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

2004-08-03T08:56:00.000-04:00

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DAILY DOSE
FrankenFish:
The northern snakehead, an Asian invasive species that picked up the nickname for its freaky looks, has a reputation so bad that the hype almost overshadows the major damage it may actually do to local waters.

The critter ignited near-panic in Maryland two years ago after experts said it can live for as long as four days out of the water, grow as long as four feet and wolf down live frogs, small rodents and birds. Experts deny reports that it can walk a mile on land - but they say it can crawl on its gills, probably for very limited distances.

The problem in Philly is that if the snakehead starts reproducing in the rivers, it could upset the ecological balance and crowd out some native fish species.

"The thing could just wipe out the ecosystem," said Wanenchak, 54, who caught a second snakehead a week after the first - and tipped off the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to the ecological peril. In all, six snakeheads have been caught in Meadow Lake, starting with Wanenchak's first discovery July 10. Because Meadow Lake is directly connected to the Schuylkill and then the Delaware, a plague in the lake may also be a plague to the system. Mike Kaufmann, regional biologist for the fish commission, says it's "likely" the snakehead is already in the rivers but none has been caught there yet.
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smarty’s gone to stud, and Philadelphians are still clinging to their few strands of underdog pride.
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DAILY DOWNLOADS

Sarah Hotnights: Alright Alright
The White Stripes: Jimmy The Exploder
Electric Frankenstein: Singers Blood
from KINGBLIND

2004-08-02T09:43:00.000-04:00

I’m a big fan of Donnie Darko. And now with the dir. Cut being re-released it’s time to share some knowledge about this great movie, I, however will not be doing it. I pass the mic to Ulragrrrl
who strikes gold with a brilliant post explaining the parallels between one's relationship with albums and friendships.

Another good movie is Scotland, PA. Which asks, “what if the McBeth’s were alive in ‘75.”
Set against the backdrop of a fast food restaurant in early 70’s, rural Pennsylvania. This classic tale of guilt and betrayal centers on the McBeths, Joe "Mac" (James Le Gros) and Pat (Maura Tierney) who are stuck in their dead end jobs at Duncan’s Restaurant. Pat is getting restless and hatches a plan as "Mac" starts to see things – three hippies, (Andy Dick, Amy Smart and Timothy "Speed" Levitch) to be exact.
Their boss, is a visionary who has dreams of turning his restaurant into a Fast Food empire. His idea will revolutionize the Fast Food industry and nobody knows about it – not the happy customers in his small town, his employees, or his two dysfunctional teenage sons. When Norm meets with a bizarre death, Christopher Walken is called in to investigate.
Things seem to work out well for "Mac" and Pat after Malcolm and Donald sell the restaurant to their father’s favorite employees. The McBeths transform Duncan’s Restaurant into the wildly successful, state-of-the-art, fast food mecca. That is, until "Mac’s" friend and co-worker Anthony "Banko" Banconi (Kevin Corrigan), starts becoming suspicious as people begin to disappear. The bodies continue to drop as "Mac’s" visits from the three hippies become more frequent and Pat, with a few obsessions of her own, starts to break down. With Walken hot on the trail, the McBeth’s dream of fame, fortune and french fries crumbles before their eyes. (mostly taken from their press site

I also went to my family’s reunion. not bad. Reunions are nice, but there’s are reason why they don’t happen every year.

I’ve just bought a new pair of sneaks, and I’ve come to the realization that shoes are the hubcaps of our accessories. Some people like to be understated with them, and some people like as much gloss as they can afford as to let everybody know how much they can afford.
I bet you that if they came out with a crome sneaker people from a certain demographic would buy them, and then another person would steal them from him.

I saw a human pyramid once. It was totally unnecessary.

Matt Groening revealed that an episode of "The Simpsons" next season will revolve around gay marriage. will it be Smithers? Patty or Selma? Comic Book Guy? developing!

seacrest out! out of the closet? maybs. out of a job? soon enough. out of hair gel? NEVER!
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DAILY DOWNLOADS
TheLastTownChorus:

ChangeYourMind

the metric mile:

amateurs

the metric mile:

classic chess problems

the velvet teen:

forlorn

the velvet teen:

elevator love letter

Plus, Minus, Equals:

Naked Girl

Out of the Fierce Parade:

Caspian Can Wait

2004-07-30T16:12:00.000-04:00

I will be a commander in chief who will never mislead us into war. I will have a vice president who will not conduct secret meetings with polluters to rewrite our environmental laws. I will have a secretary of Defense who will listen to the best advice of our military leaders. And I will appoint an Attorney General who actually upholds the Constitution of the United States."

-JOhn Kerry

2004-07-30T13:11:00.000-04:00

UNGH! Friday morning hangover (hehe). I should take my own advice once and awhile (scroll down a few days to see what I’m talking about.

Let’s see, gotta rest up tonight so I can drive to a family reunion tommorow. Kinda sad that I don’t even know all my cousins names. Not my fault though. We are so spead apart that it’s hard to keep contact. Hell, I have cousins who are going to meet me for the first time.
think I’ll print out a quick synoposis of what has happened in my life so far, on fash cards, and hand them out to my relatives so we can cut past the small talk and get to the good stuff. Hell, I want to know how they all got to where they are now. That’s what’s going on my life now, and the’re family, so out stories have to be close.
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DAILY DOSE
The vet Kerry saved on Bush: "If you're in the military and you have an incompetent leader, you replace him."

The pundits on Kerry: He nailed it
The same mainstream talking heads who trashed Gore give Kerry strong notices, and even right-wingers hold their tongues

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DAILY DOWNLOADS

Just go here.
It’s in French, but Download everything. it’s all good.

2004-07-28T09:22:00.000-04:00

DAILY DEALINGS
Well, I backed out of meeting with my potential landlord. Mostly because I’m not the Manayunk type. Good place to go for a date, horrible to live at. It was close to the train station and Main Street, but I have a car and really need to think about parking (which there isn’t any). It was a really good price but I want to find a place more in the City. I need to think about making connections and contacts, and it isn’t happening in Manayunk. It’s more of another College town, a good stepping stone where you can still party like a wanna-be, but I need / want a place where I can be a part of the community I work in. True, I work in Conshy, but saving money for the great place is more important than my immediate concerns of where to go after a date. It was a hard decision, and the landlord’s cold sell worked (for a day), but I think it’s in my best interest not to attach myself to a year commitment right now.
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DAILY DOSE
I have to admit, I'm caught up. I've bought into Obama mania. That speech got me. Finally, this was a speaker (other than Clinton) who actually sounded confident, strong, and empowering. It was like he was floating behind the podium.
Now, don't call him the first black President yet. He has many hurdles before that. However, Obama will most likely emerge as the true star of this convention, even though this speech wasn't even on national TV.
Here’s some of my highlights (taken from yahoo, full text)

My parents shared not only an improbable love; they shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation. They would give me an African name, Barack, or "blessed," believing that in a tolerant America your name is no barrier to success. They imagined me going to the best schools in the land, even though they weren't rich, because in a generous America you don't have to be rich to achieve your potential.

I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story, that I owe a debt to all of those who came before me, and that, in no other country on earth, is my story even possible.

I say to you tonight: we have more work to do. More to do for the workers I met in Galesburg, Illinois, who are losing their union jobs at the Maytag plant that's moving to Mexico, and now are having to compete with their own children for jobs that pay seven bucks an hour.

Go into the collar counties around Chicago, and people will tell you they don't want their tax money wasted by a welfare agency or the Pentagon.

John Kerry believes in an America where all Americans can afford the same health coverage our politicians in Washington have for themselves.

If there's a child on the south side of Chicago who can't read, that matters to me, even if it's not my child. If there's a senior citizen somewhere who can't pay for her prescription and has to choose between medicine and the rent, that makes my life poorer, even if it's not my grandmother. If there's an Arab American family being rounded up without benefit of an attorney or due process, that threatens my civil liberties. It's that fundamental belief â€” I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper â€” that makes this country work. It's what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come together as a single American family. "E pluribus unum." Out of many, one.
Yet even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes. Well, I say to them tonight, there's not a liberal America and a conservative America â€” there's the United States of America. There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's the United States of America. The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I've got news for them, too. We worship an awesome God in the Blue States, and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and have gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported it. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.
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In general, I hate when musicians take time during their live performances to speak out about politics. Shut the fuck up, stop preaching to the choir, and play is what I say. However, if the artists who are doing the talking are Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., Pearl Jam, the Dave Matthews Band, the Dixie Chicks, Bright Eyes, Ani DiFranco, Death Cab for Cutie, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, and International Noise Conspiracy, I'm the one who should shut the fuck up. And that there is the rumored list of artists who will be touring electoral swing states this coming October, according to the LA Times. The official annoucements should be forthcoming in a couple of weeks. And would you look at that, Pennsylvania is a big fucking swing state! Some of these bands will clearly be coming to Philly! This will be unbelievable.
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If you'll be near Durham, North Carolina on August 20th and 21st, the Durham Music Festival has again lined up some great acts, including:

Richard Buckner
The Butchies
Circulatory System
Early Day Miners
Enon
The Mountain Goats
The Rosebuds
Chris Stamey
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DAILY DOWNLOADS
Devo: Satisfaction (Rolling Stones cvr. live)

William Shatner & Joe Jackson: common people (pulp cover)

The Fags: truly, truly

The soft Boys: Mr. Kennedy

The explosion: Hero

2004-07-26T11:14:00.000-04:00

Why do the simplest plans fall apart? 3 BBQ weekend was gonna happen, but they all canceled because of the weather. It did rain a lot on Friday- so much so that it prevented me from going to AC– but Saturday wasn’t bad. Overcast. that’s all. fucking Philly meoteorologists.
Played tennis instead. OH, yea! team Sore Winners are gonna take the prize.Then went to a chill party that continued till Sunday. Lots of fun. relaxing by a pool. Missed my Zanex.

Still looking for an apartment. every time I find a nice sounding one and leave a voice mail, turns out that it’s some realtor asking for like $160 so I can become a member and access their website to browse their “select” listings (scam). I just want info on the one apartment I was interested in, not 10 others in shitty locations. I guess private owners get scammed into these guy’s sales pitch and think they will get more hits and less confusion if they allow their apartments to be listed on these websites. But really who wants to pay more money to do the same searching at a smaller web site. And I’ve got my password in so many damn websites that if I ever forgot them I’d be up shit creek. Who needs another site that I’ll stop visiting once I find that apartment? I had some guy yesterday (keep in mind this was Sunday night. NOBODY does business then) trying so hard to do a cold sell that it came off like a high school crush and wanted to just gain my attention. His pitch was that if I became a member (also $160) he would mail me information about his company… what? No buddy. YOU mail me your crap, then if I’m interested, IF I’m interested, I send you money to be a subscriber to and access your website. whatta fool. I’m not an 80 year old women handing out my social security number to anybody just because there is a chance of winning a million dollars, but there’s a consolation prize of a shitty thrift store necklace not 1/8 of the entrance fee cost.
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DAILY DOSE
Bad news: The free Y100 My Morning Jacket show, scheduled for July 29th, has been cancelled.
Good News: Sonic Youth, Electric Factory, August 17th
Polyphonic Spree, First Unitarian Church, Saturday August 22th and Sunday August 22st

Sunday’s Boondocks.
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An escalator can never break. It can only become stairs. You would never see an "Escalator Temporarily Out Of Order" sign, just "Escalator Temporarily Stairs. Sorry for the convenience."
…………
DAILY DOWNLOADS
Of Montreal: penelope
Drum Duel
Phil Collins & Chester Thompson
Kid Serious : Armageddon
Johnny Cash: Hurt (nin cover)

2004-07-23T08:58:00.000-04:00

DAILY DOWNLOADS
Destroyer:Students carve hearts out of coal

The Hellacopters: By The Grace Of God

The Walkmen: Revenge wears no wristwatch

OfMontreal: Love Your Onion (shins cover)

The Postal Service: Against All Odds
Single for upcoming Against all Odds movie. basically it’s about an obsessive love. But the soundtrack looks amazing:
1. Maybe Tomorrow – Stereophonics
2. Everybody Is Somebody – Lifehouse (exclusive for soundtrack)
3. A Movie Script Ending – Death Cab For Cutie (unreleased acoustic version)
4. How To Be Dead – Snow Patrol
5. Lover’s Spit – Broken Social Scene
6. Retour A Vega – The Stills (unreleased track)
7. Flowers in December – Mazzy Star
8. When The Day Is Done – The Legends
9. When I Goosestep – The Shins (rare, non-album track)
10. Light Switch – Jaime Wyatt (exclusive for soundtrack)
11. These Days – Mates of State (rare, non-album track)
12. All I Do - +/-
13. We Have a Map of the Piano – Mum
14. Against All Odds – Postal Service (rare, non-album track)
15. Strange and Beautiful – Aqualung
16. I know You Are But What Am I? - Mogwai
17. The Scientist – Johnette Napolitano (exclusive Coldplay cover for soundtrack)
Unfortunetly this 1984 re-make might suck. starring Josh Hartnett (possible reason for it’s sucky-ness)
This guy takes himself waaay to seriously. He can’t act! This Franskenstein stinks up the screen worse than Keanu. I could lump all the stuttering, self-involved bad actors – Josh Hartett, Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Vivica A. Foxx, Amanda Peet, the Olsen Twins, Amanda Barns, Freddie Prince Jr., Nicole Richie (i know she isn’t an actress, but she also falls into this self-absorbed no-talent list ), Vin Diesel, Alicia Silverstone, Jennifer Love Hewett, Sarah Michelle Gellar, etc.
– push them off a cliff and no one would be the wiser. They are pretty, and pretty bad actors as well. Hacks.

“My sister wanted to be an actress, but she never made it. She does live in a trailer. She got half way there, she just never gets called to the set.” – Mitch Hedberg

2004-07-22T10:05:00.000-04:00

Thursday night is apon us. Those who choose to extend the weekend start tonight. I might go out but want to re-organise my portfolio for a pending interview. Could be a good job (higher pay) but it would mean the end of this blog.

So if I go out tonight I have to be prepared for lack of sleep and a possible hangover.
My 5 tips for getting over your hangover:
1) DON’T stop drinking!
2) sugar. eat your fruits in the morning. OJ, V8 (my preference, especially with some vodka. mmmmmm … bloody mary.)
3)caffeine (especially when a bit o’ whisky or brandy is added to your favorite cup of Folgers crystals)
4)sweat it out (can you think of anything better than a cool beer when it’s hot outside?)
5) Puke. if you feel like you’re going to, go to it. Pull that trigger and start the previous night’s process all over again.

Alcoholism is a disease, but it's the only one you can get yelled at for having. Goddammit Charlie, you are an alcoholic. Goddammit Charlie, you have Lupus... one of those two doesn't sound right.

resume fuck-up
Here's a real workplace example: An employee's company was relocating to another state, and people were offered severance packages if they did not want to move. This man used the company fax machine to send a resume to a potential employer. He listed his current position as chief information officer, when in fact he was not involved in technology at all and held a lesser title. He was found out because he left his resume in the company fax machine, where co-workers found it. Not only did he not get the new job, he lost the one he had, along with severance benefits he would have received.
interview and resume tips so you don’t look like a fool and get that job.
1) don’t lie. you will get found out
2)be yourself. if you are fake and get hired, then you have to be fake 24/7. and if they don’t like you good. it wouldn’t have worked. interviews are like 1st dates. you are both feeling each other out, but unlike a real date there is no chance of seeing the interviewer naked at the end.
3) Learn how to spell. I know I make mistakes here and there on this site, but I’m also not trying to impress anyone. You resume’s misspellings don’t reflect your lack of education or anything, but it does point out your lack of attention to detail. remember spell check doesn’t check for grammer.
4)Cutesy-pie layouts and stationery. Some people believe that their resume will stand out in the crowd if they stray from the conventional layout. This might work well if you are sending a resume for a creative job like a graphic artist and you know that someone is definitely going to look at it. It could work against you, too. In fact, some companies scan resumes into a computer for later review. If yours is too radical, it may not scan and you won't be considered at all. If you want to alter the color of your stationery, make sure the cover letter and resume are the same color. And keep it conservative
5)Talking too much. Don't feel that you have to share personal information, and be careful what you do share. You might run into someone's bias, so avoid hitting those hot buttons.

-----------------
DAILY DOSE

Of the four state high school health textbooks under consideration in Texas this summer, one says teenagers should “get plenty of rest” if they want to avoid sexually transmitted diseases. It also suggests students can help prevent pregnancies by respecting themselves. The book avoids any discussion of condoms.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5469437/?GT1=4244

----------------------------
DAILY DOWNLOADS
John Cotrane and Thelonius Monk: Ruby My Dear

Herbie Hancock: Spider
John Lennon: You know it ain’t easy
Pavement: the killing moon (Echo and the bunnymen cover)
Japancakes: tKeep Drawing Suns

2004-07-21T10:48:00.000-04:00

played Tennis all day –or at least it feels like that – after work yesterday. I used to be good. I used to coach. I’m still pretty good, but I used to be also. The depressing thing about tennis is that no matter how good I get, I'll never be as good as a wall.

Some friends went to see I, Robot. I more curious to see how much it sucked. ahhh Fresh Price, you will never be the self proclaimed “Mr. Blockbuster”

I am utterly confused with Kerry right now. I was all gung-ho, because he offered a free thinking option to the morally retarted Bush. I then see Kerry giving the black panther sign to the NAACP. I know he is a politician and wants to appease the masses, and I understand how a voting record cannot give a crediable account of one’s character, but D-UH! I’m sick of our “leaders” doing common stupid things. Common sence. And Kerry also called Hollywood the “heart and soul of America”?! As Boris puts it, “i would like to think that the mine workers, the truck drivers, the teachers, the garbage men, police men, and firemen are the heart and soul of america,
not some fake-ass, botox-full, silicon leaking, think-their-shit-don't-stink egocentric bunch of retards”

I’m Charlie. and I approve this message.

DAILY DOWNLOADS
Calexico: Woven Birds (Cinematic Orchestra Remixico)

PJ Harvey: The Letter

Yeah, yeah, yeahs: great video for Maps

The Letter

very nice pan

Lou Reed: Walk on the wild side

The Go: watcha doin’

The internation Noice conspiracy: smash it up

Bright Eyes: I’ll Be Your friend

2004-07-20T16:10:00.000-04:00

It's very dangerous to wave to people you don't know because what if they don't have hands? They'll think you're cocky.

2004-07-19T15:06:00.000-04:00

The New York Times writes up the posthumous popularity of Elliott Smith. From a Basement On the Hill will come out October 19th. This instantly becomes my most anticipated album of the year. The tracklisting:

01 Coast to Coast
02 Let's Get Lost
03 Pretty (Ugly Before)
04 Don't Go Down
05 Strung Out Again
06 Fond Farewell
07 King's Crossing
08 Ostriches & Chirping
09 Twilight
10 A Passing Feeling
11 Last Hour
12 Shooting Star
13 Memory Lane
14 Little One
15 A Distorted Reality Is Now a Necessity to Be Free

A Distorted Reality will also appear on A Future Soundtrack For America, a Barsuk Records compilation to benefit Moveon.org, coming out August 17th. That tracklisting is:

OK Go : This Will Be Our Year
David Byrn : Ain't Got So Far To Go
Jimmy Eat World : Game of Pricks (BBC evening session)
Death Cab for Cutie : This Temporary Life
Blink-182 : I Miss You (James Guthrie mix)
Mike Doughty : Move On
Ben Kweller : Jerry Falwell Destroyed Earth
Sleater-Kinney : Off With Your Head
R.E.M. : Final Straw (MoveOn mix)
Bright Eyes : Going for the Gold (live)
The Long Winters : The Commander Thinks Aloud (future mix)
will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas : Money
They Might Be Giants : Tippecanoe And Tyler Too
Clem Snide : The Ballad of David Icke
Yeah Yeah Yeahs : Date With the Night (live)
Fountains of Wayne : Everything's Ruined (acoustic)
Nada Surf : Your Legs Grow
The Flaming Lips : Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (live on the BBC)
Old 97's : Northern Line
Laura Cantrell : Sam Stone
Tom Waits : Day After Tomorrow
Elliott Smith : A Distorted Reality Is Now A Necessity To Be Free

DAILY DOWNLOADS
The Paper Chase Don’t you wish you had somemore(video)

Jonathan Vance sylvia

Black Cab 1970

Sigur Ros stralfur

Secret Mommy an apple a day keeps the mac voice away

2004-07-16T09:41:00.000-04:00

HAHAHA I back bitches!
Stoopid asses from work! (I spell it wrong because they are so stupid they wouldn’t even notice if I spelled it wrong) I design the porposal for BEST BUY, keep in mind that I was told it was going to be a presentation, but then after it was done they ask if it’s ready to be mailed. MAILED! why the hell did they want me to mount everything on huge bord if it wasn’t going to be presented? Mailing a proposal can be done in a much more proffesional way. I told them this. I critisized they way they handeled the situation, but also pointed out my lack of experience. I did it in a very delicate way, as to not get fired but also speak my mind. I think they appreciated that I spoke my mind and showed my pride in an assignment, but damn! This place is no Mom and Pop and stuck in their half-ass way of doing things I can’t stand it. But then I remember the nice time I have to write all this shit on this site, and all is forgiven. ahhhhh! soma.

Going to see the Spinto BAnd tonight at the Fire. give a listen………………here. or…………here. then might swing over to the TLA to hear mewithoutyou. depends if the Spinto BAnd is closing. being on the guest list rocks. I just spend more on beer! I’m also bringing my camcorder, when these guys make it big you’ll see my footage on MTV or even better fuse
Might go camping. a hike in the morning. hmmm. as long as you-know-who, and if you know who then you know that he might to get going at like 6 Am and be a bitch if we aren’t ready.

The Philadelphia Inquirer discusses political music past and present.:
“Just because John Kerry played in a prep-school garage band, does that mean that a Democrat in the White House would make for a more musically rewarding Oval Office?

Depends where your musical, as well as political, taste lies. The senator from Massachusetts says Bruce Springsteen's "No Surrender" is his favorite song, and he cut an album with the Electras in 1961 - on which the notes claimed he was "producer of a pulsating rhythm that lends tremendous force to all the members." But the photos with his dickey-wearing band mates make him look every bit as stiff in 1961 as he does on the campaign trail in 2004.

George W. Bush, meanwhile, is a known ZZ Top lover and a fan of country-music acts with a red-state following, such as Brooks & Dunn and Tim McGraw, who have eagerly waved the flag for the war on terror. And you can bet Lee Greenwood will have a chance to sing the abominable "God Bless the U.S.A." at the GOP convention in New York later this summer. But hey, the Prez is also down with jazz and R&B, or at least he made it sound that way when he declared June Black Music Month and gave shout-outs to Ray Charles, Elvin Jones and Alicia Keys. Get funky, Dubya!

The campaign season heated up last week with the naming of John Edwards to the Kerry ticket, inaugurating the season of politicians' attempting to use music for their electoral ends. It's a long and storied tradition: Political smear tactics employing music go back at least as far as 1884, when supporters of James G. Blaine taunted Grover Cleveland, who had fathered an illegitimate child, with the sing-song refrain: "Ma, Ma, where's my Pa? / Gone to the White House, ha, ha, ha!" And on the indie star-studded Future Sound of America protest disc being to be put out by MoveOn.org next month, They Might Be Giants cover that classic from the 1840 election, "Tippecanoe and Tyler, Too."

In recent history, though, strategists have stopped coming up with original campaign songs - such as "I Like Ike" in the 1950s - and instead have attempted to harness the power of popular culture. Bill Clinton used Fleetwood Mac's "Don't Stop" in 1992 (and 1996), while Bob Dole hired Sam Moore of Sam & Dave to show up at rallies and change "Soul Man" to "Dole Man."

Despite their high tax bracket, rock stars tend to be Democrats - or at least pretend they are. So Republicans seem to have trouble getting permission to use their chosen tunes. Bruce Springsteen famously rebuffed Ronald Reagan when he tried to adopt "Born in the U.S.A." in 1984 - which didn't keep Dole from trying to use it 1996.

And in 2000, the Bush campaign was stymied in its attempts to use both Tom Petty's "Won't Back Down" and "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." by John Mellencamp, who joined Dave Matthews and Jon Bon Jovi at the Kerry fund-raiser in New York last week, at which Whoopi Goldberg made jokes about the President that drew an angry response from the Bush campaign.

So far, Bush has been sticking with "Hail to the Chief" as the soundtrack to his photo ops. A musical reminder, as it were, that he's the one who's got the job. The Democrats, without officially declaring it as their campaign anthem, have been playing Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode," in honor of their pair of Johns. Like Kerry, Edwards is a confirmed Springsteen fan, and at the ticket's appearance in Ohio last week, the duo frolicked to the Boss' inclusive anthem "Land of Hope and Dreams."

"Land of Hope" is at least a song of recent vintage, albeit by an over-50 rocker. How come, in their efforts to portray themselves as virile and vital, these guys almost always pick old, overplayed, and quite often lame music to get voters juiced up? Before he was eliminated, Wesley Clark used Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" as his theme, and while screaming Howard Dean showed a little more pizzazz with the remixed version of "A Little Less Conversation," it must be noted that the song's singer, Elvis Presley, is a dead guy.

The answer is, in part, that the candidates are no spring chickens - they're over-50 white guys. And voters are graying, too. For all the efforts of Rock the Vote and other such organizations, the number of 18-to-24-year-olds who actually vote has steadily declined since 1972, to the tune of 13 percent.

There will be plenty of new political music this summer and fall - anti-Bush songs in particular, from Jadakiss' "Why?," which stupidly suggests the President was somehow behind the 9/11 attacks, to most of Steve Earle's forthcoming Revolution Starts Now, which includes a mock love song to Condoleezza Rice.

But don't expect anything incendiary to show up on the campaign trail. Political campaigns are like radio playlists: the idea is to stay focused, sell the product, and not offend anybody. Belligerent takes such as Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" or angry anti-Bush tunes such as Pennywise's punk-rock "God Save the U.S.A." get their messages across loud and clear, but might upset a little old lady in Florida or Pennsylvania or Ohio. And nobody wants to lose her vote.

DAILY DOWNLOADS
Guided by Voices: sleepover jack

who want some europop?
I do I do.
Datarock: daddy

2004-07-15T09:16:00.000-04:00

Right now I’m in charge of a project for Best Buy, basically a Christmas compilation Cd, and haven’t had time to write. I know y’all missed me. In fact I have 4 new mix Cd’s I made and I’ll disclose more info about later (can’t now, still working on that job.) But, I will send for free if you pay for delivery.
well… cal me Charlie Brown because “ARRRGHHH!” I gotta go back to work

DAILYDOWNLOADS
Various Artists: tracks from Badman Records artists [mp3]

2004-07-12T09:15:00.001-04:00

Well, I was gonna talk about my great weekend but I just got rear-ended (car accident. get your minds out of the gutter). The kid was only two years younger than me – so I guess that makes me a kid also – and he used the same excuse I did when I got in my first accident. “I hydroplaned.” And it was raining out so I believed him. And it was made easier after I saw the damage wasn’t that bad. But crap he hit me hard. I don’t want to sound like a bitch but I really grabbed my neck when it happened. Now it just feels like I slept on it wrong. The damage looks like the bumper will have to be replaced and his bumper doesn’t need any work. Now this is surprising because most of these new bumpers crumple with the smallest tap. So I guess after work I’m gonna get an estimate done and ask him to send me a check, no need to get our insurance involved.

The Washington City Paper explains why you didn't want to go to Lollapalooza.

DAILY DOWNLOADS

Smashing Pumpkins: 1995-08-25, Reading

1995-08-25, Reading

My Morning Jacket

KCRW session 10-28-03

The Strokes:

"A Salty Salute (live Guided By Voices cover)"

2004-07-09T14:05:00.000-04:00

FEUDALISM: You have two cows. Your lord takes some of the milk.

PURE SOCIALISM: You have two cows. The government takes them and puts them in a barn with everyone else's cows. You have to take care of all the cows. The government gives you as much milk as you need.

BUREAUCRATIC SOCIALISM: You have two cows. The government takes them and puts them in a barn with everyone else's cows.They are cared for by ex-chicken farmers.You have to take care of the chickens the government took from the chicken farmers. The government gives you as much milk and as many eggs as the regulations say you should need.

FASCISM: You have two cows. The government takes both,hires you to take care of them,and sells you the milk.

PURE COMMUNISM: You have two cows. Your neighbors help you take care of them, and you all share the milk.

RUSSIAN COMMUNISM: You have two cows. You have to take care of them, but the government takes all the milk.

DICTATORSHIP: You have two cows. The government takes both and shoots you.

SINGAPOREAN DEMOCRACY: You have two cows. The government fines you for keeping two unlicensed farm animals in an apartment.

MILITARISM: You have two cows. The government takes both and drafts you.

PURE DEMOCRACY: You have two cows. Your neighbors decide who gets the milk.

REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY: You have two cows. Your neighbors pick someone to tell you who gets the milk.

AMERICAN DEMOCRACY: The government promises to give you two cows if you vote for it. After the election, the president is impeached for speculating in cow futures. The press dubs the affair "Cowgate".

BRITISH DEMOCRACY: You have two cows. You feed them sheep's' brains and they go mad. The government doesn't do anything.

BUREAUCRACY: You have two cows. At first the government regulates what you canfeed them and when you can milk them. Then it pays you not to milk them. After that it takes both, shoots one, milks the other and pours the milk down the drain. Then it requiresyou to fill out forms accounting for the missing cows..

ANARCHY: You have two cows. Either you sell the milk at a fair price or your neighbors try to kill you and take the cows.

CAPITALISM: You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull.

HONG KONG CAPITALISM: You have two cows. You sell three of them to your publicly - listed company, using letters of credit opened by your brother - in - law at the bank, then execute a debt / equity swap with associated general offer so that you get all four cows back, with a tax deduction for keeping five cows. The milk rights of six cows are transferred via a Panamanian intermediary to a Cayman Islands company secretly owned by the majority shareholder, who sells the rights to all seven cows' milk back to the listed company. The annual report says that the company owns eight cows, with an option on one more.

ENVIRONMENTALISM: You have two cows. The government bans you from milking or killing them.

FEMINISM: You have two cows. They get married and adopt a veal calf.

TOTALITARIANISM: You have two cows. The government takes them and denies they ever existed. Milk is banned.

COUNTER CULTURE: Wow, dude, there's like... these two cows,man. You got to have some of this milk.

SURREALISM: You have two giraffes. The government requires you to take harmonica lessons.

LIBERTARIANISM: You have two cows. One has actually read the constitution, believes in it, and has some really good ideas about government. The cow runs for office, and while most people agree that the cow is the best candidate, nobody except the other cow votes for her because they think it would be "throwing their vote away."

2004-07-08T13:00:00.000-04:00

THE CITY CLOSED a handful of public pools this summer to save money, leaving thousands of kids without a neighborhood place to swim.
That's bad enough by itself.
But consider this: The cost of running a city pool is $50,000 - about what Janice Renee Knight overcharged the city on printing costs for just two jobs, according to the grand jury indictment handed down last week.
Specifically, Knight was paid $70,000 for print work done by two subcontractors whom she paid less than $17,000, the indictment said. Her company's earnings on these two jobs: $53,000.
Think of it: The "paramour" of a political insider makes obscene profits while 18,900 city kids - according to the Recreation Department - encounter padlocked gates at their swimming pools this summer.
………………………

More bad financial news for Norristown
As the borough awaits accounting on its budget progress, it is told tax receipts will fall short.
Norristown's tax revenues are expected to fall almost $1 million short of projections this year, bringing borough government closer to cutting services or raising taxes.

DAILYDOWNLOADS

Jicks and PSOI assorted tracks

2004-07-07T10:35:00.001-04:00

9/11 Panel Upholds Iraq-al-Qaida Finding
In an interview with CNBC, Cheney had said there "probably" was information about Iraq's links to terrorists that the commission members did not learn during their 14-month investigation. The commission statement Tuesday disputed that.

"After examining available transcripts of the vice president's public remarks, the 9/11 commission believes it has access to the same information the vice president has seen regarding contacts between al-Qaida and Iraq prior to the 9/11 attacks," the commission said.

The commission's vice chairman, former Democratic Rep. Lee Hamilton of Indiana, said on ABC's "This Week" that the panel "asked the vice president if he had information we did not have."
"Obviously, if there is some information, we need it," he said.
But Cheney's spokesman, Kevin Kellems, denied that the commission asked the vice president for additional information.

Since no information was provided, the panel wished to make clear that after some double-checking it was basing its findings on the same intelligence and material that Cheney had, Democratic commissioner Timothy Roemer said in an interview.

"Our position is firm, unchanged and committed to our previous finding," said Roemer, a former congressman from Indiana. "We have not discovered collaboration-cooperation between al-Qaida and Iraq in general terrorist activities across the world, against the United States."
………………………………
So Kerry has chosen Edwards. The dynamic duo will attack bush in full strides and probally force bush to reconsider Cheney as running mate. My prediction is that Cheney will elegantly slip out – using his healh problems as the reason – and ask Rudy Gulliani to take his place. Now THAT would make this an amazing race.
http://www.johnkerryisadouchebagbutimvotingforhimanyway.com

Have you seen the liberal – and caustic – voice of Gore? As he is no longer a canidate, he is freely speaking his mind and appealing to the Democratic party’s core audience (he’s leaving the moderate and independant voters he cared too much about last election – and lost him the election in my opinion – to Kerry).
Consider his recent speach to Georgetown University Law Center: Under President Bush, the “systematic abuse of the truth and institutionalization of dishonesty [are] a routine part of the poicly process” Because he has the freedom of not being a canidate, he can go farther and perhaps be blunter.
On al-Qaeda links with Iraq: “If he’s not lying, if they genuinely believe that, that makes them unfit in the battle with al-Qaeda. “If they (cheney and BUsh) believe these flimsy scraps, then who would want them in charge? Are they too dishonnest or too gullible? Take you pick”

*Gore won more than 500,000 more votes nationwide than Bush did in the 2000 presidential election, but Bush won the Electoral College majority, and the presidency, after a controversial ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court ended a recount in Florida.

2004-07-07T10:35:00.000-04:00

Exclaim! examines commercial radio's recent indie leanings.

DAILY DOWNLOADS
The funky-ist man in show business…Bill Cosby? gotta throw props to man. Here he is doing

“Hickky-Burr”

with Quincy Jones.

Midlake – Balloon Maker

Dykehouse – ChainSmoking (sample)

Howard University Marching Band – Got to get you into my life

The Stooges. rare radio spot circa 1970

Interpol: several tracks

2004-07-05T11:56:00.000-04:00

Forth of July recap.
Camp Eaton: Great, but not as good as last year. C’mon! no belly flop contest. I know Jordan wanted to break his arm again. And the Spinto Band didn’t play. I guess I’m like that guy from Wisconsin I just love you guys. BUt damn, Wisconsin then Tenn for recording. If you guys don’t break up after that haul then you never should.

Aaron, Neil, Andrea: Great to see you guys. Might be seeing you more next weekend. A trip to NYC sounds good.
I hate Philly right now. Here’s why; Those 3 friends I just mentioned visited and we had a great time in Philly. The weater was nice and Philly looked less like dump. Great dinner at the Continental then we watched the fireworks in a great location. It was now time to leave and we found out that the trains stopped running. It was the 4th! you would think that they would have extended hours or something. And why the fuck do they normally stop running at 12 anyway? So we try and catch a bus but they aren’t running either, same f’in reason. So we called a cab company and they said they were only picking up for hospitals or airports! Argh! so we pondered all options and started walking back towards manayunk, 4 miles away.
We’ll we eventually found a cab on Kelly drive. But still, WHAT THE FUCK! and why is their only 2 lanes to get in and out of the city? because of course we hit traffic.
………………………………………

y-100 rocks right now. They are playing the top 300 songs off all time (their compilation). Right now they are in the 100’s and every one is great. I love the radio right now, yea I know, it’s a shock to me too. Fuck the commercials though. AS they play each song I’m downloading the Mp3. My CD collection is insaine, but my MP3 selection sucks. Might have to download all my CD’s. damn…that’s gona suck. –OH YEA! Right now they are playing Slow Ride…on y100. Who’d have thought?– I’ve got so much comp work to do. My new G5 has been running for quite some time, no internet though, I’ve kinda slacked on that. That and my website. I know I always promise it will be up and running, but editing the footage from weekends past and Bonnaroo is time consuming. The DVD? Oh, it’s comming along quite well, or as well as possible since I’m teaching myself the program. Thanks for asking.

DAILY DOWNLOADS

Billy Bragg

Stairway (acoustic)

Ben Kweller: 2004-04-01, Pittsburgh

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks: 2003-04-29, Los Angeles (gotta register)

Kid Congo,

Desaparecidos

Her Space Holiday

"Microfilmed"

2004-07-02T13:12:00.000-04:00

Bill Cosby is under fire for attacking the black community;
"Let me tell you something, your dirty laundry (reffering to young black youth) gets out of school at 2:30 every day, it's cursing and calling each other n------ as they're walking up and down the street," he said during an appearance at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition & Citizenship Education Fund's annual conference,"They think they're hip," the entertainer said. "They can't read; they can't write. They're laughing and giggling, and they're going nowhere."

In a speech that was part advice and part response to critics, Cosby stood by his comments in May when, during a commemoration of the anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education desegregation decision, he criticized the poor grammar of some blacks and said African-Americans who commit crimes and wind up behind bars "are not political prisoners."

"For me there is a time ... when we have to turn the mirror around," he said. "Because for me it is almost analgesic to talk about what the white man is doing against us. And it keeps a person frozen in their seat, it keeps you frozen in your hole you're sitting in."

Now this comes as a surprise to a lot of Blacks, for Cosby was a figuehead in the Black community. They are now saying that he has lost touch with that community and possibly is “loosing his mind.” But the education and better-ing of Black Society has been the foundation of Cosby’s career. Remember The Cosby Show, or Fat Albert or even Picture Pages? His point is that if you want to make it in the world then you’ve got to play by its rules. Yes, growing up in the hood is rough and generating the colloquialisms is easy, but bettering yourself so you don’t come off as uneducated will get you the paying job you need. His stance has never wavered.

2004-07-02T10:36:00.000-04:00

Brando is dead at 80. One of the designers is doing the colorization of On The Waterfront right now. "I coulda been a contendah Charlie!"

2004-07-02T09:49:00.000-04:00

Don’t like to re-hash old arguments, but last night I was attacked about my opinion not being valid because I don’t write for a paper (like the antagonist did). My defense was my education…

Gourman Report 14th Ed. 2002
Top Journalism and Mass Communications Programs
===================================
1. University of Missouri-Columbia
2. Northwestern University
2. Syracuse
4. Minnesota
5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
6. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
7. University of Wisconsin-Madison
8. Ohio State University Columbus
9. Michigan State University
10. University of Southern California

Journalism and Mass Communications School Rankings - US News & World Report Rankings (2003)
======================================
1. Univ. of Missouri at Columbia
2. Columbia University (N.Y.)
3. Northwestern Univ. (Medill) (Ill.)
4. Syracuse - S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
5. Indiana Univ. at Bloomington
6. University of Florida
7. Ohio University (Scripps)
7. Univ. of Wisconsin at Madison
9. Univ. of California at Berkeley
9. University of Kansas (White)
11. Univ. of Md. at College Park
11. University of Texas at Austin

And…does it matter? NO. If a person can write their ideas in a clear way – which I believe I have – does it really matter where you work? NO. It’s how you express yourself.
ahhhhhhh…
but another fight bugged me even more, when my buddy expressed his anger about the way I was treating a stranger last weekend. a STRANGER. He stood up for someone he didn’t even know before me. that says alot.
But they shouldn't worry, it’s water under the bridge. we said our minds and all is normal. I just wanted Ross to see a source I didn't have last night.

P.S. I really didn’t mean to drop the BBall on Alex’s WRX.

2004-07-01T09:43:00.000-04:00

A defiant Saddam Hussein rejected charges of war crimes and genocide against him in a court appearance Thursday, telling a judge "this is all theater, the real criminal is Bush," according to a reporter in an official media pool.

Saddam's hands were cuffed when he was brought to the court but the shackles were removed for the 30-minute arraignment at Camp Victory, a former Saddam palace on the outskirts of Baghdad.

"I am Saddam Hussein, the president of Iraq," Saddam twice said, according to the CNN reporter, who described him as alternately downcast and defiant. Other times, Saddam appeared confused.

In his first public appearance since he was captured seven months ago, Saddam refused to sign a list of charges against him unless a lawyer was present, and he questioned the court's jurisdiction, according to the reporter. Saddam defended the invasion of Kuwait, saying it was "for the Iraqi people."

The seven broad charges against Saddam are the killing of religious figures in 1974; gassing of Kurds in Halabja in 1988; killing the Kurdish Barzani clan in 1983; killing members of political parties in the last 30 years; the 1986-88 "Anfal" campaign of displacing Kurds; the suppression of the 1991 uprisings by Kurds and Shiites; and the 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

Specific charges will be filed later, Iraqi officials said. Those charges were expected to include war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. A formal indictment with specific charges is expected later, said Salem Chalabi, director of the Iraqi Special Tribunal. The trial is not expected until 2005.

2004-07-01T09:40:00.000-04:00

Ronald A. White and former City Treasurer Corey Kemp pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges leveled in a sweeping corruption indictment, and White said federal authorities had "taken a genuine friendship and tried to portray it as something corrupt and manipulative."

White and Kemp, with two other defendants, were in court the day after prosecutors asserted that White showered Kemp with money and gifts, and that Kemp, in return, allowed White to call the shots on who got city business.

Twelve people, including White, Kemp, two Commerce Bank officials, three investment bankers, and Mayor John Street, were charged in the 150-page indictment, which painted a harsh portrait of Philadelphia's political system and the "pay-to-play" tradition in which campaign donors get access to lucrative city contracts.

Mayor Street, meanwhile, said the charges highlight the need for statewide campaign-finance reform "in order to do something about pay for play" in the state, and he called on Gov. Rendell and the state legislature to take action.

John Street characterized as "enormously troubling" some of the allegations in the indictment.

"It's the kind of thing that should never happen, and certainly you don't want to see it happen in connection with anything you're about," said the mayor, who was reelected just weeks after the corruption inquiry became public with the discovery of an FBI bug in his City Hall office.

Street flatly denied a key assertion in the indictment: that he had instructed his staff to provide White with inside information and to award city business White sought to the firms White touted if the firms were qualified.
– from the Inquirer

2004-06-30T10:31:00.000-04:00

5,600 DISCHARGED soldiers are being sent back to Iraq! I'll bet the DRAFT is next. Mission accomplished my ASS! Oh, and we're building 13 permanent military barracks in Iraq, does that sound like were are giving back sovereign rule? get real.

2004-06-30T09:52:00.000-04:00

"Spider-Man 2 is a deeply satisfying and involving sequel, one that builds upon the complications of the first but stands on its own.

With director Sam Raimi at the helm and Maguire in the hot seat, this franchise is about the challenges of simultaneously mustering moral and physical strength.

Just as Spider-Man struggles to strike a balance between doing what's right for others and what's right for himself, Raimi and Maguire struggle to find the balance between psychological and physical action. In doing so, they subvert the conventions of the action flick. Who would have imagined that stillness and silence would be so dramatically effective in a genre that typically plays at hyper-pace and eardrum-shattering din?" –from the Inquirer

CAN't wait. gonna see it after work.

2004-06-30T09:42:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's indictments came amid what was already shaping up to be one of the most critical and stressful weeks of Street's four-plus years as mayor. Tomorrow, three municipal labor contracts expire, and Street must decide whether he will veto the fiscal 2005 budget passed by City Council.

Despite the whirlwind surrounding him, Street said he would carry on with his goal: to run government in a "fair and effective" way. He said the investigation would not affect his mayorship.

"People won't like the fact that it's happened," Street said, but "I don't think it will have any significant impact on my ability to run the government."

Several Council members yesterday said they thought the indictments would, at the least, distract the mayor in his remaining 31/2 years.

City Councilman Michael A. Nutter said: "I know the mayor to be a person and a man of great detail. So he'll have to explain to the citizens of the city what he did know or did not know - or how he could possibly not know. He'll have to explain that to the public."

Even as Nutter made his comments, top mayoral aide George Burrell was anticipating an adversarial tone.

While saying that Street would "advocate as aggressively tomorrow as he did today" on the budget and other matters, Burrell said he expected officials aspiring for higher office to seize an opportunity to poke at the term-limited mayor.

To the extent that others would do so, he said, "they will be trying to advance their own political interests."

Fuck the mob, the real money laundering and strongarming is in politics.
personal note: I always thought Street looked smarmy

2004-06-29T09:42:00.000-04:00

Where to begin? Amazing weekend –yes I know it’s tuesday–although I still haven’t caught up on sleep. I spent last night editing down the footage. Speaking of footage, I’m still doin the bonnaroo DVD but I’m spending soooo much time on it that I think I should get a little bit of coin from my friends for their copies. However, I really don’t care. It should be done Sat, but burning it might set up more problems. we’ll see. I’m gonna make 2 versions, one with just footage, and one – that you have to pay for includes a soundtrack and booklet cover. yea! that sound good. make it an option.
Oh yea, last weekend. Here’s a tease. Friday went to a film fest where footage from an off-roading expedition I was involved with was showed, a funny friend makes a movie about how lonely he is (Celion dion is playing in the background, funny), then a punk bands comes out and rocks my ass off!
Sat: wake up early and drive to NJ for an amazing graduation party. Over the Top. 6 kegs for 50+ people. How are we gonna finnish all these? Like champs! Sleep was not an option. Got it down to 5 (alright!), no problems, just a little too much urinating in the neighbor’s yard.
There was an outdoor tent, catering, full bar, champaign, beer pong table where 16 people could play at once (it was an octagon. They called it something, but I can’t remember because I’m not Ukrainian, but it was intricately decorated to resemble one of those painted eggs.) Backflipping,, Slapfights, slowdancing, kegstands, batchi-ball, singing, antique-ing… all the mofuckins, and somereally great people. Damn. writing this down pales in comparison to the video.

2004-06-28T17:07:00.000-04:00

Any time that fast-food restaurants line up to create "diet friendly food", it's time to seriously rethink the diet strategy. But you can now go to any Burger King and order an Atkins-friendly Whopper, which is apparently nothing more than a normal Whopper minus the bun. You're still eating a giant gooey mess of burger, lettuce, cheese, mayo onions, pickles and tomatoes, but it somehow becomes healthy once a knife and fork are involved in the activity. Other burger chains are getting into the Atkins act by wrapping their burger guts in a lettuce leaf, which is kind of like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Of course, that pales in the awesome glow of the KFC "Eatin'Chicken" ad campaign, which tried to make the case that a bucket of greasy fried chicken was a step toward a healthy lifestyle. After all, fried chicken is high in protein, which means that it is automatically good ... right?

2004-06-28T12:06:00.000-04:00

From his unremarkable State of the Union address to the 360th slain U.S. soldier in Iraq, this has been a disastrous year for President Bush. And yet, he's tied with John Kerry in his race for re-election.

How can that be?

Democrats say it's only a matter of time before events take their toll on Bush. His job approval rating is at a dangerously low level for an incumbent, and a majority of Americans believe their country is on the wrong track.

Republicans say it's a sign of weakness that Kerry hasn't pulled ahead during Bush's slump. The Massachusetts senator's personal approval ratings are almost as low as the president's, thanks to $80 million in Bush campaign commercials that labeled Kerry a flip-flopping, tax-raising, soft-on-terrorism liberal.

Independent analysts say at least 80 percent of voters are partisan they picked sides long ago and are evenly split between Bush and Kerry. That leaves a precious few swing voters waiting to tip the balance.

While they are increasingly disenchanted with Bush's performance, swing voters seem in no rush to judgment.

"It is still tight because the public is still deliberating about Bush and they haven't moved on yet to considering Kerry," said Andrew Kohut, an independent pollster with the Pew Research Center.

Bush is not the first president to hold his own in polls while events tumble against him. "It takes a lot to vote a president out of office," Kohut said. "There's a tendency to stay the course."

That may be the only thing keeping Bush afloat amid a raft of bad news, much of it his own making. The lowlights include:

Bush delivers a State of the Union address, with his opposition to performance-enhancing drugs in sports standing out against a bleak roster of new policies.

Former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, in a book by Ron Suskind, says Bush was determined from the get-go to overthrow Iraq's Saddam Hussein.

The president's shaky performance on NBC's "Meet the Press" fuels anxiety among GOP allies about Iraq and the fledgling re-election campaign.

Richard Clarke, the top counterterrorism official for Presidents Clinton and Bush, undercuts the president's tough-on-terrorism claims during congressional testimony.

National security adviser Condoleezza Rice at first refuses to testify before the Sept. 11 commission, then bows to pressure.

Bush's economic adviser, N. Gregory Mankiw, says the transfer of U.S. jobs overseas is sometimes a good thing.

Bush scuttles plans to name Anthony Raimondo as manufacturing czar after Democrats point out that the businessman's company laid off 75 workers in 2002 while announcing the construction a $3 million plant in China.

The death toll in Iraq mounts through the spring as Republican governors, busy attending funerals of slain servicemen and shipping National Guard troops overseas, warn the White House that voters are getting antsy. More than 360 servicemembers were killed this year, bringing the total death toll in Iraq to 850.

Four U.S. contractors are killed and mutilated near Baghdad.

Train bombers strike Madrid. Voters throw the Bush-backing Spanish government out of power. Spain later withdraws its troops from Iraq.

Vice President Dick Cheney comes under fire for past business ties, secretive deliberations on energy policy and unsubstantiated suggestions that his office might be behind the leak of a CIA operative's name.

U.S. weapons inspector David Kay concludes that Iraq did not have stockpiles of forbidden weapons, undercutting Bush's main justification for war.

Democrats unite behind Kerry after a short nomination fight, allowing him to raise record amounts of money and turn quickly against Bush.

Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into whether the Bush administration's Medicare chief pressured a subordinate to withhold estimates of the cost of last year's Medicare legislation.

Clarke follows his testimony with a book claiming Bush was so preoccupied with Iraq both before and after the Sept. 11 attacks that he failed to effectively confront threats from al-Qaida.

Gas prices top $2 per gallon.

Revelations that U.S. soldiers abused prisoners in Iraq fuel anti-American sentiment in the Muslim world and raise questions at home about U.S. moral authority in Iraq.

Militants linked to al-Qaida behead American Nicholas Berg.

The leader of Iraqi's governing council is assassinated.

A memo reveals plans for the Bush administration to slash domestic programs after the Nov. 2 presidential election.

Al-Qaida militants in Saudi Arabia behead American helicopter technician Paul M. Johnson Jr.

Militants in Iraq behead South Korean Kim Sun-il.

Insurgents launched coordinated attacks that kills more than 100 people, including three U.S. soldiers.

That happened Thursday, the same day the FBI questioned Bush in the CIA leak case. Hours later, Bush was flying to Turkey to plead with NATO for help in quelling Iraqi violence.

2004-06-25T11:53:00.000-04:00

Remember the 911 Commission will win the war, because they are writting the history.
2 years ago, when the commission was created after emotional lobbying by 9/11 victims’ families, the White HOuse didn’t take the probe terribly seriously. The administration initially ignored its requests for some key documents, and snubbed efforts to get off threats of subpoenas. But the commission persevered, stoked by the passion of the victims’ families, and persuaded the administration to cave on most issues. Now, with a final report due next month, the Bush team is increasingly aware that the commission’s body of work might someday stand as the nation’s official record of 9/11.And Bush’s credibility on key national-security issues–upon which he’s staked his re-election bid–could well turn on whether the public believes the administration’s version or the commission’s.

Cheney and the ties between Saddam and Bin Laden: A very sensitive credibility issue.
The vice prez insisted in short-tempered public remarks last week that the commission had agreed the Iraq-Qaeda links were extensive. But commission chair Hamilton acknowledged that the commissioners had differences with the administration. “We didn’t have any evidence of collaboration or cooperation,” Hamilton. He added that bin Laden’s ties “to Iran and Pakistan were certainly stronger than any tie he had to IRAQ” (Newsweek). Despite Cheeny’s comments, the White House didn’t offically raise questions about the reports conclusions on Qaeda-Iraq ties.
Cheney has now challenged the commission point blank. Asked in a CNBC interview weither he had more information about Iraq-Dueada links, Cheney remarked, “probably.”
Cheney has also run ahead of BUsh on policy, only to be lassoed back by the White HOuse. In Aug 2002, he dismissed U.N. inspections just before BUsh called for them in a speech that Iraq might have had a hand in 9/11, forcing BUsh to deny later that it did.
Ultimateky, the clash of opinions between the White hOuse and the Commission could help shape the final 9/11 report – which Hamilton has insisted is as much about the future as the past.

2004-06-25T10:16:00.000-04:00

Wish I would have seen this. I used to be really into magic as kid, seeing this makes me want to get back into it and become one of T.H.E.M. This the magic I like, yes, I know that these have been pre-planned and set up before-hand, but it’s still amazing, and seeing the suspects’ reactions makes it even better. It is just a new summer series and I don’t think it will keep on going, but so was Fear Factor and it’s still on the air.
Anybody ever see the street footage of David Blane or David Copperfield? amazing.

Somewhere in Germany is a baby Superman, born in Berlin with bulging arm and leg muscles. Not yet 5, he can hold seven-pound weights with arms extended, something many adults cannot do. He has muscles twice the size of other kids his age and half their body fat. DNA testing showed why: The boy has a genetic mutation that boosts muscle growth.
The discovery, reported in Thursday’s New England Journal of Medicine, represents the first documented human case of such a mutation.
Many scientists believe the find could eventually lead to drugs for treating people with muscular dystrophy and other muscle-destroying conditions. And athletes would almost surely want to get their hands on such a drug and use it like steroids to bulk up.
The boy’s mutant DNA segment was found to block production of a protein called myostatin that limits muscle growth. The news comes seven years after researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore created buff “mighty mice” by “turning off” the gene that directs cells to produce myostatin.

And now my fascination with Lindsy Lohan
I’m not old enough to feel dirty about this.

2004-06-23T09:23:00.000-04:00

LOLLAPALOOZA CANCELLED!!! Damn it! Oh well, doesn't really surprise me. The whole tour seemed too good to be true. Thanks goodness I haven't bought my ticket yet, so no waiting for refunds.
Sounds like I'm not the only one to not buy a ticket though. Apparently every tour stop other than New York was doing badly. What's different about the New York shows? Let's see: they are general admission like a festival should be and they have the Pixies. The organizers are talking about the low ticket prices for all the shows. What the hell? The lawn tickets for Camden were $40, plus Ticketmaster added on like $15 bucks. That's not cheap! Plus, most shows are in ugly amphitheaters. And none of the regular tour acts are big, really. Not a single band on this tour had a platinum album, I don't think. Morrissey and Sonic Youth are supposed to seel you tickets?
Lolla would have succeeded with a one day lineup with the Pixies headlining. They couldn't get the Pixies, so now it's all over. Hopefully some of these bands, like Modest Mouse and Broken Social Scene, will now schedule their own smaller summer tours.

2004-06-22T12:13:00.000-04:00

Might pick this up (you should too):
The Republican Noise Machine: Right-Wing Media and How It Corrupts Democracy

The author, once notorious as a conservative attack-journalist trashing the likes of Anita Hill and the Clintons, repudiated his past in the confessional Blinded by the Right. In this blistering j'accuse, Brock mounts a less gossipy and more systematic assault on the right-wing media juggernaut of think tanks, publishers, talk radio shows, Web sites and cable networks. He treats it as a disciplined political movement, inspired by Communist subversion techniques, bankrolled by a handful of right-wing zillionaires through corporate and foundation spigots, tightly yoked to the Republican policy agenda and masterminded by arch-conservative Grover Norquist at weekly strategy meetings. By Brock's account, it constitutes a seamless propaganda machine conveying dubious scholarship, Republican talking points and antiliberal smear campaigns from think tanks and Internet rumor mills to the FOX News and talk radio echo chambers and thence through a network of conservative pundits into the quality press. Meanwhile, Brock charges, the mainstream media, cowed by spurious charges of "liberal bias," have abandoned their role as objective arbiters of truth in favor of an uncritical airing of partisan ideology in the name of "balance." The result, he says, is a public discourse in which the line between fact and opinion is blurred, poorly funded liberal voices get shouted down, "no issue can be honestly debated and no election can be fairly decided." Brock's critique echoes that of other liberal media critics like Eric Alterman and Al Franken, and cannot be accused of nonpartisanship. He is dismissive of the conservative nostrums whose purveyors he pillories, and his biting takedowns of Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly and their ilk show he hasn't lost his taste for blood. But Brock's incisive, well-supported analysis and his street cred as an apostate from the conservative press make this a spirited challenge to the contemporary mediascape

2004-06-22T11:42:00.002-04:00

Phish and Jay-Z. Oh my God!

NPR review a Ghost is born

DAILY DOWNLOADS

Devendra Banhart

Poughkeepsie

A Sight To Behold

The Body Breaks

2004-06-22T11:42:00.001-04:00

This Modern World

2004-06-22T11:42:00.000-04:00

Ray Bradbury is demanding an apology from filmmaker Michael Moore for lifting the title from his classic science-fiction novel "Fahrenheit 451" without permission and wants the new documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" to be renamed.

"He didn't ask my permission," Bradbury, 83, told The Associated Press on Friday. "That's not his novel, that's not his title, so he shouldn't have done it."

The 1953 novel, widely considered Bradbury's masterpiece, portrays an ugly futuristic society in which firemen burn homes and libraries in order to destroy the books inside and keep people from thinking independently.

"Fahrenheit 451" takes its title from the temperature at which books burn. Moore has called "Fahrenheit 9/11" the "temperature at which freedom burns."

His film, which won top honors in May at the Cannes Film Festival, charges that the Bush administration acted ineptly before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, then played on the public's fear of future terrorism to gain support for the war against Iraq. It opens nationwide next Friday.

Bradbury, who hadn't seen the movie, said he called Moore's company six months ago to protest and was promised Moore would call back.

He finally got that call last Saturday, Bradbury said, adding Moore told him he was "embarrassed."

"He suddenly realized he's let too much time go by," the author said by phone from his home in Los Angeles' Cheviot Hills section.

Joanne Doroshow, a spokeswoman for "Fahrenheit 9/11," said the film's makers have "the utmost respect for Ray Bradbury."

"Mr. Bradbury's work has been an inspiration to all of us involved in this film, but when you watch this film you will see the fact that the title reflects the facts that the movie explores, the very real life events before, around and after 9-11," she said.

Bradbury, who is a registered political independent, said he would rather avoid litigation and is "hoping to settle this as two gentlemen, if he'll shake hands with me and give me back my book and title."

Moore's film needed new distributors after Disney refused to let its Miramax subsidiary release it, claiming it was too politically charged. The documentary was later bought by Miramax bosses Harvey and Bob Weinstein, who lined up Lions Gate and IFC Films to help distribute it.

2004-06-21T09:14:00.000-04:00

Can you F-in’ Believe it?!?
"We have no credible evidence that Iraq and al-Qaida cooperated on attacks against the United States" and that contacts between Iraq and al-Quida "do not appear to have resulted in a collaborative relationship"- from the report of the 9/11 commission. Another reason to question the absolute power of this President and his war agenda.
Rice interview on NPR (another source on bad information and ideas creating a web of false truths)
Doonesberry

2004-06-18T09:50:00.000-04:00

Suicide girls was fun, but If I want to go see burlesque there are alot better places in Philly. When I read the article in the Inquirer it seemed like it would be more of a punk show. They sell themselves as anti-establishment punk-rockers, but there really is nothing different that they do that sets themselves apart from Stripclubs. It’s some non-implant (which I liked) pasty-wearing (which I didn’t like) girls dancing like strippers with common/campy inuendo.
Favorite moment: Headbanging tated-up girl (which they all were) strippping and beating the shit out of a stuffed monkey as Pixies played in the background.
Oh, and Imagine a girl stripping while HUlaHooping. Mad Skills.
Funniest Moment: My buddy Joe is really into T-shirls (very punk anthem designs) and wanted to give the girls his wears. Only problem I saw was that these girls are known for taking off their clothes not wearing them. But anyway, He sees a girl at the afterparty and shows her 8 shirts. She takes them with the intentions of “showing” them to the other dancer. Anybody surprized that she comes back up empty handed and saying that they loved ‘em?
He waves this off saying they didn’t cost much and he was just looking for publicity, but the girls probably already forgot his name and company.
Some Guy: Hey girl. You’re hot. Nice shirt. Where’d you get it?
Girl: Some guy at a Philly show.
shame.
Giving away shit without contact and follow-up info isn’t sales smart.
.……………

Last week - Reagan mania. Next week - Clinton mania.

The Philadelphia Daily News becomes the first newspaper to officially endorse John Kerry. This is nice and all, and I'm sure that many papers will follow, but an endorsement in June? Seems like a nice ploy to raise circulation and get publicity.
………………
DailyDownloads

Oranger Soundz

2004-06-16T09:16:00.000-04:00

Political Rant:
over the course of the current Bush presidency, First Lady Laura Bush hasn't called much attention to herself mostly out of sight and out of mind she has fulfilled her role as the perfect anti-Hillary,and powerful white men breathed a sigh of relief

of course, that was before the campaign And that was before hubby's poll numbers started dipping into the danger zone. So Laura Bush has a new role –to be the safe, unthreatening face for issues too controversial for the President to focus on

Take stem cell research, for example. With the pomp and circumstance of Ronald Reagan's funeralapalooza dominating the media, stem cell research has become a hot-button topic. Nancy Reagan strongly supports the research, which could lead to treatment for the Alzheimer's Disease her husband suffered from. And although many people echo Nancy Regan's sentiments, ending the President's current ban on stem cell research would royally piss off his most loyal base -the religious right. Enter the First Lady, whose father ironically also suffered from Alzheimer's:

"It requires unbelievable strength of character to take care of the person you love, as you see them slip away like that," said Bush. Her father, Harold Welch died in 1995.

But the first lady said she wasn't prepared to endorse a change of the stem cell policy.

"We have to be very careful between what we want to do for science and what we should do ethically," she said "And (the) stem cell issue is certainly one of those issues we need to treat very carefully."

wow. way to kick out the jams. while the opponents of stem cell research will likely be satisfied with this offering, it's incredibly amusing to place it in context: At a time when the Right is spinning Reagan into a modern-day superhero, they concurrently take the time to piss on science that might have kept him from fading away in the first place.

Not that there aren't other ironies involved in this topic. while people get up in arms about the sanctity of embryos used in stem cell research, they conveniently ignore that hundreds of thousands of excess embryos are produced (and later destroyed) during in vitro fertilization procedures. Where's the outcry for that?

In the meantime, our favorite former librarian will fight the good fight for other unqualified people who should really just be quiet.
...............
The Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame Nominating Committee met earlier this month to discuss the potential nominees for 2005.

Eligible for the first time:

U2
Bryan Adams
the Pretenders
Def Leppard
Iron Maiden
Pat Benatar

Also possible:

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Joan Jett
Jeff Beck
Abba
Dick Dale
Van Halen
John Mellencamp
Steve Miller Band
Chicago
Black Sabbath
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Twisted Sister

News & Notes
................
WILCO is on David Letterman TONIGHT!

Pistons DESTROYED the Lakers last night. Thank God. I think everybody was tired of the Lakers. And I, for one, am glad to see that a team cannot buy a championship team a-la the NY Yankees.
quick note: former Detroit Pistons’ star Bill Lambier played a Sleestack (a large lizzard from the future) on 70’s TV show “Land of the Lost”.

DAILY DOWNLOADS
Yo La Tengo:

five live songs from June, 2004

Elliott Smith:

b-sides and more

My Morning Jacket Music

Elkland:

Apart

2004-06-15T12:08:00.000-04:00

IN so much pain. I have a blister on my pinky toe that is bigger than the toe.
What a great show, sorry, SHOWS. Missed a few like MMW and David Byrne, and wasted my time at others like Soulive and Bob Dylan. Collected some good footage, and might be up when I get my website setup, but i am also using that footage as a template to teach myself video editing programs, so we’ll see how it goes, and hopefully you will too.

Thoughts and quick notes:
must buy My Morning Jacket and new Wilco
Trey is fucking great, and I like that he is trying different stuff and trying to move past Phish.
Fireworks at the end of a concert is awesome
45 min. set intermission sucks.
the Rv was a great buy. Good for rain and playing NBA live on the way up and back.
Mud is fun
rain isn’t
people like to be videotaped, but only if the person doing it isn’t me..
Mali wowwie!
Was smart enough not to bring my video camera when I was fucked-up, but also missed a lot of good things.
Hanging on the back of an RV when going over 40 looks nice, is fun and dangerious, but Fuck it anyway!
Dave is cool. Glad I saw him, otherwise I may never have.
Primus rocked, and so did Ween. had to choose between them, and DAMN iT, it was hard.
Rum helps me dance, Wine makes me irratable, Gin makes me forget, Beer makes me funny, whisky get me drunk, tequilla makes me wild, and vodka makes me horny.
Colin, “I hate my brain”
“Wetness is temporary, Happiness is a memory” - me to some girl who didn’t want to see a show because it was raining.
................
live music ranking (respectivly)
10. Bob Dylan
9. the dead
8. Moe
7. Galatic
6. My Morning Jacket
5. WILCO
4. ween
3. Primus
2. TREY
1. DAVE AND FRIENDS
................
honerable mention
– Praxis, encore, 1st song by Buckethead
– that 70’s tent, dance party
– “The Hit”, jam by Slosh
– Guster

2004-06-09T09:52:00.000-04:00

I could talk about how there is discussion to have Reagan placed on the $10 bill, but will just laydown some

Daily DOWNLOADS

for your enjoyment. so…enjoy. BONNAROOOO! (leaving tonight)

CATBIRD

the walkmen

Modest Mouse

Ambulance

re-link to streaming Wilco,

A ghost is born

Dandy Warhols,

genius

godless

2004-06-07T14:27:00.000-04:00

I'm pissing myself waiting to go to Bonnaroo. It's that great nervious excitement. We have a huge caravan going down, but as usual, the best plans fall apart, so I don't know if we are all gonna be parked next to each other. So many people are gonna be comming. My old girl is, and I'm really looking forward to that, I hope we either forget what we had or start all over again. ADAM, give me your damn cell #, I kow you're going. Everyone: it's going to rain, so pack smart. well…gotta get back to work. I'm falling into the bad habit of loving these short work weeks, so gotta buckle down and play catch-up.
Also I'm looking for an apartment, possible Manayunk, and need some tips, good landlord references, or roomates. holla back.

and yes, I haven't been posting my daily downloads daily. sorry. but go here. www.radio365.com
internet radio for those who haven't fallin' into the beauty which is itunes, or prefer to work on a PC.

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

The Fahrenheit 9/11 trailer is now up. The film will be out in North America on June 25th. The trailer is predictable, just like the film appears to be. It will be 90+ minutes of straight-on liberal propoganda. It will probably get bad reviews as an actual film. It will make a ton of money. Why? Because Michael Moore has taken advantage of the free American publicity/buzz machine just as masterfully as Mel Gibson did earlier this year with The Passion. I know I'll see this even if I don't think I'll learn anything new.

Craiglist has become a powerful player in the classifieds world. I know if I ever actually do end up getting a new apartment, it'll probably be on there.

A new John Kerry ad, entitled "Country", is up on his site. And you know what? This is the first ad of his that I've seen that I think is actually pretty damn good. It's different from all the negative shit that's on TV now. And it has him talking directly to the people. Kerry still doesn't look presidential though.

5-Minute Video of George W. Bush on the Morning of 9/11 (fascinating)
…………………………………
a man in black-face speaking with ebonic slang=racist
two black man acting and dressing like stupid white girls=racist? No! in fact it is the next flop from the Waynes brothers.
white chicks
…………………………………
Matching The Drug To The Beatles Song

Marijuana > "Got to Get You Into My Life"
LSD > "Day Tripper"
Cocaine > All of Sgt. Pepper's?
In the same interview, McCartney admits Wings sucked.

2004-06-03T10:00:00.000-04:00

TODAY
just got out of a meeting that would easily rank in the Top 1% of Most Unproductive Uses Of An Hour ever. seriously, I haven't been that bored since my Astrology Class freshman year at Syracuse. it was so boring that I almost started falling asleep, lecture style. in order to combat the fatigue that was spreading through my veins like wildfire, I started riffing away in my Mead Composition book in a vein that can only be compared to Larry King's infamous USA Today columns. boredom (mixed with a little bit of a hang-over) can do strange things to men. with that being said, here is what I wrote, pretty much word for word:

Feta cheese. So good on eggs.

In the battle of Mint Juleps versus Mojitos, I pick Mojitos. Fresh mint in drinks ... so best!

New iPod earphones ... surprisingly ineffective when sweat gets in your ears.

Why don't any local mini marts carry that low carb Coke yet?

Drinking a shot of tequila every hour on the hour ... some say an underrated way to get completely shitfaced.

Those Cubans have it right, chili powder and lime on corn on the cob is the way to go.

I know it's wrong, but "Here Without You" by 3 Doors Down is a fucking fantastic pop song.

Dr. Ironfist is the coolest nickname ever.

If you're gonna pay bills while you're on vacation, wait until the last day to do it.

Always carry spare clothes in your trunk

Getting arthritis must be worst.

I still have my Built to Spill ticket stub in my wallet

Saffron Burrows ... now there's a face to launch a thousand ships.

mission accomplished?!?

DAILY DOWNLOADS

"The Libertines are still the best band in Britain and I can’t wait to hear the new album. They are riding the crest of a wave of brilliant British music and they will go down in history as one of the best bands of our generation."
— Daniel Radcliffe, aka Harry Potter, proving that Kegzies isn't alone in his love for The Libertines. I also dig them, but can’t find a link for my readers (all 3 of you) so take my word and find your own. Ha.

CatPower

Bright Eyes with Beth Orton: "Motion Sickness (live)"

2004-06-03T07:42:00.000-04:00

The Boondocks is the best comic since Calvin and Hobbes. I also am a big fan of Farside, non-sequitur and This Modern World.

Boob-Gate Rant
Ever since the infamous “wardrobe malfunction” during the SuperBowl, people have turned the once goody-goody Janet Jackson’s breast into, sadly, the most pressing news story and social issue of 2004. There is much to be said about the fallout from this ill-advised publicity stunt. But one of the most interesting sub-stories is how Janet is being treated during her subsequent media stops. Shows are putting her on a 5 sec delay, as if they expect her to whip out her titty at a moment’s notice. But here’s the kicker: on Letterman the other night, nervous censors made sure to bleep out every offensive word spewing out of that hatlot’s mouth.

Foul words like…uhm…”Jesus”

Let that sink in for a moment. Because this is the reality of the post-boob era. Congress pats itself on the back by passing sharply increased fines for indecency, as if they didn’t have more pressing issues to focus on. But there is no definition for indecency: the standards are arbitrary. The media is so fearful of finding themselves on the wrong side of this fuzzy line that they are willing to self-censor themselves at an almost comical level.

Is this going away soon? Hardly. Welcome to the new world of coomunication, pre-sanitized to avoid even the tiniest hint of offensiveness.

It’s pretty god-damn ridiculous (thank you internet, for being a saving grace)

2004-06-02T12:05:00.000-04:00

DAILY DOWNLOADS
I forgot

????

The Doves

selections

2004-06-01T12:33:00.000-04:00

"The Way the Music Died" on PBS
This Thursday at 9:00, PBS airs a documentary on the state of the music industry; specifically how the fat cats' profits have been spiraling downwards. One dramatic stat: "[Yearly] sales have fallen from $40 billion to $28 billion in just three years"
Thankfully, while sales of shitty music flatten, the good guys are going strong.

Avril Lavigne not punk, still has no idea who this "Bow-ee" guy is.

Direct from the Canadian's mouth:
"You know what's so gay is, like, all these journalists are, like (saying in faux hushed reverence), 'Avril Lavigne's punk and she's a rebel and she does punk rock music,"' Lavigne, 19, said in a recent interview, using the word gay as a slang synonym for stupid.

While I am proud Ms. Lavigne is capable of showing a good deal more self-awareness than people give her credit for, I am actually most amused by Reuter's having to explain her use of the word "gay."

Bush is keeping the Gun Sadam was holding when captured.
Now doesn’t this sound like a momento of a grudge won, rather than a symbol of a free Iraq?

DAILY DOWNLOADS

Badly drawn boy with Beck

Sebadoh Mar, 2000

Wilco - live

2004-05-28T09:16:00.000-04:00

Philly Weekly's excellent Summer Guide is online. Great concert, book, film previews and lots of other stuff.
Listen to Unmade Bed from the new Sonic Youth album Sonic Nurse here

Summer Movie Preview

Catwoman

= Worst trailer ever = Worst movie ever (probably)

another cat movie

that’s gonna suck

The Incredibles

Guarentee to kick Shrek’s ass (even though I will see both), but remember how big Nimo was? well this is going to be soo good… for a Pixar film. Only it comes out in November

irobot

Might be cool, but Will Smith is a Wild Card (His humor is no longer funny, but Action wise he’s been good)

WILL be funny

collateral

This is the new Michael Mann film starring Tom Cruise and Jaime Foxxxxxxx. I don't like both of those actors, but this trailer is so great that I can't wait to see this film! The trailer sets up the story and is visually amazing. That's all you need.

Best sleeper

of the summer (meaning, possibly a great great film that no one will see)

saved

this might be good, if it is tounge and cheek (think Best In Show), and not something with a cutsy moral.

elephant

Also might be good because I think it is the same director who made Punch drunk Love and Magnolia

Yes! Oh, Yes! I have never had so much fun at a movie when I saw the first one. Especially when I was able to see Stan Lee for that milla-second fly-by shot. can’t wait.

Harry Potter

another great watch. I read all the books and I’ve liked the film, but am worried because this one has a new director, and the guy who plays prof. Dumbledor died. Who’s the replacement?

the village

Can’t get scared at movie’s but will see this because it was filmed in the backyard of my friend’s girlfriend's house in West Chesta.

king authur

might see this

2004-05-21T11:07:00.000-04:00

DAILY DOWNLOADS

Best indie folk album of the year, Laura Veirs (as noted by Sterogum) He recommendes CLOUD ROOM and RAPTURE for fans of Mirah, Cat Power, Suzanne Vega.

Cloud Room

Rapture

ELF POWER MOVIE

SpinalTap_BigBottomGirl

Minus The BEAR

monkey knife fight

wild donkey

2004-05-21T09:13:00.000-04:00

Tonights plans DISCUSSION

2004-05-21T09:07:00.000-04:00

So tired to write anything, aparently, but all I can say is GO FLYERS. Wow what a game. ANd where I saw it was great too. Jon, the drive was worth it. How many beautiful girls do you know. It was hard to divide my starring between the Game and them. Just kidding. You all know the game won. Can you believe it. We owned that Overtime. I am so glad that I decided to watch the game instead of going to a design meeting.

2004-05-20T09:49:00.000-04:00

I’m a big fan of Pavement. I like his drawl and his nonsence lyrics, (much the same way I like Beck) But have recently become aquainted with Scott "Spiral Stairs" Kannberg. His off-kilter guitar skills and keen songwriting acumen (which provided a less ironic, more anthemic, but still quite warped counter to Malkmus) were crucial to the band's idiosyncratic genius. In the later, less happy years of Pavement, Kannberg became less involved with the band, contributing no songs to the group's swan song, Terror Twilight (leading some to describe the album as a Malkmus solo album). After Pavement's split in 2000, Kannberg let the world know what he'd been up to, in short succession founding a label, Amazing Grease, and forming a new band, Preston School of Industry (named for a school for juvenile offenders near his hometown of Stockton, CA). Here is a sample.
Yo La Tengo

Don’t have to be so sad

Guided by Voices-live

Sensational gravity boy

Badly Drawn Boy_The demo tapes and live shit

Modest Mouse unreleased

calculusman

White Lies Yellow teeth

Foo Fighters - live

Paris-2003

Eagles of Death Metal

Live at Slims

2004-05-20T08:40:00.000-04:00

Let's create a discussion.
Flyers- Anybody interested in going w/BoBo to the Watch-over-ya Center.
If not, were are we going (not Steppy's... yet. been to busy to get my new ID). I don't have class so I'll be ready to go and play B-Ball if we want. I want to go to Nippers. I believe in Luck and they kicked their ass 6-2 last time I was there, plus eating some crabs sounds pretty tempting along with $1 domestic.
Ross' new-found sobrity-will it last, or not (no offense.)
Should I go to my meeting- I have a designerd meeting that I don't want to go to, but it might help my career by meeting people, however I really just want to watch the Flyers. I knew about this meeting for awhile, but thought I was going to have class tonight, but they are closing the school for the graduation ceremony. Kind of lame though, closing down the school for only an Associates degree.
I really should be more outgoing when it comes to meeting people, in business and socially... I mean those girl at Montco are hot and they live so close. But it's not like college, where everybody has down-time and wants to party.
Anybody else got something I'll add it to this page so we can discuss. My hotmail is getting hard to manage.

2004-05-19T10:17:00.000-04:00

Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin named their newborn baby Apple.
Apple? You kidding? Does this name carry some lineage in the Paltrow home, or at least some sense? Chris Martin of Coldplay is very vocal about his opinions, so has to be careful that his message is clear, so I’m very confused as to why he would name his kid Apple. Almost reminds me of George from Seinfied wanting to name his kid Soda.
There are some very important things in life, and I think your name is one of them. You carry it for your whole life, and if there is history behind your name it gives you a sense of pride. Names are pivotal, they can be associated with leaders, or made into a rhyme that can destroy a kid’s mentality at an early age. I feel bad for kids stuck with names their parents think are witty or clever. So many times I’ve gone to the supermarket and heard Mom’s yelling for their baby-girl “Mercedes” or “Lexus” (I wonder if back in the eighty's if a kid was named Dilorian?). These are product names! Unless Apple Paltrow is endorsed by Apple Computers then she will fall victim to the same fate as the rest of these kids – a hatred of their name.
ohhh well... that kid is beyond rich, and we will grow accustomed with her name because of Hollywood. Some people probably do like that name. It is original, and that I like, but the association with original sin makes it really bad. Hopefully she does something worthwhile and can bring that name into a good light, but if she does nothing with it then she will come to exemplify the dangers of naming your kid after a fruit.

Michael Chabon’s Escapist
Michael Chabon’s best-selling 2001 novel "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay" is the story of two cousins, thrown together by fate in the 1930s, who create one of the first great comic-book superheroes: a master escape artist and champion of the downtrodden known as the Escapist. Now the Escapist is finally free to tell his own tales. The first issue of a new quarterly devoted to his exploits, "Michael Chabon Presents: The Amazing Adventures of the Escapist," just hit the racks at your local comic-book store.
I highly recommend for everyone to read this book. It tells the story of the bond that develops between the cousins Josef Kavalier and Sam Clay, and the woman who becomes central to both their lives. But it’s also an unabashed valentine to the comics, and a celebration of the real-life Kavaliers and Clays who created a new, vibrant and uniquely American art form.

DAILY DOWNLOADS

Elf Power – The Winter is coming

themountaingoats – Dance Music

deerhoof – GigaDance

John.Vanderslice.

2004-05-18T12:50:00.000-04:00

who's watching the Flyers at Nippers? I might show up. getting pretty busy with class and freelance though.

2004-05-18T09:38:00.000-04:00

IT HAS BEEN CALCULATED THAT IF EVERYONE IN THE UNITED
STATES DID NOT PURCHASE A DROP OF GASOLINE FOR ONE DAY
AND ALL AT THE SAME TIME, THE OIL COMPANIES WOULD
CHOKE ON THEIR STOCKPILES.

AT THE SAME TIME IT WOULD HIT THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY WITH
A NET LOSS OF OVER 4.6 BILLION DOLLARS WHICH AFFECTS
THE BOTTOM LINES OF THE OIL COMPANIES. THEREFORE MAY
19TH HAS BEEN FORMALLY DECLARED "STICK IT TO THEM DAY"
AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION SHOULD NOT BUY A SINGLE
DROP OF GASOLINE THAT DAY.

WAITING ON THIS ADMINISTRATION TO STEP IN AND CONTROL
THE PRICES IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. WHAT HAPPENED TO
THE REDUCTION AND CONTROL IN PRICES THAT THE ARAB
NATIONS PROMISED TWO WEEKS AGO?

REMEMBER ONE THING, NOT ONLY IS THE PRICE OF GASOLINE
GOING UP BUT AT THE SAME TIME AIRLINES ARE FORCED TO
RAISE THEIR PRICES, TRUCKING COMPANIES ARE FORCED TO
RAISE THEIR PRICES WHICH EFFECTS PRICES ON EVERYTHING
THAT IS SHIPPED. THINGS LIKE FOOD, CLOTHING, BUILDING
MATERIALS, MEDICAL SUPPLIES ETC. WHO PAYS IN THE END?
WE DO!!!

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IF THEY DON'T GET THE
MESSAGE AFTER ONE DAY, WE WILL DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN–thanks Ross

2004-05-18T09:22:00.000-04:00

Well I was listening to y-100’s top 7 at 8, and was grateful to hear Muse’s new single. not bad, but sounds like the rest of their stuff. I’ve heard better by them, but at least they finally found some airplay. I also was surprised to hear Modest Mouse in the number 5 spot. Makes me reconsider my opinion of that station, But then I heard the rest of the top 4 and it was the same crap. I thought I was listening to The Used at one point, because the singer sounded exactly like Bert McCracken but the song sucked. And how popular are New Found Glory that every other band has to sound like them? So much so that 2nd and 3rd place sounded the same. which surprizes me because his voice is one of the reasons I don’t like them. The same is true for Saves The Day.
So... just when i hate this station all over again and start falling into a great depression about how there are no good Philly radio stations and how Clear channel runs the airwaves and chooses what I want to hear, I hear the new Cure single. It’s good. I’ll buy the new album (out sometime soon I think).
By the way.. Ch-check it out (B-Boys) was number 7. not bad, but that looping beat is bugging me because it sounds familiar and I can’t place it.

I just found out that Trey will be playing the last night in Bonnaroo. Good luck to all in Leonis’ RV (and don’t fool yourself, it is his RV, because he will let you know it when he wants to leave at 4:00 that Sunday) He hates Mr. Anti-pasto. Only guy I know who went to a Phish show, didn’t face the stage and wouldn’t stop yelling that Phish was a Grateful Dead cover-band. Hence my comparison yesterday. i wonder if he wrote that e-mail... nah. He’s opinionated, but not a tool.

Jr. Sr. _MOVE video
Morrissey: Why the fuss?
Stress reliever of the month
Japan-ROCK
PJ Harvey wanders around in her underwear- watch here.

DAILY DOWNLOADS

The Smiths (rare)

Elliot Smith NYC 2003

Mumble & Peg_3rd Person

Rob Crowe _Helicopter

The Changes –Her, You and I

Pedro the Lion –Winners never leave a job half done

2004-05-17T09:39:00.000-04:00

If you don’t like this part, then scroll past. Don’t waste your time on my site if you don’t like it, and don’t waste even more time by letting me know. I can’t believe I have to tell you this. It’s like going to a concert with the intention of Boo-ing the arist.
So whoever sent me that e-mail about your hatred of this site,
I have one thing to say:
Because I’m not getting paid, I’ll write about whatever the fuck I want!

Lollapalooza has a new website.
And it's crock of shit. Here's why:
That promo clearly makes it seem like both Pixies and Wilco are playing the second day! In fact, the Pixies are playing only two shows and Wilco is playing three. And neither of those amazing bands will be at the Camden Tweeter Center show! I know it says "selected dates" in really small print, but this is ridiculous! People are going to think that the second day is actually worthwhile. Without those two bands, it's a bunch of crap.

WHAT THE WORLD SEES
Someday, when Iraq is peaceful again (and that day will come), tourists and Vets will want to see the square where the Saddam statue toppled, the spider hole he hid in and, of course, Abu Ghraib Prison. It's too early to know exactly which of the unspeakable pictures from the torture sessions will come to represent this sickening chapter in the book of superpower superembarrassments. Will it be that prisoner wearing the hood with electrical wires attached? Those stacked naked bodies with smiling guards above? Lynndie England leading around a naked man on a leash?
The assumption last week in Washington was that the damage from this fiasco in the Arab world will last for 50 years, as Sen. Jack Reed put it. For all the power of the humiliating images to confirm the worst assumptions about the United States and strip away its moral authority, this seems exaggerated. Pictures play powerfully on emotions, but emotions—when they don't involve immediate family—are not often enduring. They can change depending on the next pictures and the next sequence of decisions and events. The images from Vietnam—searing as they were—were ultimately a reflection of the policy failures, not the cause of them, and the hatred expressed by Vietnamese toward the Americans who bombed them lasted only a few years. The same goes for Iraq and the Middle East. Just because the damage is done doesn't mean that it cannot, over time, be undone. The problem is whether we have the right leadership to undo it.

RANDOMNESS
Ukraine Wins Eurovision Song Contest
Homer CAR!
The Taciest house in the World

DAILY DOWNLOADS

Oysterhead

go to the Oysterhead “Owner of the World” set

Apollosunshine

live

2004-05-14T09:19:00.000-04:00

What the fuck!

Lil Jon to create crunk rock. He also has a talking doll coming out!

Wow. Lindsay Lohan in Vanity Fair. Personally, I wish she'd stop downplaying the freckles, I dig 'em.

Nike redesigned the Syracuse logo, and are working on a dope collaborative art project called The Art Of Speed (more on that soon).

Lawrence.com's Turnpike offers archived Quicktime interview with THE SHINS

DAILY DOWNLOADS

Smashing Music

Part A

01. 2xl Introduction
02. Console : Contin.ue (14 Zero Zero)
03. Autechre : Milk DX (Peel Session)
04. Barbara Morgenstern : Dr. Mr. (Eine Verabredung)
05. Solvent : Basildon (Solvently One Listens)
06. Chubb Rock : Don't Drink the Milk (I Gotta Get Mine Yo!)
07. Push Button Objects : FM Science (SKA 011)
08. Styrofoam : Heaven is Burning Pt. 1 (The Point Misser)
09. Atmosphere : Scapegoat (Overcast EP)

Part B

10. Phil Collins : In the Air Tonight (Miami Vice Soundtrack) / DJ Design : No Games Instrumental (Gatha Round)
11. Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf : Methods (Methods Pt 1 & 2)
12. Styrofoam : Dead Air (The Point Misser)
13. Broadcast : Laughter Go (Extended Play)
14. Anti Pop Consortium : Nude Paper (Tragic Epilogue)
15. Prefuse 73 : Nuno (Vocal Studies + Uprock Narratives)
16. Styrofoam : It Was The Earth He Was Standing On That Was Moving (The Point Misser)

2004-05-13T09:31:00.000-04:00

Yes! oh, Yes! I found the Sonic Youth Bonnaroo Set. My site’s existence has been justified. The value of working at my computer has paided off and my productivity as a designerd has doubled. It’s a shame that right now I am doing Cd cover design for Reo Speedwagon, the Monkey’s live (hA!) and the Marvelettes – Oh, well looks like they are going to look like they rock and don’t even know it.

Lil John soundboard, freekin’ addictive

By the way, Fraser farewell is tonight anybody care? not me.

Political Rant:
With numbers like these -
46% Bush job approval, 37% national satisfaction, 41% approve on Iraq and the economy, 44% saying that the Iraq war was worth it - how the hell can Bush win in November?
I'll tell you how. By having John Kerry as his opponent. Nobody likes John Kerry. In the same poll, the head to head among likely voters breaks down like this:
(without Nader)
Kerry 47
Bush 48
(with Nader)
Kerry 45
Bush 47
Nader 5
Why couldn't the Democrats nominate someone who could go for the kill right now and get this country behind him? The people are looking for an alternative to Bush! Kerry is providing nothing except high-minded remarks that sound completely weightless!

Oh no, am I becoming a republican?
johnkerryisadouchebagbutimvotingforhimanyway.com
no... I think I'm doing what all American should do: Lisiting to the issues and making an informed decision, not letting my biases get in the way, and I'm gonna vote! I am however ready for a change.

DAILY DOWNLOADS

Live Ween – enjoy

Philly set

Believe in Boognish

The pandy Fackler tapes, Live Brain Wedgie, and John Peel Sessions Part Duex

Peel Sessions

again, but different

If only they were Japenese Cowboys:
In the late 1700s, cattle were brought to Hawaii by British Captain George Vancouver, who presented them to King Kamehameha I. As the king wanted the animals to multiply, he protected them from harm, and soon the Big Island was overrun with wild cattle that destroyed local crops and forests.

By the 1830s, cattle inhabited all of the Hawaiian islands. The local economy, long dependent on sandalwood for trade, began slaughtering the cattle to provide additional trade goods that were sorely needed. King Kamehameha III, recognizing the need for people experienced in cattle handling, invited Spanish vaqueros and their cow ponies to Hawaii to teach herding and roping skills to Hawaiians. These local cowboys became known as "paniolos." The skills learned from the vaqueros enabled the islanders to to solve the wild cattle problem and help establish cattle ranching in Hawaii!

2004-05-12T09:49:00.000-04:00

Our hats are off to Senator Jim Inhofe for saying what we all were thinking.Let’s be clear. If no election was pending, there’d be less than half the hot air on this issue in the atmosphere.

John Kerry showed a shocking lack of taste and decorum yesterday regarding the Nick Berg murder at the hands of al Qaida extremists who, incidentally, feel a deep connection to Iraq even as liberal US politicians say no connection between al Qaida and Iraq ever existed.

"Like all Americans, I'm horrified and deeply saddened by the senseless murder of Nicholas Berg. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and with the families of all our troops and civilians working under such dangerous conditions to rebuild and bring peace to Iraq. We are grateful for the work you do and the risks you take. The terrorists who committed this atrocity will not prevail, and America stands together against them,” Kerry said in a public statement which he posted on his website

But less than an inch away Kerry called for the head of another American, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. This turned his assertion that “Americans stand together against them” into a laughable farce. America, as indicated by John Kerry’s divisive campaign for president, has rarely been more divided.
– from Crush Kerry

Sports:
So I hear that Nascar has surpassed every sport as the most popular. I know A-New is happy to hear this but I never could get into racecar driving. I always wanted to be a racecar passanger. just a guy who bugs the driver.
“Say man, can I turn on the radio.”
“You should slow down.”
“Why we got to keep goin’ in circles?”
“Can I put my feet out the window?”
“Man, you really like Tide.”

I should know more about cars and possibly that is why I’m not into it. Or maybe it is because I don’t know the drivers. Possibly it is because I can also drive and feel equal to them –you know one of those, “Oh, I can do that” mentalities.
I think they should make them drive on a Rally race track. Yea! now we’re talking. People want to see car wrecks. Now I don’t want to use Dale Eirnhart as an example, because a death at your job is always horrible, but he did give Nascar extreme exposure and I believe that before that incident Nascar's popularity was on the decline. And now it is back up and I think it is because of Eirnhart Jr. He carried on his fathers legacy and brought the sport to a different demographic. it doesn’t hurt that he is a good looking guy who can win, and you know Nascar has reached a new level when drivers are being nominated for Mtv awards.
Plus, there is nothing going on in other sports. I love baskeball, but can’t get myself to watch the playoffs. And I know the reason why: Basketball it controlled by the refs. You don’t need to watch the whole game, when you can just watch the last 2 minutes. either it is a blow-out or there are so many fouls called that the lead can be squashed in a second. Plus the last 2 minutes average out to about 20 minutes. I wish my fantsy league was still happening, that way I could be a philly fan and still watch Shaq and not feel like a sell out.
I am however completely engulfed in the Flyers. I can honnestly say that I jumped on the bandwagon and am loving it. I am a Philly fan and always will be one. Come-on Chico!

DAILY DOWNLOADS

Nick Krill of Spinto Fame
CoMandies "Oh Mandy"

BRIGHT EYES
Conor Oberst Solo Show

J MASCIS -
lots of live

2004-05-11T11:23:00.000-04:00

Andy Kaufman died of lung cancer on May 16, 1984, but according to legend, the eccentric comedian said if he were faking, he'd resurface 20 years later to the day.

So, just in case, a party is being planned by Bob Zmuda, Kaufman's best friend and partner, at the House of Blues in Los Angeles on May 16.

2004-05-11T09:24:00.000-04:00

It is Salvador Dali’s Birthday. I suggest you celebrate by having a ganders at www.VirtualDali.com. It’s a totally wonderful collection of his work, which contains many hidden gems, so I suggest you check it out now (funk soul brother, etc.).

Ok, best misquote ever.
ABC's Noted Now currently has President Bush saying the following this afternoon:
"One basic difference between democracies and dictatorships is that free societies conduct such abuses openly and directly... Some soldiers have already been charged, and those involved will answer for their conduct in an orderly and transparent process... "
According to the White House, he said:
"One basic difference between democracies and dictatorships is that free countries confront such abuses openly and directly... Some soldiers have already been charged, and those involved will answer for their conduct in an orderly and transparent process."
I missed the speech on TV. I wonder which is true... I know which one is more appropriate and funnier...

And then there's this Washington Post story, about conservatives being unhappy with the White House's lack of policy initiatives. Wait, you mean the Bush administration isn't being conservative enough? You want more? Oh my lord, what's going to happen when they win in November?
Here's my prediction for six months from now. I don't even think it'll be that close. Bush will win. The Republicans will win many more of these battleground states like Ohio and Pennsylvania than the Democrats. A lot of people in this country love Bush. And I don't think that many people like Kerry. And in a country this divided, likeability will be the deciding factor. Kerry won't get people excited. Bush already had people druling.

A fight between cops at the Real World house? Apparently a police officer who was guarding the Philly Real World house in Old City got in a fight with two off-duty officers who were trying to get in on Saturday night. Hilarious!
I hear a rumor that the cast will be working with the Community Relations Center, which means that they will be doing nothing!

Well, I lost another gamble.
crap i guess I was thinking of Jamie Prestly

Daily Downloads
Morrissey singing on Craig Kilborn

First of our band to die

Beatles

Turn Me on Dead Man-2CD, 1999

Muse b-sides

Pedro the Lion

Elbow

Radio head pllaying an accustic version, and the best version of

Blow Out

Coldplay

Such a Rush

Denali

Everybody Knows

2004-05-10T09:43:00.000-04:00

Ta-DAA! new template installed. Links will be updated shortly

2004-05-10T09:19:00.000-04:00

The caps of a bad weekend.
My computer hasn’t shown up, I guess apple snail-mail is really bad. My date sucked, I guess no girl can compare to my old girlfriend. And I lost in the poker tournament.

expound:
I spent way to much on my computer and to not have it in my possesion makes me nervious. If I had it in my hands then maybe that would validate my spending and make-up for the lost sleep I have wondering if it will even show up at all, and if I can save what is on my old hard drive – the metaphoric straw the broke the camel’s back and made me buy this new computer.

The girl was nice, but I know why my Mom thought she was attractive, because she looked exactly like her! and I have no desire to explore my Oedipal complex. Plus she wanted me to be the catalist in making her life more exciting, and that’s just too much work.

Not only did I loose at poker but was the very First one out. All that did is re-iterate to me that shouldn’t gamble, which is fine by me. I’m much happier spending my money on art stuff and wondering if they will ever arrive.

Daily Downloads

Pixies Coachella mp3s

Radiohead Coachella mp3s

2004-05-07T15:24:00.001-04:00

I am in the wrong State. I love Phiily. Love the teams, but damn NYC is great. Su grads have a rep down there that you can't believe. Philly is like," oh.. SU, I'll just hire some hack from Tyler who has more experience because he has been out in the work force for 5 years doing his macrame and macaroni neclaces." seeing that portfolio let a fire undermy ass and once again told me that I got to get the Fuck out of Dodge!

now change the tempo to politics,
Nice quote:
“Clear Channel executives have donated a total $42,200 to President Bush’s re-election campaign and $1,750 to John Kerry’s campaign. That’s no surprise: Clear Channel vice chairman Tom Hicks was the man who bought the Texas Rangers from Bush in 1999, making Bush a multimillionaire."
– the editor of Rolling Stone Magazine

re:views
I just got my shipment from Amazon and wanted to share my opinions that you all love so much.
so... Irving (that band I got interested in after hearing them on a sampler from Eeenie Meenie records after I saw the Apples in Stereo and Apollo sunshine, also good) released "Good Morning Beautiful.” Irving is from Los Angeles and has five different songwriters, which makes for some nice variety in their record. Their publicist compares some of their sounds to Neutral Milk Hotel, Beulah, and Elf Power, so fans of the Elephant6 bands are pretty likely to enjoy this one (I know I do, but wouldn’t compare them to those bands.) i’d say; the Thrills, the Spinto Band, the Strokes vocals, and the catchy-ness of the Cure. it’s a good buy (sorry jon but their Cd cover resembles yours alot).
Shimmer Kids Underpop Association "The Natural Riot" is another band that sounds at times like a famous E6 group psych band (can we just call them Shimmer Kids for short, please?). They almost sound more Olivia Tremor Control that OTC at a few points in their record, which is a good thing as far as I'm concerned.
i also picked up Metropolitan. really good. the better of the three. More Sonic Youth. give a listen;

Brightside

speaking of Sonic Youth their new album is coming out June 8th. I can't wait. they blew me away last summer at Bonnaroo

Daily Download
Interpool

NYC

Flaming Lips

Covers

2004-05-06T09:25:00.006-04:00

Busy Blog
Well I got a lot going on, to start I got to slip out of work early today so I can go to NYC and see the Syracuse UNiversity Undergraduate Portfolio Show. Then afterwards I got to meet up with my brother at Penn Station to I can drive him home and see my Grandparents who just came up yesterday. Tommorow night I got a nice date planned. I’m taking her to an amazing sushi resturant (I can’t believe she has never had it). Not as intimate as the first place I was gonna take her, but from what I’ve read, the best in Philly, even though the exterior is unassuming. Then I’m taking her to First Fridays, but we’ll have to hurry because I know the galleries like to close around 9. Saturday morning involves me hooking-up my brand new G5. Oh yea, all you other nerds look out. Then aterwards I’m playing in a big Texas Hold-em tournament where I hope to win enough money to help pay-off my huge computer purchase. Sunday is rest and card games with Gramps.

In light of the Friends final episode (which I don’t care about, but feel I should because it is being marketed like that)
here is the *FRIENDS POP-QUIZ*
1) Which actor has had the most serious drug addicton?
2) Which actor marred an almost completly retarded person?
3) Which actor has had the worst movie career?
4) what was”Friends” contribution to society?
tic..tok...tic..
A.
1) Mathew Perry
2) courtney Cox
3) Mat LeBlonc. he stared in a movie about a baseball playing MONKEY!
4) the “Rachel” hair-cut

My Daily Downloads
Beck

Halo of Gold

Build to Spill

FLAT

and the Halo Benders

reel arounf the fountain

Clinic

the second line

Drums and Tuba

the inspector returns

Dr. Small

2004-05-04T09:31:00.001-04:00

Awesome finds for My Daily Downloads
Strokes live mp3's and video

Neutral Milk Hotel show, a Jeff Mangum acoustic show, some other Mangum collaborations and NMH rarities. Awesome.

The greatest band you don’t know and won’t forget = the spinto band
thank you roy spinto

The newly announced Y100 Feztival lineup for June 18th:
The Beastie Boys, The Strokes, The Darkness, Cypress Hill, Hoobastank, New Found Glory, Story of the Year, Burning Brides.
Hmm, the Strokes are cool and the Darkness are somewhat cool (Is is schtick, are they for real? who knows what I do know is that they won’t be here much longer... But then again i feel the same way about Iron Maiden and those incontinent rockers are still here.) Everyone else, at the FEz, is of course terrible. The Beastie Boys are apparently making a comeback. Their new single Ch-Check It Out is.... ehhh. I dont know what to expect from this new release. After a six year wait it should be good, and from what I’ve heard straight hip-hop. You know it’s gonna be catchy and you know it’s gonna be fun (so everybody go out and get some – sorry, I had to do it) and I think it’s gonna compete with Outkast’s last album. Andre3000 has that same type of humor and free-flow style that resembles the B-Boys. I’m excluding Big Boi from this comparison because, I think Andre is on a B-Boy track. If he’s not then he should be. the B-Boys are getting old. How much longer can they go on about drinking and flaunting their assets. I thought they were turning their heads to more producing, and producing more rappers like Andre would be a great thing. And what ever happened with their label, GrandRoyal. Did “At the Drive-in” break that label because they broke-up?

I really don't know much about this, but I do know a bit about sliced bread:

The first sliced bread was considered a wonder, so it's quite appropriate that it was first sold under the name Wonder Bread. A baker and inventor by the name of Otto Frederick Rodwedder toyed with the idea of a bread slicer for 15 years, and by January of 1928, he had perfected it. Unfortunately, since sliced bread tended to grow stale more quickly, he had to then find a way to keep the slices fresh as long as possible. After experimenting with several possibilities (including holding the slices together with hatpins), he came upon a solution — a plastic bag that would encase the bread and protect it. The brand known as Wonder Bread had been introduced (in unsliced form) by the Continental Baking Company in 1927, and three years later, they offered consumers the first brand-name sliced bread. It even came in a bag with a colorful balloon-decorated logo not too far removed from the one we know as Wonder Bread today. Consumers loved the stuff, and it's been a staple ever since. The only time sliced bread experienced a downturn was during the middle of World War II, when Agriculture Secretary Claude Wickard banned its sale in an effort to hold down prices during the time of strife and rationing. Whether such a step was necessary is debatable, but once the Allies began to turn the tide of the war, sliced bread again became available nationwide. –thank you Roy Spinto

2004-04-30T10:21:00.001-04:00

Lollapalooza tour dates,
8/18 - Camden, NJ @ Tweeter Center At the Waterfront
8/19 - Camden, NJ @ Tweeter Center At the Waterfront
sweeeeet
Although I might not still be here. Getting some more interesting job prospects and might have to inquire more about them. Texas, Tennessee, Boston, Atlanta, NYC. Ohh decisions. Thought I would work here for awhile, gain some capitol, but my energy is fading and this job is becoming repetitive. It is a great job, don't get me wrong, I mean good pay, flexible hours, health, time in the morning to do this bullshit – but, i have all this energy that can't be utilized here. Hell the move itself might be better for me. i don't know

i was talking to this one girl on-line but i guess that fizzled out. It's hard for my personality to get across by using smiley faces [ :) ] probably because I refuse to use them. But now I'm talking to another girl who seems very cool and I'm just going for the friend thing right now, but also wouldn't mind a little lovin'. it's funny My mom, who works at Montco and met her there, is playing the pimp.

Is it weird that I can't get enough of this song? It was on the sample I got from Eenie Meenie records on Monday night at the Khyber.

Irving

Another great thing, in case you guys missed my blog yesterday, my home computer fuckin' died, probably a fuse or something, but I'm slightly freaking out worrying about saving 4 years of college that is saved on its hard drive.

This weekend should be boring. might see a movie tonight, VanHelsing. yea it's probably gonna be lame, but i missed out on Hell Boy and will get my nerd fixation this way (Plus I'll probably watch the Hell Boy DVD with my brother about 100 times. He freekin' loves it, but he has been a fan of the comic for some time.)

DAILY DOWNLOADS
Snowden

Victim card

Snowden covering Time of the Season, and yes I know that it is going against my rant about covers, but it’s fucking great.

Time of the Season

ELkLand

apart

2004-04-28T08:55:00.000-04:00

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Other blogs have noticed my sight, and since I am learning as I create, I'll say Thank you to them.

Elliott Smith's father reports that a new album should come out in September or October.
Wow. As painful as it will be (especially if the album is more upbeat, as I think I've read before), I can't wait to hear this.

I'm against the idea of the Pixies reuniting, even though I WANT to see them, my heart warmed with happiness when I read this story of some guy running into Frank Black at a Starbucks. (full review)

The Pixies. December 4th. Tweeter Center.
A ticket sale date hasn't been announced yet, but it will probobly be within the next two weeks. It's weird to be buying tickets seven months in advance, but this will probobly sell out in seven minutes anyway.

Roots downloads

2004-04-27T09:45:00.000-04:00

Ah, Spring, when a young humor writer's thoughts turn towards... James Brown? Don't ask me why, but for whatever reason, The Godfather of Soul, the Hardest Working Man in Showbiz inspires some of April's best humor writing.

MY shopping bag:
Two DVD's are the highlight of this week's releases for me. The Pixies DVD includes a 1988 live show, several promotional videos, and two documentaries, and the Kids In The Hall. i know people were not horribly impressed with Brain Candy, but I'll chalk that up to all the jokes from the series that went over their head.

Questions:
has anybody seen the ad for the special on VH1 called inside out? Where trey and dave matthews go to Africa and learn/play with tribe members? Does that title have any relationship with inside in (mike Gordan’s solo release) outside out (gordan’s movie)?

Why does every cooking show have the most masculine hosts and all home-improvement shows have the most effeminant carpenters?

Rant:
Plastic Surgery + Beauty Pageant = Uh Oh

Last night, before any bands started playing at the Khyber, the tv was showing the Swan. First of all these girls are average looking and would look good with some make-up and a little weight loss. Why is the extreem of pastic surgery always the first thing concidered? It must have something to do with Amereican society. The quickest answers are the best mentality
I also find the gratuitous shots of patients pumping iron while still in recovery from their face lifts disturbing. These poor women are on the treadmill, sweating through the bandages wrapped around their heads! Not only does it make me queasy ... it makes me feel really lazy: a paper cut is excuse enough for me to skip the gym.

Does The Swan represent a new low in reality TV? Maybe. But here are three ways to make the show even more absurd...

#1. Ambush Them
Believe it or not, some people don't realize they need cartoonishly large breasts. Why not have a camera crew force your friend out of bed in the middle of the night and strap her to an operating table against her will?

#2. Celebrities
D-list actresses should face off for May sweeps. Kathy Griffin would totally do it.

#3. Fake Doctors
The surgeons should be as inexperienced as possible. The audience would root for them and the patient. And if the result is a botched nose job? Well, that's just comic relief.

And at least use trick mirrors at the on-air reveal! Why not Punk them a little? They did just get thousands of dollars of free cosmetic surgery. Fox is missing an opportunity here.

Don't even get me started on I Want A Famous Face.

THE EXCEPTION THAT PROVES THE RULE
"War of the masses, the outcome,, disastrous / Many of the victim family save they ashes / A million names on walls engraved in plaques / Those who went back, received penalties for they acts / Another heart is torn as close ones mourn / Those who stray, niggaz get slayed on the song." - GZA on Wu-Tang's "Triumph"
Pat Tillman was no doubt a hero. His case is certainly heartbreaking, and due to his unfortunate death, the fact that he turned down millions of dollars in the NFL to risk his life in Afghanistan brings several tough issues to the forefront
Tillman's death coupled with the Tami Silicio photo story has refocused the media (for the time being) on the human toll of the war. But the fact that a professional athlete's death received major media attention does not mean that he was more of a hero than any other soldier.

The military is not a microcosm of our society. African Americans make up 12% of our population, yet 22% of the military. Numbers are similar for other minorities. Rich Americans simply do not serve in the military, and the burden too often falls to lower middle class citizens who don't have any other options. With all the talk of a possible draft, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that even the people who enlist aren't really doing it because they want to, but rather because they have to.

After 3 1/2 years of irresponsible economic policies that favor the wealthy at the expense of the poor, many have come to the conclusion the only way that they can make enough money for themselves and their families is to risk their lives in combat.

Just like the administration's other policies, this one works because the people most affected don't have much clout with the mainstream media, aren't big campaign donors, and aren't very likely to vote.

Tillman's sacrifice certainly didn't go unnoticed. But what about the rest?

2004-04-26T09:45:00.005-04:00

I understand that every political candidate is so similar that it is hard to tell the difference, but I don’t want Bush to lead our country anymore. Kerry at least is the lesser of the two evils. I mean he at least served and now Bush’s administration is attacking HIS war record?! At least Kerry has his convictions and can stand by them. Bush was in the National Guard...

SENATOR KERRY: PLEASE USE MY CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS ON THIS
Since the Kerry Campaign seems to be having some trouble answering the President's first few rounds of TV ads, here's one he can run right now:
Open with a clip from The President's press conference with him not answering the question on why he and the Vice President are going to the 9- 11. Commission together:

QUESTION: Mr. President, why are you and the vice president insisting on appearing together before the 9- 11 commission?

BUSH: because the 9-11 commission wants to ask us questions, that's why we're meeting. And I look forward to meeting with them and answering their questions.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) I was asking why you're appearing together, rather than separately, which was their request.

BUSH: Because it's a good chance for both of us to answer questions that the 9-11. commission is looking forward to asking us. And I'm looking forward to answering them.

Cut to Kerry. At first looking directly at the camera, and then continuing to speak over pictures of him from vietnam and getting medals.

"Now is the time for a president who doesn't need help answering questions and accounting for his actions. As President, I will use my time on the public stage to carefully explain my policies and engaging the American people rather than hiding behind talking points and ducking reporters.

I'm John Kerry and I approved this message because the American people deserve better leadership."

Bush has made so many examples of bad leadership that it just highlights his incompetence. WMDs? FCC regulations (if you don’t see the long term effects of his relationship with ClearChannel and the basterdization of the first amendment, then enjoy this rant while you can because it won’t be able to be around if this expands the way it could) and his Administration’s lies about 9/11;
Bush's former top counterterrorism expert Richard Clarke issued well-documented criticisms of the White House's failure to defend America, the Administration has resorted to outright lies and distortions about its record. The president himself once again tried to deflect criticism, saying "had my administration had any information that terrorists were going to attack New York City on September the 11" - a statement designed to deflect attention from the specific warnings that he personally received outlining an imminent Al Qaeda attack that could involve hijacked planes being used as missiles.

Here are other explicit lies that the Administration has told over the last few days:
LIE: National Security Adviser Condoleezza “It’s Somebody Else’s Fault” Rice claimed that Clarke "chose not to" voice his concerns about the Administration's counterterrorism policy. But Clarke sent an urgent memo to Rice in January 2001 asking for a Cabinet-level meeting about an imminent Al Qaeda attack. The White House itself admits top Bush officials rejected Clarke's request, saying they "did not need to have a formal meeting to discuss the threat."
LIE: White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan yesterday denied Clarke's charge that the president ordered the Pentagon to begin drafting plans to invade Iraq immediately after 9/11. But according to the Washington Post, "six days after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, President Bush signed a 2-and-a-half-page document" that "directed the Pentagon to begin planning military options for an invasion of Iraq." This was corroborated by a September 2002 CBS News report which reported that, immediately after 9/11, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told "aides to come up with plans for striking Iraq."
By the way he helped sell those WMD to Iraq during Bush Sr. presidency
LIE: Deputy National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley denied Clarke's charge that there was an imminent domestic threat against America from Al Qaeda, saying, "All the chatter [before 9/11] was of an attack, a potential Al Qaeda attack overseas." But, according to the bipartisan Congressional report on 9/11, "In May 2001, the intelligence community obtained a report that Bin Laden supporters were planning to infiltrate the United States" to "carry out a terrorist operation using high explosives." The report "was included in an intelligence report for senior government officials in August [2001]."
AARAGH!
where’s Osama? Huh? he’s not in Iraq you dumbshit! (i can pretty much guarentee that we will capture him right around october though. what a coincidence – right near re-election time.) Oh, the war is over? far from it. we got their leader and gave them freedom, so I guess freedom=nothing? Christ, we might have to give them Saddam back just to restore something. Yes he was evil and I was for the war, but why did Bush call it a “Crusade?” a crusade? I guess his religion is oil.
Vote for Charlie
#1

you know what else I’m sick of is how scared America is. We constantly sacrifice a little bit of our freedom for the illusion of safety. The Patriot act is a great example of this.

Ok. now it's out of my system.
Paitballing was fun. an advanced waterfight with a bit of a slap if you got hit. My highlight was when I captured the flag in the Castle war. Well over 100 fighting and somehow I got inside the two story Castle without getting hit, saw the flag, dropped my gun and scrabbled up the gate onto the catwalk where the flag was tied. The ref later told me that the atacking team very rarely wins. It was a good time, but don't see how someone could get all into it.

Daily Downloads

new Sonic Youth

"Dripping Dream"

Modest Mouse

four live tracks[mp3]

ween

assorted live tracks[mp3]

2004-04-23T08:49:00.009-04:00

DAILY DOWNLOADS
Yes!! m.c. paul barman, the Jewish rapper

cockmobster

great 80’s cover. I’m so sick of new artists making money off covering an already great song and not adding any personal expression. which is why I believe all covers should be limited to live shows. Limp Bizkut (or however the hell you spell it) I’m looking in your direction!

for those of you who like

Guided By Voices

if you don’t know who they are, and you like The Who – give a listen

classic

Sonic Youth mp3index

Flaming Lips

go to the audo tab to hear some selections

little harder than my audience(ha!) expects, but still good to listen

killrockstars.com/

THE CURE

Gurten Festival, Bern, Switzerland 07/14/95

New Philly concert announcements, with an old hippie flavor:
Jam on the River - Saturday May 29th and Sunday May 30th at Penn's Landing
Saturday: The Disco Biscuits, Karl Denson, 4 Way Street, The Breaks
Sunday: Ween, Galactic, Particle, Townhall
Simon & Garfuncle - June 12th, Wachovia Center
Primus - June 16th, Penn's Landing
I’m definatly getting tickets to MMW on the 7th!

WHERE THE MONEY IS: This is fascinating, and addictive. A geographical guide to presidential fund-raising.

David Byrne's Empire

The Onion: The song "Empire" sounds pretty direct.
David Byrne: That's a direct criticism. Oddly enough, that song was written more than four years ago, but I couldn't put it on a record. It seemed too cynical and too ironic, just too mean and harsh, despite the fact that it sounds very nice. But it seems really appropriate now. Four years ago, people would say, "We're not an empire, we would never do that, we're much more benign than that." Now, it's basically accepted.
The Onion: Lyrically, it's very deadpan. Where does the irony come in for you personally?
David Byrne: That's the problem I think I have with the song. Taken out of context, somebody else could do it, and then it wouldn't be ironic. It's totally ironic because I'm doing it, and the listener has to know that I don't mean this—and they might not. I mean, some of the lines are totally ridiculous, and nobody could really sing them and expect people to go along with it. But I've thought that about a lot of stuff and been completely wrong. Somebody could pick it up, and I'd get a call from the Monsanto Corporation, and they'd say, "We want to use this song for our new commercial. We like this song." I am really suspicious and frightened by the power of music to do that. It has the power to sway people and be completely misinterpreted, too. One example would be the political campaign that wanted to use "Born In The U.S.A."—I think it was Reagan, actually. That's because they were hearing the sound of the song, and the sound says one thing and the words say something else. That's kind of what this song does: The sound says one thing, and the words and the fact that I'm singing it say something else, which makes it really dicey.
Hear David Byrne - "Empire"
........
Can’t wait to go paintballing tommorow. hopefully the cops we are going against arrange my bruises in a nice smily-face pattern:)

Am I stuck in my own weird Groundhog Day? Every time I turn on Comedy Central that damn 100 Greatest Stand-Ups is on.

Blender's 10 Worst Songs Ever
1. "We Built This City" Starship (1985 )
2. "Achy Breaky Heart" Billy Ray Cyrus (1992)
3. "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" Wang Chung (1986)
4. "Rollin'" Limpbizkit (2000)
5. "Ice Ice Baby" Vanilla Ice (1990)
6. "The Heart of Rock & Roll" Huey Lewis & The News (1984)
7. "Don't Worry, Be Happy" Bobby McFerrin (1988)
8. "Party All the Time" Eddie Murphy (1985)
9. "American Life" Madonna (2003)
10. "Ebony and Ivory" Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder (1982)

My Worst Song selections (in no particular order, and I know that there are others but i don’t want to waste too much time creating this list)
Aqua - Barbie Girl
Air Supply - All Out of Love
Baha Men - Who Let The Dogs Out?
Billy Squier - The Stroke
Barry Manilow - Copacabana
Foreigner - I Wanna Know What Love Is
Hues Corporation - Rock The Boat
Kiss - Beth
Right Said Fred - I'm Too Sexy
Tony Orlando & Dawn - Tie A Yellow Ribbon

2004-04-22T11:24:00.000-04:00

"Donnie Darko," a cult drama starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a disturbed teenager, is getting a new theatrical release, featuring 20 minutes of never-before-seen footage.

Newmarket Films, which released the film in 2001, is unveiling a director's cut at the Seattle Film Festival on May 29. It plans to release the film theatrically in Seattle before moving into other markets later in the summer.

The new version will also have new visual effects and music.