The Daily Charlie

2005-07-20T10:07:00.000-04:00

You have the right to…

Among the stories from this weekend this is one that I can give details on.

Characters: Me and Ev and the Pt Cruser
Place: Downhill in Maryland

A Ups driver is in the middle of the road flagging us down and pointing to a pull-off in the middle lane.
No wait, that’s a Maryland cop!
Do we have anything on us? Just Ev’s piece that I’m aware of.
“Son, we’re pulling you over because you were going 75 in a 65 zone. Can we see your driver’s license and proof of insurance”?
Just a speeding ticket nothing to worry about, right?
Around us are about 7 cops and a K9 vehicle. One of the cops is resting on the hood of that vehicle pointing his radar gun right through us towards the top of the hill.
I make some comment about us getting cancer.
Another car gets pulled over in the same fashion and is directed to the other side of the highway.
“Sir, do you have anything in the car we should know about?”
before there’s time to respond
“We’re gonna bring out the K9 unit to go about your car.”
London, profiling, random baggage checks…seems like our rights are getting waved in the name of national security.

They bring out this cross-eyed lab who’s detection signal must be just wagging his tail because that’s all he did, but they said he sensed something and now we have been asked to exit the vehicle.
“You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you…”
My head is swimming.
To Ev, “do you understand these rights?
“Well..”
“Yes or No?”
“Yes”
I didn’t hear anything. I’m just formulating a way to ask a question without my teeth ending up looking as bust-in as this guys.
“You sir, do you understand these rights?”
“Yes, but I have a question.”
“…”
“Don’t you only read the rights before a person is arrested? Are we under arrest?”
“Sir you car was just searched by a specially trained K9 unit. He detected possible drugs n the car and we are now going to check your car.” To Ev, “Sir, you can’t get in trouble for answering this question, but has there been any drug use in this car in the recent past?”
Ev as calm as possible, “ I don’t really know…’
“Yes or NO.”
“It’s possible”
Further questions arise, but the common ones. Like if he was the owner of the car, where we are heading, what does he have in his hip-pack thingy (I later find out that is where is piece was, but he hid it from them by putting is fingers in the way when they looked in. lucky genius).
They get all our information that was already available on our driver’s license (hair color, home address, etc..) and we make small talk with Dudley Do-Right as they tear apart the car looking for something to justify this search and their pension. My toothpaste container is now open and being checked.
They find Ev’s sage stick (looks like a huge blunt, but there’s no wrapper, just bound white leaves and doesn’t smell anything like drugs.
“Sir, what’s this!?”
Ev, “It’s sage. You burn it. It’s used to ward off evil spirits”
(I just about broke out laughing there.)
They take it back to the truck to analyze.
Another cop has found my Vicidan and showing it to another cop. I see this and quickly respond with, “It’s an old prescription I have for a back-problem”
“You know you are supposed to carry it in its orange bottle.”
“But I’m going camping and the bottle is cumbersome” (yup, I said cumbersome)
Around this time another cop is coming across the highway. Tells another cop that they haven’t found anything, just a lot of “what-she-calls Catnip, that stinks to high-heaven.”
We make more small talk with the cops to smooth things over.
They joke about arresting over 50 people that day because of drug possession and how that near-by rain gutter has seen more than a keg of underager’s beer dumped into it.
The drug enforcement “specialist” with the piercing blue/clear eyes comes next to us and tells us that they haven’t found anything and we are free to go. In his hand is a little plastic vile with black liquid in it. This is the residue from the test they did on the Sage. Had it been any type of drug the liquid would have turned purple.
Ev gets just a warning for speeding.
Now these guys are acting like our best friends.
“Have a good day””Be careful when you pull into the ‘hammer’ lane”
(What the fuck is the hammer lane???)
A: it’s the passing lane
“Guess you guys have never been truckers?”
(in my head: “We’ve also never been 45”)
As we start to pull away we see the lady in the car across the lane in handcuffs walking towards were we just were.
Realization sets in and I laugh hysterically relieved. Ev however, is analyzing what the fuck just happened and trying to formulate some way to sue those bastards.

2005-03-31T13:51:00.000-05:00

It's been too long. I just noticed-because I got the Incredibles on DVD-which it was the last thing I talked about on this site. I didn't realize it had been that long. I knew it was before my new job, this job. So… basically I'm diggin' my position in life right now. My job still rocks and now am in full EXPO mode. I'm in charge of all the marketing collateral for this cable-tec EXPO in SanAntonio. So those of you in San Antonio, enjoy my work! I also had an old girlfriend back in my life for a little bit. It was nice, but I fucked it up by getting to close, but feel I had to overcompensate because I was constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop (you see she dumped me for no real reason back in the day, and I was just waiting for it to happen again. Maybe it was a subconscious destruction so I wouldn't let it happen again?)
The Spinto Band got signed to BarNone records and a bunch of their promo press samples came in yesterday. Damn… I hope the most the wish for is the least they get.SPINTOBAND

Gon to a big party in NYC tomorrow night, should be fun, but really I don't need much of an excuse to go to the big apple. And Saturday I'm going to check out the MoMA. Can't wait to see the re-design by that Japanese architect (for those who don't know the Museum of Modern art has been closed for too long.)

Psionic Distortion
It explores how anime, manga and digital technology are continually shaping contemporary art and ideas. If in NYC, be sure to make the opening night performance by renegade Tokyo multimedia artist Ujino Muneteru.

and even though this isn't in NYC it sounds pretty cool, "Formavision presents Remastered, an exhibition commissioning visual artists to reinterpret Old Masters' paintings by recontextualizing them within contemporary culture."
http://www.remastered.org

what else has been going on… ummmm, well, plenty, just nothing to think of right now. Thinking about getting an old motorcycle and fixing it up as a summer project. Like an old late '70's Honda (Not a crotchrocket or cruiser!)
I gotta get back to work but I'll try to be more consistent with this blog. I used to get a good response from some people, try and keep it up and I'll try to keep it up.

nice video
that was a techno song, and I'm not really into techno, but here's some more,
Chemical Brothers- Push the Button

Build your own cigar box Guitar

I just heard that Mitch Hedberg died last night. WTF!
“I used to do drugs. I still do drugs. But I used to, too.”
Not any more.

2004-11-08T21:47:00.000-05:00

Lets talk about a couple of things that are incredible.

The Incredibles, the new Pixar movie.
Created by Brad Bird, the writer-director of "The Iron Giant," one of the greatest animated movies of all time, the story revolves around a family of far too sincerely glum superheroes trying hard to live normal suburban lives at a time when frivolous lawsuits have made saving the world cost-prohibitive.

But out of their spandex, they're just a bunch of sitcom clichés. Bob Parr (secretly super-strong do-gooder Mr. Incredible, voiced with idealistic comic-book resonance by Craig T. Nelson of Coach fame) is an irresponsible dad who tries to keep secrets and stupid mistakes from his (literally) stretched-in-every direction wife, Helen (a.k.a. Elastigirl, voiced with adoring irony by Holly Hunter). Their kids are, of course, a hyperactive 8-year-old named Dash, who can run 100 mph, and mopey teenage Violet (NPR radio's droll Sarah Vowell), blessed with a gift many junior high girls would kill for -- invisibility.

Down in the dumps about his unsatisfying job as an insurance adjuster, Bob welcomes an offer from a mysterious stranger with a secret volcano-island lair (and matching James Bond-like theme music) to resume superhero-ing on the sly. He gets a new costume cut to accommodate his middle-age paunch (by a hilarious midget Coco Chanel of super-garb), sneaks away from home under the guise of a business trips, and soon discovers his benefactor is a face from the past -- and he's up to no good.

Terribly clever in many small ways (the Parrs' neighborhood is straight out of a 1960s Looney Tunes short) but terribly overreaching in many others (several action scenes are conspicuously calculated to tie-in with a video game that went on sale Tuesday), "The Incredibles" is at its best when poking fun at the genre that inspired it. "You sly dog, you got me monologing!" chuckles glib villain Syndrome (the perfectly voice-cast Jason Lee) after stopping himself from revealing his nefarious plan to the hero.

All in all it’s a very good movie. Don’t let my overanalyzing of it keep you from seeing it. I might just see it again. In fact, I’ve never been disappointed with a Pixar movie.

The Eagles
Ok, we lost. That’s OK. I also lost who I backed for President, but I have to believe that the better competitor won. I accept the defeat and hope we can learn from our faults and come back even stronger.
6-1. not bad. Best start I’ve ever witnessed with this team, and I’ve been bleeding Green since I had season tickets since I was alittle kid at Veteran’s Stadium. I sat through the Kotite years. I’ve seen White and Cunningham in their prime. I’ve been covered in beer and snow before I was old enough to realize the passion Philly fans have for this team. –T.o. is an asshole, but he’s our asshole. Only we can say that. Anybody else, and you’ll see an ugly Philadelphian’s even uglier side. But you mess with McNabb and you’ll see my ugly SU pride top it all.– This has to be our year! I don’t see it happening again for a loooong time. So close 3 years in a row. Common.

Halo 2
Now I’m not a big video game fan, but I know a lot of people who have been waiting for some time to play this. I’ve actually heard that people are taking off of work tomorrow so they can play it all day (the game comes out tonight at midnight)
Now, I like to play video games, but if I don’t have time to dedicate to one I get easily bored. My roommate just got GTA San Andreas and I am really bored with the story line and doing the same thing over and over again until I see a new type of head blow up.

Halo 2, to me, is like 007. it’s an incredible game and the graphics are amazing, but I guess I burned myself out on video games a long time back. I was the first one on my block to have a Nintendo and Genisis. My father actually made a bet with me and my brother that he would buy us a new game whenever we beat a game, because he thought the games were impossible. We quickly proved him wrong, as well as his wallet.
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DAILY DOSE
Mitch Hedburg’s comedy is at the Tower Theater Sat. Nov 20
Here’s a sample of his work:
I was at this casino minding my own business, and this guy came up to me and said, "You're gonna have to move, you're blocking a fire exit." As though if there was a fire, I wasn't gonna run. If you're flammible and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit.

• My sister wanted to be an actress, but she never made it. She does live in a trailer. She got half way. She's an actress, she just never gets called to the set.

• Sometimes I fall asleep at night with my clothes on. I'm going to have all my clothes made out of blankets.

• I type a 101 words a minute. But it's in my own language.

ELEFANT is playing the north Star Sun. Nov 21
I’m really into this band right now. You can hear some of their stuff when you visit their site. www.elefantweb.com

SUPER FURRY ANIMALS are the latest artists to compile their ‘UNDER THE INFLUENCE’ compilation. Each of the band have picked three songs for the album, set for release on January 31. Tracks featured on the album include Joey Beltram’s ‘Energy Flash’, Dawn Penn’s ‘You Don’t Love Me (No No No)’ as well as songs by Beach Boys, Undertones, MC5 and Underworld.
The full tracklisting is:
* The Beach Boys - 'Feel Flows' (Bunf)
* Datblygu - 'Casserole Efeillaid' (Gruff)
* The Undertones - 'My Perfect Cousin' (Bunf)
* The MC5 - 'Kick Out The Jams' (Guto)
* Gorky's Zygotic Mynci - 'Christina' (Gruff)
* Sly & The Family Stone - 'Family Affair' (Daf)
* Humanoid - 'Stakker Humanoid' (Cian)
* Underworld - 'Rez' (Daf)
* Bizet - 'Pearl Fishers' (Cian)
* ELO - 'Telephone Line' (Daf)
* Dennis Wilson and Rumbo - 'Lady' (Guto)
* Meic Stevens - 'Ghost Town' (Gruff)
* Dawn Penn - 'You Don't Love Me (No No No)' (Guto)
* Joey Beltram - 'Energy Flash' (Cian)
* Hardfloor - 'Acperience' (Bunf)
Previous artists to make an ‘Under The Influence’ compilation include Morrissey, Ian Brown and Paul Weller. (via NME)

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Daily Discussion
The Arcade Fire: funeral
I was having a long conversation with a good friend today about that thing in music that's always a step ahead of words. At best I could say it's that little spark in a song that stimulates the flow of neurotransmitters to the emotional centers of the brain, which sets off feelings and memories and colors, acts as catalyst for actions, reactions, catharsis. The oil that greases life. While we were spinning this thread of conversation I was listening to The Arcade Fire's 'Funeral'. Appropriate does not begin to describe. I hear certain comparisons in their work. Maybe where The Walkmen took the grandiosity of Joshua Tree-era U2 and ran into a more intense place with it, The Arcade Fire took the same thing and scaled it down, made it humble and suburban but no less potent. An incomplete analogy. Throwing in some of David Bowie's best work and gluing the whole mess together with the most subtle parts of Modest Mouse's energy and modernity comes close. But it's still not enough. But that's music. The best of it is always a step ahead of words. The closest I can get to what this album is about is a starry night in a suburban neighborhood and some friends spending their last night on earth together around a space heater. If that conveys a feeling then this album will do things for you. I think I crafted the image out of the song titles; there are four numbered "Neighborhood" sketches, as well as "Un Année sans Lumiere" (French for 'an evening without light'). The album carries a torch through somber desperation and soaring choruses, filled with strings and hope; it starts and finishes strong, and though it is strongest when there are no discernable traces of their influence, it still remains great through and through. This review is a gusher, but this kind of emotional warmth is worth a little gush and a lack of vocabulary. It's not going to change music, but it could well be the soundtrack to times that change you.
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DAILY DOWNLOADS

Medeski, Martin and Wood: Best of (1991-1996) (Album Download)

Miles Davis with John Coltrane: Miles & Coltrane (Album Download)

2004-10-29T15:10:00.000-04:00

Halloween is just around the corner. What are you going as? Me? I going as my own character invention: Dr. Acula. He emerged from the recess of my brain with a taste for blood and knowledge of the anatomy. Actually, he came out of a hung-over Saturday morning conversation... somebody mentioned how bad they felt, and somehow we start talking about leaches being used to cure diseases along with blood-letting. And I suggested, with my sarcastic wit, that you should make sure that you don't go to Dr.acula. (rim-shot!)
I got the scrubs, half old-man mask painted white, obnoxiously large black wig, white face paint, fangs, vampire medallion, and old-school dr.'s mirror that they used to wear on their heads. Pictures up soon.
You might see me at the Iron Hill Booery tonight.
Sat. I'm going to a sweet party with a haunted path from the depths of hell! MUHAHAHAHA!

2004 scariest Halloween costumes

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Daily Dose
I know this is old, and I wanted to post it earlier, but found myself very busy. So here is some excellent redemption for those of you, who like me, can't stand that culture whore Ashlee Simpson and hate the fact that she is popular and dumping such garbage into the ear holes of naive children who think she is talented.
Ahhh… her suffering is sweeter than her sisters luscious breasts that she is so desperately trying to suckle fame from.

rejected iPOD themes

Wouldn't you know it. As soon as I get one, they comes out with one I want even more.

According to a new report, the glam rockers have sold so much official merchandise - including black g-strings emblazoned with 'The Darkness', which cost 10GBP each - that they can afford to make another album and go on tour without having to sell any records.

The shins will perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live on November 5th.

As a result of the “excessive prices” of bootlegs, Neutral Milk Hotel is putting together a 2volume set of early material, including the self-released cassettes, live performances, and unreleased recordings. No release date yet.

Yo La Tengo will play eight days of Hanukkah shows again this year at Maxwell's in Hoboken, from December 7th through the 14th. Ticket sales haven't been announced, but are available through TicketWeb (click the TicketWeb link at the very bottom, and keep clicking "more events" until they show up).
Previous Yo La Tengo Hanukkah shows (in 2001 and 2002) have featured David Byrne, Portastatic, David Cross, The Sun Ra Arkestra, and many others. The tickets are gone quickly, so jump on these if you're interested.

Looking for a New Year's Eve show to attend? Wilco, The Flaming Lips, and Sleater-Kinney will play Madison Square Garden in New York this year on December 31st.
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DAILY DOWNLOADS

The Unicorns: Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone (Album Download)

elbow: Asleep at the back (Album Download)

Radiohead: Kid A (Album Download)

2004-10-21T20:54:00.000-04:00

Hey!! Stop what you're doing! You're not going to stumble across the b-side
to "Hand In Glove", and you're not going to find the unreleased Pixies
album. What you need to do is get ready to vote in the most important
election of our lives.

Find your nearest polling place and get prepared to vote.

Tell your friends to vote, tell your enemies for that matter. But just vote.

Too lazy? Our vote doesn’t really count? FUCKING exercise you ability to make a change and VOTE!
Ok, I’ll help. go to these sites and register.
MoveOn.org

Rock The Vote

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Daily Dose
(only it’s Jon Stewart from The Daily show, and it’s not today, it was Friday.)
Highlights from Friday's Crossfire when things heat up between CNN’c Tucker Carlson and Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart

TUCKER CARLSON: You have a chance to interview the Democratic nominee. You asked him questions such as "How are you holding up? Is it hard not to take the attacks personally?" ... Why not ask him a real question, instead of just suck up to him?

JON STEWART: Yes. "How are you holding up?" is a real suck-up. And I’m actually giving him a hot stone massage as we were doing it. You know, it's interesting to hear you talk about my responsibility ... that the news organizations look to Comedy Central for their cues on integrity. If your idea of confronting me is that I don't ask hard-hitting enough news questions, we're in bad shape, fellows.

PAUL BEGALA: Let me get this straight. If the indictment is -- if the indictment is -- and I have seen you say this -- that Crossfire reduces everything, as I said in the intro, to left, right, black, white.

STEWART: Yes.

BEGALA: Well, it's because, see, we're a debate show.

STEWART: No, no, no, no, that would be great. I would love to see a debate show.

CARLSON: Jon, Jon, Jon, I'm sorry. I think you're a good comedian. I think your lectures are boring.

STEWART: Now, this is theater. It's obvious. How old are you?

CARLSON: Thirty-five.

STEWART: And you wear a bow tie.

CARLSON: Yes, I do. I do.

STEWART: So this is theater.

CARLSON: Now, let me just...

STEWART: Now, listen, I'm not suggesting that you're not a smart guy, because those are not easy to tie. ... But the thing is that this -- you're doing theater, when you should be doing debate, which would be great.

BEGALA: We do, do...

STEWART: It's not honest. What you do is not honest. What you do is partisan hackery. And I will tell you why I know it.

CARLSON: You had John Kerry on your show and you sniff his throne and you're accusing us of partisan hackery?

STEWART: Absolutely.

CARLSON: You've got to be kidding me. He comes on and you...

STEWART: You're on CNN. The show that leads into me is puppets making crank phone calls. ... What is wrong with you?

CARLSON: Well, I'm just saying, there's no reason for you -- when you have this marvelous opportunity not to be the guy's butt boy, to go ahead and be his butt boy. Come on. It's embarrassing.

STEWART: You have a responsibility to the public discourse, and you fail miserably.

CARLSON: You need to get a job at a journalism school, I think.

STEWART: You need to go to one. The thing that I want to say is, when you have people on for just knee-jerk, reactionary talk...

CARLSON: Wait. I thought you were going to be funny. Come on. Be funny.

STEWART: No. No. I'm not going to be your monkey ... I watch your show every day. And it kills me.

CARLSON: I can tell you love it.

STEWART: It's so painful to watch.

CARLSON: Is this really Jon Stewart? What is this, anyway?

STEWART: Yes, it's someone who watches your show and cannot take it anymore. I just can't.

CARLSON: I do think you're more fun on your show. Just my opinion.

STEWART: You know what's interesting, though? You're as big a dick on your show as you are on any show.

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DAILY DOWNLOADS
Taken from the new animated movie, and so aptly changed today to…
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SPONGEBOB ROCKPANTS

The Shins: They’ll discover soon

The Flaming Lips: SpongeBob & Patrick Confront The Psychic Wall Of Energy

2004-10-18T21:30:00.000-04:00

OK!
Sorry for the long break, but needed to be done. My life has improved from the doldrums of where I was. Not only does my new job rock, but so does my apartment in West Chester. My title is Asst. Art Director. Here's an example of what I've been doing. Not bad for my first website. Background doesn't look as good as I wanted it to, but that's because my boss wanted me to lighten it alot, and that created this bad texture in low-rez gif format. Oh well. (If you find your way back to my job's homepage you'll see that it majorly needs a re-vamp, so that'll be my next project)
I'm also doing some sick mailer pieces right now, which I'll post later. Basically my job has me in charge of a team of 3 (graphic designer, IT guy, and webmaster) and we create all the collateral for this society of telecommunications engineers. Sometimes I pick a project I want to do (like the website, mostly because I wanted to teach myself more web stuff), but most often I give the overall direction and see to it that they meet deadlines, then give the comps to my boss for final approval. I also got a nice office, no window though.
Soooo... the past month has pretty much been moving in and getting settled.
I was also questioning if me writing about myself everyday was narcissistic, or therapeutic.
I mean, the post for mp3's is cool, but do you really care about my day? But I guess that is what blogs are all about, and if you hit the next button on the blogger ad at the top of my page, you'll see alot of random crap out there.
Either way, my new job job has me pretty busy, and satisfied, so I doubt I'll be posting as much as I did at my old job. I just found some free time tonight, as the sox are in extra innings with the Yanks, so I figured I'd indulge in an old escape.
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DAILY RANT
I've talked a lot about politics this year, and I'm glad that this election has sparked my interest in politics. I know I've stepped on some toes with my opinions and probably fell over my own with my confusing opinion. So here is the best way I can say my opinion on this election. (as told by the Tampa Tribune)
The newspaper said its "deeply conflicted" editorial board could not back Bush "because of his mishandling of the war in Iraq, his record deficit spending, his assault on open government and his failed promise to be a 'uniter not a divider' within the United States and the world."
But the paper said it could not endorse Kerry, "whose undistinguished Senate record stands at odds with the nation's conservative principles and whose positions on the Iraq war -- the central issue in this campaign -- have been difficult to distinguish or differentiate."

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DAILY DOWNLOADS
here are some big download pages to help fill your iPOD's

RAMONES albums. Thank you russia!

PIXIES: live at Indio, CA

Wilco, LIVE: 10/30/02 Memphis, TN

Modest Mouse; "This Is a Long Drive For Someone With Nothing To Think About"
Album Download

'bout time I gave you a Modest album, huh Boris?

2004-09-03T11:30:00.000-04:00

Ahhhhhh… Now I remember why I want to leave.
So Best Buy (our client) liked MY ideas and the direction they were going. I finnish my 2nd round comps to be sent out and approved, but NOW my bosses (owners and Creative director) get the great idea to make the cover a collage of the artists featured. A Collage?!? my teacher once said that the use of a college is used only when there’s no concept (Bob Cooney). Plus, they gave it to another designer, so not only will it not have the look I gave it – the look our client liked – it will have the lack of a concept! It just bad business to hear a clients opinions but not listen. Why, why would you go a different direction from what the client is expecting on a whim. I have to leave because my voice of reason is falling on deaf ears. I could run this place better, but I don’t have the experience to back it up. So I’m leaving to gain more responsibility and creative control, but got to stick it out here for another week. blah.
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New York rock act Interpol will kick off a North American tour Oct. 11 in Boston with Secret Machines, On Air Library! and an additional band to be announced. Five European shows and an Oct. 1 appearance on NBC's "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" will precede the fall run, which wraps with a Nov. 11-12 hometown stand at Hammerstein Ballroom. Interpol will be touring in support of its sophomore Matador album, "Antics," due Sept. 28. First single "Slow Hands" will be released Sept. 13 internationally, backed by remixes from Dan "The Automator" Nakamura and Spoon's Britt Daniel. Tracks from the album can previewed on Interpol's official Web site. Secret Machines will be out behind their acclaimed Reprise debut, "Now Hear Is Nowhere," (billboard)
Here are Interpol's North American tour dates:
Oct. 11: Boston (Avalon)
Oct. 12: Montreal (Metropolis)
Oct. 13: Toronto (Docks)
Oct. 15: Detroit (State Theater)
Oct. 16: Columbus, Ohio (Newport Music Hall)
Oct. 17: Chicago (Riviera Theatre)
Oct. 19: Minneapolis (First Avenue)
Oct. 22: Seattle (Paramount Theatre)
Oct. 23: Vancouver (Commodore Ballroom)
Oct. 24: Portland, Ore. (Crystal Ballroom)
Oct. 25: San Francisco (Warfield Theatre)
Oct. 27-28: Los Angeles (Wiltern)
Oct. 29: San Diego (Soma)
Oct. 30: Tempe, Ariz. (Marquee Theatre)
Nov. 1: Dallas (Gypsy Ballroom)
Nov. 2: Austin, Texas (Stubbs)
Nov. 4: Atlanta (Coca Cola Roxy Theatre)
Nov. 5: Asheville, N.C. (Orange Peel)
Nov. 7: Philadelphia (Electric Factory)
Nov. 8: Providence, R.I. (Lupo's)
Nov. 9: Washington, D.C. (9:30 Club)
Nov. 11-12: New York (Hammerstein Ballroom)

Earth today

The problem with music
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DAILY DOWNLOADS

Polvo: Tragic Carpet ride

Calexico: Service and Repair

Tom Waits: Another Mans Vine

2004-08-31T12:33:00.000-04:00

Well, bit of ironic luck. I'm leaving my job but learn that Best Buy loved my designs (the client I devoted all my attention to), so I got to rush and update these designs before I blow outta here. It's funny because I was sick of the routine here, and when this job came my way I loved it here, and now that I'm leaving it's resurfaced. How come when you are about to leave a job things change? Like now everybody is being my best friend. Makes me question my choice, but then I remember the huge paycheck I'll be getting in 2 weeks and it makes it easier (I know that makes me sound like kind of a money hore, but trust me I'm not. I just want to be able to do the things I want to do, and hell…money makes that happen.) So I made the decision. I think it was the right one. I hope it was the right one. We'll find out. So needless to say I'm busy organising my stuff, preparing jobs for press (normal job routine) and getting this Best Buy crap off my plate.

My the most you hope for be the least you get.

2004-08-30T13:03:00.000-04:00

What I'm getting ready to send.

Dear Mark:

Thank you for the opportunity to work at Gotham. I have learned a lot during my time here. I truly appreciate your guidance during my time employed.

However, the time has come for me to move on. This letter is to formally announce my resignation from Gotham, starting today. My last day will be 9/10.

This is not in response to our recent meeting. I will do all that I can to make my final time here a productive experience and a smooth transition.

Regards,
than my name and a small prayer that I'm making the better choice. (gulp)

2004-08-25T09:29:00.000-04:00

Well I’m waiting to finish this day and go down to the shore. Can’t wait. Gonna see my good buddy Mike. He’s my oldest friend. He called me up and said it’s about time for me to visit, and I already asked for time off (made plans to go to San Diego, but later found out my ticket wouldn’t cover the total price). Mike also told me that my old coach now owns a bar in Sea Isle and got into a fight with a patron where he got hit in the eye and now needs surgery that he can’t afford. He’s throwing a fund-raiser ($20 open bar) so I’m gonna be a nice guy, wish him well, probably reminisce a little and get drunk. not a bad night
Still waiting to see if a friend is going to go with me, but I have to pack after work, so I’ll give her a call then. Saturday and Sunday I’ll be spending time with Audi’s friends at their shore house, and then on Monday – when my boss is back – I’m gonna hand him my two weeks notice. I think I’ve made my mind up, but need this weekend to expound my final thoughts.
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Know what pisses me off? when I say something then somebody else takes credit for it. It’s always happened. It doesn’t matter how insignificant it is, but I never get credit. It could be social or work related. I guess It’s more about who delivers it than who thinks of it. Like an Actor and a writer or my popular friends and me. I say something, no response. They say the exact same thing as me a little later or even a couple of days later, it’s friggin’ hysterical. I then mention that I just said that, but of course they don’t remember and now I look like an ass. And I have no proof, just my word over theirs. great. I need a cameraman constantly following me around.
(screw the RealWorld Philadelphia!)
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I have a suggestion that would help fight serious crime. Signs. There a lot of signs for minor infractions: No Smoking, Stay Off The Grass, Keep Out, and they seem to work fairly well. I think we should also have signs for major crimes: Murder Strictly Prohibited, No Raping People, Thank You for Not Kidnapping Anyone. It’s certainly worth a try. I’m convinced Watergate would never have happened if there had just been a sign in the Oval Office that said, Malfeasance of Office Is Strictly Against The LAw, or Thank You for Not Undermining the Constitution.
When you drive through the entrance or exit lane that has one of those signs, Do Not Back Up–Severe Tire Damage, and you’re going the correct direction, don’t you sort of worry about it anyway? That maybe they got it wrong? Or somebody turned the sign around? Or some guy on drugs installed the spikes? Or maybe you’re on drugs, and you think, Am I doing this right? Am I backing up? No, I seem to be going forward. Let’s see. Which way are the spikes pointing? Oh, I can’t see them anymore. I guess I’ll back up a little.
Here’s a sign I don’t like: Authorized personnel Only. Now, if there’s one thing I know about myself, it’s that I am definitely not authorized. I wouldn’t even know where to go to get authorized. Can you do it by mail? Wouldn’t baptism sort of authorize you? It doesn’t matter; I go through the door anyway. If I get stopped, I say, “Well, I may not be authorized for this, but I am authorized for other things, And your sign doesn’t mention which things.”
I’ve thought of a terrific sign to put infront of my house that will keep intruders out: Retarded Pit Bull High on Angel Dust. I dare to see anybody climb over my fence.
But watch, in a couple of days a friends will say that they thought of this first. Fuck That! This blogspot with a DATE ON IT is my proof.
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DAILY DOWNLOADS

Mouse On Mars: Is In Yours

Microphones: The Moon

Built To Spill: Still Flat

Smile: Spud Gun

2004-08-24T09:55:00.000-04:00

I went to the Dr’s last night for an AIDS test… he told me to think positive.
i asked him afterwards if I was alright and he said I had a 50/50 chance of living, but there’s only a 10 percent chance of that.
I also met the surgeon general. He offered me a cigarette.
So, later that night, i went home and saw my girlfriend. She met me at the front door. She was wearing a sexy negligee. The only trouble was, she was coming home.
I figured, later, I’d let her come on. I'll play it cool. Let her make the first move. She went to Florida. I tell you my love life stinks, A hooker once told me she had a headache. I went to a massage parlor. It was self service. One time I was making love to this girl and she started crying. I said, "Are you going to hate yourself in the morning?" She said, "No, I hate myself now."

I tell you, like I’ve said before, all my relationships don’t work out. Supposedly I’m a catch, but then again, what astrology web-site is going to tell you you are a looser?

(taken from one of those standard websites. I guess because I’m curious and also so you all can learn more about me)
AQUARIUS
These folks are humanitarian, philanthropic and keenly interested in making the world a better place. Along those lines, they'd like to make the world work better, which is why they focus much of their energy on our social institutions and how they work (or don't work). Aquarians are visionaries, progressive souls who love to spend time thinking about how things can be better. They are also quick to engage others in this process, which is why they have so many friends and acquaintances. Making the world a better place is a collaborative effort for Aquarians.

The Sign of Aquarius is symbolized by the Water Bearer. In much the same way that the Water Bearer brings that precious liquid as a gift, Aquarians shower the world with their thoughts and new ideas. Luckily for Aquarians (and the rest of us), they are at a near-genius level, so their minds churn out some amazing things. Their thought process is also inventive and original. While Aquarians are happy to bestow these ideas as a gift with no strings attached, they are much happier when the rest of the world agrees with them. Naysayers will quickly find out that Aquarians can be impatient, even temperamental, with those who disagree. Yes, these folks can be quite fixed in their opinions, in keeping with the Fixed Quality assigned to this Sign. Even though Aquarians are happy to give, and they do, it's often on their terms and within their comfort level. Generally, that means ample space, since these folks are freedom-loving and individualistic and need to roam (and yes, they do enjoy travel). While Aquarians are generally sympathetic and compassionate, they like it when things go their own quirky way. Some might call their behavior eccentric (and they would be right), but when you consider that the Aquarian's heart is truly in the right place, a few oddities should be overlooked. In their own way, Aquarians treasure their many friends and acquaintances and want to give back as much as they can.

BORN: January 20 - February 18 (I’m the 4th)
SYMBOL: Water-bearer, h
ELEMENT: Air
PLANETS: Uranus and Saturn

TRAITS:
Refuse to follow the crowd, Strong desire for knowledge, Strong will-power, Relate well to diverse personalities, Open-minded, Idealist, Easily bored, Humanitarian, Logical, Artistic, Intelligent, Unorthodox, Emotionally detached, Inventive, Resentful of being told to what to do, Skeptical, Highly developed sense of social equality, Most comfortable in the world of ideas, Intuitive, Honest, Independent, Unpredictable, Dogmatic, Impatient, Freedom-loving, Progressive, Altruistic

FAMOUS AQUARIANS:
Galileo, Thomas Edison, Abraham Lincoln, Charles Dickens, James Dean, Charles Darwin, Oprah Winfrey, Matt Groening, Justin Timberlake (WHAT!?!)

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DAILY DOWNLOADS

My Morning Jacket: Do you see my Hard helmet?

Hayden: Bass Song

Pinback: Fortress

2004-08-23T10:02:00.000-04:00

So i’ve got a decision, so I’m going to weigh the pros and cons of each place
NEW JOB
pro: significant pay increase
con: want a 2 year commitment.
Con: grad schooling, if any, would have to wait
pro: my boss would pay for me to go to macromedia classes
pro: I could probably take them at where my mom works and get them for free and keep the payment (I know it sounds sneaky)
con: cubicle jungle
con: designing for one client
pro: doing all their collateral (good for portfolio)
pro: better boss
con: further away, away from the city
pro: working by myself (pride in my work)
con: working by myself (no other designers to waste time with)
con: no wasting time
con: business casual
con: corporate design (and I really think I should try and be at design firm)

Current JOB
pro: time for this blogspot
con: no advancement
con: less pay
pro: closer
pro: higher sounding title
pro: easier to stall and make clearer future plans
I guess what it comes down to is I don’t want a 2 year commitment, incase I want to go to grad school or make a transition to NYC or out West, I want to make more money and have more responsibility, but also enjoy the lack of pressure here and my title.
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Have I ever mentioned how much I love iTunes. I must have. because I do. Last night after working out I quickly bought a new Nike Dri-fit Sport polo shirt for our tennis tournament (needed something to workout in that wouldn’t show off the pit stains. Hope it fits nicely) I also downloaded “Les Claypool and the Flying frog brigade’s Set1”, and “Suck This” Primus live for under $15. They both rock. when I figure out a way for you all to download it I will, otherwise I sugest both of these albums
Another pro/con would be my car investment. I know I am going to get an ipod soon enough, but if I have to spend more time in my car (for the longer commute) I’m going to spend money on new speakers. gonna have to call my friends (Matt & Jackie) and find out the best deal and instilation prices / hook-ups.
I also want to get a new air filter and a sweet tint job, but thats another topic.
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I also bought a seven dollar pen because I always lose pens and I got sick of not caring.
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NIKI
Dr. Levin works with various schools for practicum students and may know or hear of vacanticies, but she is still on vacation (I give you that contact in a later e-mail). Here’s some sights that might help.
These are just simple search results. I don’t know much about, specifically, what you are looking for, but I hope this sort of helped. Also I’m going to try and find some more friends who can help you. aiight!
This is a good place to start. It’s a yahoo search for K-12, you can compare schools and make your own list.
This has hard navigation, but could be really informative
or here. same site just a different location
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DAILY DOWNLOADS

The Like Young: Sabine & Me

toy dolls: Alfie from the Bronx

Nobody: I won’t hurt you

Moonbaby’s: sun Am

2004-08-18T09:41:00.000-04:00

No American sports team draws my dislike more than the men’s basketball team, or “The Dream Team,” as the kids are calling it (to me, the Dream Team will always be that stupid movie with Michael Keaton in the loony bin, but let us not split hairs). As if it isn’t annoying enough to watch bloated, overpaid, oversexed behemoths of basketball whine and bitch and moan at referees in between groupies and NBC commercials during the NBA season, now we have to watch them in the Olympics (which, of course, is an NBC commercial itself). We’re supposed to take pride in this?

This all started at the end of the ‘80s. After years of dominating international competition in the game that we — dammit, us! — invented, American teams, consisting of earnest college players, started to lose regularly. This was understandable; other countries were using professional players in their most often-European leagues, players who were taller and more experienced than their amateur counterparts. As the game spread even further worldwide, the Americans fell further and further back, to the point that they felt fortunate to even have a chance at a bronze medal.

Not being satisfied with its general bullying of the rest of the world, America just couldn’t let this continue. The geniuses at USA Basketball put their collective heads together and decided it was time to call in the cavalry ... the pros. In 1992, the original Dream Team was assembled, and they were beauty to watch. All the legends: Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas ... they all came together, on the same team, for the first time. If just to throw a bone to the purists, they even let one college player on the team, then-Duke star Christian Laettner, who typically was allowed to play in the last minute of every game to increase the lead over poor Luxembourg from 60 to 62.

Yes, the Dream Team dominated. The USA swept to gold in the 1992 Seoul games by an average score of (and I don’t have the exact figures here, so I’m just going to make an educated guess) 167-14. Everyone was joyous. The good ol’ U. S. of A. had asserted its natural superiority over the rest of the world.

But now we have players obsessed over dunking and reassuring each other they are keepers of the global game, but can’t back it up. To them this is play-time. Other countries are hungry and willing to put their souls on the line for a medal that could validate their entire existence, a real team, not a collection of egos. Puerto Ricans are screaming they had "shocked the world" in the immediate aftermath of their very thorough 92-73 manhandling of the U.S. team (8/16).

The U.S. team's problem isn't lack of effort, it's lack of skill.

While starless Puerto Rico made eight of 16 three-point shots, the U.S. marketing machine was making three of 24. A Puerto Rican guard named Eddie Casiano hit all four of the threes, including one while being fouled and another from 30 feet just to rub it in during the final seconds of the game.

If you can't shoot the three-pointer in international basketball, you can't win.

You know who the best three-point shooter on the U.S. team is? Richard Jefferson of the New Jersey Nets. He's the 47th-ranked three-point shooter in the NBA. That's 47th. When Carlos Arroyo, Puerto Rico's point guard, was asked whether his team was concerned with any U.S. player shooting well from the outside, he said, "Not really. . . . They don't have any spot-up shooters. . . . They have more off-the-dribble shooters and free-style players." Knowing this, Puerto Rico packed in a zone defense designed to take away the player they most respected, Duncan.
"We knew they didn't have any good shooters," Puerto Rico forward Daniel Santiago said. "Rolando Hourruitiner fronted Tim. . . . I or Jose Ortiz got in back of him, and we just packed it in . . . I mean, really packed it in and dared them to shoot. Sometimes I was out on Richard Jefferson, and I was letting him shoot it . . . They've got penetrators and slashers, so you lay off and let them take those shots."

Some sources even say that players had been out partying the previous night – and the nightlife in Greece doesn’t even start till 2Am. How can anybody expect to play their best after a night like that. Do you see Michael Phelps or any other athlete doing this? NO! Just participating in the Olympics is the culmination of their life’s effort. When I see these spoiled USA basketball players it makes me sick. I’m happy that Puerto Rico won, they are the workers, the players who have the heart for the game, the players who deserve to win. Because remember when it comes to Olympic games, our current USA basketball is the bad guys.

Now a team that should have won was the US Women's Gymnastics. That’s a team with commitment. I was just informed that they only took second. I would have watched this but was at a show at the Khyber last night. It wasn’t bad (as much as I saw). Something in the stars must be misaligned. For some reason people just want to pick fights with me, or maybe they are just hard-asses who aren’t used to emo-rock fans sticking up for themselves.
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DAILY DEALINGS
So I’m reaching over to the bar to grab 2 beers, and the person’s conversation I’m unintentionally parting says something I sort of heard but still didn’t like it. So I asked him what he said. He says, ”You heard me” as he shoves my chest. (now I know this might sound like a spaghetti western, possibly because of my play-by-play or because of my lack of diagraming a fight, but I swear this is exactly as it happened.) I get really close to him as ask “what the fuck is your problem?” He looks me square in the eye. takes a step back, and with a full outstretched arm puts his middle finger an inch away from my face. I slap it away, and then immediately his left hand grabs me by the neck and he’s constricting around my windpipe. I DROP my right elbow onto the crook of his and as we fall towards each other I pull back my right hand and sock him square in his ear. It spins him around and he lets go of my throat. Then 2 bouncers bear-hug us and “escort” us outside.
Surprisingly the bouncer asked if I was alright. He said they were expecting trouble from this guy and I was the unfortunate target. I asked why, if they were expecting trouble, did they let him in to unsurprisingly start a fight. They said he was a regular.

I asked, then, if I could go back in. He said no. I was confused. I explained how everybody saw that he grabbed me first. And he said all he saw my punch. So I said my peace to the bouncer as I left to find my car and go home without hearing Elefant play.
Bright side: got home at a reasonable time so I’m not tired today and can write all this for all of you
Down side: I’ve got 4 scratches on my neck that can easily be identified a a thumb, ring,index, and middle finger around my neck. AND I have an informal interview on Friday, but I’ll be wearing a tie, so hopefully the collar will hide it.
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I would imagine if you could understand Morse Code, a tap dancer would drive you crazy.
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DAILY DOWNLOADS

Bantam Rooster: Summer In Hamtramck

Massive Attack: Wire (live)

Lost Mind: Useless

2004-08-17T09:52:00.000-04:00

We are truly retro-Americans. America has no now. We’re reluctant to acknowledge the present. It’s too embarrassing.
Instead we reach into the past. Our culture is composed of sequels, reruns, remakes, revivals, reissues, re-releases and nostalgia. And sometimes we feels the need to dress up this past-preoccupation with pathetic references to reruns as “encore presentations.”
Even instant replay is a form of token nostalgia: a brief visit to the immediate past for reexamination, before slapping it onto a highlight video for further review and re-review on into the indefinite future.
And our television newscasts not only reflect the condition, they feed it. Everything they report into has some reference to the past. If there’s to be a summit meeting, you’ll be told all about the last 6 summits; if there’s a big earthquake, they’ll do a story about big earthquakes of the past; if there’s a mine disaster, you will hear about every mine disaster since the inception of mining. They’re obsessed with looking back. I swear I actually heard this during a newscast, as the anchorman went to a commercial break” he said, “Still ahead, a look back.” Honest.
There’s really no harm reviewing the past from time time; knowing where you’ve been is part of knowing where you are. But the American media have an absolute fixation on this. They rob us of the present by insisting on the past. If they were able, I’m sure they would pay equal attention to the future. Trouble is, they don’t have any film on it.
And so, on television news there is, oddly, very little emphasis on the present; on today’s actual news. The present exists only in thirty-second stories built around eight-second sound bites. Remember, “sound bite” is their phrase. That’s what they give you. Just a bite. No chewing, no digestion, no nourishment. Malnutrition.
Another way they avoid the present moment is to look ahead on their own schedules. The television news industry seems to revolve around what’s coming next. “Still to come,” “Just ahead,” “Up next,” “More to come,” “Stay with us,” “Also, later…” And so it goes, around the clock: On the “Five O’Clock News,” they tell you about the “Six O”Clock News”; at six o’clock, they tell you about the 10; at 10, they plug the morning news; the morning man promps the noontime lady and, sure enough, a little after noon, here comes that empty-headed prick from the “Five O”Clock news” to tell you what he’s going to do… on the “Five O’Clock news.”
You know if a guy were paranoid, he might not be blamed for thinking that people who run things don’t want you dwelling too much on the present.
Because keep in mind, the news media are not independent; they are a sort of bulletin board and public relations firm for the ruling class–the people who run things. Those who decide what news you will or will not hear are paid by, and tolerated purely at the whim of, those who hold economic power. If the parent corporation doesn’t want you to know something, it won’t be on the news. Period. Or, at the very least, it will be slanted to suit them, and then barely followed up.
Enjoy your snooze.
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DAILY DEALINGS
at the KHYBER tonight
Elefant
Ambulance LTD
Elkland &
Trouble Everyday from TVT Records. $10. I’m going. Spot me. I’ll be wearing a black t-shirt with an ironic saying printed on the front, tight blue jeans, probably my retro-walking sneakers and thick black framed glasses.

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DAILY DOWNLOADS

The Brother Kite: the music box

The Brother Kite: Transition three

The Brother Kite: Simply say my name

2004-08-16T08:57:00.000-04:00

When you’re young, you don’t know, but you don’t know you don’t know, so you take some chances. In your twenties and thirties you don’t know, and you know you don’t know, and that tends to freeze you: less risk taking. In your forties you know, but you don’t know that you know, so you may still be a little tentative. But then, as you pass fifty, if you’ve been paying attention, you know, and you know you know. Time for some fun.
…………………...
My friend was walking down the street and he said, "I hear music." As if there is any other way of taking it in. I tried to taste it, but it did not work.
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DAILY DEALINGS
So, sometime late Saturday night, I must have woken and set my alarm. When it went off I assumed it was Monday, so I got dressed and was almost out the door before I realized it was in fact not Monday. So if anybody knows me you know how little I sleep and how hard it was going to be for me to fall back asleep. I tried reading (almost finished the Di Vinci code now), did not work. Tried watching a movie, but didn’t want to commit to 2 hours because I REALLY wanted to sleep. So I took some sleeping pills and woke up at 8:00 Sunday night! Damn! And of course I couldn’t get to sleep last night because I was already rested and didn’t want to take any more pills, so I lied awake most of the night pondering a lot of stuff that made me anxious, but forgot what it was when I woke this morning. So all I have left is the memory of thinking something important, but forgetting what it was and wondering how important it really was.
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DAILY DOSE
A message from Ben Folds

Text message a bit curt

A thoroughly awesome Domino Records compilation.
1) Franz Ferdinand - "Shopping For Blood"
2) The Kills - "'Fuck The People"
3) Sons and Daughters - "Broken Bones"
4) Archie Bronson Outfit - "Kangaroo Heart"
5) Blueskins - "Change My Mind"
6) Clinic - "The Magician"
7) Clearlake - "Almost The Same"
8) Max Tundra - "Lysine"
9) Four Tet - "As Serious As Your Life"
10) Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - "Animal Midnight"
11) James Yorkston & The Athletes - "Banjo #1"
12) UNPOC - "Amsterdam"
13) Adem - "These Are Your Friends"
14) Hood - "The Negatives"
15) Elliott Smith - "The Ballad Of Big Nothing"
16) Pavement - "Range Life"

Only $4.95 at your local NME shop. It's turned me on to a few bands I've never heard before and is about to go into heavy rotation on the iPod. You can stream the entire album here (REAL).
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DAILY DOWNLOADS

The New Pornographers: Mass Romantic

Miles Davis and John Coltrane: Straight, no chaser

2004-08-13T09:44:00.000-04:00

So I’ve wanted to talk about Hurricane Charlie back when Audi was going to Jamaica for his layover flight. It’s hitting right now and going to do some serious damage (I wonder if it screwed with his travel time? my guess would be yes). I also wanted to talk about the resounding Jamaican commercial support in clothing right now. Its like “Cool Runnings” without the pride. This is coming by way of Puma and Dior clothing. I think every other year, a product reverts to the colors of Jamaica in a sad attempt to sponge some of the Jamaican attitudes and seem “cool.” This trend is being eatin’-up by aging hipsters, who I like to call Yupsters.
I also wanted to talk about how my friends have gone to see the last Phish show, and for some stupid reason I didn’t go. NO WAIT! I wanted to go, but Hippies with somesort of income selling their homemade glass pieces got the the ticketstand before me and was sold-out by the time I heard about it. But I’m also not as interested in them anymore, so I wanted to make plans to go to the shore, but the rain has put the kabash on that plan. At least my brother is visiting, so it looks like a shit-load of movies and talking over coffee this weekend. (i promise I won’t see the Village though. I promised somebody else, but I guess I have to wait till the Olympics are over. ha.)
I wanted to talk more about all of this, but right now I downloading alot of music from deadboots.com – link provided below – and my brother’s iPOD. Since I’m not going to any shows this weekend I’m going to live vicariously through my MP3 player.
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DAILY DOWNLOADS
deadboots.com

2004-08-12T09:05:00.000-04:00

I played golf last night. I did not get a hole in one, but I did hit a guy. That's way more satisfying.…
I know I should have yelled four! but was thinking, “There’s no way that’s going to hit him.”
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DAILY DEALINGS
Should I go to San Diego? hummmm… It could be fun, but nothing productive can happen. It would be nice to set up interviews, but they would just be afterthoughts to my wanting to get fucked up. Although I have wanted an excuse to go out West, and I DO have plane tickets I’m sitting on that I couldn’t use when I was going out with my ex-girlfriend and if I don’t use them they will become void. But I also have to take off work (tuesday and Wed) and I might be able to use those later (i have to check on my sick days and how many I have left). I also will be getting a free hotel stay, because my friend will also be there on business and I can crash there, but he is comming in from China so there’s the possibility of his being delayed or cancelled, then I would have to find another hotel = more money that I don’t want to spend. He will be working when in San Diego, but I’ve never had a problem making my own fun, and I do have 2 Uncle’s who didn’t show up at the reunion 2 weekends back that I could bunk-up with......
First things first. Check my sick/vacation days and call-up Expedia and double check my ticket info.
Alright. baby steps.
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DAILY DA VINCI
"No," Langdon corrected, immediately realizing his choice of vocabulary should have been clearer.

Nowadays, the term pagan had become almost synonymous with devil worship-a gross misconception. The word's roots actually reached back to the Latin paganus, meaning country-dwellers. "Pagans" were literally unindoctrinated country-folk who clung to the old, rural religions of Nature worship. In fact, so strong was the Church's fear of those who lived in the rural Areas that the once innocuous word for "villager"-villain-came to mean a wicked soul.

"The pentacle," Langdon clarified, "is a pre-Christian symbol that relates to Nature worship. The ancients envisioned their world in two halves-masculine and feminine. Their gods and goddesses worked to keep a balance of power. Yin and yang. When male and female were balanced, there was harmony in the world. When they were unbalanced, there was chaos." Langdon motioned to Sauniere's stomach. "This pentacle is representative of the female half of all things-a concept religious historians call the 'sacred feminine' or the 'divine goddess.' Sauniere, of all people, would know this."

"Sauniere drew a goddess symbol on his stomach?"

Langdon had to admit, it seemed odd. "In its most specific interpretation, the pentacle symbolizes Venus-the goddess of female sexual love and beauty."

Fache eyed the naked man, and grunted.

"Early religion was based on the divine order of Nature. The goddess Venus and the planet Venus were one and the same. The goddess had a place in the nighttime sky and was known by many names-Venus, the Eastern Star, Ishtar, Astarte – all of them powerful female concepts with ties to Nature and Mother Earth."

Fache looked more troubled now, as if he somehow preferred the idea of devil worship.

Langdon decided not to share the pentacle's most astonishing property-the graphic origin of its ties to Venus. As a young astronomv student, Langdon had been stunned to learn the planet Venus traced a perfect pentacle across the ecliptic sky every four years. So astonished were the ancients to observe this phenomenon, that Venus and her pentacle became symbols of perfection, beauty, and the cyclic qualities of sexual love. As a tribute to the magic of Venus, the Greeks used her four-year car cycle cle to organize their Olympiads. Nowadays, few people realized that the four-year schedule of modern Olympic Games still followed the cycles of Venus. Even fewer people knew that the fivepointed star had almost become the official Olympic seal but was modified at the last moment – its five points exchanged for five intersecting rings to better reflect the games' spirit of inclusion and harmony.

"Mr. Langdon," Fache said abruptly. "Obviously, the pentacle must also relate to the devil. Your American horror movies make that point clearly."

Langdon frowned. Thank you, Hollywood. The five -pointed star was now a virtual cliche in Satanic serial killer movies, usually scrawled led on the wall of some Satanist's apartment along with other alleged demonic symbology. Langdon was always frustrated when he saw the symbol in this context; the pentacle's true origins were actually quite godly.

"I assure you," Langdon said, "despite what you see in the movies, the Pentacle's demonic interpretation is historically inaccurate. The original feminine meaning is correct, but the symbolism of the pentacle has been distorted over the millennia. In this case , through bloodshed

"I'm not sure I follow"

Langdon glanced at Fache's crucifix, uncertain how to phrase his next point. "The Church, sir. Symbols are very resilient, but the pentacle was altered by the early Roman Catholic Church. As part of the Vatican's campaign to eradicate pagan religions and convert the masses to Christianity, the Church launched a smear campaign against the pagan gods and recasting their divine symbols as evil."

"Go on."

"This is very common in times of turmoil," Langdon continued. "A newly emerging power will take over the existing symbols and degrade them over time in an attempt to erase their meaning. In the battle between the pagan symbols and Christian symbols, the pagans lost, Poseidon's trident became the devil's pitchfork, the wise crone's pointed hat became the symbol of a witch, and Venus's pentacle became a sign of the devil Langdon paused. "Unfortunately, the United States millitary had also perverted the pentacle; it's now our foremost symbol of war. We paint it on all our fighter jets and hang it on the shoulders of all our generals So much for the goddess of love and beauty.
Taken from The Da Vinci Code. which brings me to…
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DAILY DOSE
and I want to talk about The Olympics. A friend of mine is / always been interested in GYmnastics, and will take this moment to hype-it-up. I want to get excited about the olympics, but really, am more excited about Football starting. But, if you are watching certain summer competitions it should be enjoyable. (Like, watch swimmer Michael Phelps,Paul HAmm of men gymnastics, Mia Hamm in soccer (damn!) and Jennie Finch softball pitcher (another damn!).

“When Carly Patterson is on the beam in Athens, History could repeat itself. Just as Mary Lou Retton of ‘84 fame inspired the young girl who triumphed in ‘96, Atlantas’s “Magnificent 7”, Carly’s generation, will send another generation of young girls tumbling with new enthusiasm into U.S. Gyms. US now boasts the deepest array of gymnastics talent in the world, and the team is favored to capture the gold next week. “America has the potential to become dominant in the sport,” says Tim Daggett, a member of the men’s gold-medal team in ‘84. “ – taken from Newsweek
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“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and so do we.” –President W, at a signing of the $417 BILLION defense-spending bill.

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DAILY DOWNLOADS

The Undertones: I gotta Getta

The Undertones: Billy’s Third

The Buzzcocks: ever falen in love

The Buzzcocks: What Do I Get

2004-08-11T16:25:00.000-04:00

sporadic routine: oh shit but even potentially better news is i read on bobanddavid.com that david cross has been asked to mc a show that would involve him and bob odenkirk both doing standup, and possibly sleater kinney and built to spill playing
sporadic routine: and le tigre too
sporadic routine: how sick would that be
sporadic routine: and if it goes down its gonna be during the republican convention here in nyc
sporadic routine: like a protestish sort of thing
BrunoHasenfas: fucking great
sporadicroutine: you should come in and crash at my place if it happens
BrunoHasenfas: you got a place
BrunoHasenfas: ?
BrunoHasenfas: is it bomb-proof?
sporadic routine: yeah i'm living with my friend greg from high school
BrunoHasenfas: did I meet him
sporadic routine: ummm nah its probably pretty bomb tolerant
sporadic routine: but its next to a big project so theres way more important people to kill in the city
BrunoHasenfas: asbestis?
sporadic routine: he was the magic card playing kid that dated julia lynch
BrunoHasenfas: need to be more specific
BrunoHasenfas: ha
sporadic routine: haha

2004-08-11T12:38:00.000-04:00

I guess my attempt at humor writing has somewhat failed. Didn’t think I’d have to preface this, but I guess I should say that, “The views expressed are merely for humor value and in no way were ment to offend readers or subject or pigon-hole the author to certain beliefs.” i.e. I don’t not like baseball, I’m just pointing out some things.
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BASEBALL AND FOOTBALL
In most sports the ball, or object, is put in play by the offensive team; in baseball the defensive team puts the ball in play, and only the defender is allowed to touch the ball.
In all sports requiring a ball, you score with the ball, and without the ball you can’t score. In baseball the ball prevents you from scoring.
In most sports the team is run by a coach, in baseball it is run by a manager; and only in baseball does the manager wear the same clothes as the players

Baseball and football are two of the most popular spectator sports in our country. And, as such, it seems they ought to be able to tell us something about ourselves and our values. And maybe how those values have changed over the last 150 years:
Baseball is a 19th century pastoral game
football is a 20th century technological struggle
BAseball is played on a diamond, in a park.
Football is played on the gridiron, sometimes called Soldier Field or War Memorial Stadium (ok, this is bad example to start with since most stadiums are owned by huge corporations that don’t strike fear into the hearts of visiting teams. “Ahhh! we’re going the STAPLES center.”)
Baseball begins in the spring, season of new life
Football begins in the fall, the season when everything is dying
Football you wear a helmet
Baseball you wear a cap
Football is concerned with downs, “what down is it?”
Baseball is concerned with ups, “who’s up?”
In football you receive a penalty
In BAseball you receive an error
Football has clipping, spearing, hitting
BAseball has the sacrifice
Football can be played in any weather: Rain, snow, sleet…can’t see the game, mud on the field, can’t read the uniforms. the struggle will continue.
Baseball stops when it rains.”I can’t go out. It’s raining”
Baseball has the seventh inning stretch
Football has the two-minute warning
Baseball has no time limit
Football is rigidly timed, and will end even if we have to go to “sudden death.”
In baseball the stands give this picnic-y feel. emotions may run high or low, but there’s not that much unpleasantness
In football stands, you can be sure that at least 27 times during the game somebody is perfectly capable of taking the life of another human being
Finally,
In football the object is for the quaterback (field general) to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his receivers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops toward enemy territory.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe. “I hope I’ll be safe at home.”
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DAILY DOSE

According to Scientific proof magazine YOUr Favorite music sucks. If you like Christina, Justin, Staind, Puddle of Mudd and a host of others it is scientific fact that you have bad taste in music. Fortunately there is a cure (requires quicktime)

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Union officials representing firefighters and police officers said yesterday that they would not rule out strikes or other work stoppages during the Republican National Convention, raising the stakes in their battle to get new labor contracts with the city.

The unions have been trailing the mayor at his public events and heckling him relentlessly in recent days. Clearly buoyed by the increased attention that these demonstrations have attracted, several dozen firefighters, police officers and their union officials gathered briefly on the steps of City Hall yesterday to denounce both the mayor and their stalled contract negotiations, and to make veiled threats about the convention.
Advertisement

"The level of frustration is so high," said Stephen J. Cassidy, the president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, "I can't account for what might happen" during the convention.

When asked repeatedly if the two groups would consider striking or taking other labor actions, Patrick J. Lynch, president of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, said, "We will not rule out anything."
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Great asses appreciated in New York right now. funny article from the village voice (woman author)

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DAILY DOWNLOADS

Naked Raygun: Walk in cold

Superdrag: Lighting the way

The Deathray Davies: Is this on

2004-08-10T11:46:00.000-04:00

Remembrance of Audi (he’s not dead, but he will be in brain jail for some time)
He was a good man, not quite a man yet. He always had a smile and was good for a quick talk. I knew him for some time, but never really got to know him. He was inviting but also reclusive. Some say it’s because of his particular smoking habits, but I knew that once he stopped doing that his ability would catch up to his aspirations.
We went on small trips to mountains and concerts and large trips to mountains and concerts, each one heightened because of his presence and his good friends that he introduced me to.
I shall miss your drunkin’ head-buts my friend.

Audi left this morning to begin med-school in Granada. Right now he is probably still in the air. He has a 3 hour lay-over in Jamaica. which reminds me…

I hate waiting in line. It’s not a patience thing, it’s just something I can do without. Example…People ahead of me who are paying for an inexpensive item by credit card. Folks take my word for this: Tic Tacs is not a major purchase. Carry some money, will ya? It comes in handy. No one should be borrowing money from a bank at 15% interest to buy a loaf of bread.
And what about these cretins at the airport gift shop who think somehow they are in the mall of America? It’s an airport! I’m standing there with a newspaper and a pack of gum; I gotta get to my plane. Why does the defect ahead of me choose this moment to purchase a complete set of dishes and a new fall wardrobe? what is this Macy’s? And of course, the clerk lady has to carefully wrap each dish separately, but she’s working real fast – because she’s eighty-nine! And now dish-man wants to know if he can use Turkish traveler’s checks. Makes me just want to grab some sodas and a handful of magazines and blow outta there.

(enjoy your flight Audi)
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DAILY DOWNLOADS

First glimpse of Eliot Smith’s new album (from Stereogum)

764 Hero: you were a party

Can: Mighty Girl

2004-08-09T09:32:00.000-04:00

People Who Should be Phased Out.
• People who harmonize the last few notes of “Happy Birthday”
• People over 40 who can’t put on reading glasses without making self-conscious remarks about their advancing age.
• Guys who wink when they’re kidding
• Men who propose marriage on the Giant TV screen at a sports stadium
• GUys who want to shake my hand even though we just saw each other an hour ago.
• A celebrity couple who adopt a Third-World baby and call it Rain Forest
• Guys who wear suits all day and think an earring makes them look cool at night
• Old people who tell me what the weather used to be where they used to live
• People who say, “Knock Knock,” when entering a room and, “Beep beep,” when someone is in their path
• Actors who drive race cars
• Athletes and coaches who give more than 100%
• Guys who wear wristwatches on the inside of their wrists
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DAILY DEALINGS
Saturday I went to this party and some little bitch was making a fuss over some stupid shit (she just had that air of arrogance). Me and my friends are having a good time, laughing joking and possibly being a little weird, but all in good fun and not bothering anyone. In fact we were meeting new people and getting them involved. Well this thick snooty bitch comes over and takes the cards from us and makes a comment about how we are loosers. Oh well, she can think what she wants. She was the one sitting by herself. So the night continues and she continues her harassment of me and my friends. They let it go, but I of course had to find out what her problem was. So I confronted her. Well…her point was rude but didn’t make sense. She had no reason for her actions and I called her out on that then critised her for critising us and pointed out her own personal flaws. I really put her in her place. It felt good. But later I didn’t.
I knew people overheard us (mostly my portion) but didn’t think the party would turn against me. Turns out that that girl was the cousin of the host (hence the air of superiority she was broadcasting). I hear through the grapevine that people wanted to kick my ass. She altered the story, spread it to the rest of the party and made me the bad guy not the defender in this situation. Kids who I was having fun with earlier wanted to kill me. So now the party is divided. Those who like me and those who don’t. At this point it’s late and really don’t care if I leave and never see these kids again. I had fun. But then I thought of my friend. These are his friends so I decided to make nice nice with those who don’t like me. Starting with the source. She explains that she wasn’t used to someone being different (?) and felt compelled to make a comment. I told her who was she to make judgements towards other people? She appoligised and I forgave her, but I guess I really taught her a lesson because she started crying and saying that she never ment to come off that way ( I guess she had been told this before and was having personal problems.) I re-iterated how things were fine, will be fine and it’s all under the bridge. As I left she was crying again – she must had been even drunker by now– hell maybe she was looking for attention from me but did it in some backward-ass 3rd grade intended way (but I don’t want to flatter myself.) I had to pull her aside, hug her and tell her we were cool and if I saw her again we would start with a clean slate. I made sure that her friends saw that I was being a good guy. They were nice people who I wouldn’t mind seeing again. I’ll just make sure next time she isn’t there.
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DAILY DOSE
So there’s this guy in Philly who went to see his doctor, and while being completely honest about his drinking, got his license indefinatly revoked!
you see PenDot got a hold of this information after the Doctor reported it. There’s a law in Philadelphia where if you consume over a certain number of beers in a day the Dr. has to report this information IN CASE the patient decides to get in his car. Now this Guy didn’t have any prior Driving infractions and never had any intentions of doing so because he had been doing this for over 20 years. I feel this goes against Doctor-patient confidentiality.
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DAILY DOWNLOADS

Olivia Tremor Control: Love Athena

The Blood Thirsty Lovers: Turning the world upsidedown

Tommy Stinson: Hateful (Clash cover)

Nothing Painted Blue: Swivelchair

2004-08-06T11:13:00.000-04:00

“Love is just a joy ride.
Drink alot of beer and come inside.
Lay your foot down on the gas, leave it there until you crash.”
– The Halo Benders

2004-08-06T09:31:00.000-04:00

Examining on-line who I should pick-up for fantasy football. This will be my first time doing it. Hopefully I don’t screw it up. My first time participating in these fantasy-type games was last winter with basketball. I made the mistake of relying too much on a sheet that somebody else provided that gave their last year’s results. I thought overall ranking was the best thing to go by, without fully realizing that it would have been better to pick key players who can give me a boost in certain categories. So, I’m gonna look at recent key trades and last year’s popular rosters (but going with my gut when it comes to picking players, only people I’ve heard of).
Last year I had to drop out of doing fantasy football because I couldn’t make the live draft, but handed my folder of information to friend of mine. I hope it helped him, in fact I think he won it all, but it probably wasn’t due to my information – he tends to do well in these things. So if anybody has some good sites to visit let me know.
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IT’s FRIDAY! getting drunk in Conshy then down to First Fridays in Olde City. give a holla to the DC if you wanna party.
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The Spinto Band
August 7th - THE PONTIAC GRILLE with the Bullet Parade and Overlord - 9:00 (jon, I’ll be there. add me to the list)
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DAILY DOWNLOADS

The Good Life: Notes in his pocket

Jon Spencer’s Blues Explosion: Do you wanna get it

Sparta: cut your ribbon

The Good Life: I am an island

2004-08-05T09:25:00.000-04:00

I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it.

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DAILY DOWNLOADS

The Go!team: Junior Kickstart

The Go!team: Huddle information

this dismemberment plan: Pay for the piano (remix)

the moths: basses

Despistado: A Stirsticks Prediction

Pedro the lion: the longest winter

The Owls: everyone

FZ: flower punk

Frock: coincidence rocket ride

Frock: the refugee

2004-08-04T09:12:00.000-04:00

Had an idea about what I was gonna write about today, last night before I closed my eyes.
that thought has now escaped me and I don’t know why.
I hope it wasn’t important. Probably just me wasting time thinking bout a girl and wondering if she’s sitting at home thinking about me.
But I’m just wasting my time.
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At work,yesterday, a client came over and asked to use the phone. I said "Certainly." He said "Do I need to dial 9?" I say… "Yeah. Especially if it's in the number.”
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DAILY DOSE

A funny new clip of Will Ferrell as Dubya. Watch.
WAHAHA! c’mon. that’s funny.

Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller's "Sin City" movie has me giddy.
And he wants to do Allred's Madman next?

batman Begins trailer.

Everything about Elephant screems ROCKSTAR

“(It's) about, 'How do I communicate with myself and know what to say and know how to define myself?' I struggle with that every day and I think the point of the record is that the struggle in not knowing is probably more healthy and beautiful than ever being able to say with any kind of certainty what you think you are. Because you're not ever going to really be that."
Jeff Tweedy (from Wilco) in a recent phone interview with the Montreal Gazette, about the deepest connection of it all.
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DAILY DOWNLOADS
Built to Spill:

Someday (Strokes cover)

Built to Spill: Joyride

The Halo Benders: Don’t Tell Me Know

The cuts:How can I get through

sistasocial

satans’s pilgrams: el toro