Wax Polemic

2011-12-22T14:53:00.000-05:00

2011-07-14T11:59:00.001-04:00

2011-06-25T13:03:00.001-04:00

Amazing Impression

2011-06-17T09:32:00.000-04:00

2011-04-10T09:26:00.001-04:00

2011-03-30T23:55:00.001-04:00

2011-03-23T11:19:00.000-04:00

2011-03-21T22:01:00.000-04:00

2011-03-20T12:52:00.000-04:00

The stuff about the monkeys starting at 3 minutes is amazing

That's no blarney!

2011-03-17T17:18:00.000-04:00

Update

2011-03-13T22:28:00.005-04:00

I'm not sanguine about 2011 being an amazing year, but I've got a few things I'm looking forward to:

- Warrior Dash in Georgia
- Hiking/camping with Keith in Colorado
- Hiking/camping in Alaska w/ Newhart
- Potential marathon with Grossman (and getting in to marathon shape)
- Getting another year closer to paying off my oppressive, soul-crushing student loans
- New Fleet Foxes record
- New Wilco record (hoping it will be better than the last)

Discovery's Last Mission

2011-03-07T15:20:00.000-05:00

2011-03-04T16:34:00.001-05:00

Really Washington?

2011-01-26T17:16:00.000-05:00

2010-12-15T10:59:00.000-05:00

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Lame-as-F@#k Congress

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

The Daily Show on Facebook

A Big Step

2010-11-21T21:32:00.000-05:00

Medal of Honor recipient

2010-11-17T16:37:00.000-05:00

The Sal Giunta Story from SebastianJunger/TimHetherington on Vimeo.

Best Birthday Present Ever

2010-11-11T11:07:00.007-05:00

Blythe surprised me with a helicopter tour of Atlanta for my birthday. It was completely unexpected and I loved every minute of it. We saw Buckhead, Downtown, Midtown (including Piedmont Park), then went out to Decatur and Stone Mountain before landing back at PDK. I want to start taking lessons, just as soon as those student loans are paid off.

(I look like crap)

2010-11-09T21:38:00.001-05:00

Coincidence? You decide.

2010-11-05T11:34:00.003-04:00

Actually...it's probably just a coincidence.

2010-11-04T14:42:00.001-04:00

100 Best Signs from Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear

2010-11-04T10:33:00.000-04:00

Here

I can picture this in my head and it's amazing

2010-10-22T14:31:00.002-04:00

from Facebook Fail Blog

In case someone hasn't seen this...

2010-10-20T17:21:00.000-04:00

"And a masters degree in COMMUNICATION!"

2010-10-20T11:03:00.001-04:00

In Rotation

2010-10-20T10:29:00.001-04:00

North Rim - Grand Canyon

2010-08-17T18:56:00.004-04:00

After Zion, we loaded into the car and made our way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It’s a beautiful drive out of the park and into the pines of the Kaibab. There was snow in the forest – basically a 180 degree shift from where we had spent the previous three days. The campsite was in the pines and had plenty of shade from the Sun – a much more comfortable place to relax than in the heat of Zion. A few hundred yards from our campsite we got our first glimpse of the Canyon from the north side. I was surprised how much different the vegetation is on the North Rim from the South Rim. Lots of pine trees and there was even some snow on the ground left from the winter.

Highlights:

Hiked to bottom of grand canyon

Saw Colorado River

Doug/Apple on the canyon rim

Star party

Trail of tears to the GC lodge

In all, we hiked 50 miles in 4 days, including at least 1.5 vertical miles. It was intense.

Good Documentary on the War in Afghanistan

2010-08-16T10:16:00.003-04:00

Restrepo is in limited release right now, but it is definitely worth checking out if it is playing in your area.

Also, there is a companion book about Battle Co.'s experiences in the Korengal Valley called War. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but my friend who was in Afghanistan with the 173rd recommended it.

2010-08-11T12:35:00.001-04:00

Zion trip

2010-07-11T12:33:00.005-04:00

SO...clearly a bit of lag time on this, but better late than never. Here goes:

Dave and I got into Vegas on Tuesday night. When my plane landed, Dave had been there for an hour or so, circling the McCarren airport grounds in our rental chariot and getting antsy. We checked in at the Hard Rock, which was surprisingly nice, and went for a slice and bought some beers. Dave and I tried our hands at busting open the bottles using our fists and the curb. Eventually we settled on using the magazine stands on the side of the road. Great success. What follows is hazy, which, frankly, is not the point of this post.

The next day we got slightly lost looking for In-n-Out and managed to find the least accessible fast food restaurant location in existence. It was worth it. We ran some errands – got a few last minute supplies – and picked up Josh from the airport.

Our three days in Zion were amazing. The first day we hiked Angel’s Landing, which is probably the most popular and well-known of the hikes in Zion.

The first few miles were pretty mundane, but closer to the top it becomes a scramble over boulders and sheer drop-offs. I didn’t really know how far down it was from there – maybe 1000 ft? I’d heard stories from a co-worker the previous week about the number of people that fall off Angel’s Landing every year. I have to admit, it definitely gave me pause. But once you get up there, it was more fun than anything. We all really enjoyed climbing up the rocks and scrambling to the top – except Josh. He hates everything.

The next day we hiked the Observation Point trail, which was quite a bit longer, distance-wise, than the hike on the previous day. While it didn’t have any of the exciting scrambling of the Angel’s Landing hike, it was quite a bit more scenic and actually brought us to the top of Zion Canyon.

After that hike, we walked down to the Virgin River (that carved out the canyon) to see how cold it was. It was bad. If we had been allowed to hike the Narrows, we would have needed wet suits. Even then it would have been uncomfortable.

That night, we had our first and only rattlesnake sighting on the Watchman Trail. That called for an impromptu reggae sunset party – Dave busted out the iPod speakers, three cold Tecates and a flask of Dewars.

On our last day, our intention was to hike to the Emerald Pools, but called a last minute audible and checked out Hidden Canyon. It ended up being a great call. This was the most interesting and challenging hike of the 4 days.

Once you make it to the riverbed a couple of miles in you face a series of more challenging boulders and rocks to continue on the trail. We had been told to keep going even when we thought that the trail ended. We took that to heart. We made our way up the trail and it was an absolute blast. Probably the best hike of my life.

There was also an arch about 2/3rds of the way in, so we were able to cross that off the list.

I'll leave you with our credo for the trip: Safety Third

2010 at the halfway point

2010-07-11T12:24:00.004-04:00

Those that read this probably already know what my favorites are so far this year, but just in case:

The National - High Violet

Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me

The Black Keys - Brothers

Check em out, you silly goofballs

Merica

2010-06-25T14:05:00.002-04:00

Best of Sky Mall

2010-06-09T20:46:00.005-04:00

No updates for a while

2010-05-27T14:38:00.007-04:00

I just moved to a new place without internet (for the time being) and am headed on a long vacation (the longest I've had since I started my job two years ago, actually) in the Southwest, so probably no substantive updates for a while (not that there have been that many recently). Speaking for myself, I know you'll all miss me very much.

Headed here:

Sprawlanta

2010-05-20T11:50:00.001-04:00

2010-05-18T18:39:00.002-04:00

with John Lennon on drums

Preach on Steve Albini

2010-05-18T18:37:00.001-04:00

The Problem with Music

2010-05-03T20:02:00.001-04:00

Sometimes I think I'm gonna lose my mind
But it don't look like I ever do
I've loved so many people everywhere I went
Some too much, and others not enough

Well I don't know
I may go down or up or anywhere
But I feel like this scribbling might stay

Maybe if I hadn't seen so much hard feelings
I might not could've felt other people's
So when you think of me, if and when you do
Just say, "Well, another man's done gone"

Well, another man's done gone

-- Woody Guthrie

Someone tried to poison The Joker?

2010-04-28T20:40:00.001-04:00

FOOLS!

2010-04-26T22:52:00.001-04:00

The Elusive Flip Flop

2010-04-21T21:30:00.001-04:00

Loving this one right now

2010-04-21T21:25:00.001-04:00

2010-04-20T22:40:00.000-04:00

How to Make Bread

2010-04-12T20:51:00.000-04:00

Moonlighting sucks!

2010-04-09T09:45:00.002-04:00

Check out this blog:

http://www.sleeptalkinman.blogspot.com/

You won't regret it.

Long Overdue Wax Polemic

2010-04-07T12:08:00.003-04:00

The term "wax" in its most traditional form, is generally referring to the substance secreted by bees and used to build their honeycombs.

As referenced in wikipedia, "wax" has more broadly been identified as a substance that:

- becomes soft plastic at room temperatures
- has a relatively low melting point
- has low viscosity when melted
- is insoluble in water
- is hydrophobic

In addition to beeswax, certain types of plant wax and petroleum wax occur naturally (this was news to me). The most common uses for wax are in candles, wax paper (surprise!), shoe polishes, wood polishes, automotive polishes, as mold release agents in mold making, as a coating for many cheeses, to waterproof leather and fabric, in crayons, and in cosmetics.

For my purposes, I use the term "wax" to modify "polemic" - exhibiting that my arguments/opinions are often, although not always (see previous entry on the Rock/Roll Hall of Fame), malleable.

And now, to the purpose of this post (per Dave's suggestion) - a polemic on the topic of wax:

I'm sick and tired of hippies that think Japan wax is better than Rice Bran wax. I can't tell you how many times I've had to sit and listen to these idiots go on and on about how Japan wax is a great substitute for beeswax because it is derived from the berries of certain sumacs native to Japan and China. Big deal, a-holes! Have you thought about the fact that Rice Bran wax can easily serve as a substitue for Carnauba wax? Or that Rice Bran wax bleaches and deodorizes easily, making it great for use in cosmetics, adhesives, crayons, even pharmaceuticals?! I bet you didn't think about that you COMMIES! Not to mention the fact that the relatively low melting point of Japan wax (at 53C, compared to 75/85C for Rice Bran) makes it less stable when using certain manufacturing techniques. Good luck using Japan wax next time you make a typewriter ribbon (what? too good for a computer, dicks?). Use your brains next time!

Some good rock for Spring

2010-04-05T21:31:00.002-04:00

And a sweet slideshow with fancy transitions

KFC's Double Down

2010-04-04T11:00:00.004-04:00

KFC is offering a new sandwich called the Double Down which, as you can see, consists of cheese and bacon sandwiched between two pieces of fried chicken. The sandwich will set you back 540 calories, 32g of fat and 1380mg of sodium. Coming to a KFC near you April 12th!

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

2010-04-02T11:54:00.001-04:00

Pet Costumes

2010-03-26T09:19:00.004-04:00

Target's selection of pet costumes is always good for a laugh.

My personal favorites:

2010-03-22T13:58:00.001-04:00

Waterloo

2010-03-22T09:31:00.004-04:00

David Frum, conservative journalist and former Bush speechwriter, on what yesterday's passage of the health reform bill means for Republicans going forward.

"We followed the most radical voices in the party and the movement, and they led us to abject and irreversible defeat.

There were leaders who knew better, who would have liked to deal. But they were trapped. Conservative talkers on Fox and talk radio had whipped the Republican voting base into such a frenzy that deal-making was rendered impossible. How do you negotiate with somebody who wants to murder your grandmother? Or – more exactly – with somebody whom your voters have been persuaded to believe wants to murder their grandmother?"

FrumForum

RIP Alex Chilton

2010-03-18T18:27:00.001-04:00

2010-03-15T21:56:00.010-04:00

This week's New Yorker has a really interesting article about Justice John Paul Stevens and the current state/evolution of the Supreme Court. The author, Jeffrey Toobin (who wrote The Nine), was also interviewed on Fresh Air this evening - worth checking out if you're interested. I was particularly interested in how the authorship of the majority and dissenting opinions are used as tools to coax swing votes.

New Yorker article

Fresh Air interview

circa 1970

in 2009

2010-03-15T15:56:00.002-04:00

May Releases

2010-03-14T14:31:00.002-04:00

This May is going to be a great month for new music. In part to allow myself to keep track of these, but also in case others are interested, I'm keeping a running list:

May 4th - Josh Ritter, Broken Social Scene, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Band of Horses, The New Pornographers, The Hold Steady
May 11th - The National, Gayngs
May 18th - The Black Keys

All of this plus Dr. Dog's new one in April and possible Radiohead and Fleet Foxes albums later this year. 2010 is shaping up nicely.

Doing God's Work

2010-03-04T15:45:00.001-05:00

But First, A Little Perspective

2010-03-04T12:19:00.006-05:00

A worthwhile read regarding the use of reconciliation in Congress through the eyes of the media:

http://mediamatters.org/columns/201003030032

While the article is a little left-leaning, it's hard to argue with the facts presented. When the Congress passed Clinton's welfare reform bill using reconciliation, no one called it a "gimmick" or "procedural trick." Similarly, when the Congress passed Bush's $726 billion tax cut package (while starting a war on two fronts that was conveniently left out of the President's budget, by the way), the use of reconciliation was barely mentioned. From the article, "The Times, Post, the three broadcast networks and CNN combined for fewer than a half-dozen other mentions of the process over the course of five months, none of which portrayed it as controversial."

Having earned a majority in the House and/or Senate, it's your duty to use that majority to work towards what you've promised - not to posture yourself for re-election or hold back for fear of being voted out next time around. Grow a pair, Dems - you're in office (partly) because voters liked your ideas and thought that you could get something accomplished. So, get it done. And fasten your seatbelts because the media and Republican wharblgarb has just started.

2010-03-03T22:45:00.001-05:00

Laurel Canyon Country Store

2010-03-03T22:10:00.004-05:00

I hadn't heard of this until we stopped off on our way through Laurel Canyon. Steve Miller was blaring from the stereo and the old hippie behind the counter smiled as we walked in. Immediately, I realized that this is a special place. There was an article framed on the wall that described the history of the store. Apparently, it used to be more of a cafe/hang out/performance area for the locals. And the locals in Laurel Canyon were (and probably still are) quite special; Folks like Jim Morrison, Jackson Browne, Neil Young, Frank Zappa, and Joni Mitchell. In fact, Jim Morrison used to live right behind it and sang about it in the song "Love Street." It was also used as a location in "Sunset Boulevard." So...basically, this place rules. Check it out if you're ever in LA.

Kato Kaelin

2010-03-02T14:44:00.000-05:00

Saw him this weekend - that alone was worth the trip

He chose...wisely

2010-03-01T20:13:00.000-05:00

2010-02-21T21:18:00.000-05:00

Worth a Read

2010-02-17T19:51:00.000-05:00

How Christian Were the Founders?

Really interesting article about how Texas' State Board of Education shapes what is in history textbooks all over the country. It also discusses the Founders' view of religion in government.

Great Neil Young Cover

2010-02-10T16:24:00.000-05:00

The band debuted this cover in Los Angeles during the MusiCares tribute to Neil Young at the end of last month and have started playing it during their tour of the Northwest US/Canada happening now. I love that they tease "Mr. Soul" at the beginning.

2010-02-09T21:51:00.000-05:00

New Dr. Dog

2010-02-09T20:38:00.001-05:00

@ Stereogum

Really pumped for this album!

So it goes

2010-02-02T11:24:00.000-05:00

FROM:

Pfo. K. Vonnegut, Jr.,
12102964 U. S. Army.

TO:

Kurt Vonnegut,
Williams Creek,
Indianapolis, Indiana.

Dear people:

I'm told that you were probably never informed that I was anything other than "missing in action." Chances are that you also failed to receive any of the letters I wrote from Germany. That leaves me a lot of explaining to do -- in precis:

I've been a prisoner of war since December 19th, 1944, when our division was cut to ribbons by Hitler's last desperate thrust through Luxemburg and Belgium. Seven Fanatical Panzer Divisions hit us and cut us off from the rest of Hodges' First Army. The other American Divisions on our flanks managed to pull out: We were obliged to stay and fight. Bayonets aren't much good against tanks: Our ammunition, food and medical supplies gave out and our casualties out-numbered those who could still fight - so we gave up. The 106th got a Presidential Citation and some British Decoration from Montgomery for it, I'm told, but I'll be damned if it was worth it. I was one of the few who weren't wounded. For that much thank God.

Well, the supermen marched us, without food, water or sleep to Limberg, a distance of about sixty miles, I think, where we were loaded and locked up, sixty men to each small, unventilated, unheated box car. There were no sanitary accommodations -- the floors were covered with fresh cow dung. There wasn't room for all of us to lie down. Half slept while the other half stood. We spent several days, including Christmas, on that Limberg siding. On Christmas eve the Royal Air Force bombed and strafed our unmarked train. They killed about one-hundred-and-fifty of us. We got a little water Christmas Day and moved slowly across Germany to a large P.O.W. Camp in Muhlburg, South of Berlin. We were released from the box cars on New Year's Day. The Germans herded us through scalding delousing showers. Many men died from shock in the showers after ten days of starvation, thirst and exposure. But I didn't.

Under the Geneva Convention, Officers and Non-commissioned Officers are not obliged to work when taken prisoner. I am, as you know, a Private. One-hundred-and-fifty such minor beings were shipped to a Dresden work camp on January 10th. I was their leader by virtue of the little German I spoke. It was our misfortune to have sadistic and fanatical guards. We were refused medical attention and clothing: We were given long hours at extremely hard labor. Our food ration was two-hundred-and-fifty grams of black bread and one pint of unseasoned potato soup each day. After desperately trying to improve our situation for two months and having been met with bland smiles I told the guards just what I was going to do to them when the Russians came. They beat me up a little. I was fired as group leader. Beatings were very small time: -- one boy starved to death and the SS Troops shot two for stealing food.

On about February 14th the Americans came over, followed by the R.A.F. their combined labors killed 250,000 people in twenty-four hours and destroyed all of Dresden -- possibly the world's most beautiful city. But not me.

After that we were put to work carrying corpses from Air-Raid shelters; women, children, old men; dead from concussion, fire or suffocation. Civilians cursed us and threw rocks as we carried bodies to huge funeral pyres in the city.

When General Patton took Leipzig we were evacuated on foot to ('the Saxony-Czechoslovakian border'?). There we remained until the war ended. Our guards deserted us. On that happy day the Russians were intent on mopping up isolated outlaw resistance in our sector. Their planes (P-39's) strafed and bombed us, killing fourteen, but not me.

Eight of us stole a team and wagon. We traveled and looted our way through Sudetenland and Saxony for eight days, living like kings. The Russians are crazy about Americans. The Russians picked us up in Dresden. We rode from there to the American lines at Halle in Lend-Lease Ford trucks. We've since been flown to Le Havre.

I'm writing from a Red Cross Club in the Le Havre P.O.W. Repatriation Camp. I'm being wonderfully well feed and entertained. The state-bound ships are jammed, naturally, so I'll have to be patient. I hope to be home in a month. Once home I'll be given twenty-one days recuperation at Atterbury, about $600 back pay and -- get this -- sixty (60) days furlough.

I've too damned much to say, the rest will have to wait, I can't receive mail here so don't write.

May 29, 1945

Love,

Kurt - Jr.

Source

Seriously?

2010-01-30T11:45:00.001-05:00

The Jay Leno Effect

2010-01-29T11:43:00.000-05:00

It looks like Conan was starting to get more viewers until right after Jay Leno's show premiered. Presumably people changed the channel when they saw how awful Jay's show was/is.

Jimmy Fallon does a really good Neil Young

2010-01-18T22:40:00.000-05:00

Neil Young Sings Fresh Prince

Falcon Lords/Movits!

2010-01-18T14:47:00.000-05:00

Last night I went to the Earl and had one of the best times at a concert that I can remember. It was one of those random shows when you go in not sure what to expect and ending up having a great time. The Swedish band Movits! was headlining with the hometown Falcon Lords supporting. Those that know me are aware that hip-hop is not something I'm well-versed in or really enjoy all that much. However, Movits! are unique; they incorporate a lot of jazz into their music and it sounds unlike anything I've heard before. Here's an example:

On to the the main reason for the post - The Falcon Lords are fantastic! The three members dress up as Falcon-human hybrid superheroes and play songs about their Falcon-centric alternate universe where robots clash with Falcons. It sounds gimmicky (and to a certain extent, it is), but don't let that dissuade you. Their music is actually good and their songs are very funny. I spent much of their 30 minute set laughing - it was a great time. They introduced one song with the following, "This song is about those annoying house guests you have that stick around too long and eat everything in your fridge and drink all your beer, except that in this case, the house guest is a 50-foot tall mechanized robot that shoots lasers from its eyes and can slow down time."

I tried to find a video online that would do their performance justice, but came up dry. Here's a link to their myspace account - which has a song and video.

The South is a Special Place

2010-01-02T11:46:00.000-05:00

Oh Man!

2010-01-01T18:18:00.001-05:00

Headed to the midwest this afternoon

2009-12-23T09:14:00.001-05:00

Happy Life Day!

2009-12-22T18:48:00.000-05:00

With special guest stars...the Jefferson Starship!

(Click on the links after the video is finished if you dare proceed. Note of warning: there are 10 parts, including about 10-15 minutes of Wookiee conversation)

Shock and Awe

2009-12-22T14:36:00.001-05:00

Emitt Rhodes

2009-12-20T19:25:00.000-05:00

In 1970, the same year that Paul McCartney released his self-recorded McCartney album, a 20 year old from Illinois released a strikingly McCartneyish album recorded in his parent's garage. I draw the comparison because, in a lot of ways, this 20 year old out-McCartneyed McCartney. Emitt Rhodes' first album, on which he played all of the instruments, is filled with light-hearted, harmony-filled pop music that typifies the majority of Paul's late era Beatles offerings. Definitely worth a listen - he's a talented guy.

With My Face On The Floor

Promises I've Made

You Should Be Ashamed

It's amazing and slightly depressing to think of how good this guy was at 20. When I was 20, I was struggling to stay awake in my Psych 101 class.

An Eggcellent Video

2009-12-13T21:29:00.000-05:00

A sad day every year

2009-12-08T12:59:00.000-05:00

Investing vs. Paying off loans

2009-12-08T12:37:00.000-05:00

Administration officials have announced that there is $200 billion dollars of TARP funding left over from the bank bailouts. President Obama has expressed interest in funding a jobs plan (likely focused on updating highway and rail infrastructure and on weatherizing homes), while conservatives think it should go towards spending down the deficit. My gut reaction was to agree with the conservatives on this one, given that the deficit is at $1.4 trillion (to be fair, the deficit from Bush's last year was $1.3 trillion - so pretty much par for the course). At the same time, there are a lot of people who need jobs and energy efficiency and updating rail is always a good thing. Hmm - I'm conflicted.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30347.html

The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret

2009-12-08T11:16:00.000-05:00

For all those Arrested Development fans, here's a clip from a pilot show that features David Cross and Will Arnett. It looks like they're playing somewhat similar characters, but it's hard not to love Will Arnett in this type of role. I haven't been able to find much info about the show, but apparently it's on in the UK. Click here for a link to other clips.

EPA: Greenhouse Gases Are A Danger/Must Be Regulated

2009-12-07T10:47:00.000-05:00

The Associated Press is reporting that, later today, EPA will release findings that greenhouse gases are endangering people's health and must be regulated. From the article, "Under a Supreme Court ruling, the so-called endangerment finding is needed before the EPA can regulate carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases released from power plants, factories and automobiles under the federal Clean Air Act." While I agree with the findings, the timing and politics of this are questionable - an easy target for climate change conspiracy theorists.

Source: AP

Warning: Contents May Be Awesome

2009-12-03T11:16:00.000-05:00

2009-12-01T10:38:00.001-05:00

Zombieland

2009-11-18T22:29:00.000-05:00

Go see this movie - it's a lot of fun to watch. Woody Harrelson is great in it. It also has one of the best cameos I've ever seen.

2009-11-12T13:17:00.000-05:00

London 1927

2009-11-10T13:57:00.000-05:00

I've never been to London but I really want to go - road trip anyone?

The American Dream

2009-11-09T13:00:00.001-05:00

"Crackers with a creamy bacon, egg & cheese flavored filling."

Living without hair must be hard to bear

2009-11-08T23:08:00.000-05:00

As the decade closes out

2009-11-08T22:38:00.000-05:00

In case you're interested in checking something out that you may have missed, here's some of my favorite albums from 2000-2009:

Neko Case - Fox Confessor/Middle Cyclone
M Ward - Post War
Loose Fur - Loose Fur
Josh Ritter - The Animal Years
Jon Brion - Meaningless
Jenny Lewis - Rabbit Fur Coat
The Frames - Set List
Dr. Dog - Easy Beat/We All Belong/Fate
Bob Dylan - Love and Theft
Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot/A Ghost Is Born
White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
Sun Kil Moon - Ghosts of the Great Highway
Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans
The Strokes - Room on Fire
Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
Sleater-Kinney - The Woods
Sigur Ros - ()/Takk
Ryan Adams - Jacksonville City Nights/Cold Roses/Love Is Hell
Radiohead - Kid A
Paul McCartney - Chaos and Creation
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

Self-portrait

2009-11-06T14:57:00.001-05:00

Please don't abandon us, rich people! We'll play nice.

2009-11-02T12:01:00.001-05:00

Back from the hike

2009-10-30T09:44:00.001-04:00

Keeps me grounded

2009-10-23T09:51:00.000-04:00

Going for a hike

2009-10-22T11:06:00.000-04:00

This weekend/next week I will be in Havasupai - the only permanent Native American village inside of the Grand Canyon. It is one of only two places in America where mail is still delivered by mule - the other, of course, is New York City.

Havasupai is known for it's lush gardens/waterfalls, which are, surprisingly, not found elsewhere in the arid, drought-laden, desert southwest.

2009-10-21T16:37:00.001-04:00

Update: Drunkest Guy Ever

2009-10-21T09:48:00.000-04:00

Some genius on the internets decided to turn this video (posted earlier this week) into a silent film. I found myself LOLing. I think U 2 will find urself LOLZing.

Tonight

2009-10-20T23:30:00.000-04:00

Some nights, like tonight, I find myself lost in front of the computer at nearly midnight watching videos of whatever I'm led to. The nights never start out that way - I just find myself here. These days, I feel like I'm too busy to listen to music anymore, but occasionally find the time to really focus on it.

It's a very personal thing for me. I don't generally talk about how a song or album makes me feel, but they almost always move me in some way. It's hard to describe the feeling that all of us must get when we hear a beautiful, surprising song for the first time that somehow connects with you and makes you feel nostalgic for things you've tried to forget. This happened to me tonight when I listened to John Lennon's Real Love demo from the Dakota. I know that a lot of Beatles purists look down on this song for its simplicity, but how much more beautiful and personal can a song get? I listen to this and I can see him in the Dakota waiting until Sean heads to bed before sitting at the piano, practicing the chord changes a few times, and finally clicking on the tape recorder on top of the piano to run through this little idea he had - having no idea that anyone would be listening to his private recordings nearly 30 years later and be so incredibly moved by his performance.

I also checked out some clips from a documentary on Wilco called I Am Trying to Break Your Heart. I was first introduced to these guys through this documentary and, I admit, wasn't convinced upon my first listen. Maybe I was listening to too much classic rock, but at the time I just didn't get it - their music wasn't easily classifiable, which put me off. The more I listened and learned about them, the more I realized that this is the sort of band that I need to pay more attention to - the kind of American band that makes music they would want to listen to and doesn't worry about radio play or selling records or publicity - they remind me a bit of The Band. The documentary follows them while they make the album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Here are some clips which are worth your time if you're interested:

Opening credits (great cinematography of Chicago)

Demoing "Cars Can't Escape"

Another Man's Done Gone (from Woody Guthrie project with Billy Bragg)

(Editorial note - not a huge fan of Wilco's newest album, but I'm having a hard time thinking of any American band that has a better 4 album run than Being There, Summerteeth, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, and A Ghost Is Born - any thoughts?)

Get this man a beer!

2009-10-19T09:53:00.000-04:00