Top 5 Songs that got me through 2009:
1) No Dice - Beirut (Realpeople Holland)
2) Everything Is Alright - Motion City Soundtrack
3) RoboCop - Kanye West
4) Swim - Jacks Mannequin
5) Hold On - The Lovehammers
Top 5 Events of 2009:
1) Cashes Rivers @ G.D.P.
2) Booze Cruise '09
3) Girl Talk @ People's
4) Phoenix Trip
5) Recording with Cashes Rivers @ Sonic Factory
Top 5 Movies that I saw in 2009:
1) It Might Get Loud
2) The Hangover
3) (500) Days of Summer
4) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
5) Star Trek
Top 5 TV Shows from 2009:
1) Battlestar Galactica - Series Finale
2) LOST - Season 5
3) Heroes - Season 4
4) Scrubs - Series Finale? Or not.
5) How I Met Your Mother
Top 5 Albums I added in 2009:
1) Owl City - Ocean Eyes
2) Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
3) Passion Pit - Manners
4) Radio Moscow - Brain Cycles
5) Paramore - Brand New Eyes
Top 5 Biggest Disappointments of 2009:
1) 311 - Uplifter
2) The lack of the mint Hershey's kisses for the 2nd consecutive Christmas season.
3) Still in same apt (Cool roomie, crappy room.)
4) My guitar playing skillz
5) My inability to grow facial hair that doesn't say 'pederast'
Top 5 Improvements in 2009:
1) Presidents of the United States of America
2) Guitar Amp (Sears Silvertone 1484)
3) My VB playing skillz
4) Salary
5) Windows 7
**Apologies for any songs, events, etc. that I might have overlooked that deserved to be on the above lists.**
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Book List from 2009
Books Read by Me in the year 2009
"Cannery Row" - John Steinbeck
This one is a standard Steinbeck. Its a great personal look into several people's lives, and like most Steinbeck books it reflects life as it truly IS; happy endings aren't as common as music, books, and the media would have you believe.
"Catcher in the Rye" - J.D. Salinger
One of my brother's favorite books. I enjoyed it, but the main character was a little too much like me for my liking. He's kind of a pretentious asshole who looks down on EVERYONE to hide the fact that he's lost. Good writing. Made me want a red hunting hat that covers your ears.
"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" - Ken Kesey
I really like this book. A fictional account of a sane man's existence in an insane asylum and how he affects the lives of the other inmates (and nurses). Some prove to not be a crazy as they thought.
"Animal Farm" - George Orwell
Interesting. I'm told there's all kinds of Cold War allusions in the characters and events. Basically, the animals on a farm take over. They chase the farmer out and set up their own government on the principals of Communism. As it turns out, all people (and creatures) are not as equal as communism would like. Some people are smarter. Some work harder than others. Some are leaders and some are followers by nature. Eventually the animals suffer the same fate as communism in the U.S.S.R. Communism is a great theory. The problem is that it assumes that people are all truly equal in capacity and benevolent intentions. One look at human history shows that's not the case.
"The Slaughterhouse Five" - Kurt Vonnegut
This was a WEIRD book. The main character becomes 'unstuck' in time (think LOST) and is forced to jump around his life, reliving the best and worst times of his existence. That's the 'normal' part. Eventually he gets abducted by aliens and taken to their home planet to be place in a zoo. These aliens are unique in that they can see time as a dimension, so they can see all of history as well as their civilization's future. Knowing how they end makes living less bloody and 'useless' as human life on Earth. Our open-ended futures make us ambitious and violent. An interesting take. Vonnegut's always a little strange but never fails to make you go, "...........huh. I never thought of it like that."
"Cannery Row" - John Steinbeck
This one is a standard Steinbeck. Its a great personal look into several people's lives, and like most Steinbeck books it reflects life as it truly IS; happy endings aren't as common as music, books, and the media would have you believe.
"Catcher in the Rye" - J.D. Salinger
One of my brother's favorite books. I enjoyed it, but the main character was a little too much like me for my liking. He's kind of a pretentious asshole who looks down on EVERYONE to hide the fact that he's lost. Good writing. Made me want a red hunting hat that covers your ears.
"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" - Ken Kesey
I really like this book. A fictional account of a sane man's existence in an insane asylum and how he affects the lives of the other inmates (and nurses). Some prove to not be a crazy as they thought.
"Animal Farm" - George Orwell
Interesting. I'm told there's all kinds of Cold War allusions in the characters and events. Basically, the animals on a farm take over. They chase the farmer out and set up their own government on the principals of Communism. As it turns out, all people (and creatures) are not as equal as communism would like. Some people are smarter. Some work harder than others. Some are leaders and some are followers by nature. Eventually the animals suffer the same fate as communism in the U.S.S.R. Communism is a great theory. The problem is that it assumes that people are all truly equal in capacity and benevolent intentions. One look at human history shows that's not the case.
"The Slaughterhouse Five" - Kurt Vonnegut
This was a WEIRD book. The main character becomes 'unstuck' in time (think LOST) and is forced to jump around his life, reliving the best and worst times of his existence. That's the 'normal' part. Eventually he gets abducted by aliens and taken to their home planet to be place in a zoo. These aliens are unique in that they can see time as a dimension, so they can see all of history as well as their civilization's future. Knowing how they end makes living less bloody and 'useless' as human life on Earth. Our open-ended futures make us ambitious and violent. An interesting take. Vonnegut's always a little strange but never fails to make you go, "...........huh. I never thought of it like that."
"The Andromeda Strain" - Michael Crichton
This was MC first big 'break.' The book is bad ass. A great fiction read. A space probe gathering samples from the solar system crash lands near a small town in Nevada. The people bring the object back to town. The next day, the entire town is dead - stopped dead in their tracks doing everyday work. A new biological organism is found, contained, and tested. Just when scientists think they understand the organism, it mutates.
"I am Legend" - Richard Matheson
The book is much different from the popular movie of the same name. One human man is left in a world overrun by a blood virus that effectively turns people into vampires. The book is about his struggle to 'fix' the problem, only to end up coming to terms with the fact that he is now the minority. His exploits are feared far and wide by the 'infected.' He is seen as a mass murderer and his name is know by everyone, hence the name. Lets just say that the book ends much differently than the movie.
"Catch-22" - Joseph Heller
This one was a tough read. The basic premise is that a bombardier wants OUT of the war. He's flown enough missions to go home, but they keep upping the required number of missions to get shipped home just after he completes them. He tries to plead insanity to get out, only to be stymied by 'Catch-22' which says that if you're sane enough to plead insanity to get out of the war, then you're not insane. So the main character does all types of things to get out of flying missions. There doesn't seem to be much else going on at first; lots of individual story lines that don't seem to be all that connected. As the book goes on, a smaller character swells to influence the entire tide of the war just by buying and selling... well, anything at all. Cotton, chocolate, beans, eggs, etc. Parts of this book are pretty hilarious.
"Fahrenheit 451" - Ray Bradbury
This book was awesome. Its set in a fictional future after the Cold War where all books are outlawed to prevent critical thought. The population is a dull, dumb and drugged mass where 'firemen' no longer prevent fires - they start them. When books are discovered in a house, the firemen are sent to the location and torch the entire house and everything in it. The story follows one of these 'firemen' who watches an older lady refuse to leave her books behind and burns with them. It starts his mind wondering what could be in them worth dying for. He starts to think critically for himself and eventually his interest gets him into trouble. Incidentally, 451 degrees Fahrenheit is mentioned in the book as the point at which paper auto-ignites. I thought this seemed too low, and in fact, its 450 degrees Celsius (842 °F), but apparently RB thought Fahrenheit made a better title. I agree.
"Mother Night" - Kurt Vonnegut
Another Vonnegut book - this one isn't quite as strange as SH5. An American finds himself in Germany leading up to WWII. He becomes a Nazi propagandist to stay alive, though he is secretly sending coded messages for the U.S.A. Only one person knows that he is a double agent, so after the war he is quietly saved from execution and shipped to New York. He lives his life in obscurity until he's found much later in life. A book about how one man's fight just to LIVE can look from several perspectives.
"Grapes of Wrath" - John Steinbeck
This was MC first big 'break.' The book is bad ass. A great fiction read. A space probe gathering samples from the solar system crash lands near a small town in Nevada. The people bring the object back to town. The next day, the entire town is dead - stopped dead in their tracks doing everyday work. A new biological organism is found, contained, and tested. Just when scientists think they understand the organism, it mutates.
"I am Legend" - Richard Matheson
The book is much different from the popular movie of the same name. One human man is left in a world overrun by a blood virus that effectively turns people into vampires. The book is about his struggle to 'fix' the problem, only to end up coming to terms with the fact that he is now the minority. His exploits are feared far and wide by the 'infected.' He is seen as a mass murderer and his name is know by everyone, hence the name. Lets just say that the book ends much differently than the movie.
"Catch-22" - Joseph Heller
This one was a tough read. The basic premise is that a bombardier wants OUT of the war. He's flown enough missions to go home, but they keep upping the required number of missions to get shipped home just after he completes them. He tries to plead insanity to get out, only to be stymied by 'Catch-22' which says that if you're sane enough to plead insanity to get out of the war, then you're not insane. So the main character does all types of things to get out of flying missions. There doesn't seem to be much else going on at first; lots of individual story lines that don't seem to be all that connected. As the book goes on, a smaller character swells to influence the entire tide of the war just by buying and selling... well, anything at all. Cotton, chocolate, beans, eggs, etc. Parts of this book are pretty hilarious.
"Fahrenheit 451" - Ray Bradbury
This book was awesome. Its set in a fictional future after the Cold War where all books are outlawed to prevent critical thought. The population is a dull, dumb and drugged mass where 'firemen' no longer prevent fires - they start them. When books are discovered in a house, the firemen are sent to the location and torch the entire house and everything in it. The story follows one of these 'firemen' who watches an older lady refuse to leave her books behind and burns with them. It starts his mind wondering what could be in them worth dying for. He starts to think critically for himself and eventually his interest gets him into trouble. Incidentally, 451 degrees Fahrenheit is mentioned in the book as the point at which paper auto-ignites. I thought this seemed too low, and in fact, its 450 degrees Celsius (842 °F), but apparently RB thought Fahrenheit made a better title. I agree.
"Mother Night" - Kurt Vonnegut
Another Vonnegut book - this one isn't quite as strange as SH5. An American finds himself in Germany leading up to WWII. He becomes a Nazi propagandist to stay alive, though he is secretly sending coded messages for the U.S.A. Only one person knows that he is a double agent, so after the war he is quietly saved from execution and shipped to New York. He lives his life in obscurity until he's found much later in life. A book about how one man's fight just to LIVE can look from several perspectives.
"Grapes of Wrath" - John Steinbeck
Ugh. A very long read. I thought there would be resolution at the end. I must have forgotten that it was Steinbeck. It follows the plight of the Joad family as they move from their foreclosed farm in Oklahoma to try and find work in California during the dust bowl years. Nothing but sadness in this book (like most Steinbeck) but I guess the idea of the book is to show how even the hardest of times can't defeat the human spirit. People come together to make the best of what they've been given.
"The Gathering Storm" - Robert Jordan
After all the tough reads, I saw that this sci-fi/fantasy book had come out. Its book thirteen of a series I started reading in junior high. Each book is about 900+ pages. Yeah. Anyways, the author died a few years ago just before he started writing the LAST book in this crazy awesome, crazy detailed series. Argh! I almost cried when I thought this series wouldn't have an ending. However, since he knew he might not make it to write this book (he'd had a fatal heart disease for several years) he made detailed notes so someone could finish the last book. Of course, the last book would have been about 2,200 pages so its been divided into 3 books. (nice Tor, I'm sure it had nothing to do with milking one of the best selling sci-fi series of all time after the author died. Its not like 13 was a significant number in the series or anything. Damn suits. They'll get theirs.) Anyways, its a guilty pleasure to get back into the Wheel of Time series and follow the 3 ta'varen from the Two Rivers. The Dragon Reborn rides to Last Battle...
"The Gathering Storm" - Robert Jordan
After all the tough reads, I saw that this sci-fi/fantasy book had come out. Its book thirteen of a series I started reading in junior high. Each book is about 900+ pages. Yeah. Anyways, the author died a few years ago just before he started writing the LAST book in this crazy awesome, crazy detailed series. Argh! I almost cried when I thought this series wouldn't have an ending. However, since he knew he might not make it to write this book (he'd had a fatal heart disease for several years) he made detailed notes so someone could finish the last book. Of course, the last book would have been about 2,200 pages so its been divided into 3 books. (nice Tor, I'm sure it had nothing to do with milking one of the best selling sci-fi series of all time after the author died. Its not like 13 was a significant number in the series or anything. Damn suits. They'll get theirs.) Anyways, its a guilty pleasure to get back into the Wheel of Time series and follow the 3 ta'varen from the Two Rivers. The Dragon Reborn rides to Last Battle...
"Pirate Latitudes" - Michael Crichton
MC has always been one of my favorite authors, and his death last year made me very sad. This book was a completed manuscript found in his files after his death. Its a short and fun fiction novel about a privateer (don't call him a pirate).
"The Wrecker" - Clive Cussler
Another easy fiction read. Set in 1907, a detective follows a railroad saboteur around the country to stop him before he manages to seize control over every railroad in the US.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Are your eyes watering?
A few choice headlines from The Onion that made me 'lol' today:
(btw - the onion is a fake news source.)
Report: Most College Males Admit to Regularly Getting Stoked
Fritolaysia Cuts Off Chiplomatic Relations With Snakistan
Just say that last one out loud and try not to laugh.
...Didn't think so.
(btw - the onion is a fake news source.)
Report: Most College Males Admit to Regularly Getting Stoked
Fritolaysia Cuts Off Chiplomatic Relations With Snakistan
Just say that last one out loud and try not to laugh.
...Didn't think so.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Catholic Row
This doesn't end well for anybody.
I'm scared for the future of the Catholic church - the dark ages where the church could make these decisions FOR people are over. The church has essentially thrown the gaunlet down: 'You're IN or you're OUT. What'll it be?'
I'm worried that most people will realize that it isn't a question. In between the lines, the church seems to be saying, "We've already kicked you out - you just keep coming on Sunday for some reason."
I'm scared for the future of the Catholic church - the dark ages where the church could make these decisions FOR people are over. The church has essentially thrown the gaunlet down: 'You're IN or you're OUT. What'll it be?'
I'm worried that most people will realize that it isn't a question. In between the lines, the church seems to be saying, "We've already kicked you out - you just keep coming on Sunday for some reason."
Monday, November 16, 2009
The Dead Weather
Jack White's 3rd band - is pretty freaking awesome.
*And has anyone else noticed its like a Gretsch commercial in there? And I am totally okay with that. Catch the cutom BillyBo on the stand sporting the custom III pickguard? I'm betting it has three pickups in it soon.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Good things/Bad things
Whats Good:
Seeing RENT for the first time. It was killer! Much better than the movie, I thought. Made more sense. I really dug the way the whole thing was staged - as a single static backdrop setup with rotating pieces of focus in the foreground. It made for some cool subtleties, like when Roger refuses to come out of the apartment. He's on stage the whole time in the "apt" area, always sitting on the table or around the table and fire barrel with a guitar. He's there almost the entire first act, even if not lit up. RENT is now #2 in my musical list just behind Les Miserable.
While leaving the show at the Civic Center, we walked right by a guy on a knee proposing to a girl as they came out of just seeing RENT. He took the message of the play: 'No day but today,' to heart, apparently. There was a crowd and a guy getting it on a small camera. She said yes. So that's cool. Good luck, guys.
Got two SWEET jackets @ the Mall: One black peacoat from the Gap for a winter work coat. Staying classy. One hipster sweater in blue. (Most people--> shoes, Me--> jackets) I love jackets.
Finally signed up for NetFlicks. Free trial period! w00t! I've been meaning to get my own account for some time. I enjoy Middleson's movie picks, too - the Baliwood, the Independent films, etc. But now I don't have to feel bad about getting movies like Resident Evil: Extinction.
(Not Good:)
Had a pretty jaw-droppingly bad experience at a GPB, an allegedly upscale local restaurant. Great food. Crazy good food. Had a bad waiter. We come in as 5 and get two tiny tables put together. There's two other tables of people in this place. There's about 20 tables, plus bar. Its 6:15. The 5th of our party ended up not being able to come for legitimate reasons. The waiter asked us to get up, and separate the tables again so as not to take up and extra table. Presumably when the restaurant was... busier than 15 people. It was awkard getting up and rearranging. Plus the resulting table was crammed so that the girls couldn't fit their wine glasses on the table with their plates at the same time. One asked for ketchup, and he brought out a 6-condiment dispenser of relishes, pulling up a spare chair to the table and sitting it on that.
........I'm gonna let that sink in. Pulled a chair up to our too full table to set the thing on. The words, "was that your 2nd dropped piece of silverware tonight?" "no - that was... the other table." were spoken. Ben Folds - stick to playing piano. Thanks for making a fun night start awkward.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Vintage Amp Aquisition
I've come into possession of a new amplifier. (Sorry Mom)
Its a cheap amp from 1966, a Sears Silvertone 1484. Most people have no idea what it is or how good it sounds. It looks cheap, it was cheap, and gets beat up easily. So most people write it off as a crap amp.
That is - until Jack White started using Silvertone 1485s in the White Stripes to get his gigantic, crunchy, blow-the-top-of-your-head-off sound. Suddenly, the market for Silvertone amps exploded and more than just the amp junkies realized that the Silvertone amps WERE cheap, but also had KILLER tone. They just don't look like much. Now - its tough to find a Sears Silvertone in decent condition. I've wanted one for a few years now - been looking at craigslist about once a week. A long story very short - a friend of mine found one and then realized he didn't really need it.
It also gave me a good reason to finally sell off all the random guitars and parts of guitars I had laying around not getting used which would more than pay for the amp. (Yes mother, I'll put the extra $$ left over into savings.) I'd like to end up with just two eletrics - a strat and a my epiphone - and one acoustic.
Anyways - I don't have any good pictures of it yet, but here's what a Sears Silvertone 1484 "Twin Twelve" looks like. This one is a little bit cleaner than mine, but I'll eventually get mine cleaned up and checked out by an amp tech.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Getting the message across
I guess the Governator is getting fed up with the bills coming to his desk. His posisition is that there are SERIOUS problems in California that the legislature can't seem to come to a consensus on and fix. They send him bills to fund more projects on the San Fransico waterfront. Apparently the author of this bill had shouted some obscene things at Arnold once, and the Governor's veto statement sounded innocuous when read aloud, but when seen on paper, an entirely different (read: more blunt) message appears.
Here's the .pdf of the veto statement.
Here's the .pdf of the veto statement.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Methinks Thou Doth Protest Too Much...
I love Obama. And the Obama administration. Not just for their policy, but for not beating around the bush.
They haven't minced words about FOXnooze, refusing to give interviews and the like. Somebody finally came out this weekend and stated the obvious - something that even FOXnews viewers who call themselves 'independent' or 'impartial' don't seem to understand. That FOXnews is just a shill for the republican party.
The best part is how FOX came back with, "whaaaaat?!?!?" Please, FOX - don't. Don't even.
Their official response was that people are confusing their news coverage with their opinion pieces. To which I respond: Bullshit. FOXnews deliberately splices parts of their incendiary commentors (opinion) into parts of the news (fact?) coverage in an attempt to make the conservative opinions sound more grounded and commonplace than they really are. FOX's ticker (the text at the bottom of the screen) is enough to make me sick to my stomach sometimes. Only FOX can stir up a tea-party protest (organized by affliates of FOXnews) then organize a rally for their 'news' program where they call the protesters "patriots." These patriots just happen to be carrying signs showing Obama as Hitler, and others with signs morphing Obama into Iran's president and text saying, "Death to the Dictator." But that didn't make it on TV, of course.
Smart conservatives everywhere are using this attack to compare Obama's administration with Nixon's - complaining that ONE network doesn't like him. Oh wait - did you just OPENLY ADMIT THAT YOU DON'T LIKE HIM?!? THEN STOP PRETENDING THAT YOU'RE NOT BIASED. Nobody is saying you should close your doors, FOXnews - its just people saying, "you're not fooling us into thinking you're a non-biased news source so we're not going to treat you like one." Quit acting like you've just been wronged. You chose your format - now live with it.
They haven't minced words about FOXnooze, refusing to give interviews and the like. Somebody finally came out this weekend and stated the obvious - something that even FOXnews viewers who call themselves 'independent' or 'impartial' don't seem to understand. That FOXnews is just a shill for the republican party.
The best part is how FOX came back with, "whaaaaat?!?!?" Please, FOX - don't. Don't even.
Their official response was that people are confusing their news coverage with their opinion pieces. To which I respond: Bullshit. FOXnews deliberately splices parts of their incendiary commentors (opinion) into parts of the news (fact?) coverage in an attempt to make the conservative opinions sound more grounded and commonplace than they really are. FOX's ticker (the text at the bottom of the screen) is enough to make me sick to my stomach sometimes. Only FOX can stir up a tea-party protest (organized by affliates of FOXnews) then organize a rally for their 'news' program where they call the protesters "patriots." These patriots just happen to be carrying signs showing Obama as Hitler, and others with signs morphing Obama into Iran's president and text saying, "Death to the Dictator." But that didn't make it on TV, of course.
Smart conservatives everywhere are using this attack to compare Obama's administration with Nixon's - complaining that ONE network doesn't like him. Oh wait - did you just OPENLY ADMIT THAT YOU DON'T LIKE HIM?!? THEN STOP PRETENDING THAT YOU'RE NOT BIASED. Nobody is saying you should close your doors, FOXnews - its just people saying, "you're not fooling us into thinking you're a non-biased news source so we're not going to treat you like one." Quit acting like you've just been wronged. You chose your format - now live with it.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Headphones
I recently had a discussion about what made good headphones good headphones. Then I came across these two articles today, breaking down exactly that. These are specific to "in-ear" headphones, not the bulkier over-the-ear headphones.
This one talks about why there is such a difference between $20 and $100 headphones.
This one has a great table display of what one reviewer thought after testing several brands, models, and price ranges.
Still - I tried Dr. Dre's new over the ear headphones (basically DJ headphones) at the Apple store and they were pretty damn fantastic.
This one talks about why there is such a difference between $20 and $100 headphones.
This one has a great table display of what one reviewer thought after testing several brands, models, and price ranges.
Still - I tried Dr. Dre's new over the ear headphones (basically DJ headphones) at the Apple store and they were pretty damn fantastic.
Monday, October 5, 2009
"...this is the only guitar the band owns"
If you read my blog, you already know how excited I was to see "It Might Get Loud." I won't repost everything I've already posted - but I wanted to talk about a few of the cooler points of the movie.
-The movie starts out with Jack White on a farm, pounding two nails into a 2x4. He then nails a single guitar pickup to the wood. Then he wraps a piece of steel wire around the nails, making it taut. He inserts a glass bottle on one side to act as a bridge and then plugs the rig into one of his Silvertone amps sitting on the porch. Then starts ripping out a slide guitar riff on his homemade 'guitar.' The whole thing took about 4mins. No words. Ends with Jack taking a drag off a cigarette, "...ya know? Who says you need to buy a guitar?"
-Watching Jack White, The Edge, and Jimmy Page all sitting in THEIR music rooms, listening to THEIR records, talking about what THEIR influences were. It was a surreal experience to watch Jimmy Page listening to music. The guy on the top of most "Greatest Living Guitarist" lists, the guitarist for Led Zeppelin - even HE plays air guitar when listening to his favorite guitarists. Turns out its not just me. Really brought home the fact that these guys are just normal dudes.
-There's actually clips of the lutheire making the 2nd of Jack White's custom "Triple Jet" Gretsches. Not the copper one I blogged about 2 posts below, but the one with the Green Bullet microphone on the body. That was pretty sweet.
-The drastically different approaches of each player. Page was a session guitarist playing other people's music before deciding to go a completely different direction and change the way electric guitar was played forever. The Edge is very into effects processing and getting the most out of dozens of pedals and amps in his chain, getting the most precise sound to match whats in his head. Jack White is a minimalist guitarist - cheap plastic guitars, 3 effects, and straight blues riffs backed by as much energy and raw power as he can muster.
-There was a funny quote from The Edge talking about their first serious recording session w/ Steve Lillywhite. After they'd recorded all the main parts, Steve wanted to overdub different guitar parts on top of Edge's original riffs with a different guitar (to make the tone fuller, a common trick). This was so early in U2's career, The Edge looks at Bono, looks at his brown Explorer and says, "...this is all I have. This is the only guitar the band owns."
-There's a clip of Jack White talking about the blues and while he's talking there is a clip of him playing "Blue Veins" with the Raconteurs. He's playing so hard that his hand is bleeding all over his guitar body. He sets the Gretsch down, the camera zooms in, and there's red smears all over the finish.
-The movie starts out with Jack White on a farm, pounding two nails into a 2x4. He then nails a single guitar pickup to the wood. Then he wraps a piece of steel wire around the nails, making it taut. He inserts a glass bottle on one side to act as a bridge and then plugs the rig into one of his Silvertone amps sitting on the porch. Then starts ripping out a slide guitar riff on his homemade 'guitar.' The whole thing took about 4mins. No words. Ends with Jack taking a drag off a cigarette, "...ya know? Who says you need to buy a guitar?"
-Watching Jack White, The Edge, and Jimmy Page all sitting in THEIR music rooms, listening to THEIR records, talking about what THEIR influences were. It was a surreal experience to watch Jimmy Page listening to music. The guy on the top of most "Greatest Living Guitarist" lists, the guitarist for Led Zeppelin - even HE plays air guitar when listening to his favorite guitarists. Turns out its not just me. Really brought home the fact that these guys are just normal dudes.
-There's actually clips of the lutheire making the 2nd of Jack White's custom "Triple Jet" Gretsches. Not the copper one I blogged about 2 posts below, but the one with the Green Bullet microphone on the body. That was pretty sweet.
-The drastically different approaches of each player. Page was a session guitarist playing other people's music before deciding to go a completely different direction and change the way electric guitar was played forever. The Edge is very into effects processing and getting the most out of dozens of pedals and amps in his chain, getting the most precise sound to match whats in his head. Jack White is a minimalist guitarist - cheap plastic guitars, 3 effects, and straight blues riffs backed by as much energy and raw power as he can muster.
-There was a funny quote from The Edge talking about their first serious recording session w/ Steve Lillywhite. After they'd recorded all the main parts, Steve wanted to overdub different guitar parts on top of Edge's original riffs with a different guitar (to make the tone fuller, a common trick). This was so early in U2's career, The Edge looks at Bono, looks at his brown Explorer and says, "...this is all I have. This is the only guitar the band owns."
-There's a clip of Jack White talking about the blues and while he's talking there is a clip of him playing "Blue Veins" with the Raconteurs. He's playing so hard that his hand is bleeding all over his guitar body. He sets the Gretsch down, the camera zooms in, and there's red smears all over the finish.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
"Liber Novus"
There's something about the the occult that interests me. Physical manifestations of heaven and hell, good and evil, angels and demons - if you throw that stuff in a book or movie... there's a pretty good chance I'll get it.
Which is why when I came across this link about a secret book written by Carl Jung while he was... well... going out of his way to allow his phychosis / schizophrenia to get stronger, I proceded to read the entire article. And its not a small article.
Something about special books with pictures and biblical allusions containing information important enough to get hidden and locked away - just seems to interest me.
Examples:
-The grail diary in The Last Crusade
-The crazy artwork in Dante's Divine Comedy (but mainly just Inferno)
-The three texts in the movie The Ninth Gate
Which is why when I came across this link about a secret book written by Carl Jung while he was... well... going out of his way to allow his phychosis / schizophrenia to get stronger, I proceded to read the entire article. And its not a small article.
Something about special books with pictures and biblical allusions containing information important enough to get hidden and locked away - just seems to interest me.
Examples:
-The grail diary in The Last Crusade
-The crazy artwork in Dante's Divine Comedy (but mainly just Inferno)
-The three texts in the movie The Ninth Gate
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The 'Triple Jet'
Jack White has been using Gretsch guitars for a while now, but there's two SWEET ones he's been using for Raconteurs gigs.
One started off as a single cut-away, but he sent it to a luthier in Seattle to have it turned into a double cut-away. And install a theremin near the bigsby. And install a green bullet microphone on a retractable cable on the body of the guitar. Hard to explain.
The other one is a custom made guitar, based on the Duo Jet, that has a copper finish and a 3rd pickup wired to an internal MXR Micro Amp effect inside the guitar. He dubbed this guitar the Gretsch "Triple Jet." He added the three stripes seen on lots of White Stripes posters and on his Silvertone amps grill cloth. Its a sweet sweet sweet guitar.
One started off as a single cut-away, but he sent it to a luthier in Seattle to have it turned into a double cut-away. And install a theremin near the bigsby. And install a green bullet microphone on a retractable cable on the body of the guitar. Hard to explain.
The other one is a custom made guitar, based on the Duo Jet, that has a copper finish and a 3rd pickup wired to an internal MXR Micro Amp effect inside the guitar. He dubbed this guitar the Gretsch "Triple Jet." He added the three stripes seen on lots of White Stripes posters and on his Silvertone amps grill cloth. Its a sweet sweet sweet guitar.
Fair and Balanced!
Can you believe I found this on FoxNews? The same network that was praising the Tea Party protesters with Obama/Hitler signs and Swastika emblems "Patriots"? This writer is probably looking for a new job today.
Not every person dissatisfied with Obama's policy is a racist, but there is a large segment of morons who don't have any idea what's going on with policy, but just think Obama is ruining, "their country." Quotes like, 'Muslims are taking over' are becoming more and more prevalent, and some conservatives are fanning those flames to look like they have support. Rather than educating their supporters on the actual facts that they SHOULD be mad about - some politicians and FoxNews are fanning the protesters like the TeaBaggers to provide some kind of facade of support for their agenda. What they're actually doing is stoking the fires of xenophobia and racism among Amercia's bottom feeders.
What sucks is that there's a serious debate to be had here, but its not happening because people think shouting, "you lie (boy)!" is legitimate dialog. Even if Joe Wilson isn't a racist, his kind of vitrol-soaked politics isn't helping. Its hurting.
Not every person dissatisfied with Obama's policy is a racist, but there is a large segment of morons who don't have any idea what's going on with policy, but just think Obama is ruining, "their country." Quotes like, 'Muslims are taking over' are becoming more and more prevalent, and some conservatives are fanning those flames to look like they have support. Rather than educating their supporters on the actual facts that they SHOULD be mad about - some politicians and FoxNews are fanning the protesters like the TeaBaggers to provide some kind of facade of support for their agenda. What they're actually doing is stoking the fires of xenophobia and racism among Amercia's bottom feeders.
What sucks is that there's a serious debate to be had here, but its not happening because people think shouting, "you lie (boy)!" is legitimate dialog. Even if Joe Wilson isn't a racist, his kind of vitrol-soaked politics isn't helping. Its hurting.
Monday, September 14, 2009
How could you be so heartless?
VMAs were hard to watch last night. I get that its probably not the easiest thing to do to corral drunk celebrities, but the pre-show and majority of the show was skin-crawlingly awkward.
Good parts of the night:
-Singers actually singing live (Swift, GaGa, P!nk, Perry)
-Lady Gaga's morbid but AWESOME performance of Paparazzi
-Pink having to be restrained by security from beating Kanye's tiny ass.
MY piece about the Kanye Pest fiasco:
Everyone one knows Kanye's full of himself. He always has been. Last night wasn't the first tantrum he's thrown at an awards show. It was just the lowest he's stooped to do it. There's been a few good rants about Kanye on celebrity twitters and interviews. Since ranting is what I do best, allow me. Ahem.
Dear Kanye,
You make good music. I'll give you that. Lots of people wondered when your ego was going to be your downfall, and I think we all just witnessed it on live TV. Your hubris and ego has finally eclipsed your talent. Your body of work has been overshadowed by your stupid ass tantrums. THAT'S what you'll be known for in 10 years - Being a baby. How's that feel? Don't feel anything? Still think you're the best thing ever? Okay. I can hit harder (and lower). *pause for deep breath...*
I like that you had to reach UP to take the mic from Taylor. Is your ego partially to make you feel bigger than you are? 'Cause you're just a little guy. How's it feel knowing TAYLOR SWIFT makes you look small?
Your girlfriend looks like something stolen out of Roswell. (read: she looks like an alien)
Luckily, your douch-baggery didn't ruin everyone's night. Beyonce won video of the year and got Taylor to come back on stage to finish her speech, making it the last speech of the night. Beyonce is crazy talented (and smoking hot) and a class act. Which is why she can choose to marry the best rapper of the last 10 years, Jay-Z. Jay-Z - THERE'S someone who'll get remembered for his music. Unlike you, Kanye, who'll get remembered for thinking they were cooler than they actually were.
Still have an attitude, 'ye? I've got one more:
Somewhere, Kanye, your mother is ashamed of you.
Good parts of the night:
-Singers actually singing live (Swift, GaGa, P!nk, Perry)
-Lady Gaga's morbid but AWESOME performance of Paparazzi
-Pink having to be restrained by security from beating Kanye's tiny ass.
MY piece about the Kanye Pest fiasco:
Everyone one knows Kanye's full of himself. He always has been. Last night wasn't the first tantrum he's thrown at an awards show. It was just the lowest he's stooped to do it. There's been a few good rants about Kanye on celebrity twitters and interviews. Since ranting is what I do best, allow me. Ahem.
Dear Kanye,
You make good music. I'll give you that. Lots of people wondered when your ego was going to be your downfall, and I think we all just witnessed it on live TV. Your hubris and ego has finally eclipsed your talent. Your body of work has been overshadowed by your stupid ass tantrums. THAT'S what you'll be known for in 10 years - Being a baby. How's that feel? Don't feel anything? Still think you're the best thing ever? Okay. I can hit harder (and lower). *pause for deep breath...*
I like that you had to reach UP to take the mic from Taylor. Is your ego partially to make you feel bigger than you are? 'Cause you're just a little guy. How's it feel knowing TAYLOR SWIFT makes you look small?
Your girlfriend looks like something stolen out of Roswell. (read: she looks like an alien)
Luckily, your douch-baggery didn't ruin everyone's night. Beyonce won video of the year and got Taylor to come back on stage to finish her speech, making it the last speech of the night. Beyonce is crazy talented (and smoking hot) and a class act. Which is why she can choose to marry the best rapper of the last 10 years, Jay-Z. Jay-Z - THERE'S someone who'll get remembered for his music. Unlike you, Kanye, who'll get remembered for thinking they were cooler than they actually were.
Still have an attitude, 'ye? I've got one more:
Somewhere, Kanye, your mother is ashamed of you.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Jay-Z @ MSG w/ JM playing D.O.A.
Acronyms galore!
"all the crazy press would have done me in twice over by now - ...but I've got this guitar, see?"
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The Shins...
are awesome. I know most of my readership is already aware. But I'm listening to them again this morning, and I'm always impressed at how simply they blend wordy, vague and sometimes non-sensical lyrics with such great melodies and layering. Great stuff.
Sleeping Lessons
Go without,
Till the need seeps in
You low animal,
Collect your novel petals for the stem.
And glow. Glow.
Melt and flow.
Eviscerate your fragile frame.
And spill it out on ragged floor.
A thousand different versions of yourself.
And if the old gods still offend,
They got nothing left on which you depend.
So enlist every ounce
Of your bright blood.
And off with their heads.
Jump from the hook.
You're not obliged to swallow anything you despise.
See, those unrepenting buzzards want your life,
And they got no right.As sure as you have eyes,
They got no right.
Sleeping Lessons
Go without,
Till the need seeps in
You low animal,
Collect your novel petals for the stem.
And glow. Glow.
Melt and flow.
Eviscerate your fragile frame.
And spill it out on ragged floor.
A thousand different versions of yourself.
And if the old gods still offend,
They got nothing left on which you depend.
So enlist every ounce
Of your bright blood.
And off with their heads.
Jump from the hook.
You're not obliged to swallow anything you despise.
See, those unrepenting buzzards want your life,
And they got no right.As sure as you have eyes,
They got no right.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Tricky Dick - lessons in correlation
Dick Cheney reminds me of The Penguin from Batman. Okay, enough of that.
You probably read in the news that documents were released yesterday about the CIA interrogation techniques under the Cheney administration. Er, the Bush administration. A very long document very short: There were a few instances of suspects being threatened with power drills, staged executions, threats to kill suspects children, etc. A multitude of Geneva Convention and Human Rights violations. These were isolated incidents, but eye-opening nonetheless.
Dick Cheney has come out now and said that the documents released Monday "clearly demonstrated that the individuals subjected to enhanced interrogation techniques provided the bulk of intelligence ... [that] saved lives and prevented terrorist attacks." He uses this information to plant the seeds about why "so many Americans have doubts about this administration's ability to be responsible for our nation's security."
Okay. Here we go. Rant time. First off, this seems like a simple dichotomy: Obama's view of Ends-do-NOT-Justify-the-Means vs. Cheney's view of Ends-Most-Definitely-Justify-the-Means. Simple enough, right?
No. Cheney is using a very old and very SUCCESSFUL argument tactic. He so quickly and confidently associates the lack of a terrorist attack since 9/11 as evidential proof that threatening people with power drills and fake shooting the prisoner next door in the chest was the root cause of WHY we weren't attacked again. The problem is a common one. People tend to blur the distinction between Correlation and Causation. Cheney is trying to assert that those harsh interrogation techniques CAUSED a lack of terrorist attacks. But its not possible to prove that. There is a CORRELATION at best. There's also a correlation between Cheney's harsh interrogation techniques and my lack of any cavities from 2001-2009. With Cheney's logic - the torture is directly responsible for my lack of cavities. Only that's ridiculous. But is it really any more ridiculous than what Cheney is saying?
I guess that's up to you. DO the ends justify the means? Personally, I say no. Even IF (and that's a big 'if') you proved that torturing someone directly prevented a terrorist attack - dirty means cheapen the resulting ends. We still have a proud free country at the end of the day. Its just a little less proud. And a little less free.
You probably read in the news that documents were released yesterday about the CIA interrogation techniques under the Cheney administration. Er, the Bush administration. A very long document very short: There were a few instances of suspects being threatened with power drills, staged executions, threats to kill suspects children, etc. A multitude of Geneva Convention and Human Rights violations. These were isolated incidents, but eye-opening nonetheless.
Dick Cheney has come out now and said that the documents released Monday "clearly demonstrated that the individuals subjected to enhanced interrogation techniques provided the bulk of intelligence ... [that] saved lives and prevented terrorist attacks." He uses this information to plant the seeds about why "so many Americans have doubts about this administration's ability to be responsible for our nation's security."
Okay. Here we go. Rant time. First off, this seems like a simple dichotomy: Obama's view of Ends-do-NOT-Justify-the-Means vs. Cheney's view of Ends-Most-Definitely-Justify-the-Means. Simple enough, right?
No. Cheney is using a very old and very SUCCESSFUL argument tactic. He so quickly and confidently associates the lack of a terrorist attack since 9/11 as evidential proof that threatening people with power drills and fake shooting the prisoner next door in the chest was the root cause of WHY we weren't attacked again. The problem is a common one. People tend to blur the distinction between Correlation and Causation. Cheney is trying to assert that those harsh interrogation techniques CAUSED a lack of terrorist attacks. But its not possible to prove that. There is a CORRELATION at best. There's also a correlation between Cheney's harsh interrogation techniques and my lack of any cavities from 2001-2009. With Cheney's logic - the torture is directly responsible for my lack of cavities. Only that's ridiculous. But is it really any more ridiculous than what Cheney is saying?
I guess that's up to you. DO the ends justify the means? Personally, I say no. Even IF (and that's a big 'if') you proved that torturing someone directly prevented a terrorist attack - dirty means cheapen the resulting ends. We still have a proud free country at the end of the day. Its just a little less proud. And a little less free.
Head Start - Halloween Costume
So here's my idea. I was gonna do it last year, but I think I'm gonna come through this year.
Anderson Cooper. aka "AC360"
props needed:
-Grey Pocket Tee
-White hair, done the same
-Mic
-Squinty eyes
-Kaki canvas vest with lots of pockets (optional)
Friday, August 21, 2009
Cashes Rivers on the 4th Annual "Hot List"
So every year, Juice (the altBro side of the DM Register) puts out a list of what's 'hot' in Des Moines. The main attraction is that year's "Hottest Reader" as well as a multitude of other categories. There was only one band on the list this year, and it was Cashes Rivers.
Here's the link to the online story - Cashes Rivers is about halfway down.
(Thanks to Juice and Joe Lawler for liking and supporting cool home-grown music!!)
Here's the text:
"Cashes Rivers' music can sound pretty different depending on when you catch him. On his debut EP, "The Trees Will Clap For Us ...," he played nearly all of the instruments himself, creating a full band sound. Live, sometimes it's just him and an acoustic guitar, playing sweet, sensitive and often funny tunes that reveal a seemingly older soul than his 19 years. Then there are shows like his performance this spring at Gross Domestic Product, where Cashes got around 10 friends to play with him, creating an impressive stage show that seemed more on par with indie collective Broken Social Scene than standard singer-songwriter fare.
"Sometimes when you do something as a band, then strip it to acoustic it doesn't sound right," Rivers said. "I wanted to be able to have the options to play the songs by myself and still have them sound good."
What made his big band's performance at GDP even more impressive was that it was the group's first show together, and that Rivers only had a handful of dates under his belt at that point. The Des Moines Music Coalition offered him a spot at the 80/35 Music Festival based off the performance, but Rivers ended up passing to focus on recording his debut full-length, which is due out next spring.
Was that a smart move? Maybe. Rivers spent a lot of time working on the songs from "Trees" before ever performing them live. The result was a fairly polished sound from such a young performer. He's working with Brandon Darner of The Envy Corps on the full-length, and the band seems to have taken him under their wing (Rivers ended up playing a few songs with the band at 80/35). With the new album and support from the city's most popular band, his star will only rise. Spots at GDP and next year's 80/35 are likely his if he wants them.
By that time he'll have already headlined a festival. He's closing out the revived Dogtown Fest near Drake on Sept. 26."
- Joe Lawler
Here's the link to the online story - Cashes Rivers is about halfway down.
(Thanks to Juice and Joe Lawler for liking and supporting cool home-grown music!!)
Here's the text:
"Cashes Rivers' music can sound pretty different depending on when you catch him. On his debut EP, "The Trees Will Clap For Us ...," he played nearly all of the instruments himself, creating a full band sound. Live, sometimes it's just him and an acoustic guitar, playing sweet, sensitive and often funny tunes that reveal a seemingly older soul than his 19 years. Then there are shows like his performance this spring at Gross Domestic Product, where Cashes got around 10 friends to play with him, creating an impressive stage show that seemed more on par with indie collective Broken Social Scene than standard singer-songwriter fare.
"Sometimes when you do something as a band, then strip it to acoustic it doesn't sound right," Rivers said. "I wanted to be able to have the options to play the songs by myself and still have them sound good."
What made his big band's performance at GDP even more impressive was that it was the group's first show together, and that Rivers only had a handful of dates under his belt at that point. The Des Moines Music Coalition offered him a spot at the 80/35 Music Festival based off the performance, but Rivers ended up passing to focus on recording his debut full-length, which is due out next spring.
Was that a smart move? Maybe. Rivers spent a lot of time working on the songs from "Trees" before ever performing them live. The result was a fairly polished sound from such a young performer. He's working with Brandon Darner of The Envy Corps on the full-length, and the band seems to have taken him under their wing (Rivers ended up playing a few songs with the band at 80/35). With the new album and support from the city's most popular band, his star will only rise. Spots at GDP and next year's 80/35 are likely his if he wants them.
By that time he'll have already headlined a festival. He's closing out the revived Dogtown Fest near Drake on Sept. 26."
- Joe Lawler
Thursday, August 20, 2009
500 Days of Summer
Went to a movie a few days ago and REALLY liked it. I liked the acting, I liked the premise, I liked the artistic way it was shot....
500 Days of Summer is non-linear (think Pulp Fiction) and tells a story about a guy who believes in soul-mates and true love, but finds his in a girl who believes the exact opposite. I won't go into much detail to spare those who haven't seen it yet. I just love how REAL the movie feels. Its not trying to be a fairy tale, just real life. And sometimes real life is a bitch. But at the same time - real life is an ongoing, never-ending story that gives you as many opportunities and chances as you feel like taking advantage of. This movie really points out that neither girl or boy was right - EVERYBODY has an idea of how they see the world and their expectations for it, but at the end of the day, Life is going to take your expectations and show you that you're an idiot and it has NO plans on lining up with your worldview. There's no right vs. wrong - there's only different points of view, different people living different lives following different paths, and sometimes they align and sometimes they don't. The moral of the movie (as I read it) is this: Sometimes things work out. Sometimes they don't. Whatever the outcome, the rest of the world is still out there and unaffected by your loss or gain. Good things don't last forever, but neither to the bad things. Keep your worldview and ideals close, but don't ever forget that no matter what happens, there is still a wide world out there - open ended and undetermined - waiting for you to just SEE it.
I'll be doing at least one painting stemming from this movie. Stay tuned....
500 Days of Summer is non-linear (think Pulp Fiction) and tells a story about a guy who believes in soul-mates and true love, but finds his in a girl who believes the exact opposite. I won't go into much detail to spare those who haven't seen it yet. I just love how REAL the movie feels. Its not trying to be a fairy tale, just real life. And sometimes real life is a bitch. But at the same time - real life is an ongoing, never-ending story that gives you as many opportunities and chances as you feel like taking advantage of. This movie really points out that neither girl or boy was right - EVERYBODY has an idea of how they see the world and their expectations for it, but at the end of the day, Life is going to take your expectations and show you that you're an idiot and it has NO plans on lining up with your worldview. There's no right vs. wrong - there's only different points of view, different people living different lives following different paths, and sometimes they align and sometimes they don't. The moral of the movie (as I read it) is this: Sometimes things work out. Sometimes they don't. Whatever the outcome, the rest of the world is still out there and unaffected by your loss or gain. Good things don't last forever, but neither to the bad things. Keep your worldview and ideals close, but don't ever forget that no matter what happens, there is still a wide world out there - open ended and undetermined - waiting for you to just SEE it.
I'll be doing at least one painting stemming from this movie. Stay tuned....
Friday, August 14, 2009
Half-Life
I realize that not a single person who reads my blog is much of a video gamer. However - if you've ever thought about trying out computer 'gamez'... I want to recommend a cheap and awesome beginner's package: via Steam, you can now get something called 'Half-Life Complete" for $17. What this package contains is every Half-Life game ever made.
Half-Life is a 'FPS' (meaning you live the game through the eyes of one character in the first person) about a scientist named Gordon Freeman - you - have a very bad day at work, leading to a pretty crazy chain of events. An experiment goes a little wrong and a small singularity is created and sorta maybe tears a whole to another dimension. These games are the best video games to try to get non-gamers to play. There just happens to be a fair amount of gunplay along with realistic environment-based puzzles in a world a little too real. The storyline is never fully explained to you, and I like that. In half a dozen installments, you're still barely figuring out whats going on... These games, moreso than any other game I've played, really feel like you're living, creating, and driving a movie in the first person.
------------
Discussion Topic: Top 5 favorite video games (any platform)
1) Legend of Zelda (NES)
2) Half-Life 2 (PC)
3) Time Crisis 3 (huge two person arcade version)
4) Myst series (PC)
5) Bioshock (PC)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
"I get these ideas!"
Humorous idea hit me this morning... wait for it.....
Rather than "Lady Gaga" its... "Baby Gaga"
Babies already don't wear pants, so its an easy costume. Bling out a onesie, throw some oversized sunglasses on the kid, maybe a fake blonde wig, and a lightning bolt face paint. I swear it'll win any costume competition this Haloween. Now all I need is to find a baby... I think I'll look for one at Coffee Bean first...
Rather than "Lady Gaga" its... "Baby Gaga"
Babies already don't wear pants, so its an easy costume. Bling out a onesie, throw some oversized sunglasses on the kid, maybe a fake blonde wig, and a lightning bolt face paint. I swear it'll win any costume competition this Haloween. Now all I need is to find a baby... I think I'll look for one at Coffee Bean first...
Sad Day #2
Les Paul, the father of the solid-body electric guitar, died today. There's some debate about who REALLY came up with the first solid body electric guitar, since Leo Fender is often credited as well. From what I understand, they were acquaintances and discussed ideas on a regular basis. It sounds like what happened was that Les Paul actually came up with the plans and prototype of the first solid-body electric guitar, but Fender... well, some people say that he brought it to the masses in the form of the Fender Broadcaster (the pre-curser to the Fender Telecaster). Others say he stole the idea from Les Paul and ran with it. Les Paul was foremost a PLAYER - an amazing Jazz guitarist in his own right. But he was also an innovator. He came up with ideas for delay effects, overdubbing, and multi-track recording, just to name a few. Either way, Les Paul was integral to the creation of one of the biggest interests in my life right now, so I think his death more than warrants a blog post.Les Paul is an actual person - not everyone is aware of that. His name is more well known for its association with Gibson electric guitars. His Gibson "Les Paul Custom" model is probably the 2nd most common electric guitar in the world, second only to the Fender Stratocaster. You've probably seen the Les Paul being played by Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin or Pete Townsend of The Who.
Townsend - below. The last moments of this Les Paul's life....
Jimmy Page - using a violin bow on his Gibson Les Paul
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Sad day on Welch Ave
Battle's BBQ closed. Read on.
Sad - they had great sauce. "Turkey sandwich on wheat please. Yes, I'd like a pickle. Chips are fine." Great place to people watch on the corner of Campustown, too.
I was a big fan when I lived in Towers AND the summer I sublet the apartment by the baseball field. Better known as 'the apartment where the riot had officially started at.'
Monday, July 27, 2009
Oh. Okay. Yes. I want that too, now.
To finally settle an outstanding question: "808's" are old-school drum machines. Not Area codes, not guitar pedals, etc.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
disclaimer
Monday, July 6, 2009
Uh-oh
Ever see something and instantly go, "oh, I want THAT"?
Well - G.A.S. has struck again, and already know where the $$ from my current project is going to be going.
I ususually hate Ibanez guitars, but this one looks like something Jack White would play. The bigsby trem is a big selling point.
I know, I know - I don't need any more guitars. And I'm not getting this one. Yet.
Well - G.A.S. has struck again, and already know where the $$ from my current project is going to be going.
I ususually hate Ibanez guitars, but this one looks like something Jack White would play. The bigsby trem is a big selling point.
I know, I know - I don't need any more guitars. And I'm not getting this one. Yet.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy Independence Day!
Also - N. Korea: You obviously WANT to get into a war, so just effing nuke something already, so we can have an excuse to obliterate your arrogant (and stupid) ass. We see how far you can piss. Its not that far. You are the very short guy trying to walk like a rooster - all puffed up to look bigger than they are. Let us know if you ever want to switch your main export to anything other than "crazy."
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
"New Shoe Dance!"
I finally got some new kicks. I've been seriously frugal this year on shoes - I've needed to update my tennies for a while now, but just never had any shoes jump out at me.
Here's what I ended up with - Adidas "adi specific" white/royal/red. Men's 11.5
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Rorschach Radar
If you were to say, look at this radar frame and see an evil smiley face very clearly - would that make you crazy?
what do YOU see?
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Evil Inc.
After an incident several years ago at an Abercrombie & Fitch in Omaha, NE - I haven't been IN or purchashed anything from A&F. That was nearly a decade ago. I have one t shirt received as a gift which I have sharpied out the word "Abercrombie." Its a bad place - superficial, materialistic, racist, and overly perfumed.
So - I'm biased. I hate the place. I don't like the clothes, but I also have a strong dislike for the people who would work and shop there. Which sounds mean, but everyone I know that has ever worked there doesn't like it either, and all 3 of them have a story of bigotry, rasism, or sodomy.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
"I got the sucker"
Obama had a press conference about.... something... today. It got overshadowed by a fly. A fly kept buzzing around the podeum - BO told the fly to "get out of here." It didn't listen. The fly landed on Obama's hand for an instant too long. BO pauses mid-sentence, looks down, and SMACK! Got it. Says the reporter, "Nice."
Obama replies, "That was pretty impressive wasn't it? I got the sucker. What do you think of that, Gibbs?" I like the real-person-ness about the whole thing. Who DOESN'T ask that when they swat a fly? 'Did you see that?' 'that just happend!'
Of course - I'm sure some groups will say he shouldn't have killed the fly. He should have captured it humanely and released it into the wild.
Obama replies, "That was pretty impressive wasn't it? I got the sucker. What do you think of that, Gibbs?" I like the real-person-ness about the whole thing. Who DOESN'T ask that when they swat a fly? 'Did you see that?' 'that just happend!'
Of course - I'm sure some groups will say he shouldn't have killed the fly. He should have captured it humanely and released it into the wild.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
"It Might Get Loud"
I'm really looking forward to a few movies this summer.
One's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. That's a given. (july 15th, ahem...) It was my favorite HP book, and I'm hoping it'll be the best movie. Ralph Fines is a fantastic He Who Must Not Be Named (or Voldemort, or Tom Riddle, depending on how brave you are). And Alan Rickman is a great Snape.
I also want to see the documentary It Might Get Loud - a film about a gathering of Jack White, the Edge, and Jimmy Page. They, um, play guitar. :-) It looks like it might be shot pretty cool as well.
the Edge talks about how he gets his insane tone and effects. Page talks about being lead guitarist in Led Zeppelin and being the best (arguably) guitar player alive. Jack White is crazy/awesome. Builds a slide guitar with nails, a glass bottle, one guitar string and a 2x4 in about 2.5 minutes.
I guess I'm 'it."
Photo tag game. 4th picture folder in, 4th photo in.
When I was a junior in college at Iowa State - a neighbor of mine from the dorm days was playing a show at the tattoo shop I got my tat from. The band is called "Poison Control Center" and they've played at prior GDPs, the first 80/35, and I once saw Max Weinburg (E Street Band's drummer. ie: Bruce Springsteen's drummer) play with them. This is Devin, my neighbor friend, playing a solo. On his back. With his feet in the air. It seems rediculous, I know, but you have to see a PCC show to understand. Its a blast. A blasty blast.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Shady
Appreciate the country we live in. This sounds like the shadiest, most insideous dictatorship we've seen in a while. I'd be so frustrated if I lived there. I like to think that I'd leave the country behind me, but... that's easy for me to say. What if you loved your country, but THATS the 'options' you've been given? Ugh. Makes me sick.
Friday, June 5, 2009
California Dreamin'
John Mayer Trio is the coolest thing ever. It validates me when people say, 'who's your favorite musician?' and I say, "John Mayer." I get a lot of, "so Your Body Is A Wonderland is your favorite song, huh?" To which I internally respond with, "you are stupid, and our conversation about music is over. Go back to your radio."
Not really - I usually follow it up with, "Not the acoustic stuff, the Trio. Its loud electric blues-rock with fantastic tone and 3 insane musicians." What I get back is a blank stare most of the time. Here's what I'm talking about:
The JM3 had a tour in 2006 - Put out one live album called "TRY!" and this is their second live performance in 3 years. They played on Conan O'brian's show last night - he just moved to LA, California to take over Leno's spot. So of course John brought the loud blues tweak in a nod to Conan's new hometown:
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Passion Pit
Just got into a new band. I like it a lot.
Its called Passion Pit, and it started life as one guy's valentine's day mixed tape for his girlfriend. That mixed tape got him a record deal.
Its hard to exlpain the music... its like MGMT meets Vampire Weekend meets Postal Service meets the Shins meets Beirut. Like all those bands? Go check out Passion Pit. watch at least until 1:20 when the serious synth kicks in...
whats even more impressive is that they can pull this off live:
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Swim for your life*
One of my favorite bands is having an open call for artwork featuring the word/theme of "Swim" for their upcoming music video of the song of the same name. I'm going to submit something.
*edit* Something like this:
or this:
nope. I'll send all three, but I think this will be the one with a "chance."
Friday, May 22, 2009
A much deserved holiday
After all the.... hulabaloo of the last two graduation commencement speeches that BO has made, his most recent address at the Annapolis Naval Academy was a nice contrast. No protestors, no fuss about honorary degrees... just an inspirational speech and excited grads.
John McCain's son happened to be one of the graduating cadets. McCain and his wife were in the crowd as well. Not only were there no protests or booing or hecklers - the place erupted when Jack McCain (John S. McCain IV) walked across the stage to receive his diploma. Obama gave Jack a big smile and a few words along with a clap on the shoulder while the place went nuts for the Jack and John both. Its a great clip, I'm sure its on the net somewheres.
John McCain's son happened to be one of the graduating cadets. McCain and his wife were in the crowd as well. Not only were there no protests or booing or hecklers - the place erupted when Jack McCain (John S. McCain IV) walked across the stage to receive his diploma. Obama gave Jack a big smile and a few words along with a clap on the shoulder while the place went nuts for the Jack and John both. Its a great clip, I'm sure its on the net somewheres.
Smoke, Lies, and Cigarettes
An appeals court upheld a prior decision that US tobacco companies (including Phillip Morris) were guilty of lying about health risks of smoking. The ruling could result in a permanent ban of labels such as "low tar" and "light." The point being - while it may be 'lighter' than other cigarettes, they'll still kill ya. No word on whether it will be appealed again or what kind of staying power this ruling will have, but I'm just excited about the trend in the US to call out Big Tobacco for the evil lying bastards they are. I'm not saying people shouldn't be able to smoke, I'm just saying that it needs to be regulated WAY more than it is. Any other product specifically designed to addict you wouldn't last 2 weeks on the shelves but because there's so much $$$ to be made..... we turn the other way. Yet growing a plant with zero arsenic (rat poison) and ammonia artificially added is grounds for time in federal prison - which all of us have to pay for.
Again - I'm not saying "legalize pot" or "ban cigarettes," I'm just sick of the blatant and widespread hypocrisy in this country on the subject. I'm just asking for an honest discussion here.
Read about the ruling on BBC
Again - I'm not saying "legalize pot" or "ban cigarettes," I'm just sick of the blatant and widespread hypocrisy in this country on the subject. I'm just asking for an honest discussion here.
Read about the ruling on BBC
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Adele
I'll bet you've heard the song "Chasing Pavements" by the brit singer Adele. Her whole album is solid, but I was instantly sold on her when I saw her perform live on some late-night show. She's got an Amy Winehouse-type retro pop voice that is so smokey and mature that it sounds like you pulled her right out of Motown. Her voice is one of the hottest voices I've heard in a while (I'm looking at you Xtina...) She also writes all her own music. Impressive. I also dig her look - which is just being herself. Keep on doin' what ya do, Adele. 
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
In case of outbreak...
Apparently I've been practicing for this outbreak for the past year or two without even knowing about it...
Fair and UnBalanced
I love to hate FOX news. Its just because they're so biased, then pretend like they're not biased. Their tag line "Fair and Balanced" couldn't be farther from the truth. I mean, I get that every reporter, every station has a certain level of personal bias - its just that FOX is so blatant about it.
For example - remember the NYC fly-over from a few posts back? FOX news SLAMMED the administration and Obama in particular for this mistake. Even today, here's how they quoted Obama's response:
"It was a mistake, as was stated ... and it will not happen again."
Here's the actual quote: "It was a mistake, as was stated. It was something we found out about along with all of you, and it will not happen again."
Nice, FOX. Obviously he didn't know about it, or it wouldn't have happened. Way to make sure your conservative viewership continues to think he somehow personally signed off on it.
to the jerkoffs @ Fox - STOP TRYING TO MAKE NEWS AND JUST REPORT IT.
Stick to shows like 90210, Fox. Leave the intelligent programs to intelligent stations.
For example - remember the NYC fly-over from a few posts back? FOX news SLAMMED the administration and Obama in particular for this mistake. Even today, here's how they quoted Obama's response:
"It was a mistake, as was stated ... and it will not happen again."
Here's the actual quote: "It was a mistake, as was stated. It was something we found out about along with all of you, and it will not happen again."
Nice, FOX. Obviously he didn't know about it, or it wouldn't have happened. Way to make sure your conservative viewership continues to think he somehow personally signed off on it.
to the jerkoffs @ Fox - STOP TRYING TO MAKE NEWS AND JUST REPORT IT.
Stick to shows like 90210, Fox. Leave the intelligent programs to intelligent stations.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Plateaus and Pentatonics
My brother used the phrase "breaking out of your plateau" once when we were lifting during my freshman year of high school. I remember thinking about how fitting of a euphemism that was at the time. He was talking about the times that it feels like you just aren't making any gains in your lifting despite consistently working out. Not seeing improvement even though you're putting the time in. Then, one day, you notice that you've suddenly jumped up 2 notches. Its almost odd how you've forgotten how it feels to experience improvement and that rush comes back the same each time.
I'd been in a serious playing plateau lately, and feel like I just broke out of it in the past few days. I've been focusing on the positions/ boxes/ patterns/ scales/ shapes/ whatever you want to call them- that I don't use very often. This guy in particular is sweet, and I need to use him more. Minor Pentatonic Scale - Position "3" or "C" shape:
another XKCD
too funny not to post. Funnier if you've ever read YouTube comments or Twitter - really, any forum that lets ANYbody post ANYthing they want. I'd like to think that people (as a whole) are intelligent. Sometimes, though, its funny to see what happens when stupid people all meet up at the same place on the internet to "talk."
Oops
Somebody is probably going to get demoted for this. First off, it sounds like there was a communication breakdown (not the cool Led Zeppelin kind, either). That's too bad, but still an error.
What nobody seems to be asking is WHY IN THE HELL DID YOU CHOOSE NYC FOR THIS PHOTOSHOOT? Couldn't you have chosen a different city to fly really low over in a 747-type plane? Maybe, say, one that doesn't have a stigma about low flying passenger planes? Even if there was enough warning to the public.... can't we get our photo-op from a different city?
Best quote of the story: "It just scared a couple million people."
What nobody seems to be asking is WHY IN THE HELL DID YOU CHOOSE NYC FOR THIS PHOTOSHOOT? Couldn't you have chosen a different city to fly really low over in a 747-type plane? Maybe, say, one that doesn't have a stigma about low flying passenger planes? Even if there was enough warning to the public.... can't we get our photo-op from a different city?
Best quote of the story: "It just scared a couple million people."
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The best post ever
Ronald Jenkees is the coolest. Remember back when I posted this clip? No? that's okay. Anyways. Ron enjoys the hell out of what he does, and he should because its pretty freakin impressive. Here's how I originally found him:
Today I was searching for something completely different and ended up at Ronald's YouTube page yet again. And found EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.
Cheers, Ron!
the generation gap
Tom and I covered this song as part of a medely a few years ago, and a comment on my spacebook page reminded me of it...
You know you loved the '90s. It was totally awesome, and look at these people soaking in their last year of it...
Look at what you can do with lots of loud amps, a few candles, simple riffs, and a ton of energy...
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
iPhone Resurrection
like a Phoenix from the ashes.....okay so it wasn't that bad. My iPhone hopped out of my hoodie pocket before a VB game - hit the ground, and the case BURSTS apart and both pieces go flying in opposite directions while my now naked and vulnerable phone goes skidding and bumping across the 3 lane city street - facedown. However, the vinyl satin cover I added earned it's worth ($5) by taking all the scratches and saving the face. The sides got a little scraped up, but its obviously not noticeable in the new cover.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
tensions
North Korea is fucking crazy. Like... seriously crazy. They celebrated their rocket launch, even though it broke apart and fell into the pacific ocean (read: epic failure). When asked, they say that the satellite DID make it into orbit and is broadcasting songs and Kim Jong Il's voice back to Earth. Its sad, really. Like kids in denial... (he's not dead he's sleeping!) C'mon, NKorea.... your rocket sucked and your satellite is laying in pieces on the bottom of the ocean. Now, you've said that any sanctions at all against you over the launch (which was a breach of a UN Security Council Resolution and a multitude of international powers told you not to before hand) would be taken as an 'act of war.' And that you would "mercilessly punish any ... who encroach on the dignity of the DPRK even a bit." Really? Really. You're a kid who was told not to do something repeatedly and then did it. Don't you get it? This is exactly the type of crazy-person / immature, insolent child BULLSHIT that's exactly the reason that no other country in the world thinks that you're responsible enough to be trusted with The Bomb.
Whatever, N. Korea. Keep talking big. I think that the insolent, dumbass child metaphor is more accurate than most would think. I think you ARE all talk and no brain. I say we LET you develop the bomb. Because I think you'd get so full of your own hubris that you'd try and make a huge one, only to fuck it up and wipe your own country completely off the map. That'd solve our problem for us.
Friday, April 17, 2009
a disturbing turn of events
There's been too much teabagging in the news recently. Any teabagging in the national news is too much.It all started when a group of conservatives crawled out from under their rocks to stage a piss-poor reenactment of the Boston Tea Party to protest... taxes? Something. Anyways, it was lost in the ensuing double entendre-palooza. So anyways, these people came out into the sunlight and wanted to throw tea into the water. Only, the authorities came out and said "you can't throw those tea bags into the water." So being good conservatives, they didn't. However, they unfortunately choose the "tea bagging" phrase as a name for their protest. This is when their kids should have stepped in. Why not call it a "Hot Carl Rally?" Or a "Cleveland Steamer Protest?" Seriously, kids, you let your conservative parents down. Some of you even faked being conservative, just so you could hoist a humorous sign (see picture).
Anyways, even AC360 got his joke in: "Its hard to talk when you're tea-bagging..." So funny, that I almost pee'd at work. Tea-bagging on CNN. What's next?
Monday, April 13, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
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Tuesday, April 7, 2009
dm Cityview
I picked up a copy of this week's Cityview for lunch since I don't currently have a book to read. It happened to be the week of April Fools Day, so I noticed that the first page's stories were even more ridiculous than usual. Then I realized that it was fake. They'd made up the stories as an April Fools Day joke. Okay, haha, funny idea. Next page - also fake. THE WHOLE DAMN 30 PAGE PAPER WAS FAKE NEWS. There already is a fake news source, Cityview; it's called The Onion and you'll never be as good at fake news as they are. I can understand the desire to pull an April Fools Day prank, but.... the whole paper? I found the whole thing to be humorous - only at Cityviews expense. I imagined myself writing in the Cityview format ABOUT that edition of Cityview:
...And even though the paper was obviously trying to be funny, the impact was lessened by the sheer volume of ridiculous stories - like a child not knowing when to quit. I wonder if our friends over at The Register took time off from their bar-crawling to pull an April Fools Day prank? Little did the folks over at Cityview know, they didn't need to pull any pranks to be funny - their publication is already a joke.
-LW
...And even though the paper was obviously trying to be funny, the impact was lessened by the sheer volume of ridiculous stories - like a child not knowing when to quit. I wonder if our friends over at The Register took time off from their bar-crawling to pull an April Fools Day prank? Little did the folks over at Cityview know, they didn't need to pull any pranks to be funny - their publication is already a joke.
-LW
Thursday, April 2, 2009
GDP Preview - Cashes Rivers
We had our first CD Review from the Des Moines Music Coalition:
"It’s the voice of singer/songwriter Cashes Rivers that immediately pulls you in – it’s sad and mournful and aching, but also hopeful and sweet. After that voice, though, you get some nice, lush instrumentation and arrangement (courtesy of some of Des Moines’ best local musicians).
Horns and vocal effects on songs like “Beep Beep” punctuate the poignant lyrics, and the lush introductory keys of “When it Rains” let you know you’re in for something special, and it doesn’t disappoint – the fading vocals and electronic beats at the end leave you wistful and wanting more. Cashes Rivers also hand draws the cover to every CD he sells – how cool is that?
Catch Cashes Rivers at GDP on Saturday, April 11th at 8:45 in the Grand Ballroom of Hotel Fort Des Moines. "
"It’s the voice of singer/songwriter Cashes Rivers that immediately pulls you in – it’s sad and mournful and aching, but also hopeful and sweet. After that voice, though, you get some nice, lush instrumentation and arrangement (courtesy of some of Des Moines’ best local musicians).
Horns and vocal effects on songs like “Beep Beep” punctuate the poignant lyrics, and the lush introductory keys of “When it Rains” let you know you’re in for something special, and it doesn’t disappoint – the fading vocals and electronic beats at the end leave you wistful and wanting more. Cashes Rivers also hand draws the cover to every CD he sells – how cool is that?
Catch Cashes Rivers at GDP on Saturday, April 11th at 8:45 in the Grand Ballroom of Hotel Fort Des Moines. "
Esoterical, I know...
I'm really into instrumental bands of late. The Autumn Project and Telefon Tel Aviv sparked my interest, and I'm finding some GEMS recently. I like this type of music because it FORCES the focus to be on instrumentation and tone, which is what I'm focused on anyways. It pushes musicians to really get the most out of their guitars, their effects pedals, their amp rig. Drummers are so much a part of the sound in any band, but the dynamics in some of these songs is incredible. Here's who I'm currently listening to:
Russian Circles
Beware of Safety
Telefon Tel Aviv
Explosions in the Sky
The Autumn Project
Russian Circles
Beware of Safety
Telefon Tel Aviv
Explosions in the Sky
The Autumn Project
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
So Say We All...
The Onion thinks that Obama is so cool, we shared the same favorite show. And ensuing depression in its abscence.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
What a world...
Scary stuff. The headline alone is scary: Giant Lizards Kill Fisherman
I always knew that Komodo dragons existed, but I never really gave them due credit. I always assumed that the name was a misnomer, and that they were just an oversized iguana. I was wrong. Because it sounds like, from the above article, the only difference between these guys and full-on Anne McCaffery dragons are wings and breathing fire. Seriously! Read that article: they can cut you up with huge claws, they can bite you with POISON FANGS, they can kill you with their tail, they can crawl up ladders, they can run as fast as dogs, jump up on their hind legs, and apparently, kidnapp Swiss tourists.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Say 'Cheese!'
I've had two distinct "picture poses" my entire life. I had one for a few years (the awkward thumbs up), then I suddenly changed it to the point-at-the-other-person technique that's served me well for years now. Stephen Colbert's "Black Friend Allen" move was in the middle of this phase. Note where my faces get... more intense. Angrier. That's post-colbert.
The "Point Technique" - A montage:
Monday, March 9, 2009
Quite A Change
A lot of Matt's lyrics are good - these have especially hit me. I may or may not have teared up a little when he busted the last lines out at the M-Shop (we'd never heard them before, they're new). The song itself is about the person you love dying slowly in a hospital (I think), but like all good songs, people internalize it and make it about whatever's going on in their own lives...
"so we bury our love in cemetaries
because its something pretty for us to look at.
And I'll come visit you...
And I'll bring flowers too...
And I know I can change myself!
And I know we can change our selves,
And I know I can change myself -
But who am I without somebody else?"
"so we bury our love in cemetaries
because its something pretty for us to look at.
And I'll come visit you...
And I'll bring flowers too...
And I know I can change myself!
And I know we can change our selves,
And I know I can change myself -
But who am I without somebody else?"
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Concert Calendar
On the local radio station's (105.1 Channel Q) "Concert Calendar:"
We're listed in the top two shows, and we're playing the Gross Domestic Product show at the bottom as well. Essentially, this radio station thinks that there are 5 shows worth noting in the next two months, and we're playing in 3 of them. Nice job, Matt!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Cola Musings
Pepsi --> best in a fountain cup w/ ice.
Mt Dew --> best in a very cold can.
Friday, February 20, 2009
You don't need to change - the future's with us....
I got tix to a show that I SWORE was sold out when I checked last week. Tokyo Police Club @ the Slowdown!! Its become one of my favorite venues to see music and I'm VERY excited to see these guys live for the first time. I've got albums, and I've got a few live tracks, and they sound like a party. Really looking forward to this one.
Be Good:
------------------------------------------------------------
I'm going to be a wreck the week of St. Pats....
-Playing live at the Emerald Isle on Saturday, St. Patricks day celebration in Imogene.
Party.
-Going to Tokyo Police Club on Monday.
Party.
-St. Patricks Day on Tuesday. Maybe I should lay low while I've got the chance.
-Ben Folds @ the Val-Air Ballroom on Wednesday...
I'm going to be a wreck the week of St. Pats....
-Playing live at the Emerald Isle on Saturday, St. Patricks day celebration in Imogene.
Party.
-Going to Tokyo Police Club on Monday.
Party.
-St. Patricks Day on Tuesday. Maybe I should lay low while I've got the chance.
-Ben Folds @ the Val-Air Ballroom on Wednesday...
Monday, February 16, 2009
Czar Power
Thank you, President Obama, for having the intelligence to reject the moronic trend in using 'czar' as a suffix for a point-man. I've mentioned it here before how much I cringe when people try and use this. First off, the saying doesn't make any damned sense. The Czars weren't exactly well liked. They pissed off their subordinates so much that they rose up and murdered them all in their homes then burnt said homes to the ground. Is this really your business model? No? Oh, you had no idea that's what happened to the Czars? Hmm. Which leads me to point #2: Why people ACTUALLY use it. They don't use the phrase because it applies to the situation - they use the phrase because it's hip. Or to be more accurate - because their LEADERSHIP think that it's hip. Then it trickles down so that some dumbass Manager leading an all-associate meeting gets to bust it out in front of his VP, only to get to a point in his presentation where it becomes evident that he/she can't actually spell the word Czar. Or my personal favorite - appointing a TEAM of people to a task and calling them 'expense czars.' Okay, place-where-i-work, you're hitting all new lows. If you're going to incorrectly use the title Czar, at least use it incorrectly RIGHT. Even if you don't know a damned thing about what a Czar was (which it is obvious that you do not), know this: The whole point of using the term 'Czar' is that ONE person has all the authority in a situation. Applying the name to a TEAM of people is like counting with letters. And about as intelligent.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
What is a B.A.? What does a B.A. do? Are there any horse socks?
I like that my job title is ambiguous. People don't have a CLUE what I do. Juice did an article on defining the position of 'Business Analyst.'
Singles Awareness Day (S.A.D.)
I have a crush on a YouTube girl. Ridiculous. But she's really, really good. And very creative in the way she pulls off some of these songs. Plus she plays a bunch of instruments. And has an AMAZING voice. And she's cute. Julia Nunes.
Cover of Say Anything's Alive with the Glory of Love:
And coming to People's Court April 22nd - New Found Glory
And one last cover song:
Back In Your Head
Happy Valentine's Day <3
Cover of Say Anything's Alive with the Glory of Love:
And coming to People's Court April 22nd - New Found Glory
And one last cover song:
Back In Your Head
Happy Valentine's Day <3
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Songs for St. Pat's Saturday
Tom and I are going to be playing at the Emerald Isle on the Saturday before St. Patricks Day in Imogene, IA. I'm sure there's multiple bands as there are every year, but we're told it'll be afternoon/evening and ~1hr long. If I know the Isle, we'll have people miss it and make us play a second set late in the evening anyways.
Here's the setlist we're tossing around, we've been practicing these songs and we'll probably drop a few of the sloppy ones. Does anybody have any good suggestions of songs from the '90s that aren't CRAZY popular, but if people heard it, they would definately know it? My submission was "Banditos" by The Refreshments ('well I got the pistols, so I'll keep the pesos, yeah and that seems fair.') I also thought Champagne Supernova would be a crowd pleaser, and a break from every other band in the world playing Wonderwall. So - if you can think of a '90s anthem or a song that maybe you heard on 89.7 The River when you were in high school, leave me a comment.
1. Set you Free - Black Keys**
2. Consoler of the Lonely - Raconteurs
3. Thickfreakness - Black Keys**
4. Take the Money and Run - Steve Miller Band**
5. Cissy Strut - JM3**
6. Who Did You Think I Was? - JM3**
7. Bron Y-aur Stomp - Led Zepp
8. Wastin Time - Jack Johnson**
9. I Got Mine - Back Keys**
10. Do You Right - 311**
11. Magic Potion - Black Keys**
12. Lies - Black Keys**
13. Taylor - Jack Johnson**
14. Cookie Jar - Jack Johnson**
15. D'yer Maker - Led Zepp
16. Instinct Blues - White Stripes
17. What I Got - Sublime**
18. Rock N' Me - Steve Miller Band**
19. Champagne Supernova - Oasis**
20. Kilburn High Road - Flogging Molly
21. Crossroads - Cream
22. Beautiful Disaster - 311
23. Banditos - The Refreshments**
24. Down Together - The Refreshments**
**I could probably kick these out no problem. The others might need some practice.
Here's the setlist we're tossing around, we've been practicing these songs and we'll probably drop a few of the sloppy ones. Does anybody have any good suggestions of songs from the '90s that aren't CRAZY popular, but if people heard it, they would definately know it? My submission was "Banditos" by The Refreshments ('well I got the pistols, so I'll keep the pesos, yeah and that seems fair.') I also thought Champagne Supernova would be a crowd pleaser, and a break from every other band in the world playing Wonderwall. So - if you can think of a '90s anthem or a song that maybe you heard on 89.7 The River when you were in high school, leave me a comment.
1. Set you Free - Black Keys**
2. Consoler of the Lonely - Raconteurs
3. Thickfreakness - Black Keys**
4. Take the Money and Run - Steve Miller Band**
5. Cissy Strut - JM3**
6. Who Did You Think I Was? - JM3**
7. Bron Y-aur Stomp - Led Zepp
8. Wastin Time - Jack Johnson**
9. I Got Mine - Back Keys**
10. Do You Right - 311**
11. Magic Potion - Black Keys**
12. Lies - Black Keys**
13. Taylor - Jack Johnson**
14. Cookie Jar - Jack Johnson**
15. D'yer Maker - Led Zepp
16. Instinct Blues - White Stripes
17. What I Got - Sublime**
18. Rock N' Me - Steve Miller Band**
19. Champagne Supernova - Oasis**
20. Kilburn High Road - Flogging Molly
21. Crossroads - Cream
22. Beautiful Disaster - 311
23. Banditos - The Refreshments**
24. Down Together - The Refreshments**
**I could probably kick these out no problem. The others might need some practice.
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