...And we'll bust a moby.

Yeah,

2006-09-11T01:08:00.000-07:00

I guess VOX has won out. So update your bookmarks, hah yeah right.
later

themajor.vox.com

the WIRE

2006-02-01T22:55:00.000-08:00

Argh

2006-01-20T13:25:00.000-08:00

Configuring libdvdcss
=====================

A typical way to configure libdvdcss is:

./configure --prefix=/usr

See `./configure --help' for more information.

Building libdvdcss
==================

Once configured, run `make' to build libdvdcss.

If you have player keys, you need to put them in the file csskeys.h, before
configuring libdvdcss to enable the "key" method (the one from libcss).

Installing libdvdcss
====================

You can install libdvdcss by typing:

make install

http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
thomas@loki:~/Desktop/libdvdcss-1.2.9$ make
bash: make: command not found

what am I doing wrong? It's the same with http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=94&highlight=dvd+decoder, everything works great til i get to 'make'.

Up and running

2006-01-19T23:33:00.000-08:00

I had a few setbacks, but Ubuntu is up and running now. I was leeching off someone's wireless connection, but it doesn't seem to have my wireless card's driver, so I had to call COX and get them to fix my cable connection. Also, I'm still not sure how to get a DVD decoder on here, which I need to figure out pretty quickly, since I'm still on my 4-at-a-time netflix plan from the break.

Ubuntu

2006-01-17T08:45:00.000-08:00

It was sitting in my Mailbox when I got back here, so I think I'm going to install it.

A little late

2006-01-09T11:16:00.000-08:00

2005 was a very good year in music. And since everyone has great year-end lists, you don't need another one from me. I'll continue my "tradition" from last year and give you the:

Most Anticipated of 2006:
Anti-flag -- I'm not punk, but for some reason I like them. I wonder what will happen now that they signed to a major label.

The Strokes -- I don't know if they can write a song that isn't catchy. Loved Is This Is? not so much Room on Fire.

Belle & Sebastian -- Again, I don't think they write too many bad songs.

Trespasser William -- Different Stars was really good, hopefully this will be too.

Death from Above 1979 -- Maybe the best CD of 2004, now they're coming out with 3 new ones. Will the sound be tired though? How much can you really do with a drum and bass.

Outkast -- Can they follow-up all the hits from their previous release? I thought The Love Below was the better CD, but after listening I was sad they never released another Big Boi single (Ghettomusick) after Prototype failed 'cause he had some GREAT songs.

The Flaming Lips -- I've never really gotten into them, but they're pretty good. Coming out with a CD and a movie that's been in the making for what 5 years? I'll at least give them a look.

Again, if I'm forgetting something you think deserves to be here, tell me.

Where's Global Warming When You Need It

2005-12-08T14:50:00.000-08:00

Another month

2005-12-01T11:01:00.000-08:00

My second month of Netflix:
Nowhere in Africa (3)
Beast Wars: Season 3 - 2 Discs (5)
Batman Begins (4)
The God Who Wasn't There (3)
Sliders: Season 1 and 2 - 2 of 6 Discs (5)
Akira (3)

I really want to see The Fountain. Watch the teaser trailer.

C'mon, everyone's doing it...

2005-11-17T10:32:00.000-08:00

You're Generally Indie. There's nothing wrong with
this. You like music all over the map and
aren't adversed to listening to some Top 40
here and there. You just know to comment that
The Neptunes are the best producers around
right now. You don't feel the need to debate
constantly with other music geeks, because you
know that Pavement were the best band of the
90s.

You Know Yer Indie. Let's Sub-Categorize.
brought to you by Quizilla

Hairshirt

Excuse us, could you just put down that hammer for a minute and listen. You’re so busy getting things done you rarely take any time out just to relax. In fact, you’ve probably forgotten how to relax. That’s because you’re so anxious to prove that it’s possible to lead a good and moral life without religion that you have built a strict and forbidding creed all of your own.

You keep a compost heap, cycle to the bottle bank, invest in ethical schemes only and the list of countries you won’t buy from is longer than the washing line for your baby’s towelling nappies. You admire uncompromising self–sacrificers like Aung San Suu Kyi and Che Guevara, and would have liked the chance to be incarcerated for your principles like Diderot or Nelson Mandela.

You would never cheat on your partner, drink and drive, accept bribes or touch drugs. You never waste money though you give lots to charity. Living a good life? You’re a model to us all. But it wouldn’t hurt you to try a little happiness once in a while. Loosen up.

What kind of humanist are you? Click here to find out.

Since I Was Like 10

2005-11-14T23:26:00.000-08:00

I'm probably too young to actually say this, but I miss The State.

Probably my favorite skit (or just the only one I truly remember):

Louie & the Last Supper
Jesus (Tom): I tell you this. You will not break bread again with me until it is in heaven.
Excuse me. Excuse me? Peter, John? I'm talking here. it's kind of important.
Peter (Kevin): Sorry. You were saying?
Jesus: I was saying... I tell you this. you will not break bread again with me--what are you whispering about?
John (Joe): Nothing, nothing.
Jesus: No, you were talking about something. I hate it when people do that. Could you just tell me what it is, please?
Peter: No, it was nothing. I was just telling John here that Louie's coming tonight.
Announcer: And now, Louie! The guy who comes in and says his catch phrase over and over again.
Jesus: Louie, Louie, the "Gonna dip my balls in it" one?
John: Yes, he's coming, he's coming.
Jesus: Oy vey! Who invited Louie?
Judas? Judas, why did you invite Louie?
Judas (Ben): What? I thought he would lighten the mood a little bit. He's funny! Dippin' the balls in it thing? it's a good bit!
Oh, now I'm the bad guy. I mean, everybody likes Louie, right?
Jesus: It's not that I don't like Louie. I love Louie. I love everybody, that's my thing, man. It's just- the balls-dipping thing, it's cheap, you know? It's not my sense of humor. Tonight I thought it'd be the thirteen of us...
Louie (Ken): Hey everybody!
All: LOUIE!
Louie: Who's got something for me?
David: I do!
Louie: What is it?
David: Babagaloush (?)
Louie: I wanna dip my balls in it!!
All: Yay!
Louie: Who's got a plate of something?
Mike B: I do!
Louie: What is it?
Mike B: Potato Colga.
Louie: I wanna dip my balls in it!!
All: Yay!! Louie! Louie! Louie!
Jesus: Peter- Peter, John, James, you don't wanna stay with me tonight?
Peter: Well, come with us. We're going over to Louie's. He's gonna dip his balls in some things!
Louie: I wanna dip my balls in it!!
John: Come on, Louie's waiting. Let's go!
James (Todd): We'll have supper next weekend.
Jesus: Real quick, seriously. I'm dying for the sins of the world, and of of you's gonna deny me, and one of you's gonna betray me!
Louie: I wanna dip my balls in it!
Mike S: We have the warrant for the arrest of Jesus of Nazareth. Are you Jesus of Nazareth?
Jesus: He just went that way, he's got a short-sleeved shirt and a tie, and he's yelling about his balls.

November Movies

2005-11-07T08:47:00.000-08:00

The November movies I want to see-- ripped straight from freewilliamsburg:

JARHEAD

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Remember the first Iraq war? It's about that.

WILL IT (WELCOME TO THE) SUCK?
From Director Sam Mendes, who is quickly becoming one of my favorites. After "American Beauty" and "Road to Perdition," the man is starting to establish himself as the king of the intimate epic. Not quite a modern day William Wyler, but it could happen. Screenwriter William Broyles Jr, on the other hand, had a hand in the "Planet of the Apes" remake. He also has "Apollo 13" and "Cast Away" to his credit which, while being strong films, don't seem quite on the level of what this is trying to achieve.

Regardless, the cast is stellar, including Jake Gyllenhaal, Jamie Foxx, Peter Sarsgaard, Chris Cooper, Sam Rockwell, and Dennis Haysbert.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Anticipation for this film is fairly high, and I think it will deliver. $76mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
This is practically designed for such a feat. And with distance from the election and record unease with the current war, nobody's gonna be afraid to rain down nods. Look for Foxx, Gyllenhaal, and maybe (keep your fingers crossed) Sarsgaard, to get some love, along with Mendes for Best Director and Broyles for Best Adapted. Best Picture? Let's see what happens with "Syriana."

THE MATADOR

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
"The Whole Nine Yards," indie-style.

WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is good, which is ironic considering the cheesy-as-hell trailer, which really does make it look like "Nine Yards Redux" with Pierce Brosnan in the Bruce Willis role and Greg Kinnear in the Matthew Perry role. Do you suppose those are the indie equivalents?

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
This is one of the more high-profile indies, but the marketing campaign could be a bust. You can't sell wacky comedy to the art house crowd unless it's, like, French or something.

This is one of the first trailers to bear the new Weinstein Bros. logo (although it also has the Miramax insigna) so it'll get a healthy marketing push, but if they try too hard to make it look suburban-friendly to draw a larger crowd, they'll just end up alienating their hard core following and disappointing their potential recruits. $30mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Way outside shot for Brosnan.

ZATHURA

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
"Jumanji" in space.

WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is actually pretty good. Like "Jumanji" (same author) the premise is a little cheesy but, like "Jumanji," not terrible and, handled well, could be pretty entertaining.

Here John Favreau ("Elf," "Made") is at the helm and seems capable of delivering the goods, especially with 50% shooter David Koepp ("Spider-man," "Lost World") writing with help from the guy who wrote the Power Rangers movie (which is a good or a bad thing, depending on your point of view).

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
There's a little movie called "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" that might drum up some kid business the following week (and a kid's film called "Chicken Little" the week before) but other than that, this should be fine. $61mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
This film eschews CG (for the most part) in favor of old school fx, so don't be surprised if it makes a run for that category.

HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Tri-wizard Tournament, Hormones, and Voldemort all make an appearance.

WILL IT SUCK?
Probably not. The big factor here is new director Mike Newell. Ever since Chris Columbus jumped ship, the franchise has been shuffling helmers. So far (with a sample size of one) this has worked. Alfonso Cuaron brought a real visual flair and cohesiveness to installment number three. However, Newell isn't known so much for his visual style as for his sometimes mediocre romantic comedies ("Pushing Tin"). But anyone who can make both "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Donnie Brasco" probably has the range to take this on.

On a much more positive note, Steve Kloves is back doing the adaptation again, which is more important than ever as (a) many fans consider this to be the best novel in the series and (b) it's as long as the Bible. On an even more positive note, Kloves has been tapped to adapt "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime."

Cool casting continues, with additions ranging from Brendan Gleeson to the lead singer of Pulp (and some Radiohead members) in a cameo as a band. Oh, and perhaps the most perfect casting in the series yet with Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
All of this movie's potential competition (with the exception of the ballsy "Walk the Line," which isn't really competition anyway) have evacuated this weekend. A lot of talk has been made of the box office slump. As of a month or so ago, Hollywood was about $250 million shy of having its second best year ever. Watch this film single-handedly make that happen. $251mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
The usual slew of music and visual effects nods.

WALK THE LINE

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Johnny Cash bio-pic.

WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is very good. Like, better-than-"Ray" good. I've always thought that Joaquin Phoenix, who plays Cash, was underrated, so this may be his moment to shine. And writer/director James Mangold had me since the underrated "Copland," and this might make up for "Kate and Leopold," as much as anything could.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
The only movie with the cajones (or perhaps the demographics) to open against "Potter." The following week, a smorgasbord of films could offer a challenge, but the anticipation for this one is actually pretty high. Johnny Cash fans, unite! $75mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Definitely Phoenix. Likely Reese Witherspoon, who plays June Carter. Maybe Mangold (more likely for Adapted Screenplay than Director, though).

The Last Month

2005-10-27T14:59:00.000-07:00

So much for that whole updating more thing. Anyway, my last month I've mostly been getting things in the mail. Today I finally got my first copy of Spin. Before that I got:
-- A free copy of The Qur'an, The Bible, and the Book of Mormon. (Now I just need a Zohar and maybe the Bhagavad Gita)
-- Awesome free swag from Chris. An Up Records T-Shirt and:
The Concretes - Boy, You Better Run Now
The Pastels - Illumination
Octant - Car Alarms and Crickets
Octant - shock-no-par
Quasi - Field Studies
Modest Mouse - Building Nothing Out of Something
Modest Mouse - The Lonesome Crowded West
Built to Spill - There's Nothing Wrong With Love
Duster - Contemporary Movement
Duster - 1975
764-Hero - We're Solids
764-Hero - Weekends of Sound
Jana McCall - Jana McCall

So, thanks for that. Lastly, I joined Netflix. The idea was spawned from wanting to rent DiG! and never seeing it anywhere, and I found out Beast Wars was on DVD. I have in this last month seen, in parentheses is my rating out of 5:
DiG! (5)
Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story (5)
Beast Wars: Season One - 4 Discs (4)
Less Than Zero (2)
Sin City (5)
Beast Wars: Season Two - 2 Discs (5)
Sideways (3)

I'll probably be watching movies from them for a long time. I seem to have added some 200 movies to my queue.

Well, that's it, hopefully it won't be another month...

Internship

2005-09-28T09:14:00.000-07:00

I want to intern at insound. I just need a way to live in New York now...

I joined Netflix, so this site will probably shift towards movies. I'm going to try to start updating more, even if it's just quick blurbs about something.

So, come back for more TV, Movie, and Music commentary.

Rita

2005-09-22T08:58:00.000-07:00

I've vaguely happy about Rita. It's going to suck this weekend 'cause it's raining so much, but had Andrew not been getting married, I would be going to ACL, and that would just have sucked worse.

But, I get to drive home tomorrow afternoon and do stuff for a wedding.

50$ someone says, "Did you bring the weather with you?" to Andy or Kathrine...

Helvetica v. Arial

2005-09-19T10:40:00.000-07:00

Can you tell the difference? Try your luck here.

Or, if you're really bored at work, defeat Arial in combat here.

The differences between the two are, of course, obvious.

Netflix

2005-09-13T13:18:00.000-07:00

How many of you use Netflix? I haven't used it for years, since Andy came home with real home-theater equipment for a summer. But, I have a list of almost 50 DVD's I'd like to rent, so I'm thinking about joining it again.

18$ for unlimited movies a month (3 out at a time.) At Blockbuster it's about 3 dollars a movie, so I'd have to get at least 6 movies a month. Is that unreasonable?

Moreover, would enough new movies come out that I won't have to get random movies to make the quota? Of course, getting whole seasons of a TV show are about 4 discs...

On an entirely different note--Open Office is cool. I don't know if Word did or not, but this has a German dictionary (among dozens more available languages) and thesaurus that are making Aufsatz exceptionally easy.

Yahoo

2005-09-10T12:47:00.000-07:00

My computer died. It wouldn't boot. I formatted it and reinstalled windows and I'm currently downloading the programs I need.

I lost 15gigs of music. Probably a bunch of other stuff I didn't real care about.

I would have put Linux or something on, but I didn't have it.

So, I'm going to use open-source stuff like Firefox--which I already did--and Open Office, and Gimp. Is there an open-source messenger I should use? I'm going to try Trillian.

I give up

2005-09-08T15:48:00.000-07:00

There's too much good music being released this year. I'm having like an overload.
From a 12-04 post: ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Aqueduct, Bloc Party, Bright Eyes, British Sea Power, Fischerspooner, Kaiser Chiefs, LCD Soundsystem, Low, Ida, M83, M.I.A., New Order, Stars.

And since then:
Nine Inch Nails, Imogene Heap, Death Cab For Cutie, The New Pornographers, The White Stripes, Xiu Xiu, The Decemberists, Annie, Maria Taylor, Orenda Fink, Sufjan Stevens

And I know there is more to come:
Franz Ferdinand, Ladytron, American Analog Set, Broken Social Scene, Super Furry Animals

I know I'm forgetting a lot, but that's the problem. This isn't all of them either, I'm leaving out things that weren't that spectacular like Hot Hot Heat.

Internet Outage

2005-09-03T02:20:00.000-07:00

I was going to write a review of DCfC's Plans, and maybe The New Pornographer's Twin Cinema on Wednesday, but My cable connection has been down for most that time. I'm home now, so, I'll probably have that up sometime this next week.

Even Stephen King can't hold my interest. I'll keep reading Dark Tower I, but it needs to get interesting fast or I'm going to have to find something else.

After using a Dvorak keyboard for almost 4 years now, my hands hurt really bad from typing this post on Qwerty.

Interesting Reading

2005-08-29T19:40:00.000-07:00

So I was reading Less Than Zero, because I've been wanting to for quite a while, and since it's quite short I figured I might as well before I start in on The Dark Tower (I can't find Chung Kuo.) Anyway, I came across this conversation:

"Clay?"
"Yeah, Blair."
"If I don't see you before Christmas," she stops. "Have a good one."
I look at her a moment. "Hey, you too."
She picks up the stuffed black cat and strokes its head.
I step out the door and start to close it.
"Clay?" she whispers loudly.
I stop but don't turn around. "Yeah?"
"Nothing."

That really caught my eye. I thought I'd read it before, so I flipped around the end of American Psycho and found this:

"Patrick?"
"Yes, Courtney?"
"If I don't see you before Thanksgiving..." She stops, confused. "Have a nice one?"
I look at her a moment before replying, tonelessly, "You too."
She picks up the stuffed black cat, strokes its head. I step out the door into the hallway, heading down it toward the kitchen.
"Patrick?" she calls softly from her bedroom.
I stop but don't turn around. "Yes?"
"Nothing."

Ich bin faul.

2005-08-27T18:33:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I got lazy. I downloaded PHP-Nuke but didn't want to go through the trouble of installing it and everything, so I just changed these colors around.

I'm wanting to read but I'm just not getting into things. So I decided I'm going to read series. I plan on reading, if I can find them, Chung Kuo by David Wingrove first. After I finish those eight--I think--books, I'm going to read the seven Dark Tower books from Steven King. After that I'm going to finish the Foundation Series from Asimov. If by this time the new Harry Potter book isn't out I'm going to read...well I don't know.

Also, I want to take at least the Intro class for either Japanese or Mandarin, which I'm leaning toward, but can't really decide.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

2005-08-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

I don't update that often. Mostly I don't feel I have anything worthwhile to update. So I'm going to close this blogger and try to incorporate it into my actual website, whether it'll be on the OU site I don't know. So, I'll probably be working on designing it over this weekend and hopefully I'll have it up quickly. Check back for either the new address or to see that I'm too lazy to actually make a site.

Finished

2005-08-09T13:37:00.000-07:00

So, I finally finished the Half-Blood Prince the other night. I'd say that's pretty good--reading 6 books in about a month--especially since it used to take me weeks to read a 200 page book, now I can read an 800+ book in a weekend.

I really don't know what I'm going to do. I was so bored after finishing Goblet of Fire that I had to go buy Order of the Phoenix. So, any suggestions on what to read now?

I don't have any new thoughts to add about the ending really. There is definitely more to it than we're being told. There are arguments for both being evil and being good. Yeah, he instructed Harry afterward. But, he is a master of Occlumency, and you have to really mean Avada Kedavra for it to work. I wouldn't be surprised if he's not dead, but I'd rather he not come back. Also, how we found out who the Half-Blood Prince is was kind of random. He just blurted it out for no reason. As for other thoughts I was thinking how it ALL will end. Would you hate Rowling if she killed Harry at the end? If I were her, I would kill him. I think Voldemort will do something to Hermoine, Ron, and/or Ginny, and Harry will die saving them and killing the Dark Lord.

Walking toward my apartment

2005-07-28T14:45:00.000-07:00

I came to a realization. I figured out why I could write for media so well. All through my English composition classes, since a junior in high school, my teachers have said I give great support, but don't use my own words and give my own opinions.

That is why I can write for media. As a journalist we are expected to be a video camera, only recording what happened and showing it back, nothing else. I do this well, I can tell you what other people say about a topic leaving my views completely out of it.

Speaking of writing for media, recently we were writing for the web. I did not like the style they taught us. They tried to get us to write somewhere between broadcasting and print. I think this is because people still don't understand the web, this is why advertising as yet to do well on the Internet.

Reading something online is like reading a newspaper. The only difference between it and a newspaper is that it is interactive and immediate. Not a large enough population have high-speed connections to put up massive amounts of video, sound, and image files. Even in the dorms, I would shy away from watching them--If I did, I would watch the 56k version so it would load quickly.

Maybe it's my machine, but the internet is not quick enough to be treated like broadcasting. It is a newspaper.

Hi, my name is Thomas...

2005-07-25T15:40:00.000-07:00

and I like Saddle Creek Records.
I'm going to have to pick up Orenda Fink's solo album in August. Listen to "Bloodline"

So yeah, I like Azure Ray; Bright Eyes; Maria Taylor; Orenda Fink; The Faint; Broken Spindles; The Good Life; Son, Ambulance; Now It's Overhead.

[Saddle Creek]

Charlie, Willy, and Harry

2005-07-19T09:28:00.000-07:00

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (IMDB, WEB) came out on top this weekend, grossing over $55 million. But, even combined with the No. 2 movie, Wedding Crashers (IMDB, WEB), made less than the estimated $100 million of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (AMAZON).
I heard recently that $55 million is still low and movie executives are worried about slumming ticked sales. It has been suggested that movies be simultaneously released in theaters, on DVD, and on pay-per-view. How does this help declining theaters? The only reason I don't go more often is ticket prices. If it came out on DVD the same day, the only reason I would have to is a larger screen (since the nearest DTS screens are 2-4 hours away.) I think ticket prices should just be lowered and not as much crap produced.
Charlie was even more than I hoped it would be. After watching it, I wondered why I was ever a fan of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (IMDB). The only hiccup the movie makes is the addition of Wonka's backstory with a dentist father played by a menacing Christopher Lee, who still looks like Count Dooku, and the ending reconciliation of them.
The movie followed the book marvelously. Gone was the sub-plot of stealing for Slugworth. Gone was Charlie breaking a rule by drinking fizzy, lifting drink. Gone was the contract forfeiting the prizes. Gone were the giant, golden egg-laying geese, replaced by the REAL nut sorting squirrels. Back were the Oompa Loompa lyrics Roald Dahl had written, over Danny Elfman's excellent score.
Much credit should be delivered to Tim Burton, who imagined this story perfectly. The condition of Charlie's house, you can almost feel it falling down. The candy, Viking boat and following boat ride were amazing. And of course, the chocolate room, even better than in the '71 version. And yes, Depp, in my opinion, plays a much better Willy Wonka than Gene Wilder.
I, for one, am glad they made this version of the movie. I am also sad though, since they didn't leave it open to make Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator (even if it had even less of a plot.)

As for Harry Potter ... I bet it was a suicide. Why would a man not scared of death be described as "begging?"

No, Harry, No!

2005-07-14T16:34:00.000-07:00

Inspired from an article in today's Wall Street Journal (not free):
So, the new Harry Potter book comes out at 12:01 am Saturday (tomorrow night.) I don't really care about it that much, except it's going to affect something I do care about. "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." (IMDB) I've been waiting for oh-so-many months, since I first heard about it. If previous years are any indication the people the movie is aimed at will be waiting at bookstores to get a copy. Then, instead of seeing the movie on the weekend, will finish "The Half-Blood Prince" (AMAZON), as fast as possible. This will kill CatCF's opening weekend gross, which seems to be all-important for the movie industry. So, I hate you all. Go see the movie, then swing by the bookstore. They printed over 10 million copies, I'm sure there will be one left for you.

Been awhile

2005-07-12T16:20:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else find it a little odd that three first-years could get pass all the obstacles intended to stop (I am presuming they knew who was after it) Voldemort? (Yeah, I'm well into PoA now, but that's been bugging me)

I was just going to post that but I saw this:
Untitled Transformers Film
Now, yes, they are before my time, but I still love Transformers. I fell in love with it through Beast Wars, which I watched religiously. (The three seasons are out on DVD if anyone wants to buy me a late birthday present, or look ahead to Christmas.) And I have Transformers: The Movie, which I still watch even though it's depressing. (How could they kill him, and so quick into the movie too?)
Anyway, I'm worried because it's Michael Bay. He doesn't have a very good record. The only film I like by him is The Rock. So, I hope he doesn't ruin it.

Lastly, I wrote a feature article on Andy and was thinking about posting it here, except it's over three pages. I'll work something out.

Advertising

2005-06-23T21:27:00.000-07:00

I hate it when I'm watching an ad about "real" people, and I recognize them as actors.
There was a Snapple commercial and they had this old man. I remembered him from an episode of the X-files (the one where he came back in time and tried to stop people from learning cryogenics.)
This happens quite a bit. Probably means I just watch too much television.

Summer continues

2005-06-14T14:38:00.000-07:00

Journalistic writing goes against almost everything I've been taught. One sentence paragraphs? Short, simple sentences? Mr. Core yelled at the us for these things, then made us write 86-word sentences. Now, I'm expected to do it.

I got yelled at for buying things I don't "need." So, I went to the library. I checked out "Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs," "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay," and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." That's an awesome combination.

My birthday's coming up. For the cheap ones among you, books do make pretty good gifts. I "need" to get "How to Make Love the Bruce Campbell Way" and "The Rock Snob's Dictionary," but Nick Hornby's new one, "A Long Way Down," "About a Boy," or Chuck Palahniuk's newest book, "Haunted," would be pretty cool too. Something along those lines. Or maybe something by Alton Brown.

First day.

2005-06-06T14:17:00.000-07:00

It was my first day of classes. I don't think it will be too bad, other than the fact it starts at 8 a.m. Writing for Mass Media and German I-- yeah, I went to German, for an easy 'A' and the scheduling worked better than Russian. Writing is going to be hard and a lot of work, but I can do it.

I'm supposed to list my six current favorite songs. I'm bad at "favorites" so I'm just going to list six songs I feel like listening too (and I haven't really listened to any music since my finals, so I'm a bit ashamed)
1) New Order - Hey Joe
2) Frou Frou - Let Go
3) Eisley - Marvelous Things
4) Coldplay - Speed of Sound
5) Belle and Sebastian - The Stars of Track and Field
6) The Divine Comedy - Come Home Billy Bird

Is it okay to like Coldplay? I'm still confused about that. I like all of their albums--well I haven't listened to X&Y yet, but I have it. That's about it I guess, I am so tired and I probably have homework...

Productive Weekend

2005-05-31T08:38:00.000-07:00

I didn't do anything this last weekend, except some how move to a 42 hour day...

I did however listen to Imogen Heap "Hide And Seek," well probably close to 20 times. I really don't know what it is about this song, but I'm absolutely in love. Thank you The O.C. for playing it on your season finale. I hope her new album is as good as this song. I would buy it instantly if they're all half this good. I haven't listened to her first album, but I listened to Frou Frou Details and it was pretty good too.

I won a free Blockbuster rental from Sprite a long time ago, so I thought I'd finally use it. I wanted to rent Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi and watch them straight through, seeing if I liked the new changes (I don't really like Hayden standing at the end. First, he has a really evil look on his face. Second, yeah Anikan "died" in ROTS, but still, didn't he redeem himself in ROTJ and come back to the light side, isn't that how's it's been for 30 years?). But they were all checked out. So I walked around a really long time and find myself in the foreign films. I'd been recommended Goodbye, Lenin by a lot of websites, so I figured, "what the hell?" But, I wasn't satisfied, I craved Star Wars, so I also picked up Shattered Glass.

Shattered Glass was surprisingly good. Hayden Christensen is a surprisingly good actor (I didn't really fancy him in Life As a House for some reason). Whether you know the story or not (I didn't) it's a lot of fun to watch. I actually watched it twice straight through, the second time with the commentary from the director and the editor of The New Republic at the time.

Goodbye, Lenin, I must just not have "got." It wasn't a bad movie, I just didn't click with it. Maybe I didn't look deeply enough to notice the "family" and what Alex was doing for his mother. It made me want to learn German again though. I would recommend both to anyone, though.

Senseless Rambling

2005-05-26T13:10:00.000-07:00

I had to keep a journal for a class this semester and I wrote this a couple months ago.

I'm going to predict, we are all fucked. The future will be this: China, rapidly industrializing needs oil. With the largest standing army, they will conquer Asia (the Middle East) and secure its oil supply. The United States dependent on this oil (and delusional about the problem) may make a stand, but will no doubt lose. Either way, the US will go bankrupt. Our supply of energy will slowly fade away. Our cities will become isolated from each other as airports become unreasonable to sustain, highways deteriorate, and no one thought about maintaining a railway system. The Southwest will fair poorly (imagine living there with no water or air conditioning.) The Southeast will do just as bad. The disillusioned middle-class will come into conflict with the still delusional religious following. And since everyone there owns at least one gun, imagine what will happen. The plains will also do poorly with water shortages, poor farming potential, and vast distances. The Pacific Northwest, New England, and Northern Midwest may fair okay (okay meaning they have a chance) but things will have to radically change. The cities will get smaller, more communal, and have to have faith that there is hope, a reason to continue. I don't know what will happen in the rest of the world, but in this scenario, living in the US, I wouldn't care, I wouldn't even care what's happening around the rest of the country. The scary part is, this is not a work of fiction, it will happen and soon (although the beginning may be different, the end is unavoidable.) There isn't a real way of stopping it. Hydrogen power is a hoax, we get it from natural gas (which will run out) or electrolysis which takes more energy to produce the gas than we get back. All the renewable energies aren't viable, wind, solar, to create the infrastructure for these would be too great a cost. Nuclear is a slight hope. We can't build enough quickly enough, people are scared of nuclear power, and it too is finite. We're no closer to fusion than we were 30 years ago. It's only a matter of time. We'll regress from this epitome of modernization to a quasi-feudal society (working on someone's land in trade for protection.) So, we are all fucked.

I'm supposed to post more

2005-05-21T15:09:00.000-07:00

I have seen and done so much Star Wars stuff this past week, it's amazing. But here's one more. The Tulsa World put a Star Wars quiz into their Thursday Scene section. I did it without the multiple choice answers except on the last three.

Youngling (2 points)
1. What is the name of Han Solo's ship?
2. Who is Luke and Leia's mother?
3. Who are the masters of the Dark Side who want to rule the galaxy?
4. How many members are there in the Jedi Council?
5. What weapon is used by the Jedi Knights?
Padawan (5 points)
6. What were the last words spoken in "The Empire Strikes Back?"
7. In how many films does C-3PO lose at least one body part?
8. Padme Amidala is the senator from what peaceful planet?
9. What magazine declared Star Wars "the year's best movie" in it's May 30, 1977, issue?
10. In which "Star Wars" movie did Yoda not appear?
Master (10 points)
11. What is the home planet of the wookies?
12. Complete this line from A New Hope: " The ______ are not to be traveled lightly"
13. What is the species of diminutive workers on Cloud City who helped freeze Han Solo in carbonite?
14. What type of battle armor does Boba Fett wear?
15. Lando Calrissian's operation on Cloud City mines what type of gas?

>10: This is "Star Wars," not "Star Trek"
11-25: This is why you fail.
26-40: You have much to learn, my young Padawan.
41-60: The Force is strong with this one.
61-85: Be careful, you may be a Sith Lord

I don't really like that scale, but whatever. I'm not putting the choices up cause all of them you either know it right away after reading, or can narrow it down to two, so it's too easy. Obviously, I got the one in red wrong.

1. Millennium Falcon
2. Padme Amidala
3. The Sith
4. 12
5. Light sabre
6. "May the Force be with you"
7. Three
8. Naboo
9. Time
10. "A New Hope"
11. Kashyyyk
12. Jundland Wastes
13. Ugnaughts
14. Mandalorian
15. Tibanna

Ian Curtis

2005-05-18T15:11:00.000-07:00

Do people celebrate a "deathday?" 25 years ago today, Ian Curtis hanged himself. I wonder, had he not, what would have happened to Joy Division? People say, since he died it made them more popular. But, one could also argue, it kept them from taking over the world. Maybe Closer would have been their last good album, maybe they would have had many even better records. Maybe they would have turned out to be another U2. I don't know. New Order would never have come into existence without his death. Since we can't change the past, we only know that Joy Division was a great band and from it's ashes spawned New Order, which, 25 years later, still rocks.

I'm finally in the modern world-- I have a mobile.

ACL

2005-05-14T17:32:00.000-07:00

I'm "home" again, for two and a half weeks.

Thinking about going to Austin City Limits Music Festival. It's 95$ for the three days, September 23-25.

Coldplay - Widespread Panic - Oasis - The Black Crowes - The Allman Brothers - Wilco - Lyle Lovett - Lucinda Williams - John Prine - The Arcade Fire - Robert Randolph & the Family Band - Jimmy Cliff - Buddy Guy - Jet - Dierks Bentley - Death Cab For Cutie - Bob Mould - Built To Spill - Bloc Party - Steve Earle and the Dukes - Franz Ferdinand - Gov't Mule - Sleater-Kinney - Kasabian - Zap Mama - Robert Earl Keen - Keane - Tortoise - Doves - The Black Keys - Mike Gordon and Leo Kottke - The Walkmen - Jason Mraz - Rilo Kiley - Spoon - Secret Machines - The Decemberists - The Bravery - Eisley - Blue October - Grupo Fantasma - Kermit Ruffins - The Dirty Dozen Brass Band - Bettye Lavette - Rev. Dan Willis & the All Nations Choir - Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca - Ruthie Foster - deSoL - The Frames - Mates of State - Mindy Smith - Martin Sexton - The Fiery Furnaces - Federico Aubele - Mouse On Mars - The Futureheads - Kathleen Edwards - Asleep at the Wheel - M83 - Tegan and Sara - Mike Doughty - Split Lip Rayfield - Rachael Yamagata - Bobby Bare Jr. - Mofro - Ditty Bops - The New Amsterdams - Ambulance Ltd. - Slightly Stoopid - Dios Malos - Brave Combo - Aqualung - Dave Alvin - Marc Broussard - Bruce Robison - Missy Higgins - Nine Black Alps - Kevin Fowler - Grady - Willy Mason - The Weary Boys - Wayne Hancock - Rick Trevino - Zykos - Soundteam - The Asylum Street Spankers - Pong - Oliver Future - The Real Heroes - Bukka Allen - Hairy Apes - The Lost Trailers - The Gospel Stars - Donna the Buffalo - The Shields Of Faith - Star Kid's Yoga - The Jones Family Singers - South Austin Jug Band - The Lighthouse Singers - Casey McPherson - Kacy Crowley - Tristen Prettyman - The Massacoustics - Joe McDermott - Sara Hickman - The Imagination Movers - Free Sol - Inara George - KJAE - Austin Hartley-Leonard - Maneja Beto - Austin Collins Band - The Biscuit Brothers - Naturally 7 - Patrick Davis Band - November - Kelly Hunt - Thievery Corporation - Kate York

Well, that kind of sucks

2005-05-11T13:36:00.000-07:00

But, I only have me to blame. I missed getting a B by 1.3%. Evidently, she decided to round 8.5 up to the next letter. I did better than any previous test, though. Like I said though, I just want a 3.57 and I'll be happy.

I'm going to go call this guy. He wants to start a band. From memory, the list of influences on the flyer were: Interpol, The Arcade Fire, The Faint, that's all I can remember, but you get the idea. So, hopefully I can make it work. When I started playing the bass, I wasn't into music yet, so I played Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Strokes, and Coldplay. A few weeks after that I joined Jazz Band. So, I have pretty diverse direct influences. But, the riffs I come up with are either pretty melodic (probably from wanting to be Victor Wooten or Jaco Pastorious) or "dancy" (think LCD Soundsystem slash Death From Above 1979). Maybe I'll be the next Peter Hook.

Mother F...

2005-05-10T23:31:00.000-07:00

So, due to low enrollment, a class I was taking over the summer got cancelled. Now, I get to wait till Spring 06 to take it. The fun part is it's a foreign language, so I'll forget everything by then.

On a more positive note. JD wore my shirt on Scrubs tonight. It was awesome.

currently playing: The Arcade Fire's Funeral

Sigh

2005-05-09T12:08:00.000-07:00

Well, if you haven't heard by now-- it's been floating around a while and I hoped it wasn't true-- Low canceled their May/June tours and may cancel more. Seems Sparhawk is a little mentally instable. Who isn't anymore?

I should be studying for macro. I'm going to fail that class. It will be fun. I shouldn't have slept through class so much. But, when I say fail, I mean a C. Of course, I've never gotten a C in any class before, so ya know. It's okay though. I gave up trying to get a B in there and will just get A's in every other class. That way, I'll still get like a 3.57.

Crap.

2005-05-05T18:04:00.000-07:00

If I were a hypochondriac, I'd have diabetes-- oh crap.
Increased thirst
Increased hunger (especially after eating)
Dry mouth
Nausea and occasionally vomiting
Frequent urination
Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
Blurred vision
Numbness or tingling of the hands or feet

Awesome, two hours of The O.C. How lame am I?

Family Guy follow-up

2005-05-05T11:43:00.000-07:00

Just a follow-up. This is the list of shows that Peter listed off. I bolded the ones I watched and actually liked. A * means I just watched it.
Peter:Fox has to make room for fantastic shows like:

Dark Angel
Titus*
Undeclared
Action
That 80's Show*
Wonderfalls
Fastlane
Andy Richter Controls The Universe*
Skin
Girls Club
Cracking Up
The Pits
Firefly
Get Real
Freaky Links
Wanda At Large
Costello
The Lone Gunmen*
A Minute With Stan Hooper
Normal Ohio
Pasadena
Harsh Realm
Keen Eddy
The Street
American Embassy
Cedric The Entertainer
The Tick
Louis
and Greg The Bunny*.
Lois: Is there really no hope?
Peter: Well I supposed if all those shows go down the tubes we might have a shot.

some of them I haven't even heard of...But Undeclared, why? It would probably be even that much better now that I'm that age. The Tick ruled though. Not as much as the cartoon, but nothing could ever top that. And, what's his name--Puddy on Seinfeld, Joe on Family Guy...Patrick Warburton (?), was a great choice.

Argh

2005-05-03T19:05:00.000-07:00

Why was Scrubs not on tonight? That's like one of the best shows on primetime--I don't care about any of the Law & Orders, frankly that "doom-doom" is really annoying.

I feel like I had something important to say, but it's not coming to me anymore. Um, vanilla Silk is really good. I don't know why people drink milk, this tastes better-- over cereal at least. (I've tried Corn Pops, Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Cheerios, and Lucky Charms.) I haven't actually drank the stuff, but I don't actually drink milk, except for chocolate, and Silk is way too weak for me, I'm used to Nesquik, which is like melted ice cream.

I could complain about my schedule, because it looks like it's going to get jacked. But, I'm not in the mood. So, I think I'm going to go to Burger King, hopefully for one of the last times in years...

currently playing: Elefant's Sunlight Makes Me Paranoid

OW...

2005-05-02T15:15:00.000-07:00

My knees hurt. I've been on the floor cutting mats, and I still have a lot left to do.

How can Family Guy be so great and American Dad suck so bad? They're basically the same show. Anyway, I loved the return of Family Guy. They had me laughing harder in the first 30 seconds than I have in years probably. It was sad though, because a lot of the shows he named I really liked: Undeclared, Fastlane, well, that's all I can remember.

My mission is to see DiG! and Fearless Freaks as soon as possible. Among some other movies like Palindromes, House of D, um, I'm sure there are more, but I'm tired from a really weird American Psycho inspired dream...

Lastly, is it (Smog) or Smog? I've seen it both ways.

The Guide

2005-05-01T17:09:00.000-07:00

I saw The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy last night, going in with mixed emotions, having heard it wasn't that great. But, it was. I thought it was hilarious. Yeah, there were bad things about it, but overall, it was better than I expected and a great way to move the series into yet another medium. They left it open enough for a sequel, ending it pretty much the same as the first book--"Hungry? I know a great restaurant at the end of the universe." The only real complaint I had is they never really finished the new Humma Kavula story. Anyway, I'm going to go watch "Animation Domination" on FOX--finally the return of Family Guy.

note to self +

2005-04-27T16:45:00.000-07:00

Tonight:
On The Late Show with David Letterman--LCD Soundsystem
On Jimmy Kimmel LIVE--New Order (Do they have an official website?)

If you've actually read American Psycho, can you please explain to me why, during the chase scene, it abruptly switched to third person? It was only for a few pages and the only time the entire book (that I noticed). Was it just to have a sense of detachment, or what?

Also, does anyone have any tips or something on reading Trainspotting. I am having a hard time following the thick accent. "Aw, ah sais. Ah wanted the radge tae jist fuck off ootay ma visage, tae go oan his ain, n jist leave us wi Jean-Claude"--it gets tiring after a few paragraphs.

When I...

2005-04-26T10:06:00.000-07:00

When I get a cell phone, I want my ring tone to be Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence. The irony will be delicious.

Mix tape

2005-04-22T11:54:00.000-07:00

I was kinda sick yesterday, so instead of studying for an econ test I had this morning, which by the way is not fun when your calculator dies halfway through, I made a mix tape, since unless something radical happens I'm going to be on the Wire next semester. I think the beginning is a little weak, but I'd say it ends very well. Considering I didn't have an overall theme, it was just me throwing together some favorite songs and bands, I think it turned out pretty well.

Echo & The Bunnymen - The Killing Moon
The Black Heart Procession - It's a Crime I Never Told You About the Diamonds in Your Eyes
Mercir - You Won't Walk Alone
Joy Division - Disorder
Boards of Canada - kaini industries
Air - Venus
Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight
Simon & Garfunkel - The Sound of Silence
Elliott Smith - Say Yes
Phantom Planet - Lonely Day
Old 97s - Nineteen
Low - (Untitled)
Clint Mansell - 2 Pi R
Death From Above 1979 - Romantic Rights
Add N To (X) - Metal Fingers In My Body
M83 - *
Bloc Party - Helicopter
Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict A Riot
Daft Punk - Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
Fischerspooner - Never Win
New Order - True Faith
Figurine - Way Too Good

Why? Because I can...

2005-04-20T14:39:00.000-07:00

This site doesn't need to fit into a niche. I'm going to post about whatever I want, whenever I want.
I read the The Oklahoma Daily pretty much every day while I'm eating lunch, mostly just for the opinion page, and there have been some stories that have been discussed about quite frequently recently. The first is that there was a study released recently that found college professors tend to be more liberal. The paper tried to dismiss the study as unscientific, but letters to the editor have been pretty good. Most of them are saying that it's a bad thing, because college is a time to expose you to other points of view. I would tend to agree, but what I don't get is why everyone is so shocked by these findings. I think it's just in the nature of liberals to have more of a desire to be professors. Take a poll of CEOs or of the armed services. They are going to lean to the right. Just like I bet most artists (fine art, musicians, actors) are going to lean to the left. It's just the nature of the professions. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing though.
The other topic, that really doesn't ever seem to leave the paper, is gay marriage. So many arguments are brought up for this it's amazing. I love the ones that are just completely untrue or irrelevant. Like marriage is religious because it was created in the bible, and our Christian Founders wrote the bible into the constitution. First getting past the fact that most of the Framers weren't Christian, some people actually think that marriage didn't exist until the bible? What about places outside of the bible that had marriage. (I think marriage was just created so ugly, weak men could have sex too-- really, think about it.) But, no one has ever given me a reason to not see this as a rights issue. They seem to just want the rights that the government bestows upon married people. You're church doesn't have to recognize their marriage, but the government should. It really makes no difference whether I approve of their actions or not, there is no reason to not give them the rights of marriage.

Randomness

2005-04-20T09:51:00.000-07:00

So, the Pope is a Nazi. That's fun. Okay, so he's not really a Nazi. But, he was in the Hitler Youth. Yeah, it was compulsory, but so is the draft and people get out of that. Wasn't John Paul II like serving communion to people while they were bombing Poland? I really don't care either way. I give him a decade at most, then we'll see Peter II and the "end of days."
The Moog Cookbook is awesome. I feel like I'm playing (depending on the song) Mega Man, Castle Vania, or Star Control 2 (I don't remember which, but one really reminds me of The Orz-- and in reality they probably sound nothing alike), but the soundtrack is filled with popular rock songs. If you haven't heard of them, check out Ye Olde Space Band: Plays Classic Rock Hits, it's slightly better than the eponymous record.
It's been out for a while, but I wanted to use it before I tell people about it (even though I'm sure they already know about it.) I don't really use any of the Gawker sites, but the new one Sploid, I find myself going to pretty often. It's basically the Drudge Report (which I hate), but by people who actually know HTML.
Cheaters is awesomely trashy, I love it. The episodes with Joey Greco are far better. The episodes I've seen with Tommy Grand, seem more real, and therefore less entertaining. My favorite episode has to be the one where Joey was stabbed. It was great.
Lastly, Death Cab for Cutie are going to be on The O.C. Thursday. Yes, I watch the O.C. and I don't care what you think. I'm going to have a post, maybe in a few days, about selling out and what-not, so look for that.

Please explain to me...

2005-04-17T14:13:00.000-07:00

I was just sitting here thinking, procrastinating starting my next photo assignment, and I'm confused.
Why is the record industry so pissed off at filesharing, so pissed off that they're suing normal families for absurd amounts of money? I don't understand it because, when the radio started playing music, they freaked out. Why would someone buy music if they could hear it on the radio for free? Well, obviously that didn't kill the music industry. They learned to use it to their advantage. When cassettes became popular they started the whole "Home Taping is Killing the Music Industry - and It's Illegal" campaign. But, again, making mixtapes and copies for friends didn't kill it. So why is filesharing? Can they really not figure out a way to use it for their advantage? Also, I keep hearing this argument that record sales are down. I really don't believe that. Hey, RIAA, ever stop and think maybe record sales are up, people just don't want to listen to the crap you put out, and are buying independent music (because they could find it online)? I don't know, maybe I'm missing something about the whole thing...

Too many updates, but WOW!

2005-04-15T18:07:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I didn't know if I want to go to the Bright Eyes/The Faint show in Tulsa because it's on the first day of summer classes. But, guess who I found out is going to playing Norman June 16: Low. I am SO there.

http://www.starlightmints.com/opolis/

I'm kinda mad...

2005-04-14T22:58:00.000-07:00

I got an email today from insound saying:
"Your Annex order had the following items removed:
M83 - Before the Dawn Heals Us (2xLP)
This item(s) was most likely removed from your order because our distributors have alerted us that the item(s) are now either OUT OF PRINT or they were unable to obtain them for us in a reasonable amount of time. We're sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused."

Well, thanks, because of this my coupon went to 10% instead of 15%. So now I'm paying more per record than before. I had it worked out and this was the lowest price per record, about 7.15, now it's around 8.30. And watch, in a few days I'll probably get another email saying Elliot Smith - Either/Or is also out of print. (My tracking info has it on "backorder" still, Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights, and Bloc Party - Silent Alarm have been shipped). Maybe I should email them and see if I can exchange it for M83s other album, or even something else.

EDIT--
Fuck it, I'll just got to Guestroom tomorrow and probably buy something on a whim. Maybe they'll have something by New Order or Joy Division
--EDIT

NEXT DAY EDIT--
I emailed them and they're sending "Dead Cities..." instead. I like "Before the Dawn..." a bit more (it seems a more consistent, as-a-whole better), but as Kathrine said, they're both good.
--EDIT

Due to amazing reader response...

2005-04-12T20:32:00.000-07:00

Here is an awesome picture of the photograph that's hanging in the museum (taken with my I-don't-even-know-how old Logitech ClickSmart 510)

And to celebrate New Order's new album Waiting for the Sirens' Call, I decided to list the bands in the running for best albums of the year (even though there's still 9 months left):
...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
Aqueduct
Bloc Party
Bright Eyes
British Sea Power
Fischerspooner
Kaiser Chiefs
LCD Soundsystem
Low
Ida
M83
M.I.A.
New Order
Stars

I think that's it, but I know there are still more that have been released, that I haven't heard, and are probably pretty good, like Out Hud and The Decemberists. Please suggest any if I've forgotten, in other words comment=good.

Strange Sight

2005-04-11T06:36:00.000-07:00

So, I had a pretty odd feeling the other day. I don't know how to describe it. I went to the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and walked downstairs. There on the wall, I saw a photograph hanging amidst all these great pieces. It was mine.

What to buy?

2005-04-07T02:23:00.000-07:00

Since I bought Fischerspooner, I get a discount on more orders until April 12th, how can I not resist? The problem is what to actually buy. I've narrowed it down to any combination of:
Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights
Sufjan Stevens - Michigan
Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans
Red Stars Theory - Life in a Bubble Can Be Beautiful
Elliot Smith - Either/Or

I really like Bloc Party, and even though it's a 3xLP it's still pretty pricey at 18$ (but I guess that's actually cheaper if you think about it: 6$ per LP), the others are around 11$...any suggestions? Or even other LPs I should buy before these?

So, what came out?

2005-04-05T13:07:00.000-07:00

I'm sure a lot of stuff came out today, like Lisa Marie Presley, but I don't really care about most of it. What I do like is:
Fischerspooner - Odyssey. I think it's just an amazing album. Yeah, the first album's music kinda sucked, but it was still fun. On this, however, they prove that they can actually make music. They've ditched electroclash and just make great, what I would call, synth pop songs.
Hot Hot Heat - Elevator. I never thought they could make a better album than Make Up the Breakdown, and they didn't. It's almost the sophomore slump, except it's their third try...
British Sea Power - Open Season. I haven't listed to much, but it's fun. I've found my way to music of yesteryear (Joy Division, Echo, etc.) and British Sea Power tries to bring it back (well I might add.)
P:ano - Brigadoon. I would like to say something about this, but I can't. Haven't heard it. Haven't heard their other disc The Den. But I want to. It looks like it would be really good. But I can't find it, and I don't really want to buy it without listening to it first.

So, enough of new releases, I've found some awesome stuff lately:
Mercir - I don't even know how to describe it, it's very lush, synthy, trip-hop, maybe, something like that. I only have the 3 tracks they offer on their site. I'm probably going to order it one of these days, don't know if I want to from them or iTunes though.
Death From Above 1979 - the more I listen to them, the more I like them. I first heard them on Conan O'Brien and thought it was alright, but knew it had got a lot of good reviews last year, so I checked it out. It's a short CD, but it works to their advantage, because it can almost run together as one long track.
United State of Electronica - I'm still looking for this, hah, if I had money I would just buy it, but I don't so it will stay 64% downloaded on eMule for who knows how many more months...
Home Video - been looking for this for months too. I would buy it, but I don't really fancy buying EPs. I've listened to "In a Submarine" I don't know how many times though.

Wow, this was a long post. I guess I'm going to go, maybe sell some plasma, so I can buy all this music. Or more likely, I'm going to sit here until Scrubs comes on.

forgetful

2005-03-29T16:18:00.000-08:00

I was going to post something, but I don't really remember what. It had something to do with me being a kid and riding in my brother's jeep, with him and his girlfriend, listening to music, probably industrial or closely related, where as far as I can recall the only lyric was "fuck." So, yeah, thanks for probably corrupting me...
Anyway, since I don't remember why I thought of that, and I don't really know what came out today, and I'm too lazy to look, I'm just rambling....
Last week a two-disc Yo La Tengo compilation came out. I'm going to check it out. I've listened to a few various songs by them, and they were all right. Hopefully with this, I can see if I actually like them or not. Speaking of compilations, I've been listening to Human Amusement at Hourly Rates: The Best of Guided By Voices. It's pretty cool. Unlike Prisoners of Love, it's a single disc. I'm not sure if I would ever by their CDs, but I think the compilation would be worth it.
I guess that's about it. Next Tuesday is going to be crazy, many good LPs coming out. Woe is me for being poor.

The ultimate in media convergence

2005-03-24T09:08:00.000-08:00

You know what I want? With, the PSP coming out, it's made me think. I want a device that is basically the same shape. But, I want to be able to stick a DVD in it, or a CD. I think it should have a small hard drive so I could load several thousand mp3s onto it. I think you should be able to "write" directly onto the screen, like a tablet pc. And it should be wireless. Hell, it could even be a cell phone. I would totally buy that. I would always have it with me, to watch a movie, listen to music, play a game, take a note, read a book, browse the few sites I go to everyday, check my gmail. The only thing cooler would be those little pads they had in Star Trek: TNG (but I never saw them watching video on one.) So, yeah, someone should invent that.

out today

2005-03-22T13:01:00.000-08:00

So, Bloc Party's Silent Alarm came out today. I don't care if it couldn't sound more like the Cure. I don't really like the Cure. Disintegration is about all I ever listen to, and rarely that.
Also out is Louis XIV with The Best Little Secrets Are Kept. I've heard a lot of hype for them, but what I've heard, I haven't been to fond of. Worth listening to though, I guess.
Queens of the Stone Age also has a new album out today called Lullabies to Paralyze. Again, I think they're okay, but not really my bag. I enjoyed the singles off Songs for the Deaf, but not really the album. Again with this, "Little Sister" is okay, but forgetable.
Billy Idol is making a comeback with Devil's Playground. Saw him on MTV or VH1 with a new video for "Scream," but I didn't watch it. I think he's trying to be metal now.
Lastly, I can't say favorite, since I really like Bloc Party, but what I'm listening to now at least, is M.I.A.'s release Arular. I'm not that big of a fan of rap, but really I don't know if I would call it rap. I wouldn't know what to call it, reminds me of electro, but allmusic calls it dancehall. Whatever, it's good.

note to self

2005-03-20T16:05:00.000-08:00

must go to concerts:
bright eyes supporting digital ash, with the faint
low
death cab for cutie
fischerspooner

(please come to at least texas)

musical taste

2005-03-12T15:25:00.000-08:00

I must have one of the strangest tastes in music. I say this because I started the week listening to The Mars Volta's Frances the Mute. A few days ago I was listening to XTC's Skylarking, Ivy's Apartment Life, Astarie's Don't Whisper Lies EP. Then I started listening to Idaho, Low, Iron & Wine, Azure Ray. Now I'm torn actually. Half of me wants to go listen to alt-country Wilco c. Summerteeth or Fight Songs by the Old 97's. The other half wants to go listen through The Divine Comedy discography. I'm sure in a day or two I'll be listening to really ambient stuff like Spacemen3 [fan site], Red Stars Theory, or Stars of the Lid. Then, I'll want to go dance to Fischerspooner, The Faint, Ladytron...

Another quickie

2005-03-10T09:22:00.000-08:00

I am really hopeful for this year in music. I think it's going to be awesome. Low's new LP was just amazing. I think Fischerspooner's new album is going to be big. But, I think the prize will go to Bloc Party. I think they are going to be huge this year, at least in the indie sense of the word. But, there is a lot left of this year.

Surprisingly cheap

2005-03-07T13:49:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update. I got this from Seattlest. But, I found it rather interesting how relatively inexpensive it is to book some bands. Death Cab is around 25k, Rilo Kiley 10k, Scissor Sisters 7.5k. And, you can get Bob Saget for 15k. I wondered what happened to him...
check it out at Clear Channel College Entertainment, yeah I know, Clear Channel sucks.

taxonomy

2005-03-04T21:15:00.000-08:00

Music need to come up with a unified system of genres and styles. Mainly, I've really come to desire this because of the term "emo." What bands do you think of when I say "emo?" Most people would think of Dashboard Confessional as the standard. But, when I'm talking about "emo" I refer to the likes of Sunny Day Real Estate, Mineral, American Football, 764-Hero. How many "teenyboppers" have heard of those bands? But when you really look at the history, those aren't "real emo" bands either. Emo began as an offshoot of hardcore, hence the oft emocore moniker. Rites of Spring was pretty much the first emocore band, with Fugazi quickly coming after and defining it. I would describe it like this: Hardcore is proactive, Emocore is reactive, in other words, hardcore rants about the situation of the world, government, politics, etc, while emocore whines about it. But what really bothers me is how far "emo" has been stretched to describe bands. I've heard people call At The Drive-In, Death Cab for Cutie, and Bright Eyes as "emo." Can you really say those three bands have much in common? Yes, emo is short for emotional hardcore, but you can't call any band that has emotional lyrics "emo." How many bands do you have that don't have emotional lyrics?
I bring this up in hopes that we can find a way of describing music to each other. If someone tells me The Get-Up Kids are an "emo" band, do they mean Rites of Spring emo, Sunny Day Real Estate emo, Dashboard emo, hell, Death Cab emo? I for one, use Allmusic Guide as a basis for what style to call a band. But, I also use bands that sound very similar. But that doesn't always work. How should I describe a band like The Mars Volta with no real modern comparisons. Should I call their new album neo-progressive, like Close to the Edge era Yes, with a heavy spanish influence. Or should I try to relate them to their post-hardcore days as At The Drive-In, even though the only way I can tell they are related in that way is by the vocalist? I guess I don't really have any answers. I just got bored and decided to post.

Written on the Body

2005-03-01T16:09:00.000-08:00

So, this weekend I finished Jeanette Winterson's Written on the Body. I probably never would have found this book without the help of my photo professor. She decided to read to us in class every so often and she chose this book. I faded in and out while she read, so I didn't really know what was going on. But, the parts I did hear were pretty intriguing. So I decided to check it out of the library and re-read/finish it.

The book reads in almost a stream of consciousness or as a diary. It follows an adulterous narrator's relationships and falling into love with an unhappily married woman. Although it's pretty important, I think my class got overly caught up in the fact that the narrator is non-gender. There are times when you can imagine it to be a female, other times you feel you know it's a man. Winterson wanted to challenge your perception of males and females in relationships and how they'll act. The book could probably be taken as offensive, but I would hope not. The narrator can go into very long descriptions about previous affairs and his love. But, even while discussing cunnilingus, it never seemed pornographic. As you're reading it you'll find short little quotations that you'll want to underline and write down, e.g. "Why is the measure of love loss?"(the opening sentence) and "Why is it the most unoriginal thing we can say, the thing we long to hear?"

The only thing I didn't really like about the book was that it wasn't really divided into chapters. I read before I go to bed, and have to force myself to quit reading most the time. With this book, I would get distracted and just keep reading on and on, because I never saw a definite end. There are breaks in the action that make okay stopping points, but I would get into the book and just ignore them. I guess that means I really connected to it and got caught up in the story. Overall, it was an excellent book, it has probably become one of my favorites (of course I'm like Charlie and think every last book I read was my favorite.) Written on the Body really makes you wonder, and then wonder some more. It's a pretty short book, just under 200 pages, and is definitely worth the time it takes to read.

(@ AMAZON)

late night tv

2005-02-28T23:00:00.000-08:00

There are often some really good bands on late-night television. Often it's a place to find new music too. I can't think of any examples of new music, except Matt Pond PA, but I haven't listened to them, though I looked for the CD. Anyway, tonight was really good. Leno had the Scissor Sisters, Conan had The Music, Jimmy Kimmel had Duran Duran, and Carson Daly had Iron & Wine. Normally Craig Ferguson has a great band, I've seen Interpol and Bright Eyes on his show. To sum up, watch late-night television, you can see some great bands, and discover new ones.

I'm going to start The Pilgrim of Tinker Creek (Annie Dillard) here in a few days, I'll let you know when I finished. Also, I finished Written on the Body (Jeanette Winterson) this weekend, I'll sum that up here in a few days. So, be on the look-out

im an advertising major...

2005-02-18T16:17:00.000-08:00

this is an awesome ad.

VW Golf

still like that terrorist viral ad from a few weeks ago though...

Wilco

2005-02-13T23:43:00.000-08:00

"Music," [Jeff Tweedy] explained, "is different" from other intellectual property. Not Karl Marx different - this isn't latent communism. But neither is it just "a piece of plastic or a loaf of bread." The artist controls just part of the music-making process; the audience adds the rest. Fans' imagination makes it real. Their participation makes it live. "We are just troubadours," Tweedy told me. "The audience is our collaborator. We should be encouraging their collaboration, not treating them like thieves."

--Lawrence Lessig @ Wired

Forgot

2005-02-11T23:06:00.000-08:00

So I forgot to post. I was going to watch Return of the King, but I had the extended version, which is over 4 hours. So I said screw that. I got the normal version, which is still over 3 (damn) but I'll watch it tomorrow if I get bored. I want to see it just to have seen all three, though I didn't like the first one, and the second was barely better.

post-punk boredom

2005-02-10T19:07:00.000-08:00

I was feeling post-punk today.
So I busted out my bass.
I learned Disorder and Day of the Lords.
'Cause Unknown Pleasures is their best album.
They're great parts too-- Peter Hook is fast becoming my favorite bassist.

meh

2005-02-09T14:19:00.000-08:00

Just listen to LCD Soundsystem. That came out recently, like a week or two ago. It's alt-dance/post-punk, along the lines of The Rapture or !!!, by the man behind DFA (one of the top 5 record labels in my opinion.)

That is all.

the last word/a classic

2005-02-04T14:32:00.000-08:00

Before I recommend a movie, I want this to be the last thing I have to say about ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead. Okay, It didn't deserve the 4 that pitchfork gave it. But, yeah it does seem like a mix tape more than an album. I hear some many different bands throughout, it's kind of distracting. Worlds Apart is such a lame song that I would imagine from a band like Blink-182 (it sounds like them too). I mean really, bitching about MTV and being a celebrity, what the hell? And on the title track, children cheering then "Hey, Fuck you man!" followed by the same kids laughing--I get the whole kitsch thing of the album, but that's just dumb. I could keep talking about this, but I don't want to anymore. It's just an average album.

Now, since I don't really feel like talking anymore because of that, this is going to be short. I don't really want to see any of the movies that came out today, so we are going to go with a classic. Watch Blow-Up, if you have, watch it again. It's about a photographer who thinks he's photographed a murder.

reformatted/guilt

2005-02-02T20:15:00.000-08:00

format:
Monday- Book.
Wednesday- Music.
Friday- Movie.

So, first, it's music today, instead of Tuesdays, to spread it evenly across the week. And, also this way I'm not confined to just new releases.

Is it odd that I feel guilty? I got on eMule and for some reason decided to search for Odyssey by Fischerspooner (Capitol). A result actually came up so I started the download thinking they would be blank tracks like I'd heard were circulating. It finished about an hour ago, I unzipped it and started Winamp--they were real. This is why I feel guilty, I want to listen, but I don't. I do plan on buying it in April when it comes out, so is it okay? Am I ruining the experience by hearing shitty mp3s? I don't know...

Anyway, since I can't really recommend something not yet available, I'll go with Kathrine and just say listen to The Great Destroyer by Low (Subpop). It is awesome.

behind the curve.

2005-01-27T14:42:00.000-08:00

I just heard Astaire Don't Whisper Lies EP and wow. It's awesome. That's all I can really say. That and I'm a loser and bought it on iTunes cause I wanted it NOW! Yeah, so I'll buy their CD whenever it comes out. Their harmonies kind of remind me of Low, which is why I really love Low, I think. But anyway, check out their whole EP online at their site astairemusic.com.
(Footnote, I'm not that behind...I'd heard about them around Thanksgiving, but never thought to look for their EP anywhere besides eMule. Now, if I can just find some United State of Electronica)

Also, tomorrow I may "review" the movies that came out, even though I haven't seen them, and probably don't plan too. We'll see if I get around to it. Otherwise, I might just have like a weekly movie you should watch thing. So, we got that going--and "new music tuesdays." Now, I just need some readers...

new music today

2005-01-24T20:03:00.000-08:00

I really want to try and find a focus of this site, instead of just whatever I feel like posting. So since it's Tuesday and new music comes out on Tuesday. Let's check that out.

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead - Worlds Apart: I've got a brother who says this is going to be the top record of the year. I haven't heard it, but plan too. I really liked Source Tags & Codes, but I heard them on The Late Show the other night and wasn't too impressed by their performance.

Ani DiFranco - Knuckle Down: Didn't know about this. Haven't heard it. She's put out some good stuff though, so I'm sure it's worth at least a listen once.

Bright Eyes - Digital Ash in a Digital Urn: I pre-ordered this and got it last week. I have to say I'm absolutely in love with it. It's not really like anything he's done before. I hope he sticks with programming songs too. Definitely worth a listen.
Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning: Reviews are saying this is the better of the two releases. I haven't heard it enough to tell, but it is still very good. I am surprised at how good these songs are. Oberst is awesome and still has a long time to go.

Low - The Great Destroyer: I lied I haven't bought it yet. But, I do plan too. It's a great release covering all their styles. This is probably their most accessible album to date. If you haven't heard much Low before, this would probably be a good place to start. If you already love Low, I think you'll love this too.

and finally, we all know Ben Gibbard is cooler than you. He has two new videos out. One for The Postal Service's We Will Become Silhouettes (Subpop) and one for Death Cab for Cutie's Title and Registration. They are both awesome videos.

I just realized it's not Tuesday. But, oh well...

Sorry

2005-01-03T02:50:00.000-08:00

I totally forgot:

Nine Inch Nails - With Teeth: It's been a long time since Fragile and I'm excited what Trent has to offer. They're done mixing and it should be out soon.

Top 5

2005-01-01T14:39:00.000-08:00

I probably won't post again until I'm back in school.

I was going to make a list of all the albums of 2004 that you should at least listen too, but I got lazy. Then, I was disappointed with the fact that all these top 50 lists didn't rate the bands as well as I thought they deserved, e.g. Telefon Tel Aviv and The Faint. So I thought about making one of those. But, again, I'm lazy and that's cliche. Since there were some good releases this year but nothing that stellar, I've decided to look ahead. These are some of the records I'm looking forward to in the new year.

Low - The Great Destroyer: Low is just awesome. I really like where they were heading on Trust with their sound. I found an advanced copy on eMule and have listened to a few tracks and they are indeed great. I'll buy this in a couple weeks when it comes out.

Bright Eyes - Digital Ash in a Digital Urn: I'm a loser I know, but I got a copy of this and it is amazing. Conor Oberst is an awesome songwriter. This is the more rock of a two disc release. The other, folk release, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, I haven't heard and will have to before I buy it. But, Digital Ash is a definite.

The Postal Service: It's been a long time since their album came out, about two years. I'm ready for another one. They're releasing a We Will Become Silhouettes EP in February so I don't know how likely we'll hear an LP this year.

Death Cab for Cutie: How much will their signing to Atlantic records change their sound? They say the only difference will be an A on the record jacket. We'll have to wait and see this fall.

Fischerspooner - Odyssey: I absolutely love Fischerspooner and I've been waiting for their new record since fall '04 when I first heard it was about to come out. Latest I've heard is this summer and I can't wait.

I'm sure there will be many more great records released hopefully a Hot Hot Heat or The Rapture. I don't know and I'm sure I'm forgetting some of your favorites so comment on what you're looking forward to.

too busy

2004-12-11T02:02:00.000-08:00

i'll be back after finals.

Busy Busy Busy.

2004-12-08T06:09:00.001-08:00

Bill Clinton help launched a new search engine. Supposedly better than Google, Accoona uses artificial intelligence.
Are you a Focker? Did you sign up for a free trip to Florida and the premiere of "Meet The Fockers"?
Michael Moore wants Democrats to embrace Hollywood. I just say fuck the Democrats, let's abandon the two-party system.
Is Bush an enigma? What really is his agenda for the next four years?
Is it really a true representation, when activists are the ones complaining to the FCC?

Apathy Today

2004-12-04T01:14:00.000-08:00

Women like to watch TV.
Fedex also is capitalizing on Ken Jennings loss.

Pi is exactly 3 and Sex!

2004-12-02T16:45:00.000-08:00

Everyone, by now, has heard about Ken Jennings. But people should think about what kind of effect this is going to have on H&R Block-- excellent free publicity.
A school is being made to teach that pi can be exactly 3, because that's what it says in the bible.
TBS's Gilligan's Island reality show drew 7 million viewers. I would have watched, but I fell asleep.
While Christmas With the Kranks did provide a few laughs, I couldn't say it better than adfreak.
The most influential piece of modern art? You've probably never heard of it, but it is satire of art itself.
The "Generation Gap" is increasing. The pregnancy rate for women 35-45 rose 5 percent, while younger ages, 15-24, declined.
Want the Ultimate Christmas toy? This one isn't for kids though-- the Platinum Rampant Rabbit (NSFW--probably).
Lastly, Hypochondriacs are sexy. But therein lies a paradox, because they won't risk sex.

Lethargy

2004-12-01T20:57:00.000-08:00

Crazy billboard up in New Zealand against genetic engineering. NSFW picture shows a woman with four breasts being milked.
Jesus was banned for being controversial. The advertisement implies the church allows homosexuals to worship.
Did you know The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is being made into a movie? It is, and will be out May 6, 2005. Check out the teaser, conceptual art, news, and more.

The Return

2004-11-30T02:54:00.000-08:00

Titanic director James Cameron is going to make a new 3-D movie called "Battle Angel." You have to still wear the glasses though.
The RIAA accepting online music? Universal, Sony BMG, and Warner are joining to create an online file-swapping service.
Whatever happened to AIDS? It's gone up, and people aren't talking about it.
Do you want Arnold to be president? Well, you have to amend the constitution, which can be pretty hard.
A new Stonehenge may have been found. This time it's in Russia.
Want a glow-in-the-dark thong? Well, an MBA from Texas made a battery powered one.
Tired of The Facebook and Friendster? The new movement is trading friends at Catch27

Buy Nothing Day

2004-11-24T12:27:00.000-08:00

On hiatus until after Thanksgiving. The day after is the busiest shopping days of the year and when many stores actually make a profit. I hope you stay at home and Buy Nothing.
Also, there were boobs on C-Span. Is that irony?
Finally, my home town is famous thanks to The Onion. [thx Kathrine]

Another Day

2004-11-23T11:11:00.000-08:00

No successor has been named to replace Dan Rather, who has announced he will step down from CBS Evening News in March. With the earlier announcement Brokaw is also leaving NBC Nightly News, only Peter Jennings remains.
Gwen Stefani's solo project Love.Angel.Music.Baby was released today. A departure from the ska roots of No Doubt, this dance pop album has an obsession with Japanese Hipsters, Harajuku girls, but is an overall good listen.
A lesser-known release were the first four digitally remastered, kraut rock recordings of Can. With followers like Brian Eno and Stereolab, they deserver to be heard. The remainder of the discography is slated to be released in 2005 and 2006.

Several hours later

2004-11-22T16:23:00.000-08:00

Russia is hoping by 2025 they will have a permanent lunar base and a similar Martian base by the middle of the century. Go commies!
A jet on the way to pick up Mr. Bush crashed. A mysterious omen?
The reality star Donald Trump has filled Chapter 11 on his Atlantic City ventures, I'm sure this really puts a dent in his wallet.
And finally, Kerry's son-in-law is hoping for public office. Chris Heinz expressed interest in running in Pittsburgh.

Still no sleep

2004-11-22T09:18:00.000-08:00

I read an interesting article on Understanding the Echo Boomers, the emerging generation. Seeing as I am an "echo boomer" it was an interesting to see how I am, if only subconsciously, what they described.
On a more light-hearted note Jennifer Lopez has a fat ass.
And in 2008, polls are showing it will be Rudy Giuliani and Hillary Clinton, but how could the republicans elect a pro-choice, pro-gay president?