House of the Devil

Y'all should see this. Slow at first but worth the wait. It's amazing. No big deal.

Oh

Hello it's me

Fun With Pop Music

I don't know if you guys knew about this, but I had this done recently in Colorado.
Long live Hall & Oates!







Love you, J-Stache.


Also just finished a Lady Gaga flash sheet for the tattoo shop..thinking about doing a couple more pop star ladies to form a triad...katy perry and rihanna maybe?

Alright, Who's Going With Me? (Bonus: J-Stache?!)

Sorry people, it's time I come clean: I've been going to this gathering for YEARS. I've been into ICP and the family for years. I've had nothing else going in my life for years. For over a decade I've worn clown makeup and unwashed baggy clothing, listened to shitty music and smelled like rotten vegetables in the privacy of my own home. But I feel it's time to come out of the "Juggalo" closet and be the person that I really am. So I ask you, who is coming to this three day awesomefest with me? (did I say awesome? I meant failure)

Oh yea there's an on-site abortion clinic representing society for this failure festival.

Also, WHAT?!

J-Stache - Official Trailer - watch more funny videos

Swayze & Reeves

Saw this and pointlessly thought I'd post it. Pretty funny parody:

In Memoriam

Tom Pfaeffle was an instructor of mine and a staple of the Seattle recording arts community. He was fatally shot in an incident over the weekend. He did work with the likes of Nirvana, The Black Crowes, Great White, Heart, Queensryche, Scorpions, UB40, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Rodney Crowell and B.B. King along with so many other artists. I had class with him Monday mornings, now I don't know what is going to happen.

With Mr. Cote in Mind

There are quite a few things that Ryan just despises, in fact downright loathes. This is NOT one of those things

FIne here's a new post

I don't have too long to write as I am about to go to the grocery store for various essentials. I heard about this movie a while back and it's getting great reviews. It looks largely depressing and melodramatic, plus it stars one of my favorite comedians.

who killed le blog?

someone killed the blog.

i think it was twitter.

One From the Velcro Kicks

A taste of what Dave and I have been working on lately

Sadly I was a spectator and not a participant

Thousands of bike riders sans clothing during the Naked Ride last night in downtown Portland. The picture doesn't even do it justice. I felt bad taking more than one photo though so you're just going to have to imagine a sea of flesh and blinking lights and wheels and war paint.

This Is Why I Hate The Internet

Spock.com is the creepiest thing ever. They advertise the fact that they find "hidden" pictures and profiles about people, like deleted Myspace and Friendster accounts. Check it out, it's terrifying. (Also, I should point out, because I know it amuses Danielle, that on the spock page about me, one of the related searches is "Is My Husband Gay?")

I Heart Science

After Ryan Kills Me

Ryan is going to kill me for posting this. I know he hates that I just find random shit on the internet and post it on here. But that seems to be what the important details of my life are right now. After Last Season is a movie about God knows what. Here's the trailer (it cost 5 million in American dollars to shit this thing out):



And here is some guys reviewing it immediately afterward. Their audio quality is leaps and bounds greater than that of the film, WHAT THE FUCK?!



All I can say is I hope it screens in Seattle soon and I want to know who's going with me?

"Knowledge prison"

Enjoy friends:

check this out soon.

my fav torrent site just opened up registration for a hot minute.  go to demonoid.com and sign up now......otherwise you're locked out of the site (sometime unregistered users can get a download or two, but its a private site for the most part)......

anyway demonoid is the source of many about to be released indie jams, so its highly recommended........

why i love chicago

palestinian restaurants with four dollar falafel sandwiches that play mgmt.  and are decorated like above.  i love chicago.

ps.  if you visit amanda and i, we will take you to chickpea.....

Apparently I Missed The Biggest Party in Washington This Year

This is pretty damn funny, as VG puts it: "At first you assume that this is just another surreptitiously recorded video of a man making a fool of himself in a public setting. "Surely," you think, "it is only a matter of time before he gets naked and tazed." But that is not what this is. What this is is a reminder that we all hold within our tiny shorts the power to change the world. All it takes is one man carrying the torch of the party alone with grit and determination, to START A FIRE! Let's paint, exercise, and have an impromptu dance party. We can do it all!"



Update: apparently this guy was everywhere that day.

The University of Misogyny

This is pretty unbelievable but is worth reading/watching:
http://videogum.com/archives/thats-your-boyfriend/thats-your-boyfriend-this-fuck_071741.html

Okay, actually videogum's "That's Your Boyfriend" column is one of my favorite things right now. Great entries include Caught Masturbating, Mouth Full of Tobacco Guy and Needs a Plus Size Woman (Around the Clock).

This guy gets more dates than I do:
http://videogum.com/archives/vlogging/this-popular-vlogger-who-pranked-his-mom-with-pepper_019031.html

I Won't Be Ignored!

This is kind of mostly for O-Face, but the rest of you will probably enjoy it. The best part is toward the end so do your best to stick it out through the bridge:

What?!

Are there ever those moments when you see something so innovative it causes you to lose your bowels?! This was it:

I've always wanted a soccer game that uses the entire body to play lifelike soccer. Oh, and I always wanted my friends to help me pick out the perfect dress for that awesome party...Taylor is going to be there and I need to look really cute so we can maybe make out, he's so dreamy.

This is Truth.

Tuna Gets a Tattoo

Goat head on chest, lightning bolt in his ear. He's stylin'.



p.s. Ketamine is expensive. I paid more for tattooing Tuna than I did for my whole halfsleeve outline.

My Arm Itches Like Hell! (Or: How is My Life So Awesome?)

Quick update on the ol' life:

1) Got a new tattoo of a laurel wreath on my forearm. (See blog title.) Also, the day I got it done I had a wicked allergic reaction to the lotion I put on it which hurt twenty times worse than actually getting the tattoo did, to the point that I kind of wanted to amputate my arm at the elbow.

2) Last night I went to see this band called Ssion (pronounced "shun") not expecting too much but intrigued nonetheless. The were billed as a queer electropop group so I was a little concerned I'd want to stab myself in the face, but it turned out that they were kind of really fucking amazing. Also, turned out that they're touring with Fischerspooner who decided to open for them with a few songs which was seriously fucking incredible. Dance party magic ensued and I found myself rather star struck. The night was one of the best I've had in a very long time and nearly ended in me going to Fargo, ND. Definitely made some new friends.

It Hates It

Yes. 

I'm probably the only person in the world who still looks at pictures of baby cats on 'icanhascheezburger.' 

Well, except maybe Dallas. 

But I'm probably one of the few who still looks at the site and laughs 'til they cry.  

So here:

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Oh, I stumbled on a website: look at this fucking hipster

Holy shit. I don't really know how I feel about this. I'm amazed at the amount of time and energy ppl spend on h8n'. I have no problem with ppl disliking each other or whatever, but when it's done out of cruelty, it makes the h8er look bad. I hate you so much I'm going to make a fucking website! I'm going to anonymously search out yr fucking face and make fun of you in a public forum!

I'm all for individuality. Lord knows how fucking silly I've dressed (not too long ago, either). When I moved to MT, ppl started calling me a hipster, and I didn't even know what they were talking about. You mean, like, those skinny kids dressed in black circa 1940s? Bro, I love Jack Kerouac!

The poor bastards. Maybe they need to invest in a full-length mirror. j/k

Only when yr old and boring and have h8ed enough do you think about how edgy it would be to just try to fit in and look normal. Look at all the tattoos she doesn't have.

I think ppl get all angry at "hipsters" when they're coming to the conclusion that they, themselves are ancient and uncool. What about grunge kids? Yuppies? Every generation has the young kids they h8 on, and all the point is is perspective and plain old jealousy of youth. Oldsters make excuses about how a younger generation outwardly presents itself. You wish you didn't give a fuck enough to wear feathers and dance all night to Dan Deacon. 

Yr just mad cuz yr old, homo!

Here, You Can Have This

Warm weather and lots of ideas are floating around in my head trying to break free. Here's some new stuff that I whipped into an MIA remix. I'm not the hugest fan of her stuff, but it's the only acapella I downloaded that works with this song. Original coming soon...

This Reminds Olivia

That maybe she doesn't need another tattoo.

Just started my half sleeve and am now swollen to twice my size and covered in hives from my shoulder to my elbow.

Be careful what you wish for.

Love,
Me

This Reminds Me...

...I need a new tattoo.

Guess Where I Went Today...

THE BEACH!!!

Except the river is still incredibly high, so there was no actual beach. But there was lounging on the rocks and I did jump in despite the water being quite frigid. I look forward to the water dropping so the beloved beach will again be there. Though it won't be the same without all of you kids...

Commence Sumratime.

It was 80º today, and the weather forecast for the rest of the week puts Billings between 80-95º.

Know what that means?

GARDENING!

It's a little known fact that I possess not one, but two green thumbs. I love gardening. Yay for gardens! 

I have tomatoes, and four different kinds of bell peppers, and three different kinds of squash, and eggplants, and swiss chard, and Walla Walla onions, and strawberries, and cantaloupe, and watermelon, and cucumbers, and jalapeños. And I planted my herb boxes with licorice basil (which tastes like that gum my parents brought back from Israel), and sweet basil, and cilantro, and chives, and garlic chives.

I also have a couple three of oriental and icelandic poppies that are ready to go in the ground, as soon as I find a spot for them. Planting poppies reminds me of Jared.

Anyway.

This is what I listened to (on repeat) while I gardened and worked on my farmer's tan:

The Garden - Mirah

So. You guys should come visit and I'll cook you dinner, fresh from my little plot of joy.(Additional Incentive: I'm something of a culinary goddess these days. Turns out, when I have nothing else to do and someone else is footing the bill, I'm a prime candidate for one of those cooking-themed reality T.V. shows. For serious.)

The Kills.

They're still awesome.



They covered "Crazy" by Patsy Cline and it was amazing.

Monfuckintana and Other Such Places

So I had returned, triumphantly, to Missoula.

I had so much fun I ended up staying longer than I had originally intended. Sometimes you just need a break. And since I left with some bad feelings, it was wonderful to go back with a new outlook. Fresh perspective, no grudges or even cares in the world whatsoever. Just having fun, hanging out with people I havent seen in a while, and spending quality time with my closest ones. So much fun, in fact, that I got the word "Monfuckintana" permanently etched on my body. That's gonna look awesome when I'm ninety.

And I tattooed for over a week straight. Which was awesome, since it's slow as hell here in PDX. Narwhals, Mitch Hedbergs, lighthouses and very ex-catholic praying hands, just to name a few. All the pictures are up on my myspace for those who would like to see.

I spent the last three days at Colonel Sumners Park here in Portland, people-watching, studying for my Tattoo License test I'll be taking soon as well as knocking out an entire print in one day (go me!)
(Note: I was trying to include a photo of it but due to my lack of technical prowess was unable to retrieve said photo from my cameraphone. You can text me if you want to see it I will send it to you.)

Smash and I are going to see The Kills tonight, where at midnight I get to run around and officially scream drunkenly 'It's my birthday!". I think I;m going to buy tickets to see The Dead Weather for Aug. 23rd so if anyone will be in portland around that time I suggest you get tix now before the masses catch on and they sell out.

My computer is on it's way out and so this is why I contribute inconsistently. I apologize. That being said I might have to bite the bullet and learn more about this dreaded Twitter thing, so I can keep in touch better. Anyone willing to give me info on how I get started with it would be much appreciated.

I FUCKING LOVE YOU GUYS.

I Would Just Like to Apologize...

for all the shit I gave everyone about twitter. It's not as sucktastic/retarded as I'd previously assumed. All the same, I don't think I should've joined.

I can't stop tweeting. Can't. Physically unable to. It just happens.

This is mostly because I'm up all night, alone. So, it kind of boils down to "tweet or talk to myself." And twitter seems saner (though, is it really?)

So, I guess I'm also going to go ahead and apologize now for elevenity-thousand twitter notifications you guys get from me between 2 and 9 am. You should go ahead and disable the device updates thing for my tweets.

Oh, and "tweets" is the gayest word ever.

Ugh.

Couple Dozen to Several Hundred

Hey I haven't posted in a long time either. I just wanted to share this little gem that Nate and I came across. I'm so proud this is where I come from...

Do You Know What It Means To Be Polite?

Hmm.

I never post.

Oh, and I'm boring and H8 ppl.

I thought this video was pretty funny because it is relevent to past posts and this blog in general.

Don't watch it.

When Jon and I were first dating, he gave me a CD of a band from his Minnie-APP days, (compact discs, such a fuckin' dead technology). 

It was 'Venom' by Awesome Snakes.  They basically shred. 

To ram home, I give you this song, from that album, legally: 

Ooh. Media.

That wasn't too hard. 

Maybe I'll do it again sometime. 

Enjoy, my sweet babies.

Love,

amandapants

Holy Shit, I also Just found this out!

Did you guys know that Dan Deacon recorded his latest album at Snow Ghost studio?! Holys shits! It was featured on Pitchfork.tv right fucking here:

Publications and such and not really and what

I read an interesting article about the day jobs of the band Suckers (right here), Brooklyn sounds weird. Anyways, I've also been reading (while taking care of my human business) a publication called EQ. It's quite fascinating, revolving around production and engineering strategies and practices that have gone into our favorite recordings. This month's issue's cover story interviews David Sitek and Nick Laundry regarding their production of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' most recent album. It also interviews members of the band and their roles in the production of the record. Also featured in the issue is an interview with MSTRKRFT on their new album. Perhaps the most intriguing article/interview this month is Grizzly Bear's take on reverberant spaces and the incorporation of various spaces in their upcoming album...fucking fascinating. The publication also has really great tips and tricks for recording and production techniques. As far as light reading goes, this is my favorite goddamn thing right now. Check it out here.

Suck on This

Just acquired Suckers' self-titled debut EP today and I can't stop listening to it. Despite the cover art, it reminds me a bit at times of early Wolf Parade. Produced by Anand Wilder of Yeasayer and Chris Moore (TVOTR, YYYs, Yeasayer, Foals, Au Revoir Simone, et al...) these four tracks are worth a listen. Pitchfork review here and to "listen" click here (not a torrent so you non-torrenting types can "listen", too).

R.I.P. House of Mystery

Every morning I ride my bike down First Street and was quite shocked this morning when I discovered that the abandoned house that was quite the late night attraction last summer had been demolished. The day before it stood there in all of it's bizarre and creepy glory, and today it was gone. All that remains is the cement slab that was once the front porch. Just thought I would let you all know. Pour one out, or grieve however you see fit.

So Much New, So Little Time

Aside from spending far too much time racking my brain for a Twitter username (pretty sure I've settled on thepictureofryancote), I also came across my new favorite blog, at least for a couple weeks. We Love You So is Spike Jonze's Where-the-Wild-Things-Are-centric blog cataloguing his inspirations, random relevancies, and other awesomeness. I can't stop reading it. (It has taken me over an hour to write this entry because I keep flipping back to WLYS and getting sucked in.)

With Regards to the Criticism of Officials and the Future of Soccer

I know that not many of you care, or even are aware of the current stirrings in the sport of soccer. But several of my friends have been complaining insistently about the officiating in the match between the Seattle Sounders and the LA Galaxy on Sunday. Here's the article one of them sent, and my response.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2009208860_sounders12.html

Yes, I agree that the quality of refereeing on Sunday was quite questionable. But I don't feel that the referee had any questionable intentions. I agree with the MLS Exec VP, he [the referee] is obviously experienced enough to get to this level and simply called a bad game. How often do we have bad days at the office? We're just fortunate that thousands if not millions of people are not scrutinizing ever split-second decision we make. This abstract variable in soccer (the decisions and judgments of the referee) has always been a part of the game that will never change. Yet, I call to your attention the possiblity of instant replay reviews. I distinctly remember during the match a remark made by the local commentary team regarding the implimentation of instant replay reviews into the sport. I for one initially feel that the sport is purer without the review factor.

The sport existed before the introduction of video cameras and, unlike other professional sports that also share this claim, soccer has remained largely unchanged since the cameras began rolling decades ago. More importantly, unlike other sports, it's largely uneffected by the introduction of television into the spectator end of the sport. There is something to be said about enjoying, as a spectator, a game that is rarely interrupted for extended periods of time. If every tackle inside the box, every questionable handball, every borderline offsides causes a stoppage of play for review where do we as spectators and appreciators of the sport end up?

Soccer is a sport whose results are dependent on quick execution, exploitation of weaknesses, resilience, smart plays, tenacity and endurance, sometimes a bit of luck, prayer and outright miracles, and yes on occasion a bad call or two. The result can swing in a matter of seconds, we've all been witness to these matches. But rather than dwindle and remain hung up on a result that yielded your team zero points or even lost a piece of silverware, is it not better to hold in regard the mystique, splendor, integrity and tradition of the sport itself? We must remember that the competition is eleven men, or women, against eleven and that the referee is the judge in the situation ensuring fair play, we (the live spectators and those watching through the cameras rolling on the sidelines) are simply the passive members of the equation. And while we like to feel as though we indeed have a direct influence on the outcome of the competition, our cheering is as far as our influence should extend. The influence of the cameras however, should remain entirely passive.

This is The Beautiful Game for a reason, it's steeped in legacy, tradition and history. Unforgettable calls, or lack thereof, have changed the game and made heroes that live in that history. The various soccer/football associations throughout the world will continue to monitor the performance of officials. They are aware of who the best judges in the world are. We are quick to forget well officiated matches, but linger on those few calls that are questionable or downright wrong and are quick to criticize those that judged these instances. Let's continue to put our trust in the officials to call the game as fairly as possible in order to maintain the sport's dignity and heritage.

Keep cheering and keep jeering (and go Sounders),
Eric

A defining moment in the sport: A call missed and a hero made.

re tweet

I came to praise Twitter, and I've ended up somewhere more ambivalent. But unquestionably I'm hooked on it.

a thought from the poptimist column on pitchfork....tony, ben and i are all on twitter and it serves as a hilarious fun way to keep in touch.  not to say anything about being informed if shows you're about to go to are sold out or if eugene mirman is doing a secret show at a hipster bar somewhere in chicago in an hour.......

you kids love blogger, facebook and txting.  so why not get on twitter?  i would love to be at work and laugh my ass off at something ryan cote or aaron young tweeted?  or have a rant from eric or dallas just end up on my phone in the middle of the day.  tony and i seem to be keeping in contact a bit more since twitter enabled us to have another channel of communication.  and ben and i play some twitter version of who found better records in the used bin today?  

it's just that i find myself a little too apathetic to blog personal info with any regularity.  does anything i did tuesday warrant a whole 400 word blog post?  but on any given day you might get much more out of my following my tweets.  i don't carry my laptop with me everywhere but my phone rarely leaves my side.

the only reason i bring this up again is that this blog's main point was to keep us kids connected.  and twitter is becoming just as useful as facebook for keeping in touch with people... but not if no one joins.  and yes read the linked article at the beginning of the post.  yes there are drawbacks to the format.  but that is the case with any new format.  you can let stupid people ruin everything...............

Ok, Here's What Happened:

I go to ∑≈!mart to return some shit. I exchange the shit for some cash dollars, I exit the establishment, get in my car, and light a cigarette. I start to back out of my spot, but am delayed from escaping, owing to the fact that there is a fucking parade, a goddamn motorcade, a veritable cavalcade of the hoi polloi not uncommon to a ∑≈!mart parking lot at 4 pm, and my van happens to be parked along the procession route.

So, I sit and smoke and wait a couple of minutes for the herd to scatter. Finally, my getaway is feasible, so I start to back out, and FUCK! What was that? Oh, of course: one of the fucking dregs who just passed by parked their empty shopping cart directly behind my van, exactly in my blind spot, even though I was sitting in the car with the engine running.

Naturally, I get out of my car to assess the damages. This is when I notice a livid septuagenarian approaching me, and I quickly realize that the errant shopping cart has traversed the distance between my van and his sedan with some force, thusly scratching his shiny, shiny paint job. I start to explain what has happened, and Father Time--instead of being calm and rational--decides to grab my arm and drag me to his car, so I can see the damage I've inflicted on his vehicle.

He yells at me for a few seconds about how careless, reckless, inattentive I've been, all the while clutching my arm with his skeletal claw of death. I ask him to please let go of my arm. He yells at me some more about how he isn't in a position to pay for a new paint job, he's retired, he's living on a fixed income. I'm thinking about how I can't afford to pay for a new paint job either, but mostly I'm thinking, "If this fucking codger doesn't let go of me, I'm going to punch him in the eye." I ask him again to let go of my arm. Now. He asks what the hell I was thinking, and I say, "You. Need. To. Let. Go. Of. Me. Now." I'm weighing the moral implications and karmic retributions of socking a senior citizen, when his wife gets out of the car and says, "Frank: stop being an asshole and get back in the car." Somewhat hesitantly, he releases his grip on my limb, and returns to his car.

I'm shaking from the adrenaline that nearly getting a brawl in the ∑≈!mart parking lot has produced, and can't think clearly, so what do I do?

I return the cart to its stable, get in my car and drive away.

Later, my mom tells me that I should get the parking lot surveillance tapes, press assault charges, and that ∑≈!mart is obligated to pay for damages inflicted by runaway shopping carts. My dad tells me I should have kicked his nether regions. And life goes on.

So... For those of you who were wondering: that's what happened.

Fucking AGU

SMD Makes My Heart Hurt

I'm such a sucker for well done light installations/art, and Simian Mobile Disco's video for "10,000 Horses Can't Be Wrong" is just that. Please watch and enjoy:

P.S. This gave me a totally awesome lighting idea for when Aaron, Ben, Eric and I start playing shows as our as-of-yet-unformed music project in Seattle.

What I'm Doing Next Week (AKA, Don't You Wish You Were Here?)

Just thought I'd let you know what exciting things I'm up to this week. I'm taking midterms, yea suck. But I'm getting close to securing studio time for personal projects. Also I'm touring two studios, one is brand new and finished their construction three weeks ago. The other is world renown. The first is the Toy Box. It's in a really fucking great area of Fremont that's just insane. They just opened and I already met the head engineer who's really damn cool. They don't have a website otherwise I would link it. The second is the world famous (and it really is) Avast! Studio. They opened a new location and maintain their old location. I'm planning on touring the new studio, here's why:

Avast! installed their original Trident A-Range console in their new studio (see photo). This console is legendary! They say there are only like three originals left in operation. Check out an article about them HERE. They're insane. I'm anticipating just looking at the thing. Anyways, just giving you an update. Later.

The Stories We'll Be Reading Our Children

This Is Me, Who Are You?

Dear _________,

Hey, it's been a while. How are you? How's the family? I'm doing well. Thanks again for the money! Even though my birthday isn't until the end of next month, it was still nice to receive and was quite the pleasant surprise. The weather's been incredibly nice although I hear it's suppose to get pretty ugly next week. School's good, thanks for asking. I'm learning a lot. The city is really nice this time of year. I was able to see some friends recently who came out for a weekend, that was quite a pleasant surprise as well. I'm trying to write as much music as I can while I have the time, but my neighbor blasts music all day long only interrupting it to play jazz saxophone and it makes it hard to concentrate on what I'm working on. Oh well, I suppose that's translated into me staying up until 3am to get work done. I think I'm driving in a 1988 Jamboree back to Montana for a few days this summer, the only catch is that I have to wear a captain's hat when I'm driving (I think that's very humorous and fun).

Nothing else is really new. I'm finding that I'm listening less and less to mindless dance and rap and more and more to good "real" music. Are you doing the same? Maybe it's because I've moved away from a mindless town that I've completely lost my affection for those genres. Although I never really had that much real love for them anyways. I suppose you could say it was a wonderful little college fling I had with them. Now I suppose it's time to settle back down with something serious, like indie, rock, folk, jazz, symphonic, etc. Those genres seem like they would hold down a job better and would be much more suitable parents/guardians. I remember a long relationship I had with indie a while back, it was really nice. Indie and I still managed to hook up frequently in college while I was seeing those other genres as well. Indie was always right for me, *sigh*. I wasted time and youth on those mindless genres only for their superficial qualities. I think I'm ready to go-steady again with Indie. Not that I won't listen to dance/rap's equivalent of porn from time to time, I just don't think I'm interesting in seeing a dance/rap genre seriously ever again. Hahaha, remember when I was hooking-up with mash-ups for a while?!!! What was I thinking?! I should probably go get tested after that one.

But I digress...Any big plans for the future? I built my first pre-amp today, would you like it? It even has a phantom power switch for those condenser mics we all love. Did you get the gift I sent for the holidays? I hope it fits, I remember you wear a medium right? Anyways, I'll leave you with some stuff I've been impressed with lately. Here's a great clip of NJ kids Titus Andronicus that I really enjoy, see if David likes it too (haha, we know he won't right?). Also, here's an Atlas Sound song that makes me really happy, Springtime (instrumental) click here! Remember that time we took that drive up to the lake in the late spring? That was awesome, I've never been so glad to jump in the freezing water than when I was chased by those bees. Bees sure hate water.

 

And finally I have enclosed a live clip of Japandroids, a Vancouver band that has caught my eye (or should I say, EARS?! hahahaha). I hope you like them too. I've thought of other little puns and word play based on Japan: Japandrew Japson, Japand 1, Japples, Japantibiotics, Japanti-hystamine blockers make me drowsy, door japandales, Japandemic (Swine Flu joke!), Japanti-semites, Japamela Japanderson, I could go on for days. Remember that one time we went to the bar on a really busy friday night, and instead of socializing with other people we just drank, smoked cigarrettes and made puns and such?! Remember that girl that we pissed off with the horse puns? ("I've a horse throat, it's really long and has a mane?") Yea, I don't really either, we were all pretty drunk. Anyways, hope to hear from you soon!

Your friend always,
Eric

This Is The Part Where I Reveal How Un-Hip/Behind The Times I Am...

Until very, very recently, I was not a reader of Pitchfork. And not only was I not a reader, or a fan, but I was vehemently opposed to the entire publication. For absolutely no rational reason. I had no grounds on which to base my judgement because I had never even skimmed the publication. I can't even say that I was opposed to it on principle. Somewhere along the line I simply developed a negative opinion.

And now I can't stop trolling the pages. I check the site a couple times a day. I'm sure to read their review of any album I'm acquiring. I'm hooked. It's probably about time I start wearing a kafiya and tricking on a fixed gear.

Coffee and Pitchfork: my new vices.

stupid or not...

the swine flu may be a joke, but it's even more hilarious when the first case in chicago is discovered at a elementary school five blocks from your apartment.  and all the pork is on sale at the neighborhood groceries.  so amanda and i have been joking about the pandemic all day, and it never loses its humor.

but the neighborhood is a bit quiet tonight.  maybe a little too quiet........

(postscript from blogger:

These characters are not allowed in a post label: &.)

I Like Lists

Things I like and/or am interested in this week:

-  Railroads

-  Peter Gabriel

-  Japandroids (thanks Eric)

-  The rise of the American Industrial Complex

-  Deep fried pizza

-  Opening a restaurant

-  Looking good in a bow tie

-  Having two separate personal blogs for absolutely no reason

-  Coffee

-  Convincing Danielle to visit Seattle

Things I do not like and/or am not interested in this week:

-  Jaydiohead

-  Being poor

-  Snow

-  My insanely screwed up, split-shift sleep schedule

-  The word "cahoots"

-  People who think the past tense of "forego" is "foregoo"

-  Being gaunt

-  That there is a training process to work for Cha Cha

-  Not having a phone

-  Needing to shave

Swine Flu? Whatevs.

It's that time again! "What time?" you ask. Fucked up pandemic time!

I first read about swine flu on a French news site and my initial thoughts were: a) this is a fucking joke, or b) my French has gotten so bad that I'm mistranslating something here... SWINE flu?! I guess it's a good thing I don't like Mexico. Or pigs. Or people who hang out with pigs. Seriously, though, haven't we learned anything from SARS? In a few months this will have blown over and this time next year we'll be freaking out about dolphin flu, or something equally ridiculous. (I know that people are dying, which is sad and all, but that's how natural population control works.)

What I'm more worried about is how someone at the White House thought it would be a good idea to do a low altitude "photo shoot" of Air Force One over Tribeca. WHAT THE FUCK? That person should be on the first flight to Mexico.

Love,

Ryan

P.S. This is for Jon: &

Tonight I'll Dream of Deep-Fried Butter,

and it will be the best dream ever.

From top: deep-fried pepperoni pizza, fried chicken and waffles, and The Bacone: a bacon cone filled with scrambled eggs and country gravy topped with a biscuit.

You know what's a bad idea?

Browsing This Is Why You're Fat at 11:30 pm. Especially when you haven't eaten since approximately 9:00 am because you've consumed far too many stimulants and kindofsortof forgot that food was like, necessary.

I know it's just cleverly-shaped, edible, food-like substances (can you tell I've been reading Michael Pollan?), but I think I would sell my unborn children for a deep-fried pizza right about now...*

Ok. I'm going to go eat some carrots (and pretend they've been battered and deep-fried).





*I feel I should mention here that I can't even remember the last time I had deep-fried anything, so I don't need anyone to point out that this crap will kill me. I know: that's why I don't eat it. But I can dream.

indie cribz

the village voice does an amazing indie rock knock off of mtv's cribs, called of course indie cribz.  you should all check it out.  it's very entertaining, and so far they've done episodes with matt and kim and parts and labor........ and it also hammers home the point that all of us kids live in apartments that are all too too small...........

(and by the way, when the FUCK did they not allow you to use ampersands in blogger?  fucking retarded.....)

Insatiable

As of late, it seems, I haven't been able to listen to enough music. I was on a bit of a drought for awhile, but now I find myself needing to listen to something, everything. And I've had just about enough of new music. Nothing really seems to be hitting the spot, except the "Dark Was The Night" compilation. I think I've mentioned this before, but there is some amazing stuff on this two disc comp. Most recently, I've been listening to Yeasayer's "Tightrope" on repeat. Give it a listen here. The rest of the comp can be found here.

The other song that has been on heavy rotation lately is "Bridges and Balloons" by Joanna Newsom. I've never been a huge Newsom fan, but I find myself needing desperately to listen to this song. (Listen here.) A large factor of this could be that it is featured in Dedication, a movie that I watch at least five times a week. If you torrent, please, please download this movie. It was only released in theaters so you're really not hurting anyone by downloading it. I know there are a few torrents available here, but I can't remember which one I used. Aside from being Justin Theroux's directorial debut, it has an awesome soundtrack that is full of Deerhoof.

Distraction-Comfort-Sedation

Yet another patent that should have been mine... This time, The PediSedate: an attachment for the Gameboy (or iPod, or whatever) that dispenses nitrous oxide. But don't get too excited--it's for use by professionals only.



I wish I'd had one when I was a kid: it would've made even the shittiest games I owned (i.e. "Alfred's Chicken" or "We're Back!") exciting.

Jump on the spring, dive into the balloon. Jump on the spring, dive into the balloooo... oooOOoo! Ba... loooo... nnnnneeeee.... What's this weird thing attached to my hand? Chicken? Chick-a-chick-a-chick-ken-ken-ke-zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Here's a gloriously lame video (with a smidge of 'graphic' content) explaining why The PediSedate is the greatest thing since whip-its.(Note the kid, staring at his hand, STONED OUT HIS FUCKING MIND. Oh, and "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" playing in the background.)

Wish I had one now. I could fall asleep while playing "Super Mario World 2," happy and numb... instead of staying up all night playing it.

(Via Technologizer)


Totally Random Postscript: Does anyone else feel like "Gifted" by N.A.S.A. (featuring Kayne, Santogold, and Lykke Li) should have been... I don't know... better?


N.A.S.A. - "Gifted" video from Anti Records on Vimeo.

2 Girls 1 Tribute

We all know and love 2 Girls 1 Cup, right? Apparently not as much as some people.


I recommend clicking on it to read it in its entirety.

the ultimate:

Boosh!

No clink for Number 3: The Rapist! Though it was scary as shit and now I have to meet with them every day for the next 60. Sorry for the stress kids.

Love y'all.

breaking the trends.

according to the census bureau, only 12% of americans moved last year to a new home.  i guess that makes us trend breakers.  or not dissuaded by the recession.  

anyway, click here to read the whole article.

i love articles that cite trends among the general american public.  i tend to compare those stats with how i match up.  the economy isn't going to stop me from doing what i want to do.  i just might eat less than i did before..........

Here's The Story

I hate to bring the tone of this blog down to such seriousness, so I'm apologizing in advance. But I wanted to let everyone know what's going on in my life, because I'm not sure how to let everyone know individually.

Things with my P.O. have always been a little rough. We certainly got off to a poor start based on my lack of knowledge of the workings of the system. I also get a sense that he's not comfortable with homosexuality, which is fine, everyone is entitled to their opinion as long as everyone is treated equally, but I feel like it has created a bit of tension in our relationship.

I met with my P.O. last Friday and felt that I had good news: I feel confident that I will soon have a job at James Bar, and I'm waiting for my tax return (nearly $900) which will be put toward my restitution. I haven't been able to make many payments toward my restitution or fees because I've been between jobs quite a bit. This has created issues.

I was informed that on Wednesday I will be attending an intervention hearing, at which an Intervention Officer will hear my defense as to why my probation should not be revoked. If it is revoked, I will have to go in front of a judge to be resentenced, which includes the possibility of time in prison. If it is not revoked, further action will be decided in house.

I wanted to let you guys know this because in the case that my probation is revoked, I have a feeling that they are going to put me in jail until I go in front of a judge, which means that I would have no means of informing anyone. In the case that I don't get put in the clink, I'll post here immediately and inform everyone via various forms of communique.

Again, I'm sorry about this. I don't want you guys to worry about me. I always come out on top.

Love you kids more than you know.

Quotes from The Weekend

AB: Definitely.

AH: Do you collect pizza boxes?

AB: My feet are so claustrophobic!

AB: The rest is for you. (Telling our waitress that she could keep the $.38 change from our bill.)

CB: Let's have a cigarette and talk about it. (Pause.) Okay, let's do it.

RC: Hey, Abi. I'm so excited to beat the shit out of you right now!

RC: I really just want to give her a hug! (About the hostess at Linda's, who is O-Face's doppelgänger. I definitely nearly gave her a hug when we were leaving but then I thought she might feel accosted.)

AH: What should we do tonight?

RC: I don't know. We should get a Stranger.

AB: To do what?! (She thought we meant a person.)

AB: The Dutch boy definitely got a hand job.

ES: We totally scared that pimp!

AB: These shoes are Satanic.

AB: I got my boobs touched and made out.

RC: And this little piggy had none.

Hey Eric,

This girl wins:





Via NOTCOT. From an Arrested Motion blurb about Audrey Kawasaki-inspired tattoos.

Personal Blogs = Bane

Our blog has dwindle in content because everyone has their own personal blog now and isn't writing on the group one. I for one vote that everyone neglects their personal blogs over the group on the basis that although I love you all, I'm afraid it's not enough to go checking everyone's respective personal blogs.



Myspace deleted this photo from my profile because apparently it is "too violent" and its content is not suitable to other myspace veiwers to see.

Get Back Over Here Alison, and Bring Mr. White With You

So, while loitering in the cold, pissing, living weather, a contingency of Jersey muses insisted on placing a spell on not one, but three door guys; the magic portal thus allowing me to walk past them unnoticed.  I choose to think in terms of pure rationality, but sometimes these foundations are rattled, as to the existence of magic and muses and such.  Here is some culled videos from my shaky hands:

This photo, as poor as it is, is the lovely lady playing a Bo Diddley guitarra:

If I had any idea that my mediocre camera would pick up any legible sounds, there would be much more than this here.  So it goes. 

Move over Allison, There's a New Rock Crush

Uhmm, uhh, excuse me while I clear my throat.  This lady bang bangs all the soundmakers too (though I kinda dig the remixes more...):

www.myspace.com/catwalktrash

Rachel Maddow Is Incredible

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

a reason to visit chicago.

if hanging out with amanda and myself is not incentive enough*, the music fests chicago has to offer over the summer are amazing.  i won't bother you with the insane details of pitchfork fest, but i will tell you how we get to see handsome furs and flosstradamus at the division street party for a donation of a mere five dollars, and that same night we get to bounce down the street to the empty bottle to see holy fuck and the crocodiles.....and its on my birthday weekend (may 30th).  

so you kids should forget sasquatch and visit chicago.  it will be much cheaper and more fun than those other much touted over hipstered fests.......

*and perhaps ben when he actually moves here

What I've Been Reading (or: Noone else is writing so I will)

I ride the bus a lot. So instead of dealing with totally psychotic individuals on the 3 & 4, I sequester my self in my small square section of the bench seat quietly reading and listening to music. One of the books I've been reading is Among the Thugs (seriously Blogspot, no underlines) by Bill Buford. Written in 1990 it chronicles English football supporters in the late 1980s (not, mind you, hooligans as they often unconvincingly remind the author) throughout their matches and journeys abroad, all while attending football fixtures. It becomes an in-depth, sociological inquiry into why exactly these individuals behave the way they do in groups. Some ways into the book, it becomes an examination not of a gang or large mob of people but an animalistic subculture. It's fucking great, and a fascinating and shocking read. One of Obama's top national security advisors credits the book as a solid look into terrorism and group violence, the article is available here. Great read, very interesting and very absorbing. I recommend it. I finally understand why there was a fifteen foot fence and a concrete moat around the terraces where I stood at an Udinese game (see picture below). Here is the closest piece of video media I could find related to the subject (a much calmer group that ONLY targets other firms and not as extreme as those portrayed in the book). Buford does recount the Liverpool - Juventus European Cup tragedy in Belgium seen in part 5:
















Oh yea, I'm also reading The Unbearable Lightness of Being and The Stranger

You're Ch-ot Then You're Cold

I enjoy this.

I Have to Find This B-Movie!

If you haven't seen this...its totally amazing, and if you have seen this it's still totally amazing...

Why There Is Music (Or: What Makes Me Think of Happy)

My friend turned me on to these guys. They remind me of why I like music. Cymbals Eat Guitars...enjoy.