should have won an Oscar for his role as both the President of the US, a British Private soldier and as the enigmatic Dr. Strangelove.
Favorite Scene: Dr. Strangelove's final monologue
4. "Citizen Kane" by Orson Welles
Yes, yes, we all know that Citizen Kane is a beautiful film and uses nearly every photographic technique in the book. But what's amazing is that every technique it uses is extremely effective and couldn't have been shown differently. It is also one of the first great battles between filmmakers and executives, brought on by W.R. Hearst who was under the belief that the film was about him. This is THE film that should be seen by all. And don't forget, Welles has directed a good number of beautiful films that should all be seen as well.
Favorite Scene: When Charles Foster Kane first arrives at the Inquirer.
3. "Dead Poets Society" by Peter Weir
There have been countless "boarding school films" that have tried to replicate without success what this film is. A group of intelligent yet uninspired students at a preparatory school receive a new English instructor (Robin Williams) who opens their eyes to a whole new world and broadens their tunnel vision to consider other options and to pursue their passions.
Favorite Scene: Robin Williams places his hands over Ethan Hawke's eyes as Ethan describes in poetic detail a picture that hangs on the classroom wall.
2. "Miller's Crossing" by the Coen Bros.
Every shot is a work of art, every line necessary to the story, every character is quirky and interesting making for a movie experience that is entertaining while also at times a bit disturbing and at other times emotionally gripping. Great cinematography by Barry Sonnenfeld in his last film with the Coen's and possibly my favorite score by Coen collaborator Carter Burwell.
Favorite Scene: Gabriel Byrne taking John Torturro out to the middle of the forest to kill him.
1. "Brazil" by Terry Gilliam
For me to go into everything that I love about this film would require a 1000 word essay, at least. Needless to say it made me want to be a filmmaker and also made me fall in love with the wide angle lens. Be sure to get the Criterion Collection "Director's Cut".
Favorite Scene: When we first meet Harry Tuttle
And of course this list excludes the Star Wars films and all but one Terry Gilliam film, as it just wouldn't be fair.
So here it is, my top 10 and the reasons why they made the cut...
10. Fellini's "8 1/2" & "La Strada"
I know, I've just started and I'm already cheating by trying to squeeze two films in one slot, but I honestly could not decide which of these films I enjoyed the most. "8 1/2" is perhaps Fellini's most personal film and his most surreal with beautiful cinematography, symbolism and dream sequences to give us just a little peek into the man's brain. "La Strada" is perhaps the best "road movie" ever, a traveling sideshow performer Zampano and his newly acquired assistant Gelsomina (Fellini's wife Giulietta Masina) venture across the wide plains of Itay. These two films opened my eyes to foreign cinema, and most importantly to the world of Federico Fellini.
Favorite Scene: (8 1/2) The cocktail party with the psychic and the "Cabaret-esque" MC "Asa Nisi Masa!"
(La Strada) Everytime Gelsomina is dressed is a clown.
9. "Raging Bull" by Martin Scorsese
Flawless performances by the dynamic duo DeNiro and Pesci, a boxing match has never been approached in a more effective manner and the b&w cinematography is without flaw. Not to mention the writing is excellent and it's a story of failure and regret that's all too common in society. Scorsese's best film in my opinion.
Favorite Scene: Any of the boxing matches with the great cross dissolves between the fight, flash bulbs, bells and round card girls. Stunning and memorable.
8. "Metropolis" by Fritz Lang
Lang, a true pioneer in filmmaking, really set the standard with this film. It's probably the most impressive silent film ever created and is the root influence to possibly every sci fi film that has followed in its wake. Be sure to check out the new restored version which has the original music.
Favorite Scene: "The Seven Deadly Sins" dance performance as hundreds of men pant and writhe with lust for her.
7. "Vertigo" by Alfred Hitchcock
Hitchcock's masterpiece they say and I believe it's his personal favorite of the films he's made. Based in San Francisco, this psychological mystery, drama and thriller sums up everything that Hitchcock was about. Obsession, dementia, love, lust, death, deception, it's got it all. Jimmy Stewart is great as a retired cop hired by an old friend to tail his wife who he suspects of either going insane or under the influence of a deceased relative...and the plot thickens.
Favorite Scene: Madeline jumping into the SF Bay
6. "Edward Scissorhands" by Tim Burton
It's a suburban fairytale with Johnny Depp as a pale young man with cutting utensils for hands. How could you not love this film.
Favorite Scene: Winona Ryder dancing in the falling snow from Edward's ice sculpture shavings.
5. "Dr. Strangelove: Or how I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb" by Stanley Kubrick
Dark comedy at its best, this film was made in the heat of the cold war and is just as funny then as it is now. Sellers should have won an Oscar for his role as both the President of the US, a British Private soldier and as the enigmatic Dr. Strangelove.
Favorite Scene: Dr. Strangelove's final monologue
4. "Citizen Kane" by Orson Welles
Yes, yes, we all know that Citizen Kane is a beautiful film and uses nearly every photographic technique in the book. But what's amazing is that every technique it uses is extremely effective and couldn't have been shown differently. It is also one of the first great battles between filmmakers and executives, brought on by W.R. Hearst who was under the belief that the film was about him. This is THE film that should be seen by all. And don't forget, Welles has directed a good number of beautiful films that should all be seen as well.
Favorite Scene: When Charles Foster Kane first arrives at the Inquirer.
3. "Dead Poets Society" by Peter Weir
There have been countless "boarding school films" that have tried to replicate without success what this film is. A group of intelligent yet uninspired students at a preparatory school receive a new English instructor (Robin Williams) who opens their eyes to a whole new world and broadens their tunnel vision to consider other options and to pursue their passions.
Favorite Scene: Robin Williams places his hands over Ethan Hawke's eyes as Ethan describes in poetic detail a picture that hangs on the classroom wall.
2. "Miller's Crossing" by the Coen Bros.
Every shot is a work of art, every line necessary to the story, every character is quirky and interesting making for a movie experience that is entertaining while also at times a bit disturbing and at other times emotionally gripping. Great cinematography by Barry Sonnenfeld in his last film with the Coen's and possibly my favorite score by Coen collaborator Carter Burwell.
Favorite Scene: Gabriel Byrne taking John Torturro out to the middle of the forest to kill him.
1. "Brazil" by Terry Gilliam
For me to go into everything that I love about this film would require a 1000 word essay, at least. Needless to say it made me want to be a filmmaker and also made me fall in love with the wide angle lens. Be sure to get the Criterion Collection "Director's Cut".
Favorite Scene: When we first meet Harry Tuttle
Monday, November 7, 2005
Gloomy...
...that's what today is. I mean really, it's a word we hear all the time and usually doesn't really hold too much meaning. But today, is seriously as gloomy as it gets. Not one ray of sunshine all day, not one distinct shadow from any pedestrian or vehicle fell on to the asphalt today. I didn't see one smile exchanged during my pair of ventures outdoors for lunch and a snack. There wasn't any music playing in my office all afternoon, I think we've gotten so bored of Eric's porno/funkadelic/r&b/hip hop that silence was the preferrence for the day. But it nearly drove me insane, my eyes are glazed over as I eat my trail mix and sip on my Coke. My highlight of the day...winning a free 1 liter of Coke with my 20 oz.'s bottlecap! Woo hoo!
Oh, and btw, I think I have my first "Missed Connection" from CL...I shall not pursue, but it's nice to think that someone notices a nice handsome white boy from time to time.
Oh, and btw, I think I have my first "Missed Connection" from CL...I shall not pursue, but it's nice to think that someone notices a nice handsome white boy from time to time.
Saturday, November 5, 2005
Happy Flux Capacitor Day!
This Saturday, November 5th, 2005, marks the 50th Anniversary for the invention of the Flux Capacitor - the very thing that makes time travel possible. Some of you may remember that it was on this day, fifty years ago, that Dr. Emmett Brown conceived the idea after hitting his head on his sink while standing on his toilet in his bathroom. So be sure to celebrate and watch your favorite Back to the Future film, or hell, all three. (stolen from Roman)
Friday, November 4, 2005
Thursday, November 3, 2005
Taxis honking past my window...
A line of taxi cabs that stretched 3 block just drove past my office, the drivers honking their horns while their passengers waved flags and signs to protest "Illegal Limo Drivers".
First of all, I thought taxi companies only competed with eachother.
And second, aren't limos a whole different demographic and means of business? I mean, you never see limos racing through the streets of SF looking for patrons.
Eh, what do I care what they're protesting, I'm just pissed off at the honking.
First of all, I thought taxi companies only competed with eachother.
And second, aren't limos a whole different demographic and means of business? I mean, you never see limos racing through the streets of SF looking for patrons.
Eh, what do I care what they're protesting, I'm just pissed off at the honking.
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