I've been a fan of the Brian Jonestown Massacre (BJM) pretty much since High School, after hearing one of their songs "That Girl Suicide" on the local KVHS 90.5 radio station. I had initially thought this was some classic 60's rock band like The Yardbirds or maybe even the Rolling Stones with Brian Jones on lead vocals. But it turns out it was actually a band that actually took it's name from the infamous Stones guitarist and welded it to the famous cyanide Kool-Aid "People's Temple" incident (which you should all know about).
The only problem back then was that it was pretty difficult to get a BJM CD since they weren't signed to any label and you were lucky if you could find a copy in the Indie section of Rasputin Records. So keeping their easily remembered name in my head, nearly an entire year would pass before I got my hands on the album "Thank God for Mental Illness", a great album to say the least. But I was still missing out on something, I'd heard of their live performance antics (cussing out audience members, fights, etc.) so I really wasn't ever motivated to go see them anytime soon.
Fast forward 10 years. In 2005 the documentary "Dig!" was released on DVD which was basically a scrapbook for a two year span of insanity and jealousy within the group and competition with arch-rival/friends The Dandy Warhols. Let's just say I was happy to have missed out on witnessing all that at such a young age. But it wasn't until just recently that I've gotten the courage to go see them.
They played at the Independent on Divisadero St. here in San Francisco. A really small venue/club that actually turned out to have a pretty good sound system and a stage that was of good height so there really wasn't a bad place to stand and watch the band perform.
Initially, things got off to a really slow start. Because of the Bay Bridge's lower deck being closed this weekend, there was a huge backup so the BJM weren't able to make it in time for a sound check. So it took nearly an hour for them to set up their gear and get everything in order. We had to listen to Anton's (lead singer/songwriter) iPod the entire time we waited. At least he had some good tunes on it, and I forgot to ask who some of the bands were that we heard, but ahh well. So again, after an hour of waiting they finally took to the stage and started playing. The last one to get on stage was the fan favorite Joel Gion, the band's long time tambourine player. The guy turns tambourine playing into some form of simian artform, it's a marvel to watch.
They broke right into "Whoever You Are" which is my favorite song of theirs, so I was instantly stoked but also really hoping that this wouldn't be the highlight of the show. The sound wasn't too great because of the soundcheck issues, but they still played great and I was really able to enjoy Anton's interaction or lack thereof with the audience. It was very strange, between songs the entire band would kind of take a 2 to 3 minute smoke/beverage break before then went into the next song. It as kinda cool though, it showed that they weren't just there to play and ignore us, they were talking with the people up against the stage and everyone seemed to be having a great time. Well, that can only be cute for just one hour it seems for some people.
At almost exactly an hour into their set, people started getting restless and yelling "Play!!!" during their little intermissions. Some jerk somewhere in the middle of the crowd started throwing ice cubes at Anton and Joel, and suddenly it was like watching a scene from "Dig!" again. Anton got pissed off and started cussing out the guy and telling us, "If you really care, you'd be kicking the s*** out of that guy right now. Here, how about you guys kick the s*** out of that guy and we'll provide the soundtrack? OK?"
Thankfully though, Anton was able to regain his composure, calm down and play again. Bursting directly into an awesome rendition of "Servo", another of my favorites. After this song, Anton began to rant, as I suppose he still had something to get off his chance. He started bragging about the BJM being one of the best San Francisco bands ever, having more good songs than the likes of Jefferson Airplane (which is very true). Some guy right behind me started yelling "F*** Jerry!", referring to Jerry Garcia of course. Anton responded, "No, it's not a f*** Jerry situation. If you truly believed that, you would have told him when he was still alive. But he would have said, Whatever man, at least you're doing what you wanna do." Which got a good laugh out of the people still in the club.
The amount of people still there had diminished by at least 50% at this point. It was mostly people who didn't know what to expect that left so early, but if you were a fan of BJM and loved everything they stood for, then you stuck it out. And the payoff was great music to go home and reminisce about. When all the dust had settled from all the drama, they went right into "Telegram" which was a perfect way to end the evening and send me home before it got too late for me to stick around any longer. (It was 12:30 am at this point)
I'm glad I finally got to see them live, I'd see them again, so long as they got the chance to do a soundcheck before their set. But one thing I can say, the reality that we're able to experience in the documentary "Dig!" is still somewhat a reality now. Sure, there's probably less boozin', less drugs, and considerably less violence, but the "F*** You" mentality is still there. And it wouldn't be BJM without it.
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
Tuesday, September 5, 2006
MTV VMA's 2006 = Lamer than usual
Did anyone notice the utter lack of creative videos that were nominated this year?
It's obvious that the nominees are mainly named by MTV marketing execs who are painstakingly trying to appeal to all generations and genres simultaneously with each category.
OK, well, the VMA's probably matter the least as far as awards go, but how can the year's best video belong to "Panic! At the Disco"? They're not a horrible band, I like their slightly operatic Meatloaf influenced style, but their video was like something out of "Big Top Pee Wee".
Ohhh, who am I kidding, I haven't respected the VMA's since Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice" lost to "Lady Marmalade". Not even Jack Black could save it this year.
It's obvious that the nominees are mainly named by MTV marketing execs who are painstakingly trying to appeal to all generations and genres simultaneously with each category.
OK, well, the VMA's probably matter the least as far as awards go, but how can the year's best video belong to "Panic! At the Disco"? They're not a horrible band, I like their slightly operatic Meatloaf influenced style, but their video was like something out of "Big Top Pee Wee".
Ohhh, who am I kidding, I haven't respected the VMA's since Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice" lost to "Lady Marmalade". Not even Jack Black could save it this year.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
A picture says a...
...whole frickin' lot. This photo pretty much sums up all my feelings on Concord High School and the quality of education I received there.
STUDENT PROTEST by Larry Keenan
Concord 1967
"I was teaching photography and art at the secondary school level during the early Haight-Ashbury period. Down the hall from my classroom at Concord High School, some angry student blew-up the toilet. I have always viewed toilet destruction as the "original" student protest. After seeing this photograph, the great Minor White wrote to me saying he wished he had made the photograph himself."
At least the Cheese Zombies were good.
STUDENT PROTEST by Larry Keenan
Concord 1967
"I was teaching photography and art at the secondary school level during the early Haight-Ashbury period. Down the hall from my classroom at Concord High School, some angry student blew-up the toilet. I have always viewed toilet destruction as the "original" student protest. After seeing this photograph, the great Minor White wrote to me saying he wished he had made the photograph himself."
At least the Cheese Zombies were good.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
The World's No.1 Laxative Company
You might have grown up thinking that McDonald's was just a fast food joint. Or you may have looked at McDonald's as a company that's really good at hooking their customers at a young age to ensure a lifetime of fast food addicts. Or perhaps you see them as a company that's just extremely good a real estate. Well, how about this one, the #1 Laxative Company in the WORLD!
Think of the last time you went to McDonald's. Can you connect that visit with any kind of intestinal blockage or constipation? Do you even remember how smoothly that food came out on the other end? Probably not, because it was so effortless that you flushed it down the toilet without giving it second thought.
People always associate this characteristic with say, Starbucks. Because we all know coffee is a diaretic, which makes you go. But does it do your bowel movements any good if you're dehydrated by all that caffeine in your system? NO. You need something nice and greasy to oil up your insides so everything is functioning like it should be. And that's where McDonald's comes into play.
Nearly everything on their menu is processed or synthetic in one way or another, therefore making it even easier for our bodies to breakdown and dispose of. Now, I can't condone their health practices, their marketing campaigns or their role in the fattening of America. But I do have to give them respect for making my poop come out easier this afternoon, don't I?
If you doubt my words, just try it. If you're feeling a little backed up in the entrails, just go get yourself a couple things from the dollar menu for dinner and call me in the morning.
Think of the last time you went to McDonald's. Can you connect that visit with any kind of intestinal blockage or constipation? Do you even remember how smoothly that food came out on the other end? Probably not, because it was so effortless that you flushed it down the toilet without giving it second thought.
People always associate this characteristic with say, Starbucks. Because we all know coffee is a diaretic, which makes you go. But does it do your bowel movements any good if you're dehydrated by all that caffeine in your system? NO. You need something nice and greasy to oil up your insides so everything is functioning like it should be. And that's where McDonald's comes into play.
Nearly everything on their menu is processed or synthetic in one way or another, therefore making it even easier for our bodies to breakdown and dispose of. Now, I can't condone their health practices, their marketing campaigns or their role in the fattening of America. But I do have to give them respect for making my poop come out easier this afternoon, don't I?
If you doubt my words, just try it. If you're feeling a little backed up in the entrails, just go get yourself a couple things from the dollar menu for dinner and call me in the morning.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
"I'm not a fighter, but dude, seriously...
...if someone tries to start s***, blah blah blah"
I hear at least one guy say this every Friday or Saturday night. And no doubt, it's usually after some scuffle in a bar where they backed out and are still feeling insecure about their manhood.
In my opinion, the guy who avoids fighting is the "bigger man", but don't try and sound like you're a tough and rugged alpha-male, especially after the fact.
Time to move on
I hear at least one guy say this every Friday or Saturday night. And no doubt, it's usually after some scuffle in a bar where they backed out and are still feeling insecure about their manhood.
In my opinion, the guy who avoids fighting is the "bigger man", but don't try and sound like you're a tough and rugged alpha-male, especially after the fact.
Time to move on
Friday, August 11, 2006
I am "Theatre Hopper"
To end my week off from work I couldn't think of a more fitting way than spending most of the afternoon at my local AMC movie theatre. There wasn't a wide selection of films that I wanted to see or hadn't already seen, but I managed to choose a couple and I'm happy with my choices.
Film #1: "World Trade Center" by Oliver Stone
A couple months ago I saw the trailer for this film, and to be honest, it looked horrible. It looked overly melodramatic, overly dramatized and full of reaction shots of people crying and being shocked at death. But then, a month later I saw the same trailer only this time in the theatre before seeing "Talladega Nights" (a hilarious film by the way). This time the trailer had a completely different effect on my emotions. I guess on my home computer the moustaches and the performances of the actors just looked so cheesy and artificial. When I saw the image of a 35mm image being projected on a 50' screen, it looked completely different and really made me want to see this film.
Like most people, I'm a big fan of nearly all of Oliver Stone's films, with the exception of a few. But all in all, I see him as a very responsible filmmaker with an interesting view on the world, and that perspective always comes through in his pictures. I'm not sure at the moment, but this could possibly be his only non-R rated film, which to some might arouse some skepticism. But for me it mainly meant that Stone wasn't going to be up to his cheap tricks of blood, gore, sex, drugs and violence...and if you know Stone films that's usually something he relies on. But I was interested in seeing what he would be capable of without retreating to his comfort zone.
What we got is a beautiful, reverent, well acted and intimate portrait about the events of that day. He was smart to not replay the infamous footage of the second plane crashing into the 2nd tower (something Michael Moore did in "Bowling for Columbine" just to get a reaction it seems). On the most part, we only get to see and know what the two cops and their families know as the events unfold. And as I was watching this film I was thrown back into feeling the emotions of that day, feelings of confusion, shock and surreality. At one point Officer Jimeno (Michael Pena) screams out "This can't be happening!" Which is something most people were thinking while attentively watching the news that morning.
Nicolas Cage as Sargent McLoughlin was surprisingly good. In most films Cage comes off as more of a caricature than an actual person, but this time around he played it as honest and straight as I've ever seen an actor play a part. Maggie Gyllenhall as Officer Jimeno's wife was the most memorable performance of the film, she stole every scene she was in, which wasn't very hard because she was the focus of all her scenes. But her performance was a filmmaker's dream, you can tell she's really developing more and more as an actress with each film she makes.
I rated this movie 4 out of 5 stars, but the 1 star deduction is mainly for Maria Bello's makeup. They gave her some really awful blue contact lenses, I guess to match the eyes of the real life Mrs. McLoughlin, but they were so distracting and obviously fake that all of her scenes (especially the closeups on her face) totally took me out of the film. But besides that, I highly recommend this film.
Film #2: "Little Miss Sunshine" by Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris
Seeing the trailer should give you enough incentive to go out and see this film. It's hilarious, adorable, heartbreaking and fun all at once. The various personalities that can be found in this film are so extreme that it's a nearly perfect concoction for a "road movie".
We have the preechy, motivational speaker father (Greg Kinnear) who can't seem to keep his mouth shut when he senses any sign of weakness in the people around him. His wife (Toni Collette), perhaps the only "sane" person in the VW bus and the glue that holds the family together. Dwayne their oldest son who has taken a vow of silence until he can be allowed to attend flight school to become an AF pilot. Grandpa (Alan Arkin), the loveable pissed off and dirty old man who you just can't get enough of because although he loves his family and is very opinionated, you can sense the sadness of him being a broken man with a heroin addiction.
Steve Carell plays Toni Collette's suicidal scholar brother who is just released from the hospital after an unsuccessful attempt at "checking out early". Carell perhaps had the hardest part in the film, he was forced to explore the entire dramatic spectrum, from being lowly and depressed to being refreshingly funny and sarcastic, really a jump for Carell's acting career.
And then, last but not at all least "Little Miss Sunshine" herself, Olive (Abigail Breslin). She is so incredibly adorable and innocent that she is the one who is the family's constant reminder of what is truly important, what really matters. She reminded me of Scout in "To Kill a Mockingbird", huge changes are going on around her, adult situations veiled by adult ignorance abound. But then here comes this little chubby girl with these granny eyeglasses to bring the story back to its essence.
And then to top it all off, the score was really good with a couple of additions from Sufjan Stevens to really escalate the emotional impact of some key scenes.
Hands down, 5 out of 5 stars.
So that's all I saw today. I've been known to watch at most 5 movies while theatre hopping. Me and Gus used to go to the theatre at 11am on a Saturday and not leave until Midnight. I doubt I have the stamina to ever do that again, but I'm up to the challenge should it arise again. But anyway, I was happy with my theatre hopping experience this day.
Film #1: "World Trade Center" by Oliver Stone
A couple months ago I saw the trailer for this film, and to be honest, it looked horrible. It looked overly melodramatic, overly dramatized and full of reaction shots of people crying and being shocked at death. But then, a month later I saw the same trailer only this time in the theatre before seeing "Talladega Nights" (a hilarious film by the way). This time the trailer had a completely different effect on my emotions. I guess on my home computer the moustaches and the performances of the actors just looked so cheesy and artificial. When I saw the image of a 35mm image being projected on a 50' screen, it looked completely different and really made me want to see this film.
Like most people, I'm a big fan of nearly all of Oliver Stone's films, with the exception of a few. But all in all, I see him as a very responsible filmmaker with an interesting view on the world, and that perspective always comes through in his pictures. I'm not sure at the moment, but this could possibly be his only non-R rated film, which to some might arouse some skepticism. But for me it mainly meant that Stone wasn't going to be up to his cheap tricks of blood, gore, sex, drugs and violence...and if you know Stone films that's usually something he relies on. But I was interested in seeing what he would be capable of without retreating to his comfort zone.
What we got is a beautiful, reverent, well acted and intimate portrait about the events of that day. He was smart to not replay the infamous footage of the second plane crashing into the 2nd tower (something Michael Moore did in "Bowling for Columbine" just to get a reaction it seems). On the most part, we only get to see and know what the two cops and their families know as the events unfold. And as I was watching this film I was thrown back into feeling the emotions of that day, feelings of confusion, shock and surreality. At one point Officer Jimeno (Michael Pena) screams out "This can't be happening!" Which is something most people were thinking while attentively watching the news that morning.
Nicolas Cage as Sargent McLoughlin was surprisingly good. In most films Cage comes off as more of a caricature than an actual person, but this time around he played it as honest and straight as I've ever seen an actor play a part. Maggie Gyllenhall as Officer Jimeno's wife was the most memorable performance of the film, she stole every scene she was in, which wasn't very hard because she was the focus of all her scenes. But her performance was a filmmaker's dream, you can tell she's really developing more and more as an actress with each film she makes.
I rated this movie 4 out of 5 stars, but the 1 star deduction is mainly for Maria Bello's makeup. They gave her some really awful blue contact lenses, I guess to match the eyes of the real life Mrs. McLoughlin, but they were so distracting and obviously fake that all of her scenes (especially the closeups on her face) totally took me out of the film. But besides that, I highly recommend this film.
Film #2: "Little Miss Sunshine" by Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris
Seeing the trailer should give you enough incentive to go out and see this film. It's hilarious, adorable, heartbreaking and fun all at once. The various personalities that can be found in this film are so extreme that it's a nearly perfect concoction for a "road movie".
We have the preechy, motivational speaker father (Greg Kinnear) who can't seem to keep his mouth shut when he senses any sign of weakness in the people around him. His wife (Toni Collette), perhaps the only "sane" person in the VW bus and the glue that holds the family together. Dwayne their oldest son who has taken a vow of silence until he can be allowed to attend flight school to become an AF pilot. Grandpa (Alan Arkin), the loveable pissed off and dirty old man who you just can't get enough of because although he loves his family and is very opinionated, you can sense the sadness of him being a broken man with a heroin addiction.
Steve Carell plays Toni Collette's suicidal scholar brother who is just released from the hospital after an unsuccessful attempt at "checking out early". Carell perhaps had the hardest part in the film, he was forced to explore the entire dramatic spectrum, from being lowly and depressed to being refreshingly funny and sarcastic, really a jump for Carell's acting career.
And then, last but not at all least "Little Miss Sunshine" herself, Olive (Abigail Breslin). She is so incredibly adorable and innocent that she is the one who is the family's constant reminder of what is truly important, what really matters. She reminded me of Scout in "To Kill a Mockingbird", huge changes are going on around her, adult situations veiled by adult ignorance abound. But then here comes this little chubby girl with these granny eyeglasses to bring the story back to its essence.
And then to top it all off, the score was really good with a couple of additions from Sufjan Stevens to really escalate the emotional impact of some key scenes.
Hands down, 5 out of 5 stars.
So that's all I saw today. I've been known to watch at most 5 movies while theatre hopping. Me and Gus used to go to the theatre at 11am on a Saturday and not leave until Midnight. I doubt I have the stamina to ever do that again, but I'm up to the challenge should it arise again. But anyway, I was happy with my theatre hopping experience this day.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Reasons why "Angels in the Outfield" rocks...
Okay, yeah, the movie sucks, but for so many reasons that it would require more than one blog to sum it all up. But I just saw it again after not seeing it for YEARS, so to keep it short, here's why the movie is awesome.
1. Most of the games were filmed on location at the Oakland Coliseum...PRE-Davis Mountain! This means the ice-plants and the golden-daisy discs with the green chain-link fence was still comprising the East barrier of the park. The bleachers were still actual bench bleachers and the rest of the seats were orange...ORANGE! I got so nostalgic I almost wept.
2. The cast: Adrian Brody, Matthew McConaghey, Jason Gordon-Levitt, Danny Glover, Christopher Lloyd and the seemingly omnipresent Tony Danza. How could this concoction not smell like a good flick?
3. Carney Lansford's special appearance as Kit "Hit or Die" Kesey. What an awesome sight to have possibly my favorite 3rd baseman of all time cast as the power hitter from the opposing team. Watch for the closeup of him as he spits out some chaw in slow-motion...precious.
HONORABLE MENTION: Tony LaRussa has a cameo when the whole stadium is doing that Angels wing flapping thing. Oh, and if you look REALLY HARD you just might see my family in the stands during the same wing flapping scene. They got to go and be bored at the shoot one night while I stayed home with a broken leg.
Aaaand, that's pretty much it. If you have anything else from the movie that you appreciated, don't hesitate to comment.
1. Most of the games were filmed on location at the Oakland Coliseum...PRE-Davis Mountain! This means the ice-plants and the golden-daisy discs with the green chain-link fence was still comprising the East barrier of the park. The bleachers were still actual bench bleachers and the rest of the seats were orange...ORANGE! I got so nostalgic I almost wept.
2. The cast: Adrian Brody, Matthew McConaghey, Jason Gordon-Levitt, Danny Glover, Christopher Lloyd and the seemingly omnipresent Tony Danza. How could this concoction not smell like a good flick?
3. Carney Lansford's special appearance as Kit "Hit or Die" Kesey. What an awesome sight to have possibly my favorite 3rd baseman of all time cast as the power hitter from the opposing team. Watch for the closeup of him as he spits out some chaw in slow-motion...precious.
HONORABLE MENTION: Tony LaRussa has a cameo when the whole stadium is doing that Angels wing flapping thing. Oh, and if you look REALLY HARD you just might see my family in the stands during the same wing flapping scene. They got to go and be bored at the shoot one night while I stayed home with a broken leg.
Aaaand, that's pretty much it. If you have anything else from the movie that you appreciated, don't hesitate to comment.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
I got a new...
bicycle
Pronunciation: 'bI-si-k&l, -"si- also -"sI-
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from bi- + -cycle (as in tricycle)
: a vehicle with two wheels tandem, handlebars for steering, a saddle seat, and pedals by which it is propelled
I like it a lot, the girl who sold it to me lived right by Golden Gate Park, so I spent most of my day there enjoying it.
Weeee!!!
Pronunciation: 'bI-si-k&l, -"si- also -"sI-
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from bi- + -cycle (as in tricycle)
: a vehicle with two wheels tandem, handlebars for steering, a saddle seat, and pedals by which it is propelled
I like it a lot, the girl who sold it to me lived right by Golden Gate Park, so I spent most of my day there enjoying it.
Weeee!!!
Lady in the Water...
...was actually quite good. I don't see what the critics had against it to give it such bad reviews.
The performances were fine, cinematography was great, and the storyline was frickin' imaginative as all hell. I'll admit, it was pretty ballsy of the director to cast himself in the role that he did and the ending is a little abrupt, but I was taken by how bizaar the story was.
Go see it because you want to experience something completely different.
The performances were fine, cinematography was great, and the storyline was frickin' imaginative as all hell. I'll admit, it was pretty ballsy of the director to cast himself in the role that he did and the ending is a little abrupt, but I was taken by how bizaar the story was.
Go see it because you want to experience something completely different.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
I'm going through changes...
I apologize for the Ozzy Osbourne lyric. But recently I really have been switching stuff around, but at the same time I feel like there some sort of weird and eerie calm before a potential storm. I could be speaking on preemptive terms, but the past couple days have been particularly dull. It's times like these that cause me to change in some way, just to mix things up.
I haven't been to an actual Barber Shop in nearly 4 years, since Katie's always been there to cut my hair. I've never really been pleased with her cuts though because A: She hates cutting mens hair anyways so I always have to ask multiple times until she finally gives in, and B: It's like going to a therapist with whom you're emotionally involved, it just doesn't work, that person's going to mold you into the person they hope you to be and not what you yourself aim to be...and that's what she was doing to my hair.
I went to the "Exchange Barber Shop" over at Pine & Montgomery Streets. It's one of the last great all male barber shops in a city that's being eaten from the inside out by salons & "stylists". It's partially underground, so it'd be easy to miss...but it's right next to the McDonald's there, so there's a landmark for ya. Inspired by the film "Bullitt", I decided to go for a quasi-Steve McQueen cut. I printed out a few photos to show the barber, and told him to cut it just a bit shorter than the photo. Suffice to say, the haircut came out pretty sweet. It was just what I needed during this heatwave. I don't know if it looks "great" on me, but at least I'm not burnin' up from a hot head.
While I've trimmed the hair from the top of my head, I'm experimenting with my facial hair. I have the mustache/goatie combo goin', and I'm not sure whether I like either one. But I might just shave one of them to see which I prefer. Keeping the chin fur sounds like a safer bet as there have been instances in the past of mustaches taking over the personalities of other people, and I don't want that to happen to me. Although, when I cover up my chin with my hand, the stache seems kinda cool...in an "hipster irony" sort of way. I might keep the stache for a couple weeks just as a joke or something. What do I care? I have no one to impress these days with my looks.
Every few months I go through a different phase of musical taste. Late last year it was all about glam and gettin' to know more about that era of Rock 'n Roll history. Earlier this year I was trying to get more familiar with some of the latest hip hop stuff like Common and Mos Def, and that turned out pretty well. But now I've made a turn into neo-psychedelia/pop/rock stuff. Most people know me to be a huge Pink Floyd fan, so perhaps this doesn't come as a surprise, but I'm more into discovering for myself the many other bands with the similar 60's style. I've really gotten into the Brian Jonestown Massacre lately, thanks to Matt who re-introduced them to me. I was a fan of their's back in my High School days, but then I left the country for a couple years and when I came back they'd totally disappeared from my memory. But since you're able to download most of their albums for free from their website, I took advantage of the fact and loaded my iTunes with some wonderful tunes. If you've never heard of them, you should give'em a chance.
Anton Newcombe, the band's main songwriter is quite the musical genius and artist, even though he was quite the infante terrible back in his heyday. And if you really get into BJM, go watch the documentary film "Dig!" which is mostly about the rivalry between BJM & the Dandy Warhols, but it's also about Anton's drug induced demise at the time. But don't worry, he's perfectly fine and well now. I'm actually going to see BJM at the Independent in September...should be a good show.
EDITOR'S NOTE: You can download most of Brian Jonestown Massacre's at their website http://brianjonestownmassacre.com/mp3.html (just be sure to download the plugin to play .ogg files in your preferred media player, and after downloading the files I would advise you to convert them all to AAC or mp3's.
I haven't been to an actual Barber Shop in nearly 4 years, since Katie's always been there to cut my hair. I've never really been pleased with her cuts though because A: She hates cutting mens hair anyways so I always have to ask multiple times until she finally gives in, and B: It's like going to a therapist with whom you're emotionally involved, it just doesn't work, that person's going to mold you into the person they hope you to be and not what you yourself aim to be...and that's what she was doing to my hair.
I went to the "Exchange Barber Shop" over at Pine & Montgomery Streets. It's one of the last great all male barber shops in a city that's being eaten from the inside out by salons & "stylists". It's partially underground, so it'd be easy to miss...but it's right next to the McDonald's there, so there's a landmark for ya. Inspired by the film "Bullitt", I decided to go for a quasi-Steve McQueen cut. I printed out a few photos to show the barber, and told him to cut it just a bit shorter than the photo. Suffice to say, the haircut came out pretty sweet. It was just what I needed during this heatwave. I don't know if it looks "great" on me, but at least I'm not burnin' up from a hot head.
While I've trimmed the hair from the top of my head, I'm experimenting with my facial hair. I have the mustache/goatie combo goin', and I'm not sure whether I like either one. But I might just shave one of them to see which I prefer. Keeping the chin fur sounds like a safer bet as there have been instances in the past of mustaches taking over the personalities of other people, and I don't want that to happen to me. Although, when I cover up my chin with my hand, the stache seems kinda cool...in an "hipster irony" sort of way. I might keep the stache for a couple weeks just as a joke or something. What do I care? I have no one to impress these days with my looks.
Every few months I go through a different phase of musical taste. Late last year it was all about glam and gettin' to know more about that era of Rock 'n Roll history. Earlier this year I was trying to get more familiar with some of the latest hip hop stuff like Common and Mos Def, and that turned out pretty well. But now I've made a turn into neo-psychedelia/pop/rock stuff. Most people know me to be a huge Pink Floyd fan, so perhaps this doesn't come as a surprise, but I'm more into discovering for myself the many other bands with the similar 60's style. I've really gotten into the Brian Jonestown Massacre lately, thanks to Matt who re-introduced them to me. I was a fan of their's back in my High School days, but then I left the country for a couple years and when I came back they'd totally disappeared from my memory. But since you're able to download most of their albums for free from their website, I took advantage of the fact and loaded my iTunes with some wonderful tunes. If you've never heard of them, you should give'em a chance.
Anton Newcombe, the band's main songwriter is quite the musical genius and artist, even though he was quite the infante terrible back in his heyday. And if you really get into BJM, go watch the documentary film "Dig!" which is mostly about the rivalry between BJM & the Dandy Warhols, but it's also about Anton's drug induced demise at the time. But don't worry, he's perfectly fine and well now. I'm actually going to see BJM at the Independent in September...should be a good show.
EDITOR'S NOTE: You can download most of Brian Jonestown Massacre's at their website http://brianjonestownmassacre.com/mp3.html (just be sure to download the plugin to play .ogg files in your preferred media player, and after downloading the files I would advise you to convert them all to AAC or mp3's.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Do you really want that omelette?
In the past couple years I've noticed a sudden trend occuring in this city, it involves various establishments containing:
- omelettes
- various other breakfast dishes served all day
- fresh squeezed anything that can be squeezed freshly
- wooden chairs that remind me of my grandma's kitchen
- various paintings inspired by Diego Rivera
- large black boards with the menus written out in pastels
Pastels? Really? Does it really make your restaurant that much cooler if your menu is written out in in the pascual pink, blues, yellows and light greens?
And why are omelettes so popular? Are we a generation that was brought up in an omelette-less society? No, and yet I'm seeing more and more restaurants popping up and serving chicken periods as if they're the latest thing.
I think we need to put a stop to this revolutionary movement of omelettes and pastels before it spawns another society of temporary liberal face painters/future Republicans.
- omelettes
- various other breakfast dishes served all day
- fresh squeezed anything that can be squeezed freshly
- wooden chairs that remind me of my grandma's kitchen
- various paintings inspired by Diego Rivera
- large black boards with the menus written out in pastels
Pastels? Really? Does it really make your restaurant that much cooler if your menu is written out in in the pascual pink, blues, yellows and light greens?
And why are omelettes so popular? Are we a generation that was brought up in an omelette-less society? No, and yet I'm seeing more and more restaurants popping up and serving chicken periods as if they're the latest thing.
I think we need to put a stop to this revolutionary movement of omelettes and pastels before it spawns another society of temporary liberal face painters/future Republicans.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Songs in the Key of Jon...
So, my pal Gus came out with his personal top 11 albums of all time. Personally, I dont think I could ever narrow down my choices to any kind of permanent designation.
But I felt the urge to just list the 13 albums that I turn to the most when I'm searching for some kind of inspiration or just some good tunes to make my ears happy...these are in no particular order, by the way.
Tom Waits - "Alice"
Released at the same time as his other beautiful piece of work Blood Money, Alice is perhaps the most accessible and melancholy of the two. Listening to the heartbreaking tale of Alice, it's impossible for me to skip any one of the tracks on this album. There's just something so charismatically beautiful about Tom Waits' vocal style when he visits his familiar territories of love and tragedy.
FAVORITE TRACK: "Flowers Grave"
Depeche Mode - "Violator"
The year was 1990 and my older brother Jeff was in his senior year of High School while I was just getting out of my listening to Bel Biv Devoe phase. I heard a sound coming from his bedroom, something I'd never witnessed before. I had had my first encounter with the classic album Violator. Its obvious to anyone who hears it that its a fantastic album, but I'm lucky enough to put my appreciation for this album along with the period in which it came out. Sure, Depeche Mode had done some fantastic work before, but this was something totally new and it took the band into a direction destined for more greatness (see Ultra, Exciter and Playing the Angel).
FAVORITE TRACK: "Waiting for the Night to Fall"
And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead - "Source Tags & Codes"
You can just call them "Trail of Dead" if you prefer. Hailing from Austin, a supposed breeding ground for good music, these guys really changed my idea of what music from Texas sounded like. Wonderfully ambient, headbangingly hardcore and artfully enveloping, Source Tags & Codes will probably be the highlight of their catalog for years to come. Combining meaningful lyrics with no nonsense art rock, this is a band that everyone should know about. I loved this album so much I even made a music video to go along with my favorite track.
FAVORITE TRACK: "How Near, How Far"
The Flaming Lips - "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots"
Why did it take me so long to become a Flaming Lips fan? I can't explain it, somehow their sonic tone had eluded me for years. I was very familiar with the song "Vaseline" from nearly 10 years earlier, however I never really knew what band sang it. But then, of all people, I heard Johnny Knoxville on Live 105 talking about this album before they played a track from it. After hearing the tune I immediately turned off the freeway and went to Best Buy to pick up the album, and I was in heaven. The album as a whole is so cohesive, melodic, beautiful and fun at that. If you're a fan of Beck, chances are you will fall in love with The Flaming Lips as well.
FAVORITE TRACK: "Are You a Hypnotist??"
The Les Claypool Frog Brigade - "Purple Onion"
Primus was on hiatus, Oysterhead came and went and it was time for Les to just go deep into his psyche and pull out something amazingly twisted. What we got was Purple Onion, an album still recognizeably Les Claypool with his signature bass playing and silver tongued vocals backed by some great musicians who had the knack for his improvisational nature. But although recognizeably Claypool, this one was coming from a world that was just slightly off. Calling back to his many influences (most noticeably Frank Zappa), Claypool and his Frog Brigade created an album so eccentric and fun that its impossible to not love it, not surprisingly theyre even more amazing live. NOTE: You might want to look up the history behind the Whamola instrument before listening to the track Whamola
FAVORITE TRACK: "Cosmic Highway"
Pixies - "Bossanova"
What more can I say about the Pixies that hasnt already been said? Black Francis' (or Frank Black) ability to originate a sound so astonishing is awe-inspiring enough. This album kicks off like a badass spaghetti western with the semi-Dick Dale inspired "Cecilia Ann", and it doesnt give up until we are bid farewell by Kim Deal's delicate chanting of "Havelina". This is a must in anybody's record collection, along with their previous album Doolittle.
FAVORITE TRACK: "Is She Weird"
Pink Floyd - "Animals"
Anybody who knows me, knows how big a Floyd fan I am. I own their entire catalogue, I have various books about the band in my library and my knowledge of the band is so precise its scary. Animals is the result of various very talented egos battling it out in the studio, trying to preserve a band that had achieved so much success that it was just barely starting to tear away at the members themselves. And yet they were able to construct their most musically advanced and politically aware album to date. With the Orwellian analogies of politicians and institutions as lowly animals being voiced along with the near perfect tone of David Gilmour's guitar playing, I just get lost and yet find myself again while listening to this record.
FAVORITE TRACK: "Pigs (Three Different Ones)"
My Bloody Valentine - "Loveless"
This shoegazer classic took so long and cost so much money to create that it literally bankrupt the record company. Although their previous album was just as inspired, it noticeably lacked the production quality that Loveless achieved. Sweeping guitars, avant garde electronic ambience and mind altering riffs really make this album one of my favorite "just sit down and let your imagination take you" albums.
FAVORITE TRACK: "Blown a Wish"
Radiohead - "The Bends"
I wish I could say that I was a Radiohead fan by the time this album came out, alas, it didnt happen until OK Computer was released. But upon listening to the aforementioned album I recalled the soul soothing sounds of tracks like "High & Dry", the video for "Just" and the acoustic version of "Fake Plastic Trees" from the Clueless soundtrack. As a result, I made my way to Rasputin, purchased a used copy of The Bends and got lost in what I deem to be the best album in their catalogue (notice the ue because they're British). Every song is a fit, if you took one track out you would only leave a void to break the logical progression of the album.
FAVORITE TRACK: "Nice Dream"
Sonic Youth - "Daydream Nation"
Now, most casual fans and pop culture kids are mainly familiar with their later albums such as the classic Dirty. And although a great album, it does not match up to their earlier work, especially the freeformed and opinionated Daydream Nation. Recently listed among the 50 recordings that were recently added to the 2005 National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for its "cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance." this album will not disappoint you if you're just now starting to discovering this integral alternative rock group.
FAVORITE TRACK: "Total Trash"
U2 - "Zooropa"
It seems like most people are bigger fans of U2's pre-Zooropa stuff, but honestly, with the exception of Achtung Baby, I thought U2 was having a real problem in repeating themselves in those early years, and they run the danger of falling back into that trend even now. But Zooropa was such a change in style, a breath of fresh air and a band apart from their previous albums that it became the one that I enjoy the most. The opening title track is such a perfect way to welcome us to their new territory, "Numb" was something different, and who here remembers the video for it? "Lemon", a tongue in cheek piece always makes me laugh but the song that always makes me stop, shut up and listen is "The Wanderer" with Johnny Cash on lead vocal. If "Electronic Country" were to ever become a genre, this would be the original inspiration for it. Such a great tune.
FAVORITE TRACK: "The Wanderer"
Rufus Wainwright - "Want One"
Previously, I had only figured Rufus Wainwright for a talented singer/songwriter and never really considered myself a fan since I couldn't even name one of his songs. But then one day a co-worker put this CD on in the office and I was blown away by the man's vocal range, his compositions and the arrangements he had created. Speaking out on various topics from his own sexuality to his longing to be like an innocent child again, this album beams with introspection handled by a very talented artist.
FAVORITE TRACK: "Go or Go Ahead"
Weezer - "Pinkerton"
Regarded as a sophomore slump by most critics at the time, Pinkerton has become widely known as the band's most accomplished, most personal and most rocking album in the history of the group. And lets face it, trying to make a follow-up to their debut album Blue was a challenge in itself. But Rivers Cuomo and company decided to go back into the studio, this time without a formal record producer. Chancy? Yes. But what resulted from those recording sessions is something so honest, raw, non-overproduced and witty that it won me over immediately. Some critics regarded the extra use of fuzz pedals and clunky guitar noises as the albums own downfall, but if you put the style with the context of the lyrics it all gels together into a single conscience, thus creating a virtually flawless listening experience.
FAVORITE TRACK: "Pink Triangle"
But I felt the urge to just list the 13 albums that I turn to the most when I'm searching for some kind of inspiration or just some good tunes to make my ears happy...these are in no particular order, by the way.
Tom Waits - "Alice"
Released at the same time as his other beautiful piece of work Blood Money, Alice is perhaps the most accessible and melancholy of the two. Listening to the heartbreaking tale of Alice, it's impossible for me to skip any one of the tracks on this album. There's just something so charismatically beautiful about Tom Waits' vocal style when he visits his familiar territories of love and tragedy.
FAVORITE TRACK: "Flowers Grave"
Depeche Mode - "Violator"
The year was 1990 and my older brother Jeff was in his senior year of High School while I was just getting out of my listening to Bel Biv Devoe phase. I heard a sound coming from his bedroom, something I'd never witnessed before. I had had my first encounter with the classic album Violator. Its obvious to anyone who hears it that its a fantastic album, but I'm lucky enough to put my appreciation for this album along with the period in which it came out. Sure, Depeche Mode had done some fantastic work before, but this was something totally new and it took the band into a direction destined for more greatness (see Ultra, Exciter and Playing the Angel).
FAVORITE TRACK: "Waiting for the Night to Fall"
And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead - "Source Tags & Codes"
You can just call them "Trail of Dead" if you prefer. Hailing from Austin, a supposed breeding ground for good music, these guys really changed my idea of what music from Texas sounded like. Wonderfully ambient, headbangingly hardcore and artfully enveloping, Source Tags & Codes will probably be the highlight of their catalog for years to come. Combining meaningful lyrics with no nonsense art rock, this is a band that everyone should know about. I loved this album so much I even made a music video to go along with my favorite track.
FAVORITE TRACK: "How Near, How Far"
The Flaming Lips - "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots"
Why did it take me so long to become a Flaming Lips fan? I can't explain it, somehow their sonic tone had eluded me for years. I was very familiar with the song "Vaseline" from nearly 10 years earlier, however I never really knew what band sang it. But then, of all people, I heard Johnny Knoxville on Live 105 talking about this album before they played a track from it. After hearing the tune I immediately turned off the freeway and went to Best Buy to pick up the album, and I was in heaven. The album as a whole is so cohesive, melodic, beautiful and fun at that. If you're a fan of Beck, chances are you will fall in love with The Flaming Lips as well.
FAVORITE TRACK: "Are You a Hypnotist??"
The Les Claypool Frog Brigade - "Purple Onion"
Primus was on hiatus, Oysterhead came and went and it was time for Les to just go deep into his psyche and pull out something amazingly twisted. What we got was Purple Onion, an album still recognizeably Les Claypool with his signature bass playing and silver tongued vocals backed by some great musicians who had the knack for his improvisational nature. But although recognizeably Claypool, this one was coming from a world that was just slightly off. Calling back to his many influences (most noticeably Frank Zappa), Claypool and his Frog Brigade created an album so eccentric and fun that its impossible to not love it, not surprisingly theyre even more amazing live. NOTE: You might want to look up the history behind the Whamola instrument before listening to the track Whamola
FAVORITE TRACK: "Cosmic Highway"
Pixies - "Bossanova"
What more can I say about the Pixies that hasnt already been said? Black Francis' (or Frank Black) ability to originate a sound so astonishing is awe-inspiring enough. This album kicks off like a badass spaghetti western with the semi-Dick Dale inspired "Cecilia Ann", and it doesnt give up until we are bid farewell by Kim Deal's delicate chanting of "Havelina". This is a must in anybody's record collection, along with their previous album Doolittle.
FAVORITE TRACK: "Is She Weird"
Pink Floyd - "Animals"
Anybody who knows me, knows how big a Floyd fan I am. I own their entire catalogue, I have various books about the band in my library and my knowledge of the band is so precise its scary. Animals is the result of various very talented egos battling it out in the studio, trying to preserve a band that had achieved so much success that it was just barely starting to tear away at the members themselves. And yet they were able to construct their most musically advanced and politically aware album to date. With the Orwellian analogies of politicians and institutions as lowly animals being voiced along with the near perfect tone of David Gilmour's guitar playing, I just get lost and yet find myself again while listening to this record.
FAVORITE TRACK: "Pigs (Three Different Ones)"
My Bloody Valentine - "Loveless"
This shoegazer classic took so long and cost so much money to create that it literally bankrupt the record company. Although their previous album was just as inspired, it noticeably lacked the production quality that Loveless achieved. Sweeping guitars, avant garde electronic ambience and mind altering riffs really make this album one of my favorite "just sit down and let your imagination take you" albums.
FAVORITE TRACK: "Blown a Wish"
Radiohead - "The Bends"
I wish I could say that I was a Radiohead fan by the time this album came out, alas, it didnt happen until OK Computer was released. But upon listening to the aforementioned album I recalled the soul soothing sounds of tracks like "High & Dry", the video for "Just" and the acoustic version of "Fake Plastic Trees" from the Clueless soundtrack. As a result, I made my way to Rasputin, purchased a used copy of The Bends and got lost in what I deem to be the best album in their catalogue (notice the ue because they're British). Every song is a fit, if you took one track out you would only leave a void to break the logical progression of the album.
FAVORITE TRACK: "Nice Dream"
Sonic Youth - "Daydream Nation"
Now, most casual fans and pop culture kids are mainly familiar with their later albums such as the classic Dirty. And although a great album, it does not match up to their earlier work, especially the freeformed and opinionated Daydream Nation. Recently listed among the 50 recordings that were recently added to the 2005 National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for its "cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance." this album will not disappoint you if you're just now starting to discovering this integral alternative rock group.
FAVORITE TRACK: "Total Trash"
U2 - "Zooropa"
It seems like most people are bigger fans of U2's pre-Zooropa stuff, but honestly, with the exception of Achtung Baby, I thought U2 was having a real problem in repeating themselves in those early years, and they run the danger of falling back into that trend even now. But Zooropa was such a change in style, a breath of fresh air and a band apart from their previous albums that it became the one that I enjoy the most. The opening title track is such a perfect way to welcome us to their new territory, "Numb" was something different, and who here remembers the video for it? "Lemon", a tongue in cheek piece always makes me laugh but the song that always makes me stop, shut up and listen is "The Wanderer" with Johnny Cash on lead vocal. If "Electronic Country" were to ever become a genre, this would be the original inspiration for it. Such a great tune.
FAVORITE TRACK: "The Wanderer"
Rufus Wainwright - "Want One"
Previously, I had only figured Rufus Wainwright for a talented singer/songwriter and never really considered myself a fan since I couldn't even name one of his songs. But then one day a co-worker put this CD on in the office and I was blown away by the man's vocal range, his compositions and the arrangements he had created. Speaking out on various topics from his own sexuality to his longing to be like an innocent child again, this album beams with introspection handled by a very talented artist.
FAVORITE TRACK: "Go or Go Ahead"
Weezer - "Pinkerton"
Regarded as a sophomore slump by most critics at the time, Pinkerton has become widely known as the band's most accomplished, most personal and most rocking album in the history of the group. And lets face it, trying to make a follow-up to their debut album Blue was a challenge in itself. But Rivers Cuomo and company decided to go back into the studio, this time without a formal record producer. Chancy? Yes. But what resulted from those recording sessions is something so honest, raw, non-overproduced and witty that it won me over immediately. Some critics regarded the extra use of fuzz pedals and clunky guitar noises as the albums own downfall, but if you put the style with the context of the lyrics it all gels together into a single conscience, thus creating a virtually flawless listening experience.
FAVORITE TRACK: "Pink Triangle"
Sunday, May 21, 2006
A display of mass hypocrisy...
...but at least I can say I was there!
Bonds hit his 714th HR today to tie Babe Ruth
Despite the scandal, it was pretty frickin' awesome to witness history in the making, and to be there with a couple of my best friends.
Currently stowing away my ticket stub
:)
Bonds hit his 714th HR today to tie Babe Ruth
Despite the scandal, it was pretty frickin' awesome to witness history in the making, and to be there with a couple of my best friends.
Currently stowing away my ticket stub
:)
Thursday, May 4, 2006
Suri
I'm pretty sure Katie Holmes got pregnant in a very similar setting to what happened to Mia Farrow in "Rosemary's Baby".
She was tied down to an alter with old naked people standing around while she had sex with L. Ron Hubbard's animated corpse.
And you can quote me on that.
She was tied down to an alter with old naked people standing around while she had sex with L. Ron Hubbard's animated corpse.
And you can quote me on that.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Where'd the last 3 hours go?
I just spent the past 3 hours editing my friend's 4 year old short film. But I'm actually able to just sit down and willfully edit it while obsessing just enough over each shot to get it just right.
Mental note for future films, Sigur Ros should always be considered for a soundtrack.
Gus, if you're out there, you've got a bit more than you thunk. But, I'm going to bed now.
Mental note for future films, Sigur Ros should always be considered for a soundtrack.
Gus, if you're out there, you've got a bit more than you thunk. But, I'm going to bed now.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Resuscitated...
It didn't feel like I had any extra weight on my shoulders. My brain wasn't aching in any way. Sweat wasn't secreting profusely from any of my pores. My eyes never felt especially sore. My nostrils never flared or dialated out of anger. My face was never flush nor extremely pale. My sanity was able to manage for the extended period. I only felt as if my lungs weren't getting enough air into them, thus effecting my blood flow and impeding any cognitive or critical thought.
I'd hit a wall that I had built myself, and when I had turned around to go back and revisit who I once was, I discovered that I had unconsciously built a wall there too. My only option was to shimmy side to side looking for some kind of opening in the wall. I was too lazy to climb over and too proud to dig underneath to attempt the great escape.
The idleness was taking its toll. Almost all my passion, appreciation and ability to partake in the trance was dwindling. It took me longer than it should have to finally notice the writing on the wall. "Time?" it read. The question mark brought a new meaning to the word. The strongest association I had with the word "Time" was the Pink Floyd song which begins with the line "Ticking away, the moments that make up a dull day." Had this lyric finally come true in my own daily life? Before, I was able to laugh at it and appreciate the fact that I was free to do as I pleased. Was the wall ahead of me protection from something painful that lurked on the other side? And that wall behind me, how could it cut me off so abruptly that I felt like an amputee. The turniquet stopped the bleeding, but how is this mutilated vessel going to recoup?
My lungs filled with a healthy dose of Oxygen and exhaled a warm breath of Carbon Dioxic waste. I closed my eyes, took another breath and could almost feel the division between my cerebral lobes. What felt like a bound and sealed encyclopedia for the past while had now opened and cracked at the binding as if it were being accessed for the first time.
I took one more breath and could feel the replenishing effects as if my confidence had been restored, as if my wits had been recollected, as if something exciting were about to happen. A gust of wind blew down the alleyway that the walls had formed and refilled the rut that I had created.
The people I love and who love me I could hear on the other side of the wall behind me. They broke through with sledgehammers in hand, ran past me and broke through the wall in front of me, rekindling my feelings of appreciation and gratitude.
I walked forward through the opening in the wall and found nothing. There was no path for me to follow, no one to guide me or show me the way. I had to find my own way and build my own path as I went. The thought was frightening but the opportunity to create something from nothing was a high I'd never reached before.
I'm ready.
I'd hit a wall that I had built myself, and when I had turned around to go back and revisit who I once was, I discovered that I had unconsciously built a wall there too. My only option was to shimmy side to side looking for some kind of opening in the wall. I was too lazy to climb over and too proud to dig underneath to attempt the great escape.
The idleness was taking its toll. Almost all my passion, appreciation and ability to partake in the trance was dwindling. It took me longer than it should have to finally notice the writing on the wall. "Time?" it read. The question mark brought a new meaning to the word. The strongest association I had with the word "Time" was the Pink Floyd song which begins with the line "Ticking away, the moments that make up a dull day." Had this lyric finally come true in my own daily life? Before, I was able to laugh at it and appreciate the fact that I was free to do as I pleased. Was the wall ahead of me protection from something painful that lurked on the other side? And that wall behind me, how could it cut me off so abruptly that I felt like an amputee. The turniquet stopped the bleeding, but how is this mutilated vessel going to recoup?
My lungs filled with a healthy dose of Oxygen and exhaled a warm breath of Carbon Dioxic waste. I closed my eyes, took another breath and could almost feel the division between my cerebral lobes. What felt like a bound and sealed encyclopedia for the past while had now opened and cracked at the binding as if it were being accessed for the first time.
I took one more breath and could feel the replenishing effects as if my confidence had been restored, as if my wits had been recollected, as if something exciting were about to happen. A gust of wind blew down the alleyway that the walls had formed and refilled the rut that I had created.
The people I love and who love me I could hear on the other side of the wall behind me. They broke through with sledgehammers in hand, ran past me and broke through the wall in front of me, rekindling my feelings of appreciation and gratitude.
I walked forward through the opening in the wall and found nothing. There was no path for me to follow, no one to guide me or show me the way. I had to find my own way and build my own path as I went. The thought was frightening but the opportunity to create something from nothing was a high I'd never reached before.
I'm ready.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Decadent Decades...
I was watching a period film the other day, based in the 30's, and it dawned on me something that I've never noticed before. Within the past century or so there's been a cycle of clothing styles that changes nearly every 10 to 15 years or so.
In the 20's it was all about dancing & jazzin' it up with some style, the 30's were generally a lot of browns & blacks with sepia tones.
In the 40's, the sepia tones carried over but then to cope with war and to really get the parties goin' after the war, men began to wear jewel toned clothing and the women did what they could to attract the roaming eyes of the returning soldiers at the USO's.
The use of color climaxed in the 50's. If you look at different ads and appliance commercials from that era, people were very excited about colors it seemed. Then the early 60's came and people were sorta settling into their conservative and proper ways, almost to a fault.
But then came the British Invasion...those guitar wielding, long haired, butterfly collared Brits and their psychedilia an experimentation with drugs and trippy colors. Well, by the early 70's they'd nearly all burned out (with the acception of Glam).
And then, we all remember the horrendous styles of the mid 80's to early 90's. The dayglo, neon colors, zubaz pants and bright Ray Bans. We were more desperate than ever to consume and fit in with everyone else that our judgement went out the window.
Then what happened? GRUNGE! Dark colors, plaid and worn clothing was suddenly the big thing. But that was soon replaced by a semi-return to the stylings of the second half of the 70's, with a 90's skater twist.
Things haven't change TOO much since then, but the return of the mullet and hipsters with their accessories leave me hoping that we don't suffer from the same identity crisis that we all faced in the early 90's.
(This blog was not inspired by any reality shows such as Project Runway or America's Next Top Model)
that was an honest disclaimer
In the 20's it was all about dancing & jazzin' it up with some style, the 30's were generally a lot of browns & blacks with sepia tones.
In the 40's, the sepia tones carried over but then to cope with war and to really get the parties goin' after the war, men began to wear jewel toned clothing and the women did what they could to attract the roaming eyes of the returning soldiers at the USO's.
The use of color climaxed in the 50's. If you look at different ads and appliance commercials from that era, people were very excited about colors it seemed. Then the early 60's came and people were sorta settling into their conservative and proper ways, almost to a fault.
But then came the British Invasion...those guitar wielding, long haired, butterfly collared Brits and their psychedilia an experimentation with drugs and trippy colors. Well, by the early 70's they'd nearly all burned out (with the acception of Glam).
And then, we all remember the horrendous styles of the mid 80's to early 90's. The dayglo, neon colors, zubaz pants and bright Ray Bans. We were more desperate than ever to consume and fit in with everyone else that our judgement went out the window.
Then what happened? GRUNGE! Dark colors, plaid and worn clothing was suddenly the big thing. But that was soon replaced by a semi-return to the stylings of the second half of the 70's, with a 90's skater twist.
Things haven't change TOO much since then, but the return of the mullet and hipsters with their accessories leave me hoping that we don't suffer from the same identity crisis that we all faced in the early 90's.
(This blog was not inspired by any reality shows such as Project Runway or America's Next Top Model)
that was an honest disclaimer
Thursday, March 23, 2006
I done been tagged...
The 1st player of this "game" starts with the topic, " six weird habits..things about ME", and people who get tagged need to write a blog about their six weird habits..things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next six people to be tagged and list their names.Don't forget to leave a comment that says, " You are tagged" in their myspace comments and tell them to read your blog.
1.) I'm very concerned about how the cuffs of my jeans relate to the pair of shoes I'm wearing that day. Generally I'm happier on the days I'm wearing my Converse Chuck Taylor's.
2.) Almost every night you can find me at 2 am, awake, at my computer or on the couch, actually FIGHTING sleep. I hate sleeping but I love the feeling of not being tired. It's an ongoing conflict.
3.) If you're out to dinner with me and you bite your fork or spoon then scrape it with your teeth, I will murder you on the spot.
4.) People say I'm a pretty good writer, I think I'm a pretty good writer, but I'm also a class act procrastinator with it. I need less distractions, basically.
5.) I prefer going to movies alone
6.) I love food with garlic, if it didn't make me stink I'd eat it all day everyday.
People to be tagged.
1.) Ben
2.) Roman
3.) Ashley
4.) Darcy
5.) Manda
6.) Jeff
1.) I'm very concerned about how the cuffs of my jeans relate to the pair of shoes I'm wearing that day. Generally I'm happier on the days I'm wearing my Converse Chuck Taylor's.
2.) Almost every night you can find me at 2 am, awake, at my computer or on the couch, actually FIGHTING sleep. I hate sleeping but I love the feeling of not being tired. It's an ongoing conflict.
3.) If you're out to dinner with me and you bite your fork or spoon then scrape it with your teeth, I will murder you on the spot.
4.) People say I'm a pretty good writer, I think I'm a pretty good writer, but I'm also a class act procrastinator with it. I need less distractions, basically.
5.) I prefer going to movies alone
6.) I love food with garlic, if it didn't make me stink I'd eat it all day everyday.
People to be tagged.
1.) Ben
2.) Roman
3.) Ashley
4.) Darcy
5.) Manda
6.) Jeff
Wednesday, March 8, 2006
"Specialty's" Soups...
They would be soooooooo much better if they learned about a little classic combo called "Salt & Pepper"
Gotta sprinkle that stuff on it everytime!
This is a rant.
Gotta sprinkle that stuff on it everytime!
This is a rant.
If you watched King Kong...
...and wondered where Kong's dong was. Here's an anatomical drawing and explanation of why.
You're not going to see anything that small if it's all covered in fur.
:)
You're not going to see anything that small if it's all covered in fur.
:)
Monday, March 6, 2006
Oscars!
OK, so, the Oscars were last night. I was happy with the majority of the awards, but then there were some that just didn't make sense to me.
Anyway, here are my opinions on most of them:
Best Motion Picture of the Year
Winner: Crash (2004) - Paul Haggis; Cathy Schulman
OK, Good movie, I loved how beautifully it was shot and the performances were great. But the way scenes were constructed, character motivation and dialogue was pretty over the top. True, the overkill was to prove a point, but it was too forced for me to appreciate it enough to make it my pick for best film. "Capote" should have won.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Winner: Capote (2005) - Philip Seymour Hoffman
NO COMPLAINTS HERE! He did a nearly flawless Capote impersonation and was very strong and moving in this role.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Winner: Walk the Line (2005) - Reese Witherspoon
Eh, she was OK, not Oscar worthy in my opinion. Her performance wasn't especially memorable, but I haven't seen any of the other nominees films, so I can't be a great judge of who the winner should have been.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Winner: Syriana (2005) - George Clooney
He gave the most intense and memorable performance of the year. And in a film with so many characters, he stood out the most and brought a lot of weight to that role. Much deserved.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Winner: Constant Gardener, The (2005) - Rachel Weisz
I knew she'd win a lot of awards this year right after I'd seen the film. She was wonderful.
Best Achievement in Directing
Winner: Brokeback Mountain (2005) - Ang Lee
Haven't seen it, but I respect Ang Lee and know most of his films are beautifully directed, so there's no doubt in my mind that he was deserving.
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Winner: Crash (2004) - Paul Haggis; Robert Moresco
SEE ABOVE regarding dialogue and overkill, "Good Night and Good Luck" should have won.
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Winner: Brokeback Mountain (2005) - Larry McMurtry; Diana Ossana
Again, haven't seen it, but the hype this movie has received and the reviews for how strong the material is are definitely a result of great writing.
Best Achievement in Cinematography
Winner: Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) - Dion Beebe
If anything, I hear the cinematography is the ONLY impressive feature of this film. "The New World" was my pick, "Good Night & Good Luck" made a close second.
Best Achievement in Sound
Winner: King Kong (2005) - Christopher Boyes (I); Michael Semanick; Michael Hedges (I); Hammond Peek
I was glad to see King Kong get most of the tech awards, nuff said.
Best Achievement in Editing
Winner: Crash (2004) - Hughes Winborne
What?! Why? There wasn't anything special in its editing. "Munich" or "Constant Gardener" should have been the biggest candidates for this award.
Best Achievement in Sound Editing
Winner: King Kong (2005) - Mike Hopkins (I); Ethan Van der Ryn
SEE ABOVE
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
Winner: King Kong (2005) - Joe Letteri; Brian Van't Hul; Christian Rivers; Richard Taylor (III)
Star Wars Episode III should have been the winner here...but of the nominees, King Kong was my favorite as far as actually creating believeable characters in special effects and also creating a nearly seamless reality. "Narnia" should NOT have been nominated.
Best Achievement in Makeup
Winner: Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The (2005) - Howard Berger; Tami Lane
Again, Star Wars should have won simply for the burnt Anakin makeup.
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
Winner: Hustle & Flow (2005) - Jordan Houston; Cedric Coleman; Paul Beauregard
- For the song "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp".
What!? It's not even a good hip hop song at that! It must have been a joke. This song won for the same reason Schwarzeneggar won the election, everyone just thought it would be funny to vote for it.
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
Winner: Brokeback Mountain (2005) - Gustavo Santaolalla
Seriously, after hearing that riff from the trailer, who COULDN'T get that theme music out their head?
Best Short Film, Animated
Winner: Moon and the Son, The (2005) - John Canemaker; Peggy Stern
Haven't seen it...and who has? I saw one of the nominees at least, "9", it was really cool. Expect a feature length version in a year or two.
Best Short Film, Live Action
Winner: Six Shooter (2005) - Martin McDonagh
I want to go see the shorts, wanna come with?
Best Documentary, Features
Winner: March of the Penguins (2005) - Luc Jacquet; Yves Darondeau
OF COURSE IT WAS GONNA WIN! It's the only one that there were actually TV commercials for!
Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Winner: Tsotsi (2005) - South Africa.
OK, so I'm pissed that France's "Cache (Hidden)" wasn't nominated...but ah well. I really wanna see Tsotsi though.
Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
Winner: Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) - Steve Box; Nick Park
I'm really happy that it won. Corpse Bride was good, but it had some story flaws.
That's it! If you agree, disagree or just wanna discuss, feel free to comment :)
Anyway, here are my opinions on most of them:
Best Motion Picture of the Year
Winner: Crash (2004) - Paul Haggis; Cathy Schulman
OK, Good movie, I loved how beautifully it was shot and the performances were great. But the way scenes were constructed, character motivation and dialogue was pretty over the top. True, the overkill was to prove a point, but it was too forced for me to appreciate it enough to make it my pick for best film. "Capote" should have won.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Winner: Capote (2005) - Philip Seymour Hoffman
NO COMPLAINTS HERE! He did a nearly flawless Capote impersonation and was very strong and moving in this role.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Winner: Walk the Line (2005) - Reese Witherspoon
Eh, she was OK, not Oscar worthy in my opinion. Her performance wasn't especially memorable, but I haven't seen any of the other nominees films, so I can't be a great judge of who the winner should have been.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Winner: Syriana (2005) - George Clooney
He gave the most intense and memorable performance of the year. And in a film with so many characters, he stood out the most and brought a lot of weight to that role. Much deserved.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Winner: Constant Gardener, The (2005) - Rachel Weisz
I knew she'd win a lot of awards this year right after I'd seen the film. She was wonderful.
Best Achievement in Directing
Winner: Brokeback Mountain (2005) - Ang Lee
Haven't seen it, but I respect Ang Lee and know most of his films are beautifully directed, so there's no doubt in my mind that he was deserving.
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Winner: Crash (2004) - Paul Haggis; Robert Moresco
SEE ABOVE regarding dialogue and overkill, "Good Night and Good Luck" should have won.
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Winner: Brokeback Mountain (2005) - Larry McMurtry; Diana Ossana
Again, haven't seen it, but the hype this movie has received and the reviews for how strong the material is are definitely a result of great writing.
Best Achievement in Cinematography
Winner: Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) - Dion Beebe
If anything, I hear the cinematography is the ONLY impressive feature of this film. "The New World" was my pick, "Good Night & Good Luck" made a close second.
Best Achievement in Sound
Winner: King Kong (2005) - Christopher Boyes (I); Michael Semanick; Michael Hedges (I); Hammond Peek
I was glad to see King Kong get most of the tech awards, nuff said.
Best Achievement in Editing
Winner: Crash (2004) - Hughes Winborne
What?! Why? There wasn't anything special in its editing. "Munich" or "Constant Gardener" should have been the biggest candidates for this award.
Best Achievement in Sound Editing
Winner: King Kong (2005) - Mike Hopkins (I); Ethan Van der Ryn
SEE ABOVE
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
Winner: King Kong (2005) - Joe Letteri; Brian Van't Hul; Christian Rivers; Richard Taylor (III)
Star Wars Episode III should have been the winner here...but of the nominees, King Kong was my favorite as far as actually creating believeable characters in special effects and also creating a nearly seamless reality. "Narnia" should NOT have been nominated.
Best Achievement in Makeup
Winner: Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The (2005) - Howard Berger; Tami Lane
Again, Star Wars should have won simply for the burnt Anakin makeup.
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
Winner: Hustle & Flow (2005) - Jordan Houston; Cedric Coleman; Paul Beauregard
- For the song "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp".
What!? It's not even a good hip hop song at that! It must have been a joke. This song won for the same reason Schwarzeneggar won the election, everyone just thought it would be funny to vote for it.
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
Winner: Brokeback Mountain (2005) - Gustavo Santaolalla
Seriously, after hearing that riff from the trailer, who COULDN'T get that theme music out their head?
Best Short Film, Animated
Winner: Moon and the Son, The (2005) - John Canemaker; Peggy Stern
Haven't seen it...and who has? I saw one of the nominees at least, "9", it was really cool. Expect a feature length version in a year or two.
Best Short Film, Live Action
Winner: Six Shooter (2005) - Martin McDonagh
I want to go see the shorts, wanna come with?
Best Documentary, Features
Winner: March of the Penguins (2005) - Luc Jacquet; Yves Darondeau
OF COURSE IT WAS GONNA WIN! It's the only one that there were actually TV commercials for!
Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Winner: Tsotsi (2005) - South Africa.
OK, so I'm pissed that France's "Cache (Hidden)" wasn't nominated...but ah well. I really wanna see Tsotsi though.
Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
Winner: Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) - Steve Box; Nick Park
I'm really happy that it won. Corpse Bride was good, but it had some story flaws.
That's it! If you agree, disagree or just wanna discuss, feel free to comment :)
Wednesday, March 1, 2006
Manah manah!
You know that song they use in a Diet Dr. Pepper commercial? It goes "Manah manah, doo dooooo doo doo doo!" Well, I'm watching the first season of the Muppet Show, and it's a song they sang in the VERY FIRST SKETCH of the show! It's a hairy muppet guy singing the manah manah part, and two horned female muppets singing the doo doo part. I'm pretty sure the original lyrics were "monage et 'trois" "no noooo, no no no!" You be the judge
Friday, February 24, 2006
The new guy...
...dances while he's asking me questions.
It's strange but also good for a laugh once he's gone.
It's strange but also good for a laugh once he's gone.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Give me 16 millimeters of love...
So today I completed my first group project in my cinematography course. It was great. The class was split into 5 groups of 4 or 5 people. I gravitated toward the 4 kids who are "CCSF Film Students", figuring they have at least more understanding about what to do and wouldn't be all bitchy. Turns out, it was a good decision.
Some groups came back after last weekend telling us it took them 8 hours to shoot 4 setups. This just didn't make sense! What were they doing the whole time!? We weren't shooting to be artistic or anything, it was just to practice some rack focusing! Anyway...
My group started this morning around 9:30am. We did my shot first, which simply involved a couple guys on steps with a closeup shot of the guy at the top of the steps, then a tilt and quick focus on the guy at the bottom of the steps. It looked great and we moved on, it didn't take more than 20 mins. The same with the other shots we did. We were done by 11:30am.
Now we just have to wait about two weeks when they're going to be shown in class. Hopefully mine came out alright, it looked good and in focus through the viewfinder and mathematically everything was calculated alright. So, there shouldn't be a problem.
Maybe once we get a workprint I'll load it onto YouTube for everyone to gasp and awe to no end at my focus pulling skills.
Some groups came back after last weekend telling us it took them 8 hours to shoot 4 setups. This just didn't make sense! What were they doing the whole time!? We weren't shooting to be artistic or anything, it was just to practice some rack focusing! Anyway...
My group started this morning around 9:30am. We did my shot first, which simply involved a couple guys on steps with a closeup shot of the guy at the top of the steps, then a tilt and quick focus on the guy at the bottom of the steps. It looked great and we moved on, it didn't take more than 20 mins. The same with the other shots we did. We were done by 11:30am.
Now we just have to wait about two weeks when they're going to be shown in class. Hopefully mine came out alright, it looked good and in focus through the viewfinder and mathematically everything was calculated alright. So, there shouldn't be a problem.
Maybe once we get a workprint I'll load it onto YouTube for everyone to gasp and awe to no end at my focus pulling skills.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Where was I?
I've recently started listening to a lot of Belle & Sebastian. I don't know how I've missed them until now, I was in high school when they broke out and listening to all types of music, and somehow they totally sneaked past my radar. They have elements of Syd Barrett, Elliott Smith & Cat Stevens and all things folk/rock. Listen to them, their new album is pretty good, but I've been listening to their 1997 album "If You're Feeling Sinister" the most :)
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Tab...it's the new Red Bull
I was at the Big Apple grocery store at Polk & Clay yesterday checkin' out some of their choice goods, when in the refrigerated beverage aisle I suddenly saw a gleaming red can that just shouted at me "TAB!". I immediately looked down at the bottom shelf and there it was, a small, cylindrical can marked with the quintessential Tab logo with a plaid Tab red pattern covering the entire thing.
Words could not express the thrill and then confusion I felt when I inspected the can even more and saw a little green word "energy" below the logo. What? What is this? Energy? As if Tab alone wasn't enough to get me goin', they went and doubled their formula.
I've yet to have any for fear that I might get an aneurysm...the results will be in tomorrow.
Words could not express the thrill and then confusion I felt when I inspected the can even more and saw a little green word "energy" below the logo. What? What is this? Energy? As if Tab alone wasn't enough to get me goin', they went and doubled their formula.
I've yet to have any for fear that I might get an aneurysm...the results will be in tomorrow.
Monday, February 13, 2006
You know you're from Concord if...
You know you're from Concord if...
- You remember when the "Staples" at Treat & Clayton was "Lucky"
- You remember when "Longs Drugs" on Treat was "PayLess"
- You remember when "TJ Maxx" on Clayton was "Alpha Beta" and next door was "Thrifty's" (with the cylinder scoop ice cream, mmm)
- You remember when the Dome Theatre was "Century Theatres" and used to show big budget films (Jurassic Park was awesome in that theatre)
- You know that "Taco Acapulco" (next door to McD's on Clayton) used to be "Taco Bell"
- You remember when "Nation's" on Clayton was a "Mel's"
- You know that the gas station across the street from Burger King has a pump that gives you more gas than you're really paying for.
- You've looked at those two water tanks above Turtle Creek, but have no idea how to get there.
- You've used the euphamism "White Trash Burger" or "Tweek Burger" when suggesting a trip to "1/4 lb. Big Burger"
- You've met and befriended Leslie or Tony at "Diablo Foods"
- "Diablo" is pronounced 'Die-a-blow'
- You remember that the gas station and Starbucks used to be empty lots, and a good place to do burnouts.
- You've made a late night purchase at the "Drive Thru Liquor"
- You've purchased Concord High sports gear at "Sports 4 All"
- You lived near De La Salle, but didn't know one person who actually went there.
- You had nightmares about the Naval Weapon Station being bombed.
- You've been excited upon seeing snow at the top of Mt. Diablo.
- You swore that Pittsburg and the Monument area were the worst ghettos you've ever seen.
- "Roller World" was the place to be on a Friday night
- Monte Gardens was nicknamed "Muddy Gutters", and you always spelled Wren Avenue wrong.
- Only the Latinos knew what "El Dorado" meant.
- Ygnacio is pronounced "Ig-nay-she-oh" in Ygnacio Valley Road.
- Walnut Creek is full of yuppies and Clayton is full of hicks
- You remember the ice skating rink and movie theatre at the Sun Valley Mall
- You remember when Sun Valley Mall used to have more class.
- You've bought a burger at Nation's, then gone to Jack in the Box for curly fries, then made a U-turn to 7-Eleven for a Super Big Gulp
- You've made a special trip to Clayton because that's where the closest Carl's Jr. is.
- You've had your hair cut by the old guys at "Hairs The Place" or "Holbrook Haircuts"
- You've seen that old bearded guy riding down Clayton Rd. in his "trike" motorcycle with all the flags on it.
- You've experienced the joy that is "Barney's Hickory Pit"
- The people living on the hills above Cowell Rd. were considered "Rich Folk"
- You remember the "Capri Theatre" (or "Crapi") before it was a church.
- "Park 'N Shop" was of no use to you until "Fry's Electronics" moved into the place where "Levitz" used to be.
- Cheese Zombies were possibly the greatest things you'd ever tasted.
- You were confounded by "The Spirit Poles"
- "Memory Lane" was the best place to buy baseball cards and old records.
- "Kasper's" had some pretty good hot dogs, but the "Hot Dog Palace" was where it's at.
- You've made it from Kirker Pass all the way to Galindo driving on Concord Blvd, without hitting a red light.
- You still wonder if there's anything in that water tower at the corner of Concord Blvd & Denkinger.
- The yearly carnival held in the Concord High parking lot is the best place in town to get shot.
- "Skipolini's Pizza" is the only valid reason to ever venture into downtown Clayton.
- You've gone to Buchanan Airfield at night and yelled at the top of your lungs.
- You've taken I-680 to go from Willow Pass Rd. to Monument Blvd.
- You've gone on a bike ride along the Contra Costa Canal
- You have no idea what "Contra Costa" means (and even if you do, you're saying it wrong like this "Cahntra Cahsta")
- You knew all about the Elks Lodge, but had never set foot inside.
- You thought "Peppermill" was a classy joint.
- During your driving test you had to take that one really tight corner at 15 mph, then you vowed never to take it that slow ever again.
- J.J. North's was the funnest place to go out to lunch with a huge group friends.
- You went to DVC right after high school and were instantly disgusted upon seeing all the same people.
- Your town's former mayor looked like a burned out Tammy Faye Baker. This is the former mayor:
- "Pixie Playland" was your favorite place as a little kid.
- Concord Little League was way better than that handicapped J.O.B.L.
- You played or cheered for Concord Cobras Youth Football and all your coaches were Raiders fans.
- "Matt's Game Exchange" used to be cool.
- You know to never park your car over night on Detroit Ave.
- You've seen Colfax St. go from a 2-way to a 1-way then back to a 2-way street.
- AgainWhat was with those "Spirit Poles"?
- "Water World USA" is the only way to remind people where your town is.
- "WCC: West Cape Cod" made you laugh until you cried, they were a local gang.
- You've been to Clayton Valley Bowlnuff said.
- You remember that dive "Bourbon Street" used to be called "Lindee's"
- You don't understand how the "T.R. Grill" stays in business.
- You remember the original "The Old Hangout", then the new "The Old Hangout" then new NEW "The Old Hangout"
- You've seen the "Eyeball" on Marsh Creek Road
- You've heard rumors about "legal drag races" goin' on every weekend somewhere down Marsh Creek Road.
- You've driven through downtown Martinez and said "This is really nice"
- You've been to the Saturday Flea Market at "Solano Drive-In"
- You've never actually gone to see a movie at the "Solano Drive-In"
- You thought you were gonna score at Cowell Pool
- You never knew about the ammunition explosion that took place at Port Chicago in 1944 and killed 300 people.
- As a kid, at night you saw the lights of the oil refineries and chemical plants and imagined you were living on another planet.
- You've witnessed that drawl the older Concord natives speak with.
- You've been to or have laughed at "The Singing Flag" for 4th of July
- You remember when Pleasant Hill's fireworks were impressive.
- Taking either Clayton Rd. or Concord Blvd when heading downtown was always a flip of the coin decision.
- You remember when the BART train's last stop was the Concord stop.
- You could go to Lyon's anytime during the weekend and find at least 20 people from school also eating there.
- "Memorial Hill" was a good place for a picnic, and a sunset.
- You swear you'll never move back
- You remember when the "Staples" at Treat & Clayton was "Lucky"
- You remember when "Longs Drugs" on Treat was "PayLess"
- You remember when "TJ Maxx" on Clayton was "Alpha Beta" and next door was "Thrifty's" (with the cylinder scoop ice cream, mmm)
- You remember when the Dome Theatre was "Century Theatres" and used to show big budget films (Jurassic Park was awesome in that theatre)
- You know that "Taco Acapulco" (next door to McD's on Clayton) used to be "Taco Bell"
- You remember when "Nation's" on Clayton was a "Mel's"
- You know that the gas station across the street from Burger King has a pump that gives you more gas than you're really paying for.
- You've looked at those two water tanks above Turtle Creek, but have no idea how to get there.
- You've used the euphamism "White Trash Burger" or "Tweek Burger" when suggesting a trip to "1/4 lb. Big Burger"
- You've met and befriended Leslie or Tony at "Diablo Foods"
- "Diablo" is pronounced 'Die-a-blow'
- You remember that the gas station and Starbucks used to be empty lots, and a good place to do burnouts.
- You've made a late night purchase at the "Drive Thru Liquor"
- You've purchased Concord High sports gear at "Sports 4 All"
- You lived near De La Salle, but didn't know one person who actually went there.
- You had nightmares about the Naval Weapon Station being bombed.
- You've been excited upon seeing snow at the top of Mt. Diablo.
- You swore that Pittsburg and the Monument area were the worst ghettos you've ever seen.
- "Roller World" was the place to be on a Friday night
- Monte Gardens was nicknamed "Muddy Gutters", and you always spelled Wren Avenue wrong.
- Only the Latinos knew what "El Dorado" meant.
- Ygnacio is pronounced "Ig-nay-she-oh" in Ygnacio Valley Road.
- Walnut Creek is full of yuppies and Clayton is full of hicks
- You remember the ice skating rink and movie theatre at the Sun Valley Mall
- You remember when Sun Valley Mall used to have more class.
- You've bought a burger at Nation's, then gone to Jack in the Box for curly fries, then made a U-turn to 7-Eleven for a Super Big Gulp
- You've made a special trip to Clayton because that's where the closest Carl's Jr. is.
- You've had your hair cut by the old guys at "Hairs The Place" or "Holbrook Haircuts"
- You've seen that old bearded guy riding down Clayton Rd. in his "trike" motorcycle with all the flags on it.
- You've experienced the joy that is "Barney's Hickory Pit"
- The people living on the hills above Cowell Rd. were considered "Rich Folk"
- You remember the "Capri Theatre" (or "Crapi") before it was a church.
- "Park 'N Shop" was of no use to you until "Fry's Electronics" moved into the place where "Levitz" used to be.
- Cheese Zombies were possibly the greatest things you'd ever tasted.
- You were confounded by "The Spirit Poles"
- "Memory Lane" was the best place to buy baseball cards and old records.
- "Kasper's" had some pretty good hot dogs, but the "Hot Dog Palace" was where it's at.
- You've made it from Kirker Pass all the way to Galindo driving on Concord Blvd, without hitting a red light.
- You still wonder if there's anything in that water tower at the corner of Concord Blvd & Denkinger.
- The yearly carnival held in the Concord High parking lot is the best place in town to get shot.
- "Skipolini's Pizza" is the only valid reason to ever venture into downtown Clayton.
- You've gone to Buchanan Airfield at night and yelled at the top of your lungs.
- You've taken I-680 to go from Willow Pass Rd. to Monument Blvd.
- You've gone on a bike ride along the Contra Costa Canal
- You have no idea what "Contra Costa" means (and even if you do, you're saying it wrong like this "Cahntra Cahsta")
- You knew all about the Elks Lodge, but had never set foot inside.
- You thought "Peppermill" was a classy joint.
- During your driving test you had to take that one really tight corner at 15 mph, then you vowed never to take it that slow ever again.
- J.J. North's was the funnest place to go out to lunch with a huge group friends.
- You went to DVC right after high school and were instantly disgusted upon seeing all the same people.
- Your town's former mayor looked like a burned out Tammy Faye Baker. This is the former mayor:
- "Pixie Playland" was your favorite place as a little kid.
- Concord Little League was way better than that handicapped J.O.B.L.
- You played or cheered for Concord Cobras Youth Football and all your coaches were Raiders fans.
- "Matt's Game Exchange" used to be cool.
- You know to never park your car over night on Detroit Ave.
- You've seen Colfax St. go from a 2-way to a 1-way then back to a 2-way street.
- AgainWhat was with those "Spirit Poles"?
- "Water World USA" is the only way to remind people where your town is.
- "WCC: West Cape Cod" made you laugh until you cried, they were a local gang.
- You've been to Clayton Valley Bowlnuff said.
- You remember that dive "Bourbon Street" used to be called "Lindee's"
- You don't understand how the "T.R. Grill" stays in business.
- You remember the original "The Old Hangout", then the new "The Old Hangout" then new NEW "The Old Hangout"
- You've seen the "Eyeball" on Marsh Creek Road
- You've heard rumors about "legal drag races" goin' on every weekend somewhere down Marsh Creek Road.
- You've driven through downtown Martinez and said "This is really nice"
- You've been to the Saturday Flea Market at "Solano Drive-In"
- You've never actually gone to see a movie at the "Solano Drive-In"
- You thought you were gonna score at Cowell Pool
- You never knew about the ammunition explosion that took place at Port Chicago in 1944 and killed 300 people.
- As a kid, at night you saw the lights of the oil refineries and chemical plants and imagined you were living on another planet.
- You've witnessed that drawl the older Concord natives speak with.
- You've been to or have laughed at "The Singing Flag" for 4th of July
- You remember when Pleasant Hill's fireworks were impressive.
- Taking either Clayton Rd. or Concord Blvd when heading downtown was always a flip of the coin decision.
- You remember when the BART train's last stop was the Concord stop.
- You could go to Lyon's anytime during the weekend and find at least 20 people from school also eating there.
- "Memorial Hill" was a good place for a picnic, and a sunset.
- You swear you'll never move back
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Best of '05...
Simple and easy to read here're my top picks of 2005. Little or no explanations, but feel free to ask for more details. I may or may not choose to answer them, and should I choose, there's no promise that I'll follow through with my choice to do so...or not
Top Album: "Playing the Angel" by Depeche Mode
They still got it...oh, and btw, this decision took me about a half hour to make. This means I'm gonna make a Top 10 albums because I feel really bad for not mentioning a lot of other albums.
Top Music Video that makes me smile: "Glosoli" by Sigur Ros
Words can't express its magic
Top Film: Capote
Top Video Game: Star Wars Episode III LEGO!
I don't play video games too often, but this one was real fun.
Top New Music Artist: Gogol Bordello
Who knew such good punk/gypsy music could spring from the Balkans! You can see the lead singer in the film "Everything Is Illuminated", he has some of the best lines ever.
Top Movie Poster: "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (Teaser Poster)
Top Holiday: Halloween
I saw Bauhaus at the Fillmore...yeah
Top Book: "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey
Because it made even bigger fools out of Oprah's sheep/neglected housewife fans.
Top Ruined Surprise: King Kong dies! What!?
Top DVD: Batman Begins
Although I hear the Sin City DVD is quite nice
Top TV Show: "Smallville" is gettin' to turn into a show with more substance...plus Clark's dad is about to die, that'll make things more interesting.
Top Company Event: FREE TRIP TO THE ZOO! Granted, it was the only one, and the monkeys weren't there, but it was cool...right?
Top annoying Scientologist couple: "TomKat"
Top Annoying Celebrity: Ashlee Simpson
This will be the last time I ever mention her name, she shouldn't even be a subject of discussion.
Top Athlete: Peyton Manning
13 straight wins for the Colts, not bad at all
Top Line not Worth Waiting In: Any concert you already have tickets for.
Doesn't matter if it's General Admission or Assigned Seating, go out and do something else with your time instead of waiting outside the venue for an hour before the doors even open. It's kids stuff
Top Line Worth Waiting In: BEST BUY after Christmas Sale
Top Blog: Did you repose well? (Oct. 20)
I clearly need to sleep well...(time I finished this blog, 2:27 AM)
(Most of this was stolen from Gus)
Top Album: "Playing the Angel" by Depeche Mode
They still got it...oh, and btw, this decision took me about a half hour to make. This means I'm gonna make a Top 10 albums because I feel really bad for not mentioning a lot of other albums.
Top Music Video that makes me smile: "Glosoli" by Sigur Ros
Words can't express its magic
Top Film: Capote
Top Video Game: Star Wars Episode III LEGO!
I don't play video games too often, but this one was real fun.
Top New Music Artist: Gogol Bordello
Who knew such good punk/gypsy music could spring from the Balkans! You can see the lead singer in the film "Everything Is Illuminated", he has some of the best lines ever.
Top Movie Poster: "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (Teaser Poster)
Top Holiday: Halloween
I saw Bauhaus at the Fillmore...yeah
Top Book: "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey
Because it made even bigger fools out of Oprah's sheep/neglected housewife fans.
Top Ruined Surprise: King Kong dies! What!?
Top DVD: Batman Begins
Although I hear the Sin City DVD is quite nice
Top TV Show: "Smallville" is gettin' to turn into a show with more substance...plus Clark's dad is about to die, that'll make things more interesting.
Top Company Event: FREE TRIP TO THE ZOO! Granted, it was the only one, and the monkeys weren't there, but it was cool...right?
Top annoying Scientologist couple: "TomKat"
Top Annoying Celebrity: Ashlee Simpson
This will be the last time I ever mention her name, she shouldn't even be a subject of discussion.
Top Athlete: Peyton Manning
13 straight wins for the Colts, not bad at all
Top Line not Worth Waiting In: Any concert you already have tickets for.
Doesn't matter if it's General Admission or Assigned Seating, go out and do something else with your time instead of waiting outside the venue for an hour before the doors even open. It's kids stuff
Top Line Worth Waiting In: BEST BUY after Christmas Sale
Top Blog: Did you repose well? (Oct. 20)
I clearly need to sleep well...(time I finished this blog, 2:27 AM)
(Most of this was stolen from Gus)
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Foxy BLOG on the run...
...you scream and everybody, reads?
For whatever reason I've been listening to a lot of what would be considered as "Glam Rock". A lot of Bowie, T.Rex, Mott the Hoople, Sweet, New York Dolls, Sweet, etc. I can't really explain why I'm suddenly drawn to listen to this guitar heavy, hard hitting and larynx thrashing music. There has been a revival of sorts in the past couple years with bands like The Darkness emerging with their retro sound, and I think my desire to know the original source of things is what draws me more than anything to this style of music...either that or it just rocks and I just like it, as always, the simplest explanation seems to be the correct one.
School starts again next week. I'm taking two classes, each bound to work both of my cerebral lobes, respectively. Econ 5 (aka Statistics) and Cinematography, it should be a fun yet boring semester, I'm just glad to finally be able to work with film and get some actual training in the medium. Soon to come, my first Super8 film.
Stay tuned
For whatever reason I've been listening to a lot of what would be considered as "Glam Rock". A lot of Bowie, T.Rex, Mott the Hoople, Sweet, New York Dolls, Sweet, etc. I can't really explain why I'm suddenly drawn to listen to this guitar heavy, hard hitting and larynx thrashing music. There has been a revival of sorts in the past couple years with bands like The Darkness emerging with their retro sound, and I think my desire to know the original source of things is what draws me more than anything to this style of music...either that or it just rocks and I just like it, as always, the simplest explanation seems to be the correct one.
School starts again next week. I'm taking two classes, each bound to work both of my cerebral lobes, respectively. Econ 5 (aka Statistics) and Cinematography, it should be a fun yet boring semester, I'm just glad to finally be able to work with film and get some actual training in the medium. Soon to come, my first Super8 film.
Stay tuned
Thursday, January 5, 2006
Never has nostalgia hit me so hard...
Who here remembers Mortimer from Bill Cosby's "Picture Pages"?
If you do, we can be best friends
Also, remember the cool sound the pen would make when Cosby would write on the board?
If you do, we can be best friends
Also, remember the cool sound the pen would make when Cosby would write on the board?
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