I can't believe it's almost here! In just two short weeks, Jeff, Carrie and I will be leaving for the Sad & British Tour of the Motherland. We're all busy trying to pay attention at work while still finishing our last minute planning. Exhausting, but fun.
So now for the big news! Thanks to some generous donations, the Sad & British fund is up to a whopping $95. I can't believe it either. This is going to add up to a lot more beer than I originally imagined. Everyone has been so cool that I'm going to send all the donors a postcard from our trip. Melissa, that means we'll need an address from you. The rest I should have from Paypal.
But time's not up yet! We're so close to triple digits that I'm hoping someone can help us make it to at least $100. So if you've waited your whole life for a postcard from London, today's your day. I'll be taking donations for one more week so let's see if we can get those last five bucks. You guys rock!
10.26.2006
10.25.2006
I can't be too cool in a tree with my pants down
Man! I was gonna go to bed early tonight and perhaps read the Salman Rushdie book I need to finish for the book club. See, people, this is my usual life.
But then Ass Man went and became an internet sensation.
In deference to Melissa's modesty (and the fact that my parents read this blog) I'll send the more incriminating photos to Melissa for her to do with them what she likes. First, let's start with some more pleasant images.
The weather was lovely out in California. I sometimes forget how beautiful it is out there. The light is gorgeous and it makes every photo look better. Even cheesy ones of me at the Highway 20 overlook.
I have to mention that on the way back into town, I came across a car accident. A truck was all rolled over and stuff was everywhere. I don't think anyone was hurt, but I was secretly thrilled to have finally beaten John Hart to an accident scene.
Brett's party was great, too. It felt very California, very Sideways without the whole drinking of the spit bucket. Paige (now Joshuetta) was wearing her butterfly dress. I heard all about it, we're best buddies! Here's a blurry photo of her showing me how she brings it around town just like SpongeBob.
She's four and a half now, Josh. If there's one thing I learned on this trip is that time flies, especially when it comes to kids growing up. Here's Joshuetta and Sharla.
And now that I've filled your day with hearts and butterflies, we'll get to Ass Man. See, earlier in the evening Melissa and I went to dinner with Janet and George. It was awesome and George paid so that made it even better. Sometime over dinner, though, we decided that I was famous in Nevada City. So when a crazy old guy came up to us at Cooper's (Nevada County's official headquarters of Crazy Old Guys) we told him I was famous.
Well, there was talk of autographs and, as luck would have it, I had a Shaprie in my bag.
See?
That's my autograph right above the fakey fake dog tag and to the left of the gross eagle tattoo.
But Ass Man was really into Melissa. As we demurely sipped our Manhattans, he convinced her that she, too, could be famous if she'd only sign his favorite part of his body.
There it is. The creation of Ass Man. I knew that one day, all those years of photojournalism study would pay off. To see the final product, you'll have to bug Melissa. She's in possession of the final photo. Let me just say Grateful Dead tattoos are involved.
**********
Considering the theme of tonight's post, it seems like a great time to tackle the last of the "D" albums, Dude Ranch by Blink 182.
There's not much Blink 182 than songs about asses and they're everywhere on this album. It was released in 1997 and their single "Dammit" gave them they're first hint of popularity. In fact my first memory on the band is hearing that song on the radio while coming back from shooting and Oktoberfest assignment on Hermann, Missouri when I was in college.
Sharla, however, will note that this is the last album the band made before drummer Travis Barker joined the band. I will note that the rhythm section sounds much muddier on Dude Ranch than any of their later releases. It could be production quality, but I also think Travis is a crisper drummer. So there!
Overall, it's a classic Blink album with songs about peeping toms and getting caught drinking by your parents. Still, I like their later stuff (with songs about drinking with your friends, and watching girls at parties) better. It's more sophisticated. Seriously, it really is.
But then Ass Man went and became an internet sensation.
In deference to Melissa's modesty (and the fact that my parents read this blog) I'll send the more incriminating photos to Melissa for her to do with them what she likes. First, let's start with some more pleasant images.
The weather was lovely out in California. I sometimes forget how beautiful it is out there. The light is gorgeous and it makes every photo look better. Even cheesy ones of me at the Highway 20 overlook.
I have to mention that on the way back into town, I came across a car accident. A truck was all rolled over and stuff was everywhere. I don't think anyone was hurt, but I was secretly thrilled to have finally beaten John Hart to an accident scene.Brett's party was great, too. It felt very California, very Sideways without the whole drinking of the spit bucket. Paige (now Joshuetta) was wearing her butterfly dress. I heard all about it, we're best buddies! Here's a blurry photo of her showing me how she brings it around town just like SpongeBob.
She's four and a half now, Josh. If there's one thing I learned on this trip is that time flies, especially when it comes to kids growing up. Here's Joshuetta and Sharla.
And now that I've filled your day with hearts and butterflies, we'll get to Ass Man. See, earlier in the evening Melissa and I went to dinner with Janet and George. It was awesome and George paid so that made it even better. Sometime over dinner, though, we decided that I was famous in Nevada City. So when a crazy old guy came up to us at Cooper's (Nevada County's official headquarters of Crazy Old Guys) we told him I was famous.Well, there was talk of autographs and, as luck would have it, I had a Shaprie in my bag.
See?
That's my autograph right above the fakey fake dog tag and to the left of the gross eagle tattoo.But Ass Man was really into Melissa. As we demurely sipped our Manhattans, he convinced her that she, too, could be famous if she'd only sign his favorite part of his body.
There it is. The creation of Ass Man. I knew that one day, all those years of photojournalism study would pay off. To see the final product, you'll have to bug Melissa. She's in possession of the final photo. Let me just say Grateful Dead tattoos are involved.**********
Considering the theme of tonight's post, it seems like a great time to tackle the last of the "D" albums, Dude Ranch by Blink 182.
There's not much Blink 182 than songs about asses and they're everywhere on this album. It was released in 1997 and their single "Dammit" gave them they're first hint of popularity. In fact my first memory on the band is hearing that song on the radio while coming back from shooting and Oktoberfest assignment on Hermann, Missouri when I was in college.Sharla, however, will note that this is the last album the band made before drummer Travis Barker joined the band. I will note that the rhythm section sounds much muddier on Dude Ranch than any of their later releases. It could be production quality, but I also think Travis is a crisper drummer. So there!
Overall, it's a classic Blink album with songs about peeping toms and getting caught drinking by your parents. Still, I like their later stuff (with songs about drinking with your friends, and watching girls at parties) better. It's more sophisticated. Seriously, it really is.
10.16.2006
Life is never easy, even in the sun
My college roommate, Aimee, used to tell a story about a visit to her friend Michele's house. You see, Aimee was born to Californian parents who fed her fruits, vegetables and mango chutney. Oh, and turkey dogs. Aimee liked turkey dogs just fine. They tasted like turkey dogs.
One day, not long after meeting Michele, Aimee was by her house after school. Michele comes from a long line of Kentuckians who drink their bourbon neat and know what burgoo is. Michele's mom cooked up some honest to goodness hot dogs for the girls. Aimee had one bite and suddenly realized what she'd been missing. A turkey dog is nice, but it's no hot dog.
This is how I feel about Driving Rain by Paul McCartney. I could mark all his Beatles work as my hot dog moment but I don't think that's really fair. I'd developed a certain tolerance for bad McCartney solo albums over the years. Victories were small and widely spaced and that was okay. They were turkey dogs (or in McCartney's case, not dogs). But last year McCartney released Chaos in Creation in the Backyard and it was a real life hot dog. Now, it's difficult to go back and listen to his recent solo work without thinking about the work he may have been capable of.
Driving Rain is an interesting album. It was first original songs McCartney released after the death of his wife, Linda. There's a sadness even to the poppy tunes that he'd never had before. It definitely has its moments. These days though, just buy Chaos and Creation and enjoy a real hot dog for once.
**********
Josh once again has a working blog so feel free to click that link over there and harass him. I also think I'm going to start a contest to come up with the name of the new blog he's bound to start in about 6 months when he gets sick of the one he has now. I vote for www.yesiampeeingonyou.com.
One day, not long after meeting Michele, Aimee was by her house after school. Michele comes from a long line of Kentuckians who drink their bourbon neat and know what burgoo is. Michele's mom cooked up some honest to goodness hot dogs for the girls. Aimee had one bite and suddenly realized what she'd been missing. A turkey dog is nice, but it's no hot dog.
This is how I feel about Driving Rain by Paul McCartney. I could mark all his Beatles work as my hot dog moment but I don't think that's really fair. I'd developed a certain tolerance for bad McCartney solo albums over the years. Victories were small and widely spaced and that was okay. They were turkey dogs (or in McCartney's case, not dogs). But last year McCartney released Chaos in Creation in the Backyard and it was a real life hot dog. Now, it's difficult to go back and listen to his recent solo work without thinking about the work he may have been capable of.Driving Rain is an interesting album. It was first original songs McCartney released after the death of his wife, Linda. There's a sadness even to the poppy tunes that he'd never had before. It definitely has its moments. These days though, just buy Chaos and Creation and enjoy a real hot dog for once.
**********
Josh once again has a working blog so feel free to click that link over there and harass him. I also think I'm going to start a contest to come up with the name of the new blog he's bound to start in about 6 months when he gets sick of the one he has now. I vote for www.yesiampeeingonyou.com.
10.02.2006
Okay, I lied
I'm just full of empty promises lately. In a surprising turn of events, I actually spent most of the weekend actually cleaning (and playing football and watching football and watching DVDs...). I did get around to going through a few MidPoint photos so I'll give you those. I think we can all see why Mads has been deemed a national security threat and is being sent back to Europe.
See, here he is assaulting a perfectly good American:
I tried to intervene and rescue Jeff, but he was unimpressed:
Mads had obviously brainwashed Jeff with his Danish mental powers and they both turned on me:
The highlight of my night came early, though. Here's me and the guy from Ballroom Dancing rockin' out with a tambourine:
Oh, and this was the other highlight of my night:
See, here he is assaulting a perfectly good American:
I tried to intervene and rescue Jeff, but he was unimpressed:
Mads had obviously brainwashed Jeff with his Danish mental powers and they both turned on me:
The highlight of my night came early, though. Here's me and the guy from Ballroom Dancing rockin' out with a tambourine:
Oh, and this was the other highlight of my night:
9.29.2006
Most girls who come to Bloomington only come here to find husbands
I was just looking through all the MidPoint pictures in my camera tonight. There are a lot more on there than I remember. Then again, I was not always in possession of the aforementioned camera so I can't possibly be responsible for all if them. Can I?
I'll be frantically cleaning all weekend in preparation for my parents' visit the following weekend so that means lots of procrastination. Procrastination means even more blog entries so watch this space for some of those photos. Let me just tell you now that if you ever get a chance to see a band called Ballroom Dancing or Nathan Asher and the Infantry or Coltrane Motion, you should go see them. All three are awesome in totally different ways but an excellent show is sure to be coming your way.
**********
I guess it's time to hit the long avoided second to last "D" album. I have to admit that I picked up Drag It Up by the Old 97's quite awhile ago, but I hadn't really listened to it until last week. I'd read some disappointing reviews and I was really into lead singer Rhett Miller's solo albums (The Believer and The Instigator) at the time so I didn't feel like I was missing anything.
And, truth is, I don't think I was.
Are the Old 97's past their prime? I'm not sure. Everything just sounded a little rehashed. There were a couple of nice surprises in "Bloomington" and "Coahuila" but it wasn't an album that I adored like so many of their former releases had been. Maybe my expectations are too high these days.
That said, I was really excited to find out that Rhett Miller will be in town next weekend for Tall Stacks. I'll have the parents in town but maybe I can sneak away for a little sad & alt-country rockin'.
**********
Okay, one final random note. Billy Bragg has a new book coming out about Englishness and the national identity, blah, blah, blah. I'm sure it will be interesting but I won't be raring to read it. What I am excited about, though, is that he will be giving a talk and then signing copies of the book at a socialist bookstore in London while we're on the Sad & British Tour of the Motherland. That's right, Billy Bragg in his natural habitat! This is exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to catch during our visit. Now, if I can run into Elvis Costello at a pub and see Oasis play an impromptu show everything will be perfect.
I'll be frantically cleaning all weekend in preparation for my parents' visit the following weekend so that means lots of procrastination. Procrastination means even more blog entries so watch this space for some of those photos. Let me just tell you now that if you ever get a chance to see a band called Ballroom Dancing or Nathan Asher and the Infantry or Coltrane Motion, you should go see them. All three are awesome in totally different ways but an excellent show is sure to be coming your way.
**********
I guess it's time to hit the long avoided second to last "D" album. I have to admit that I picked up Drag It Up by the Old 97's quite awhile ago, but I hadn't really listened to it until last week. I'd read some disappointing reviews and I was really into lead singer Rhett Miller's solo albums (The Believer and The Instigator) at the time so I didn't feel like I was missing anything.And, truth is, I don't think I was.
Are the Old 97's past their prime? I'm not sure. Everything just sounded a little rehashed. There were a couple of nice surprises in "Bloomington" and "Coahuila" but it wasn't an album that I adored like so many of their former releases had been. Maybe my expectations are too high these days.
That said, I was really excited to find out that Rhett Miller will be in town next weekend for Tall Stacks. I'll have the parents in town but maybe I can sneak away for a little sad & alt-country rockin'.
**********
Okay, one final random note. Billy Bragg has a new book coming out about Englishness and the national identity, blah, blah, blah. I'm sure it will be interesting but I won't be raring to read it. What I am excited about, though, is that he will be giving a talk and then signing copies of the book at a socialist bookstore in London while we're on the Sad & British Tour of the Motherland. That's right, Billy Bragg in his natural habitat! This is exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to catch during our visit. Now, if I can run into Elvis Costello at a pub and see Oasis play an impromptu show everything will be perfect.
9.24.2006
It takes gallons of wine to quiet the blood
I spent all day being lazy and recovering from my awesome MidPoint weekend. I really think that this year I saw some of my favorite bands ever. Too bad the weather wasn't nicer. I'm sure I'll have more to say later (including an update on a band from last year) but that's it for now.
I really just wanted to update the fund raising efforts of the Sad & British Tour of the Motherland. I'm proud to announce that I've raised $40 so far. Thanks to donations from Meggan, Summer and even Shawn we've blown right by my original goal of $5. Now, I've set a new goal of $10,000. Why not aim high, huh? So pass this link around to your billionaire friends and let's make this happen! Only seven weeks to go!
Seriously, though, you guys are great for actually sending me money. There will be toasts in your honor.
I really just wanted to update the fund raising efforts of the Sad & British Tour of the Motherland. I'm proud to announce that I've raised $40 so far. Thanks to donations from Meggan, Summer and even Shawn we've blown right by my original goal of $5. Now, I've set a new goal of $10,000. Why not aim high, huh? So pass this link around to your billionaire friends and let's make this happen! Only seven weeks to go!
Seriously, though, you guys are great for actually sending me money. There will be toasts in your honor.
9.15.2006
This is why I hate Nickelback
Check out the mp3 on this site and cry silently like I do. Nickelback, you really know how to write a song.
9.13.2006
Summer, this one's for you
A dead pigeon lies on Pine Street in downtown Texarkana, Texas, Monday, Sept. 11, 2006. The city's annual festival this past weekend was marred by dead pigeons nose-diving into pavement and others dying on downtown sidewalks after they ate poisoned corn from the roof of a nearby bank branch. (AP Photo/The Texarkana Gazette, Aaron Street)9.07.2006
In this land of strangers there are dangers
A conversation with Josh (as remembered by Eileen)
6:47 EDT 9/6/07
re: Doolittle by The Pixies
Me: I'm kind of having a hard time figuring out what to say about Doolittle.
Josh: Two words - seminal.
Me: But that's the problem, I don't think it is.
Josh: Yes, and seminal isn't two words.
Me: Ohh, okay Mr. copy editor!
Josh: It's a good album.
Me: "Debaser" and "Here Comes Your Man" are great! Everything else - ehh.
Josh: "Tame" is a good song.
Me: Ehh
Josh: This conversation should be your review. I think it pretty much captures your opinion.
And so it does, Josh, so it does.
6:47 EDT 9/6/07
re: Doolittle by The Pixies
Me: I'm kind of having a hard time figuring out what to say about Doolittle.
Josh: Two words - seminal.
Me: But that's the problem, I don't think it is.
Josh: Yes, and seminal isn't two words.
Me: Ohh, okay Mr. copy editor!
Josh: It's a good album.
Me: "Debaser" and "Here Comes Your Man" are great! Everything else - ehh.
Josh: "Tame" is a good song.
Me: Ehh
Josh: This conversation should be your review. I think it pretty much captures your opinion.
And so it does, Josh, so it does.
8.24.2006
Make me a sandwich
A new Jimmy John's opened downtown a few weeks ago. It think they've been trying to drum up some business because they offer free delivery and have been putting out flyers everywhere. So I swung by about a month ago to check it out. It was about three in the afternoon and the place was fully staffed but dead. I placed my order, then the manager told the guy ringing me up that he had this one. Yes, a free sandwich!
The free sandwich did just what it was designed to do. I became a big supporter of the new Jimmy John's and told everyone about my awesome free food experience. I went back a couple more times and had a lovely, if not overly exciting, sandwich experience.
Then, today I returned for lunch after a fairly long absence. It was right at noon and the place was much more crowded. After I placed my order, though, the woman just said, "thank you' and closed the cash register. I had scored another free sandwich!
So tonight I was reflecting on my good fortune. Did the manager remember me, perhaps? Did I just naturally seem like a nice person who deserved free things? Then I remembered that I was wearing the exact same shirt the last time I got a free sandwich. It is a lovely shirt - bright green with a boat neck - but its overly complicated care instructions (Delicate cycle, what's that?) means I don't wear it much. But now that I know green shirt = free sandwich I'm gonna be wearing it every day. Really, though, it probably just has something to do with boobies...
The free sandwich did just what it was designed to do. I became a big supporter of the new Jimmy John's and told everyone about my awesome free food experience. I went back a couple more times and had a lovely, if not overly exciting, sandwich experience.
Then, today I returned for lunch after a fairly long absence. It was right at noon and the place was much more crowded. After I placed my order, though, the woman just said, "thank you' and closed the cash register. I had scored another free sandwich!
So tonight I was reflecting on my good fortune. Did the manager remember me, perhaps? Did I just naturally seem like a nice person who deserved free things? Then I remembered that I was wearing the exact same shirt the last time I got a free sandwich. It is a lovely shirt - bright green with a boat neck - but its overly complicated care instructions (Delicate cycle, what's that?) means I don't wear it much. But now that I know green shirt = free sandwich I'm gonna be wearing it every day. Really, though, it probably just has something to do with boobies...
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