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Did You Think That's What Love Was For?
Wow. A couple days pass, and it feels like a week when you don't write. I really need to get back to my novel. The whole "blog" thing is an excuse for me not to write, because I can convince myself that I AM writing by posting to this. And that's no good. I have a novel to pump out, so I can get famous and stop working. It's possible. At least in my head. I hate work. I like fame. I'm willing to trade.
So Johnny Cash dying was sad. I wasn't as hardcore a fan as my friend SR is, but it still upset me. Especially when people would go, "Yeah, but JOHN RITTER died!" Yeah? Wow. He was great in Three's Company....20 years ago. You CANNOT compare the two.
But, the only time I've ever actually cried over a celebrity was when they had the "Muppets Say Farewell" to Jim Henson special. I was young, but I remember crying like nobody's business.
That's not to say I didn't mist over when MTV2 played the "Hurt" video.
Oh yeah, movie reviews. I need to buy a domain name and put a real site, complete with this thing and REAL movie reviews. My one line stuff seems cheap. But, it's all I got. So here we go:
Cabin Fever: ****
Wow. I really had a fun time watching this. Hilarious. A decent amount of gore. Some fun face eating. Nudity. The most disturbing "sex" scene I've ever seen. *shiver*. That squishing sound will live in my head for years. Plus, and it started with Blair Witch, movies like this guarantee I'll never go camping. EVER. EVER. I don't need that shit. Thank you. Every now and again I'll think I really miss camping, and then I'll see a movie like this, or TCM, or Wrong Turn, and go, "Oh yeah. That's right. FUCK camping. I want to stay alive." I know some horror fans were angry it wasn't a hard-core horror film, and I can understand why they thought that, what with the over-hype calling it the new Evil Dead, or Romero film for the next generation. But, I knew it was more along the lines of Dead Alive, or well, Dead Alive. Peter Jackson loved it. I know what Peter Jackson does. He's a goofy mother fucker. Frighteners was excellent. Frighteners was also goofy as fuck for 35 minutes. But I completely recommend it.
Once Upon A Time In Mexico: ***
I feel cheated with them advertising Salma Hayek as starring in this movie. I won't give anything away or anything, but there definitely wasn't enough Salma Hayek. She is a goddess. And with her lowriding skirt in her opening scene in this movie, I wanted to find myself a sweet Latino goddess and worship her. But anyway. This was fun. It wasn't really what I was expecting. There wasn't nearly as much action I thought there would be. The stuff that was in there was EXCELLENT. Especially Johnny Depp's gunfight. But there was a lot more exposition and drama than was advertised. And the plot was full of back tracking and double crossing, which has made more than one critic call it convoluted. And while there are things I want to know like, who is Johnny Depp continuously talking to on the phone, it passed the test in entertaining me. Johnny Depp rules, and Antonio Banderas needs to pretend to be El Mariachi all the time. It's the only way he continue to be "Super Sexy" Antonio Banderas.
I baked a cake tonight (recipe courtesy of MM. Word.) as a test for preparing AHs birthday cake. I'm working on the design for the top of the cake now. If I had more skill, or time, I'd actually design a complete 3-D cake, as I feel I should as the pop artist I am. But she gets a pop-art 2-D design instead. It's still fun. The cake turned out excellent. All natural cocoa cake, with peanut butter center. Mmmmmmm.
Tomorrow the frosting. There shall be frosting. And Carnivale. I'm real excited about that.
Weird and Offbeat News Stories
Was there a huge cry out for something like this. Did anyone REALLY need new Garbage Pail Kids? Do people still collect sticker cards? Wasn't that just an 80's thing?
Dammit
Just. Dammit.
Country Music Legend Johnny Cash Dies at 71
Dammit
Just. Dammit.
Country Music Legend Johnny Cash Dies at 71
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
The site for Texas Chainsaw Massacre with the video evidence is SO incredibly well done. I mean, it gets me all shivery, like the video evidence of Blair Witch did.
As a horror fan, I should hate the idea, but they keep pulling me further in.
Pee Break
So, I just read the fourth Harry Potter is currently scheduled to be a 4 hour movie with a single intermission. JEEZUS!
On This Day
Everyone is welcome to come join my library in mindless flag waving, and ribbon wearing, and "Wear red, white and blue!" Come One! Come All! Even though we're a bastion of education and forward thinking, let's follow blindly into the night.
9/11 bugs me. It bugs me that people want to "celebrate" it. Thousands died, and we're decorating like it's the Fourth of July. We just need some fireworks and some drunk rednecks to make the day complete.
And how does wearing red, white and blue support anything? All we're supporting are the people who are telling us to wear red, white and blue. It's like a football game. Have we convinced ourselves that color waving, and showing school spirit actually has a negative impact on people willing to DIE for their country by flying a PLANE into a BUILDING? Are they somewhere going, "Oh, shit, they're wearing their national colors! RETREAT!" No. No they are not.
We need to show support by learning, and teaching about the other cultures. Teach our children WHY this happened. And no, it's not because "America is the greatest country in the world, and everyone else is just jealous." We are a country of abject freedom minus any culture. We have become a here and now society, destroying and rewriting history as we see fit.
We need to show our support by writing the White House, and telling them that our soldiers are dying at a rate of one person a day, and no, you can't have 87 Billion dollars to continue a war on terrorism that can't EVER be won. No, you can't continue to fight Iraq, because they had nothing to do with 9/11, and Osama Bin Laden actually considers Sadam Hussein a weak traitor. We need to show our support by getting our troops home so NO ONE ELSE DIES.
I work at a library. Today they will try to force me to wear a ribbon to show empty support. There is no meaning behind the ribbon, other than to say "Look. We're doing something too." I will refuse. I will be looked at funny, and whispered about. Some may think I'm unamerican.
But, isn't it more American to voice your concerns about what's wrong, because you remember what's right? Isn't less American to blindly follow all our leaders because "we have to. They're our leaders?"
Argh. It all makes me so angry.
Do Not Let Them Make You!
200 dollars for a show ticket is NOT okay.
50 dollars for the cheapest of the tickets is not okay, because you will be sitting outside.
You call any of my bands, "No Name"s again. I break you.
I was asked if I wanted to go to the Simon and Garfunkel reunion. I told them (mother and sister) it would completely depend on the price of the ticket. I told them, I'd be willing to pay, 40, maybe 50 bucks. They tell me "REAL shows, don't cost that."
A bit later I'm given the actual ticket prices. 50 dollars is the "cheapest" price, followed by 80, then 150, and finally 200 bucks. I tell them, there is no way in HELL I'm paying 200 dollars for a show. Ridiculous! Stupid! And, at 50 dollars, you won't be seeing the show.
So, I'm told "200 dollars is normal for a real show. It's not like it's some House of Blues show with a no name band of yours."
Is this suppose to sway me? Is this suppose to make me say, "Oh, you're right. None of the bands I see have fans. They have to charge so little because otherwise no one will go. Of course I'll pay 200 bucks!" Insulting my music to try and prove your point will only make me angry, and amass Hulk like strength as I smash you.
200 bucks. I can listen to the CDs and probably hear a better version than what I'd hear live. Plus, it's the United Center. Because, really, that's where you go for a quality show.
Tears On My Pillow
Wow. I haven't cooked with onions in a long time apparently, because I can't see through my tears. I'm making homemade French bread and Potato & Leek soup for my third of a French cuisine party at work tonight. The only problem is the main course third is no longer being offered. So, I have cookies instead. That's almost the same thing.
The Passage Of Time Is Swift
Who wants to feel REAL old?
Beloit College Releases the Mindset List for the Class of 2007
In A Perfect World
Not that I can afford SHIT nowadays (what with my impulsive music and horror movie shopping) but, this is such a cool damn belt buckle.
Opus Returns To The Funny Pages
This makes me smile a happy smile.
I Needs Me That Shirt
I'm watching Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, and the tall goofy looking man is wearing a nice little pinstripe shirt with Hardcore spray painted on the back. I need this. Work would flip. And that's a good thing.
Who Needs Music?
Interpol?
Good? Bad? You tell me. I need music.
I've Created A Beast
Well Read, the teen newsletter I help create for my library now has a blog.
It's a sad attempt to have more than the once a month update that usually happens on the page.
Mystery Tiles Found Around Cleveland, The World
If this isn't creepy cool, I don't know what is.
Rock And Roll Lifestyle
I've been to two shows in as many months (three if you count the weird outdoor TMBG show, which I'm not for purposes of this). They were both at the same venue (Metro Chicago), and were both 18 and over. I haven't been to shows at the Metro in a VERY long time. The last I can remember is when Elliott Smith was touring with Quasi. The majority of my other shows have been at small places like Schubas, and the now defunct LoungeAx.
So, I forgot about the throng of people that show up at these shows, whether they be fans of the music or not. And I wanted to share with you just how I see these shows, and the people who attend them.
1) The "Fuck Off, I'm Listening To The Music" guy (or girl)
This tends to be the group I would put myself in. I'm the guy who stands there, scanning the stage, watching the music get played. The occasional head bob, the foot constantly tapping in beat, hands and arms either crossed or placed in the pockets. We are the quiet fan of the music, applauding at the end of a song.
2) The "Arm Dancer" girl (and occasionally guy)
These are the girls who, no matter the type of music, mysteriously turn into belly dancers from the chest up. There's the occasional dip to the ground (bending at the knees people. It's always important), but for the most part, they fluidly move their arms above their heads, because they FEEL the music. Sometimes it's sexy, but usually you want to stop them and go "You're listening to Weezer! WEEZER! STOP IT!"
3) That guy. You know. THAT guy
You can't tell if that guy who's moving back and forth through the crowd, twirling, clapping, stomping, and flashing the sign of the beast is either, drunk, high, a "special" boy, or just so into the music he doesn't realize that there are other people present.
The same "that guy" has been at both shows I've attended at the Metro. Sunglasses in tow, he has to use both hands to place them over his eyes, and just swirls through the crowd, never to sit in one place for so long. The first time I saw him he annoyed people so much he was shoved into the mosh pit at the Reverend Horton Heat show. Just WHY there was a mosh pit at the show, I'll never know.
4) Speaking of. The Mosh kids
I'm sure it still happens. I just don't go to the shows that have music prone to mosh pits. But as I said at the Rev show, there was one. So these are the kids that want to mosh as soon as the music starts. You know, the annoying kids who don't realize what the original point of moshing was, and just want to kick the shit out of each other to music.
5) The Jumper
I give these guys the most credit. I tried being a jumping guy, and after 5 seconds of leaping up and down, I was done. I needed oxygen, and intense physical therapy to make me better. How they do it for every show, the entire show is beyond me. Maybe they secretly carry in pogo sticks.
6) Those who carry in pogo sticks to pretend to be the jumper
CHEATERS!
7) The Co-Dependants
These are the kids who:
If they want the alcohol, are drunk before the show starts, and constantly leave during the show to come back holding two drinks, trying to figure out a way to hold more. If only they had a third hand, they scream to the gods.
The weed kids, who light it up on the first note of the first song. Music needs to be experienced man. EXPERIENCED!
8) The Ultra Fan
These are the people who FORCE their way to the front of the show, other people who are already there be damned. They DESERVE to be there, and can quote how the whole show will go down, to the last detail, even quoting set lists from other shows from the same tour. They're geeks, so I can't fault them. So am I.
Those are the types I noticed on Saturday. I'm not making fun of them to be mean, but I find it weird that any show you go to in that type of venue features the same weird cross-genres of people. We need a new group people. Come on!
If I forgot any one group, let me know. I'll make an addendum. I am the people's blogger.
A Dose Of Love
Apparently, no, I'm not dying, as I was pretty sure I was yesterday. It's just my allergies. So, now I'm broke, but at least I have Allegra-D to show for it.
And, maybe it's a sign of just how unaware I am of current medicines, but when the doctor asked me if I've ever taken Allegra-D, the response that flashed through my head was, "Listen. My hair may be thinning, but I don't need any medication to help it grow...yet. Oh, it's an allergy medicine. Heh."
House Of The Dead
House Of The Dead looks REAL bad.
But I can't wait to see it. Because I KNOW it's gonna be bad. And it would be fun to be in an audience full of people who also know it's gonna be REAL bad.
Catch It!
This here is a fun little clip of Cabin Fever. Horror movies make me happy.
It's All In My Head
So, I've left work early to head out to the doctor. When dried blood starts coming from your nose, it's time to go to the doctor. That much I've decided. My mother recommended I see if he could give me some anti-depressants as well, since I'm going through this whole "why bother" because "life is pointless" thing. I feel I'd be taking advantage of him since I said it was a sinus infection that I was coming in for.
"Hello doctor. My nose is runny."
"Well, let's see..."
"I wasn't finished. My nose is runny. My throat hurts. I have a general feeling of depression, and I feel like I have no place in life."
"..."
"And I banged my knee up right good, at least three different times this weekend. So any pain pills you have would be good, too."
Yeah. I'd feel bad. I know that's what he's there for, but come on!
On a different note, I really dig the Raveonettes CD. It's fuzzy rock, with a dark little, "Faster Pussycat, Kill Kill" vibe going on. The cover work alone won me over. And I'm in love with the creepy lead singer girl. Those eyes. Those haunting eyes.
Where's It All Come From?
My dear sweet jeebus, am I sick this morning. I'm tempted to just call in to work completely, but I'm wondering if I should do the half day thing instead so my boss doesn't completely flip out.
A Boy Named Sue.
This is just silly.
Ordering!
The Order: **
So, I saw this earlier this afternoon at a matinee show. I was looking forward to it actually. I'm always up for a "secret evils of the Catholic Church" sorta thing. Loved The Exorcist. That's some good evil versus religion stuff.
Color me disappointed when it was neither horrific, nor overly attention grabbing. It was just...sorta...there. The title makes no sense. Let me get that off my chest right away. When it was originally called Sin Eater it made much more sense.
Plot, if you need to know, is about the remaining two members of an excommunicated branch of the Church, and forgive me if I get this wrong, the Carolinians. The mentor of the group dies, called a suicide, but there wouldn't be much of a movie if that was the case.
Don't want to ruin any twists for you, but while it kept me entertained in a "I need something to watch way" it just didn't wow me. And the fact that the majority of the cast came from A Knight's Tale, I had such a hard time not wanting to crack jousting jokes.
"We have much to do."
"Yes, you must train for the joust!"
Refrain of We Will Rock You kicks up.
When I Have It, I Don't Want It.
This has turned into a crazy busy hella weekend. I'm about to head out to see The Order with with the double MFs. The cable company better be out today to fix my cable. I haven't been able to catch Dead Like Me or any MTV2, because my box doesn't want to receive upper level signals.
I have a column (yes, I feel like if I keep writing specifically themed things, I will be noticed and shipped off to a newspaper job. I have the writer's dream) about my experience last night at the Dandy Warhol's show. The life of the show junkies.
The show itself was good enough. There was no opening band. It was "an evening with" the Dandy Warhols, and they lived up to that threat. It was three straight hours. And when I mean straight, the music never stopped. Even when they sat on stage for 10 minutes for a breather, they turned on a drum machine and let the electronics do the work.
And you have to realize, I have never bothered listening to the Dandy Warhols. I vaguely remember Heroin is so Passe from the late nineties, but that's about it.
So, my official review is, I'm glad I went, it was a fun night, but I'll never have to listen to them again. When they rocked, it was some good stuff. But there wasn't enough of the rocking, and there was too much of the ambient slow jam noise. The first 30 minutes were spent with that; noodling on the instruments as they sang whisper vocals into the mics.
It was like if Dave Matthews Band found some heavier sounding instruments, were high A LOT more, and forgot they were on stage.
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