Friday, December 31, 2004

Top Albums of 2004...

So the year end is upon us, and since I am a music nerd, there's nothing better than displaying your "best of" lists to everyone so they can go "ah, yes" or "what? idiot." Of course if you are in the latter category, you are stupid because my choices are beyond cool. Anyways, here are my top 15 favorite records that had their debut this past year, and in order of significance. Perhaps you've heard of them, perhaps you haven't. Maybe it will inspire you to go out and buy something new. Happy New Year!



  1. The Arcade Fire - Funeral - From the opening notes, to the very last chord, this album is flawless. If they never release anything at this level again, I wouldn't care.
  2. Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Love Bad News - I remember some kid at freshman orientation telling me that Modest Mouse was just too weird. Can we say surprise radio hit of the year? Not up to par with Moon and Antarctica, but head and shoulders above everything but the Arcade Fire.
  3. AC Newman - The Slow Wonder - Best power-pop record of the past five years, even better than his New Pornographer's output.
  4. TV on the Radio - Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes - Took some time to really digest, but when it clicked, it clicked.
  5. The Black Keys - Rubber Factory - This is the band I always wanted to be in. Enough said.
  6. Iron and Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days - Sam Beam tops his sub pop debut with this amazing record that is so intimate I didn't want to share him with anyone.
  7. Interpol - Antics - Faced with the unenviable position of trying to top their flawless debut, Interpol gets pretty darn close with this one.
  8. Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans - Sufjan Stevens made me start practicing banjo again. God bless him.
  9. Air - Talkie Walkie - Even though I just bought this a few days ago, it is a beautiful record, that, if given more time, would have certainly risen on this list.
  10. The Features - Exhibit A - Amazing Middle TN band, my favorite driving record of the year.
  11. The Killers - Hot Fuss - Say what you will, "Somebody Told Me" flat out rocks. The first five songs on this record are all worthy of #1 status.
  12. Q & Not U - Power - Funkiest DC area record of 2004.
  13. The Walkmen - Bows and Arrows - Another one that took some time to get into, but it is a stunning album.
  14. Jens Lekman - You Are The Light EP - Hindered only by being an EP, can't wait to get his full length.
  15. Tom Waits - Real Gone - Tom Waits can be hard for some people to take, but I love him.

Biggest Disapointment of the Year - The Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat - Maybe I'm just dumb, but I really don't understand all the praise heaped on this album. It's like a kid with ADHD took the tape, cut it up, and threw it back together.

My Most Anticipated Release of 2005 - Bloc Party - I dunno when it comes out, but their song "banquet" was simply amazing, and I can only hope the full length matches its potential.

And there we go, my faves of 2004. Hope you enjoyed it.

-ed.

Thursday, December 30, 2004

So...

The new Air album I picked up in Evansville, IN is pretty much the best chill out music ever. Ah.

-ed

Wednesday, December 29, 2004

HENDERSON, KY ROCKS.

Why? Not only does Ashley live there and they have a sweet river, but I made my first snowman ever today. Ok, I know what you're thinking...lame, and yes, to my readers who are from "The North" it might be. But to a son of Texas such as me, this is a once in a lifetime event. It wasn't a very big snowman, but I did it. He even had little twigs for arms. So cute. Of course by the time we got back from lunch he had melted...oh Frosty, if only you could laugh and play the same as you and me. But nooooooo. You had to try to be cool and smoke those cigarettes. Sigh.

-ed

Monday, December 27, 2004

This assimilation thing isn't going as I planned...

Ok, I go to Wal-Mart to get some hooks for my door so I can put my scarves on them. I find them and then proceed to the check out line. Everything is going smoothly until I had the lady my money. She looks at me, then says.

"You're not from around here, are you?"

At this point, I'm getting scared. I have this feeling like this will turn out like those movies where the rednecks corner the poor black guy in the back of the convenience store, then they lynch him.

I go, "No, I'm from San Antonio, TX."

Her face lights up like I just revealed I was wearing black face.

"Texas!? Well hey there, I have a joke for you!" she says.

Right about now, I start to look around for a way out. No one is behind me in line. No one is remotely near us. So much for an escape.

She starts telling it, and halfway through, she forget it. She then proceeds to reach behind her and pick up a Reader's Digest and turns to the joke section. She reads me the joke, having something to do with Texans, Californians, New Yorkers, and beef shortage. I laugh nervously, trying to be cool. By this time, someone has gotten behind me in line. I feel better, knowing the chances of me being lynched have gone down...or gotten worse, depending on the mentality of the guy behind me and if the checkout lady decides to sell me out. Anyways, I laugh some more, grab my bag and walk away. Somehow I have survived.

The question that begs to be answered here is how did this woman know I wasn't from Columbia. I know that it's a small town, but surely everyone doesn't know everyone...I could have slipped through her radar. What tipped her off that I wasn't a native? My lack of accent? My tragically stylish dress? The fact I'm buying hooks to put scarves on? I thought maybe she saw something suspect in my wallet, but I have a TN licence, so I'm cool on that part. I suggested that maybe she smelled foreigner, and of course when I tell this to Christina, she goes "yeah, you have a scent," which makes me think I need to change deoderants. Do I smell like TX? It seems to be the only logical explanation.

-ed

Thursday, December 23, 2004

COFFEE...

Dear Columbia,
Please point me in the direction of a coffee shop that is not seem like it is run by middle aged women. Show me a place where I can get a cup of black coffee and no one will look at me like I'm weird. Lead me to an establishment where I can sit and not be interrupted by loud people. Guide me to a place where the waitress knows my name, and knows exactly the right time to refill my cup. But until that blessed day comes, I will be forced to make my own coffee and sit in the flat and drink it. Please Columbia, I want to feel trendy. You're not helping. For Godsakes, I dressed like I was Al Pacino from that 70's movie about the tattletale cop, and no one said anything. Do I need to shout out my hatred for gun freedom? Something's gotta get me noticed around here.

But no.

I think I'll buy a Dale Earndhart hat and assimilate. Take that corporate America!

-Love, ed.

Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Reflections on Texas...

Most Surreal Moment: Sitting in Goerke's Diner, surrounded by construction workers, and Abba's "Dancing Queen" is playing in the background

Funniest Story: Sara's sister telling about the pregnant stripper who didn't know she was pregnant.

Best Wedding Moment: Playing the opening 3 chords of "Sweet Home Alabama" at the request of the groom's family...because that's the only part of the song we knew.

Best Taco Experience: Sitting in Bill Miller's, reading the Current, drinking 5 cups of coffee, eating 2 sausage and egg tacos, and eavesdropping on the 10 Mormon's behind me.

Time I thought I was going to die the most: Thursday Night, around 10:30pm. Sara and Kristen know what I mean.

Most Metal Moment: The page long tribute to Dimebag Darrell in the SA Current.

Best Coffee: Denny's...probably around 10 refills.

Worst Coffee: Jim's, 12am. Enough said.

Oh Texas...you confuse me. I like the people, can't stand the place.

MOST REDNECK MOMENT EVER: So I'm at Kroger, standing in the checkout line, and I look towards that machine that'll convert your change into dollar bills. I had to look twice, but I swear, there was this guy with the most amazing mullet I've ever seen, emptying two bottles of change into the machine. But as this was no ordinary mullet, these were no ordinary bottles. Two huge Crown Royal bottles, filled with pennies. Trust me, if you had been there, you would have died of laughter, which I almost did. Ah...Columbia.

-ed

Friday, December 10, 2004

Best Songs of 2004...

Before I list them off, I would like to say that the vast majority of these songs were released in 2004, but I keep this list open to older songs I might have discovered this year along the way, such as the Cat Stevens song. That said, here's my picks for best songs of 2004, in the order randomized on my iTunes play list:

  1. Sweet Summer Night in Hammer Hill - Jens Lekman
  2. Hoist That Rag - Tom Waits
  3. All These Things That I've Done - The Killers
  4. Paperwings - Damien Juardo
  5. Hardcore Days and Softcore Nights - Aqueduct
  6. Here Comes My Baby - Cat Stevens
  7. Miracle Drug - A.C. Newman
  8. The Art Teacher - Rufus Wainwright
  9. Ocean Breathes Salty - Modest Mouse
  10. Our Mutual Friend - The Divine Comedy
  11. Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) - The Arcade Fire
  12. Evil - Interpol
  13. 10 A.M. Automatic - The Black Keys
  14. He War - Cat Power
  15. In the Devil's Territory - Sufjan Stevens
  16. Even Tho - Joseph Arthur
  17. Passing Afternoon - Iron & Wine
  18. Banquet - Bloc Party

And there you have it...my favorite songs of the year. I'll gladly burn a copy of these for anyone who wants them...the are amazing. I'll follow with the Top 10 Albums of the year soon, promise.

NO MORE BYRNE.

I defended my honors paper like a friggin' champ.

I am now done with that part of my life.

This is something worth noting. And celebrating.

Whoo!

btw...I want to live in whatever fake 70's Belle and Sebastian and Josh Rouse currently inhabit.

Sunday, November 28, 2004

Things that amaze me about Columbia, TN...

1.) How, at 2pm on a Sunday, the Cracker Barrel (barell, barrell???) in the middle of nowhere between Columbia and I-65 can be so packed that people are parking in the overflow lot with the truckers.

2.) How people continue to call the county "Murry" when it is spelled "Maury"...surely there are other educated people in Columbia that this pisses off also.

3.) The library is closed on Sunday. Not that I would go, but I remember the SA library being open all week. Seems logical, right?

4.) They have Sun-Drop flavored Icee's at the movie theater. Personally, I think that is awesome.

5.) The mullets are beyond compare. It's not even ironic anymore.

-ed

Thursday, November 11, 2004

Sometimes I think "Liberals" don't really think out their arguments...

And of course the same can be said for conservatives. But anyways, take the case of an article written by Mike Greenberg on the SA Express News, the arts and entertainment editor. Here are some excerpts from his writing, and my take on it.

The consistent message of exit polls last Tuesday was that Bush voters, the conservatives, were heavily motivated by fear — specifically, fear of terrorism and of same sex marriage, but more generally fear of ambiguity, the unknown and change.

Ok, this is partially true. But after his first two valid points Greenberg then proceeds to give a dictionary definition of conservatives...afraid of change. Personally, I don't think it's fear of change in it's basic terminology that drive conservative voters. It's more fear of things that they believe are morally wrong. Change is all fine and well if it benefits society in some way. Allowing gays to marry, which the majority of America believes is wrong, despite what hollywood would have you believe, is just a "change" that has really no benefit to society besides allowing gays to feel "accepted" even though they do everything else they can to show that they are "different."

By contrast, Kerry’s voters were motivated by opportunity — hope for economic opportunity and equality of opportunity in particular, but more generally the opportunities for experience and growth that are associated with ambiguity, the unknown and change.

Opportunity? Are you serious? The many Kerry voters I have spoken to haven't a clue what Kerry's agenda was, beside the sole fact "He's not Bush." Liberals aren't striving for "opportunity," liberals are motivated by hate, to be really honest. The hatred they had for Bush was more driving than "opportunity." And seriously, what opportunity was John Kerry going to bring to them? A hope for higher taxes and an ineffective social security reform? Perhaps.

The conservative attitude is insular and closed. The liberal attitude is cosmopolitan and open.

Man, don't even get me started, Mike.

The arts thrive in such cities — and most artists are politically liberal — because the rapid, broad and fearless exchange of ideas is crucial to the arts.

Mike, you want to know why most artists are liberal? Because it's trendy. No shit. The only coherent artist I've ever heard speak on behalf of liberals is Moby. That's it. Everyone else is dumped into "Bush bad" camp. Artists latch onto liberalism because it is ingrained in them to be nearly mindless in their political policies. "Fearless exchange of ideas"...Mike, I do believe you are dramatizing things a bit too much. It's one thing to keep an open mind. It's another to be "fearless" and seriously Mike, have you ever noticed the widening gap between "art" and real "society?" How what is cutting edge on the theaters on NY would never run on a stage to more than 20 people in any other city? Is it because you are so open, or the fact they have lost touch with society. There used to be a time when art did not exist to needlessly "challenge" us and instead existed to inspire us. Do you remember? As a musician who does not buy into the wholesale liberal agenda, this distresses me.

enough.

-ed
..Oh Man, Oh Man...

So there's this "Dance Party" in the basement of Heron Hall on Saturday night. I asked Kibbe if I could be a guest DJ and of course she said yes. There's nothing better than subjecting people to your bad music, and thus I will be Saturday night. Here's the track listing, heavy on the remixes:

  1. Doing the Stand Still - The Dismemberment Plan
  2. Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) - The Arcade Fire
  3. Y Control (Faint Remix) - The Yeah Yeah Yeahs
  4. Wonderful People - Q & Not U
  5. I Need Your Love (Ewan's Stay in School Remix) - The Rapture
  6. Breathe In - Frou Frou
  7. Take Me Out(Morgan Geist Remix) - Franz Ferdinand
  8. Deceptacon - Le Tigre
  9. Me and Guiliani Down by the School Yard - !!!
  10. Glass Danse - The Faint
  11. Such Great Heights (Remix) - The Postal Service
  12. The City - The Dismemberment Plan
  13. Still In Love Song (Extended 12" Remix) - The Stills
  14. Everything is Everything - Phoenix
  15. Hardcore Days and Softcore Nights - Aqueduct
  16. Jenny Was A Friend of Mine - The Killers
  17. One With the Freaks - The Notwist
  18. Crumble - The Russian Futurists
  19. Evil - Interpol

And there you have it...my dance mix.

-ed


So what ever happened to...

The Old Testament God who smited everyone? This benevolant God just isn't striking fear into anyone's hearts. Maybe he should, you know, smite someone in a high profile position in full public view, I'm not saying who or how, but maybe a spontaneous combustion, just to get everyone's attention. Not trying to tell you how to run the world Lord, but what's a combustion here and there? As long as it's not me, ok?

-ed

Saturday, November 06, 2004

Rushmore...

That was an absolutely amazing film. In some ways it reminded me of SMH (you know, with girls added, of course) with the people throwing money at stupid crap just to get their names on a building. And of course, the stupid clubs...robotics club anyone? Oh, the hillarity ensues. I was just glad to finally see a film that showed a school that resembled the one I went to, quasi-religious (chapel?) but firmly secular in its actions. Man, I'm gonna send my kids to public school I think, just so I don't get sucked into any of that. Kudos to my parents for staying out of the inner workings of SMH.

-ed

Wednesday, November 03, 2004

Ok, seriously...

The Texas Department of Transportation offices are total shit. I just got my new Tennessee drivers license and the building in Columbia is freaking amazing. All the Texas ones are these pint-sized boxes where everyone is pissed off and nothing ever works or something is always wrong. The one in Columbia had windows and natural light, a courteous secretary, and an actual waiting room and nice people to get me my license. And they joked with me, and I made up stories of my Polish grandmother who came over on Elis Island and narrowly avoided the holocaust. And the woman believed me, which was even more amazing. Gotta love TN education.

-ed

Monday, November 01, 2004

To Everyone Who is Voting For Bush and Kerry...

Are you serious? How the hell can you justify your vote? These are both HORRIBLE candidates. How can Republicans back a president who has sunk us into even more debt and got us into an unwinnable war? It sickens me when I see kids my age with stupid "W" things in their AIM profiles...they don't get it. They are most likely doing that because their parents are doing it. And then if not, they try to pull a "Christian" slant. Utter crap. There is nothing remotely "Christian" about anything Bush has done this year. Go to war? Kill innoncent people? Weapons of Mass what? Bush is a bad president. He needs to go.

HOWEVER

As I've writen before, John Kerry is a douchebag. Of the highest caliber. There is no way I can vote for him because he is a political oportunist with no real plan for anything but to throw more money and soliders at it. What a shitty strategy. I will spend no more time on him.

So who am I voting for? Ladies and Gentlemen, I am voting for the Libertarian candidate, Michael Badnarik, because they have more common sense than anything the other two parties throw out there. I mean, there's no chance in hell that they will win. But any party that advocates free immigration, totally free press, free international trade, repealing totally useless drug laws, and the disbanding of Social Security, people, I can put my stamp of approval on that. Now, I now that my voting for Badnarik could lead to Kerry winning, such as how Nader destroyed Al "I invented the internet" Gore's hopes and let Bush in. But, hey, one of those two are going to win, I might as well be able to say I didn't back either of them.

-ed

Saturday, October 16, 2004

Reflections on the camping excursion...

So, that was awesome. Nothing like freezing for the love of nature. It just reaffirms my belief that TN is so much more beautifual than TX. TX...the ugly girl at the prom. No idea what that means...shut up.

Anyways, things I learned on this trip:

Things that are so much better when you are intoxicated:
  1. Interpol's Turn on the Bright Lights.
  2. Scattergories (in where for the letter "G" everything I put had the pre-fix of "Giant")
  3. Playing Weezer's "Say It Ain't So" on a guitar in a cave.
  4. Warming your feet by the fire...you don't realize the rubber on your soles are melting.
  5. Hot Dogs that are cold in the middle.
  6. Walking down a trail where you can't see, only to find out in the morning that there was a 50 foot drop right next to you.
  7. Burnt Marshmellows
  8. Peeing in the middle of the woods

BTW, I like hiking, as long as it's not up a steep hill with shoes with no traction and in the middle of a hunting club's property.

Nice!



Sunday, October 10, 2004

So every once in a while...

I'll be reading the San Antonio Express News website and I'll come across an article relating to the family of a kid I went to school with. Now, I know I went to school with the elite of San Antonio, but it's still surprising to see something like "Businessman blah blah millions of dollars blah blah prostitutes blah blah." and then realize I went to school with his son. Weird.
So, am I just like the Audio 1 Assisting Whore or what?

Seriously, I don't know if it's just luck of the draw or people have actually heard my name, but all these Audio 2 and Production students are calling me asking to assist them. And normally, like the assisting whore I am, I would say yes, but I'm already booked all the time. And in some ways I feel bad for turning them down, but then it's like, LEAVE ME ALONE!!

Seth Strawbridge came back this weekend. Immaculate. I walked out of my room at 5am to use the bathroom and he and Clint were talking in the hallway, just like last year. It nearly brought a tear to my eye because these things just don't happen anymore. Oh Third Floor of last year, why must Kyle and I carry the torch? We were the good kids!!

Whoa!

Thursday, October 07, 2004

Michael Moore, Sir, You Are an Idiot.

"It's ironic that Republicans have no problem with allowing assault weapons out on our streets, yet they don't want to put clean underwear in the hands of our slacker youth," Moore said. "The Republicans seem more interested in locking me up for trying to encourage people to participate in our democracy than locking up bin Laden for his attacks on our democracy." -Mike Moore

Um.....are you really that stupid? I mean, I'm giving you props for trying to get people to vote, and I find nothing offensive about your methods, but....

You blame the Republicans for the assualt weapon ban being forgotten about? Do you forget that the entire congress is not Republican, but also composed of your precious Democrats? Are you that dim to realize that what you are implying is absolutly false? Well, wait a min...yes, yes you are. You made Farenheit 9/11.

Monday, October 04, 2004

Is it just me...

Or is Elton John just the biggest badass ever these days? See for yourself

Friday, October 01, 2004

Dumbass things John Kerry said in the debates that people probably won't pick up on...(a work in progress)

"But we didn‘t use American forces, the best trained in the world, to go kill him. The president relied on Afghan warlords and he outsourced that job too. That‘s wrong"

Um...uh...so, let me get this straight. Yet again, after you pretend to console the families of those who lost their lives in the war, you call for more American lives to be placed in danger. Listen, you stupid, emotional families who blame Bush for the death of your son (who died doing something he signed up to do anyways, your son knew it was a risk, you did to, the fact that he died shouldn't change the fact that IT WAS HIS JOB.) , John Kerry would have put American soliders in even more risk, and he still wants to do that now by sending more soldiers to Iraq. Why did Bush use Afgans? Because throwing American troops into that terrain would have meant nearly certain death, and why not use the people who know the land? Even if they have no interest in capturing Bin Ladin, at least no American lives were lost trying to accomplish an ultimately fruitless task.

"And so, today, we are 90 percent of the casualties "

Flat out lie. Check the numbers, we are not 90% of the casualties in Iraq. John Kerry is a dumbass.

"The center is Afghanistan, where, incidentally, there were more Americans killed last year than the year before; where the opium production is 75 percent of the world‘s opium production; where 40 to 60 percent of the economy of Afghanistan is based on opium; where the elections have been postponed three times. "

This is the part when those sitting at home should have gone "What the fuck?" Opium? What the hell does that have to do with anything? Um, yes, they grow opium there. You say it's 40-60% of their economy. So, John "douschebag" Kerry, what do you propose we do there? Take away 40-60% of their economic power, throwing them into even more choas? Maybe you can ask Teresa to set up a Heinz plant there. Oh wait, you don't want jobs overseas. YOU FUCKING DUMBASS.

"I‘ve met kids in Ohio, parents in Wisconsin places, Iowa, where they‘re going out on the Internet to get the state-of-the-art body gear to send to their kids. Some of them got them for a birthday present. Humvees -- 10,000 out of 12,000 Humvees that are over there aren‘t armored. And you go visit some of those kids in the hospitals today who were maimed because they don‘t have the armament."

Armored Humvees weigh nearly 14,000lbs. Mr. Kerry, you bitch about the cost of the war, yet you now want to spend even more money on trasnporting these massive things over? Same goes for body armor. You can't complain about spending then ask that we spend more. GAWD.

"My message to the troops is also: Thank you for what they‘re doing, but it‘s also help is on the way. I believe those troops deserve better than what they are getting today."

So...you're going to spend MORE money? After you just railed about how we need to focus on homeland spending, you want to invest even more on the war overseas? WTF???

Are Americans now dying in Iraq for a mistake?
KERRY: No, and they don‘t have to, providing we have the leadership that we put—that I‘m offering.


This said after just saying that is was a mistake to go into Iraq. WHAT THE BOOGADEBOO.

I gtg, I'll finish this later.

Wednesday, September 29, 2004

NEW MYTUNES!!

College Students Rejoice!

Monday, September 27, 2004

Ode to the guy who still thinks it's 1987...

Oh guy who sits in the smoke pit and has long hair and wears Slayer t-shirts, you amaze me. You willfully scorn the fact that this is 2004 and laugh in the face of convention by still wearing acid-wash jeans and speed-metal shirts. You refuse to cut your hair and wear it proudly split down the middle, falling ever so rock n' roll on your shoulders. While some might realize that speed-metal has fallen out of favor, you spit in their general direction and dial up more Megadeth.

Guy who still thinks it's 1987, you have moxy.

I salute you.

Friday, September 24, 2004

I knew this was going to happen....
refrence: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=536&ncid=536&e=10&u=/ap/20040924/ap_on_el_pr/edwards_4

Seriously, I'm convinced the Kerry campaign really wants me to hate him. There's some guy working at his headquarters that's all like, "Hey, remember how everyone said that we were picking John Edwards to appeal to women voters because he's somewhat attractive, and we were all like 'No way, homes, we chose Edwards for his vast political experience?' Well you know what, we lied!"

And I'm all at home, being like, "Man, I wish that John Kerry would give me a reason to like him. Bush, while incompetent, still is a much better leader than this man. But maybe there's something to him that they haven't revealed yet, something magical."

BUT NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Man, Kerry campaign, this is low. I mean, I knew it was only a matter of time before you told the "political experience" card to go screw itself and reveal your true intentions, but somewhere in me I wanted you to prove me wrong. But you didn't. And I was right. Yet again.

Democrats, can't you see your error? Is it too late to jump off the ship? You might think that a Bushless US is better, but do you realize you're giving us a Kerry US, which is worse? Give me Howard Dean even...at least he showed some moxy. And he wasn't all like "Hey man, I'm a moderate" and then go and vote like fucking Ted Kennedy on pot. Dean was honest. He was like "Hey man, I like the gays...I let them marry. So what." Again, the man had balls.

Bush has balls too. Though often times his ball-reaction is wrong, at least he has them. I bet Kerry's got shot off in 'Nam. Oh wait, did he get a medal for that? Someone look into that.

John Kerry...the eunuch.


Impressionistic Art vs. Renaissance Art

So, I've had the opportunity to see examples of the best of what these genres have to offer, and pretty much, Reniassance kicks Impressionistic art's ass. It's like somone shat on a DaVinci and called it a Monet. I will discuss this in more detail later.

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

You're That Guy!!

"Yeah, I know that guy. Wait a minute, I was the only kid with a real band in high school, and some people thought I was kind of a rock star, dammit...I hate you guys. I am that kid." - Kyle.

Ok, we all knew this was true in our subconsious, but it came to the startling forefront during dinner tonight. 99% of the male population at Belmont is "that guy." So, what does "that guy" mean? Ok, remember that guy in high school who was just a little left of center? The guy who wore the Modest Mouse t-shirt and had the random emo band patch on their bookbag? The guy who played guitar and was in choir? The guy who dyed his hair and styled it into a faux-hawk? The kid who wore jeans that were just too tight? The guy who watched independant films and swore that documentaries were cool? The kid who was voted in their high school yearbook as "most likely to sit on a street corner in Memphis and play his guitar?"( Um, yeah...fuck you SMH) That one kid from every high school across America? He now goes to Belmont.

We are a collection of band nerds, drama geeks, emo kids, and glam rockers. And we are not ashamed anymore.

The kids who wanted to dress like punk rockers but couldn't cause they would have gotten their asses beat in HS? They're dressed to the nines here. The kid who fronted that shitty band that played that shitty club in your hometown once? Yeah, he's forming a band here...and they still suck.

Because the female population here is so high compared to the guys, the girls who fall into the "that guy" category seem slim, but they're there too. They're just outweighed by the All-region choir girls, and the girls that sang in the church choir who are here as "Classical Voice Majors" or "Commercial Voice Majors" which is just street for "Please Marry Me Cause I Will Never Have A Real Career Major." Or Ebonics for "Housewife."

Yeah...you're that guy.

Great Exchange of the Night:
Eric- man, I think the gay black guy on the real world must be faking it...I bet they're paying him a lot to be a faux-homo
Sara-: haha no way
Eric- way...the dude is too ghetto to like the man
Eric-I can't believe I just admitted I watch the real world
Sara-busted!

Tuesday, September 14, 2004

Finally! A CD review!

The Black Keys - Rubber Factory

When I was a kid, I fell in love with the blues. Blame it on Stevie Ray Vaughan and his Live at the El Mocambo, but I used him as a springboard into every ancient bluesman ever. I bought the complete Robert Johnson set, worshiped Lightnin' Hopkins, learned a bunch of Albert King riffs, and ventured to Austin to catch B.B. King and Buddy Guy because I was convinced they'd die by now.

Then I fell in love with punk, like all suburban white kids. No need to go into that. But as a budding songwriter, I wanted to combine my two loves, blues and punk. But I didn't know anyone else who was down with that in San Antonio, TX. So I gave up my dream of a punk/blues band and got into indie music and became a much more competent musician. I forgot about my former dream.

Then I heard the Black Keys. These guys are the band I had always wanted to be. And maybe that will cloud my judgement of this disc, but if flat out rocks. A good dose of blues mixed in with a punk attitude and delivery.

The first single, 10 Am Automatic, is amazing. It's one of those 50 plays a day songs on my iTunes player. Brilliant. Grand. I love this cd...go buy it now.

Bryan, you want to know why John Kerry is a douche?
refrence - http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=1963&e=5&u=/ap/20040914/ap_on_el_pr/heinz_kerry_1

Because his wife is one too...amazingly. There's just something I can't stand about this woman. Is it because she's a rich heiress whose entire family is probably voting republican but she married a liberal douche so she has to espouse values and policies that will harm her business? no, it's more because of this statement:

Fashionwise, Heinz Kerry said she likes Oscar de la Renta, often wears Ralph Lauren and sometimes buys clothes off the rack.

HOLY SHIT!! SHE BUYS CLOTHES OFF THE RACK? Does she realize that fucking 95% of America BUYS CLOTHES OFF THE RACK? Is she trying to make herself look like the hoi poloi by admitting to such horrors? Off the rack? God forbid we don't have dresses and shoes made by the designers themselves? Off the rack? What will the Kennedy's think? She's obviously loosing it. Off the rack??? Only the middle class does that! Oh, I get it. She's trying to get us to think she's one of us! Genius. Now, Teresa, pelase explain the millions of dollars and luxury cars and tell us that you're just like us too. I'm waiting. Did you get those off the rack too?

Maybe it's just me...

But has anyone else looked a notes they've taken for a class and been like "What the hell did I just write?" Because that happened to me a few times today in Byrne's class.

So I went to da club...

With James, Michael, Bryan, Giacomo, Michael's sister Jenny, and this girl named Elaine. Quite possibly one of the weirdest experiences of my life. I dunno who thought this concept up, but they were obviously high. There was also a very high number of drunk old men that just scared the crap out of me, and just walked through the dancefloor hoping to grab a feel of some drunk girl. It just seemed creepy to me. But the highlight of the night was this fat asian guy who asked if he could dance with us then told me he was on Ecstacy. Amazing. Michael and I agreed that we're doing this every weekend...because we're cartoon superheroes.

Later.

Friday, September 10, 2004

Observations...

Despite my good intentions, the combination of Alberti's "On Painting", Heineken, and the Colts-Pats game was not a productive study session.

Is there nothing worse than clinging on to the past, even when the past sucked? Case in point, Emerson Hart, who refers to himself as "Emerson Hart, from Tonic" Um...wtf? First off, Tonic sucked ass, and that was back in the mid 90's when they'd let anything on the radio (Live? PLEAAASE). Secondly, get past it idiot. Your band sucked, yet you're still trying to ride its coat tails. Tonic...sucked. Emerson Hart, from Tonic...sucks even more, you pathetic loser. Come on brother, play those hits of 1995...man, you couldn't even hold a candle to Hootie and the Blowfish.

Monday, September 06, 2004

Things I'm Addicted To...

1.) Solitaire
2.) Reading people's lists on cdnow.com and being like, "You idiot, there's no way Hail to the Thief was better than Chutes Too Narrow"
3.) Checking people's away messages
4.) Coffee
5.) Those gormet suckers Mrs. Duquette sent that no one else seems to like
6.) Pitchforkmedia.com
7.) Trying to become a regular at some establishment so the person behind the counter will be all like "Hey man, the usual?"
8.) Making fun of Bryan (that will spawn another column)
9.) Buying records
10.) Water

Thursday, September 02, 2004

So I was talking with Geoff and Brett today at lunch...

And seriously, has there been a better politician than Arnold? The man is a total laugh riot everytime he speaks, and California seems to be doing pretty well since he took over. I mean, anyone with the balls to say "Economic Girlie Men" is obviously a better pol than any of the presidential candidates out there. Would anyone be against amending the constitution to let him run for President? I would be for it. Put him with Jesse Ventura, and that is a ticket that you cannot beat. Except maybe the one with Screech and Sinbad.

Out.

Monday, August 23, 2004

Back in Pembroke: The Myth, The Legend, The Truth.

I really wish I knew what that title is about, but I have no clue. I moved in on Thursday night with Kyle and Bryan, 2 days before we were supposed too. So much for that "no exceptions" crap they sent us. So far things have been good...we finally got our TV yesterday, so the room is finally complete. The new freshman at my end of the hall seem nice enough, but can they uphold the legacy of Third Floor Pembroke? Only time can tell.

I've been spending way too much time planning rush events, but I guess that's what we have to do.

I still don't think I'm mentally prepared for classes yet, so I guess I need to start focusing on that...but it's soooo hard! I need to go back to my $16k a year job and live off salads again.

Indeed.

Tuesday, August 17, 2004

So here I sit with numbed cheeks...

Got my two cavities filled today...man, what a drag. There's nothing like the taste of sawed off tooth to start the afternoon. Of course the best part is that when I was driving home I found out that I can't say the letter "f" very well, so instead of saying "fucking idiots" when I was cursing out the driver in front of me, it came out as "fwucking idiohts."

And I'm really hungry, and I can't eat. And when I tried to spit out the stuff they gave me to swirl around in my mouth, I couldn't close my lips so the stuff just dribbled out. Fwuck!

Observation...

You know why I hate living next to a hospital? Because the only people who drive to the hospital are the elderly and the sick, and those are two kinds of people I do not want driving near me.
Things I want to know...

Do women really sit around and talk about the pros and cons of tampons like commercials would have me believe? They seem to enjoy it so much.

Sunday, August 15, 2004

The Tennessee Moustache: Telling Logic to Simply Fuck Off.
- An observation by Eric Domkowski

This summer, when I was still living in SA, the daily paper, the Express News, published an article on how the moustache was no longer considered stylish for white males. In fact, the article was downright mean in regards to those who sport the upper lip fuzz. Now, I grew a fu-manchu last semester as a joke, and it didn't even last a week. I knew, everyone knew, that moustaches simply aren't cool right now. Maybe someday they will come back, but not now, and not in the near future.

Well someone didn't tell the entire state of Tennessee, especially my new hometown, Columbia. Moustaches are badges of pride here. Young men, old men, gay men, straight men...they all have them. It's like they didn't exactly get the memo. Of course, when your Jesus is Dale Earndhardt, and that man had a moustache to put Burt Reynolds to shame, it is understandable. Man, it almost makes me want to grow one. But not really.

The Olympics make me feel like a pedophile
Thank you, the gymnastics competition.

Tomorrow I will hit every pawn shop in this town in a mission to acquire a functional record player before I get back to school. Then I can play some analog bliss.

FISHING TOMORROW! WHOO!

Life is white, and I am black. Jesus and his lawyer are comming back!

Saturday, August 14, 2004

So, What if you had a movie with Screech, Sinbad, and new music from Van Halen featuring Diamond David Lee Roth?

It would just be THE GREATEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME. Duh. Jordan and I were discussing this yesterday, and what male, ages 18-35, would not see this movie? Seriously...someone get the Cohen Brothers on this, stat.

Ate at Bucky's again today...superb.

Ok, so I was watching the Olympics today, and I caught the indoor volleyball match with the US vs. China. Anyways, I decided that super excited Chinese women have to be the most irritating thing to watch on TV...even more irritating than Friends.

You know that thing how I forget funny stuff that happened? Well I have this feeling I'm forgetting something hillarious. HILLARIOUS. Like that time a pregnant woman hit on me. Lucky for you I remembered that.







Friday, August 13, 2004

Bud Light vs. Miller Light....

Ok...about this "President of Beers"thing..the Miller commercial says that "In the national taste test, Bud Light drinkers say Miller has more taste"...ok, this is misleading...maybe I'd fall for it if they said "taste better"...but just "taste"? How am I supposed to know what that means? Propaganda!

I like Rouge Wave...you should buy their cd...like I haven't..but I like the mp3 I have.

The Pembroke Reunion/Love Fest is in 5 freakin' days...too much excitment.

Ok, is it just me or was the end part of The Terminator where it's just the robot they gayest thing ever? It reminded me of a bad Japanese Godzilla movie.

Ok, enough of this for tonight.
So I had to break into my flat yesterday...

Because, after an entire lifetime of not having to lock a door, I manage to do so while leaving my keys in my room. So I broke down the screen from the window in the hallway and climbed through it onto my porch and walked in through that door. Hope no one saw me. Actually, I kinda do cause it was sooo James Bondish.

I think I need to change the title of this blog, since I haven't done a cd review in a very long time. But maybe I will, if anything of note comes out.

WHY CONAN THE DESTROYER IS THE BEST MOVIE EVER, By Eric
Seriously, can a movie get any better than this? It features Arnold Scwarswhatever in what seems to be his first attempt at speaking English, and if that wasn't enough, Wilt Chamberlain stars as the evil captain of the queen's guard. This surpasses Kareem Abdul Jabar's role as the light sensative ninja in that Bruce Lee movie as the best-movie-turn-by-a-70's-basketball-legend OF ALL TIME. And to top it off, they have this "maruauder" woman who's sole purpose is to scream and throw a stick. I love it! The best scene is when Conan is supposedly drunk, and Arnold gives his best performance until "Jingle All the Way"...which was a badass movie too, shut your mouth. Whatever happened to Sinbad? I am going to go find out now. Ok, ttyl, stay tuned.

Thursday, August 12, 2004

So what if I don't like either candidate?

Can I call in a pinch hitter? Because to be honest, both of them suck. Despite me Republican tendencies, Bush isn't quite endearing himself to me. Economy sucks, no real grasp on how to end this war (at least publicly), and just plain pissing a lot of people off. And it's bad because he has a lot of values I do...he's just not a good leader. He did a good job after 9/11, gotta give the man credit for that, but after that, it's up in the air. So all signs point to voting this man out of office.

BUT...

Like I've said before, John Kerry is a douche bag. He flip flops, he runs to celebrities to get votes and is leaning far too much on his running mate to be a convincing leader as well. But sometimes I like him...why? Because he makes good points on Healthcare, which SUCKS ASS in this country, and Bush hasn't done much to improve it. But I can't elect a man just on that basis, can I? I dunno...he's still a wishy washy douchebag.

Someday, there will be a candidate for me. A social conservative who favors total gun control and universal healthcare. Haha...I am sooooo dreaming.


Wednesday, August 11, 2004

Columbia: Old South Charm, New South Progress...

Um, far be it from me to be an expert on all things, but wasn't the New South thing part of the Civil War? Shouldn't we be beyond this by now? I dunno, maybe it's just me, but I don't think it should be something we should be proud of..."Hey, lookey here, we're on the upswing!" Shouldn't we be past the upswing by now? Am I the only one amazed by this slogan? I think we need a new one, and I will bestow upon my new hometown one I am just about to make up:

Columbia: Where NASCAR is God, and Dale Earndhardt is Jesus.

Ok, something else that is bothering me...I can automatically tell when a car approaching me is driven by a high school age girl. Why? Because they ALL have plastic lei's draped around their rear view mirrors. And it's not like it's just one or two...ALL of them. Is there some sort of symbolism I'm missing here? If you have a lei, does this mean you want to be laid? Should I be activly seeking out this girls for a good time? Of course I'm still not sure if I can hit on the 17 year old girls that surround my apartment...seems sorta wrong.

Tomorrow I will go fishing, since I missed it today due to my dentist visit. Oh, and I found out I don't have dental insurance. Funny thing. But I was still pissed about it.

Love ya!
American health insurance is totally gay
(and not in the happy, rainbow sense, but the totally gay, gay sense)

I had to go to the dentist today, because I have cavities. I don't know why, but I do. Anyways, I get there, and I give them my insurance card, which I have used for every medical encounter I have ever had. So I'm in the chair, reclined, and the front office woman comes up to me and is like "Sir, do you have a dental insurance card? This is a medical insurance card." um....excuse me, but when the hell did dental work not fall under the broad scope of medicine? It's not like if I had to get prostate surgery they'd ask if I had testicular insurance. I'm really pissed about this, for some reason. This is why universal health care is such a good thing. For one, it wouldn't put me in the akward position of trying to explain why I don't have a damned dental insurance card which I didn't think I needed to have since I have FUCKING MEDICAL INSURANCE. Secondly, I WOULDN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM. There we go. Call me a socialist, I want universal healthcare. That way I don't have to have Lou Rawls sell me Colonial Penn Life Insurance every fucking minute on AMC. Which, by the way, is not licensed in the state of New York, which means they're missing out on the mother load of old grumpy people.

AND, to top it off, I didn't get to go fishing today. Can this day get any worse? I need more coffee.

BTW, I'm reading a fascinating bio on the Carter Family. I recomend it. Do it now!

oh yes...Jenna Jamison.

Tuesday, August 10, 2004

Random musing of the night...

The new Hanes underwear I just bought are the most comfortable pair of underwear I have ever had the pleasure of wearing in my 19 years.
I think blogspot is spying on me...

Why? Because when I open up my site, there is a web-ad for Fleetwood Mac tickets. I don't think this is a coincidence. I mean, it's not that I've written a lot about Fleetwood Mac this summer, right? Naaaaah. Or that I haven't listened to anything else? of course not. I'm gonna try an experiment. I'm going to post about Jenna Jamison everyday and see what kind of links I get.

Jenna Jamison.
So today my crazy-ass redneck fishing experience continued...

I broke my own MWF fishing rule by going back out on a Tuesday. What can I say, I was so excited by the prospect of actually catching fish this time that I had to go back out there. AND GUESS WHAT? I caught not one, but two fish. Now, they were little pin fish, the size of my palm, but they were catches nontheless. After yesterday, nothing that happens to me can top being hitting on by the prego, but today something came close. It's around 9am, and I'm fishing off the boat ramp to avoid getting snagged in driftwood. Slowly, an early 90's Lumina, complete with Bondo on the hood, starts to drive down the ramp. First, I move my stuff out of the way. Then I start to think, "hmmm...this guy doesn't have a boat. Either he's going to kill me or kill himself by driving into the river. This will be interesting." As he is getting closer to me, he sticks his head out the window and yells to me "You seen two girls come down here?" Now, let me give you a description of this guy. For one, he has a mullet, standard issue Columbia haircut, and for kicks he's rocking a Dale Jr. T-shirt with holes in it. Now that I'm sure he's not going to kill me, I walk over and go "nope". He grunts and then backs up the ramp. I'm not sure what happened there. As with the situation yesterday, I am left feeling confused and somewhat abused by the society around me. At least he didn't kick my ass because I have earrings.

In sort of the same vein, I got a library card this afternoon. What does this have to do with fishing? Well, when I asked for a card, they wanted to see proof that I lived in this wonderful town, so I gave them my fishing license. Woman goes "Well, this'll work. People have even used food stamps before" I'm not sure that she was implying that having a fishing license is equal to being on welfare, but I was insulted. So what if the only people I've come across fishing have been on welfare? I have earrings! Bitch!

Oh, I'm listening to that Ryan Adams cd I have...still sucks.

The new McDonalds Chicken "Selects" (whatever the hell that means) are pretty good...and they gave me 6 pieces when I only ordered 3...that means I'm very full and now I have to run a lot tonight. McDonald's gives, McDonald's taketh away.

Should I grow my hair out again? I'm seriously thinking about it.

Bitchin'!

Monday, August 09, 2004

so, in pretty much a collective effort to make me crap my pants...

Nashville's much maligned music scene is bringing me, in the matter of months, Wilco, TV on The Radio, and REM. Plus other stuff I don't even know about! This stuff doesn't happen in SA!

Anyways, sorry I haven't written anything in a while...I guess I've been busy...and by that I mean watching baseball every night if there isn't a good movie on.

So today I went fishing again, with the knowledge that I need turkey livers to catch fish. So I go to Frank's and buy some, and damn it, if those fish didn't bite every 5 seconds...too bad I didn't figure out how to sink the hook...so I'm still 0 for eleventybillion in the catch department. But I fed those catfish pretty well, I think I'm gonna start a catfish feeding business, with me as the sole proprieter.

ok, this is the greatest story to happen to me since I came to Columbia. If you're not sitting down right now, do so immediatly.

I'm down there at my spot, just minding my own business. Today was a big day for fishing, we had me, unemployed Mexican man, and random pregnant woman trying our luck on the Duck. Around 9:30, pregnant woman walks over to me. Seems she broke her line and can't get the other line out of the spool. So being a nice guy, I fix it for her. That in itself is pretty ordinary. It's what was said while I was fixing her pole that is worthy of recording for history's sake. Now I promise that everything I write here was actually said to me, as fantastical as it might seem.

Prego: Yup, I'm getting tired of feeding for two here.
Me: How many months left?
Prego: 8 or so. My friend asks if I should get a DNA test, but I know it's his and besides it would be too dangerous now.
Me: (Nervous Laughter) haha, yeah.
Prego: Yup, and when I eat too much the little feller starts kickin' me, like "momma, stop that!" You got any kids of your own?
Me: (More Nervous Laughter) Um, no.
Prego: I need to get a place of my own, I'm only living with him cause I don't have a house of my own. It's so hard to find a good man, you have a kid and they start talking about how they don't want the responsibility and all that shit.
Me: haha, yeah. (wtf?)
Prego: Yup, sure hard to find a good man, you know what I mean?
Me: Yeah. (WTF??? Me, being a man, as it is. So I try to change the subject) You caught anything yet?
Prego: Nope, just you.
Me: (WTMFBAJEZUS? Right now I have no idea what to say..so I hurridly finish up her pole and hand it back, coated with more of my nervous laughter, and she walks away.)

I was hit on by a 30 year old, 8 months pregnant, welfare mother. Is that a good thing? Should I count that as the first bite on my singlehood, or is it second to the giggling freshman girls who kept talking to me when I visited that church last sunday? I really don't know what to think here.

Ok, that's enough for right now. Later.

Thursday, August 05, 2004

So today I did absolutly nothing...

And it wasn't all that bad. Drank too much coffee again...recorded some stuff, watched the Cub's game on WGN. I mean, I caught exactly the same amount of fish I did yesterday, so while it wasn't an improvement, it wasn't a disapointment either.

You know, throughout the day, I keep telling myself I need to write stuff down later, and I forget it. There's so many more funny things I could be telling you all right now, but instead you get this. Ever wonder what you're missing?

I think at a certain age, all old women start to look to same. Provided they're not fat, then it throws everything off.

I am going to go fishing tomorrow and I am not going to catch a single thing. I already know this.

So I cooked a frozen hamburger today, and I thought it was done, and I'm eating it and halfway though I realize it's still pretty red, so I throw it in the toaster oven and cook it all the way. The question is how much of the raw burger did I eat? And if I did eat it, am I going to get food poisoning and e-coli and the like? I can't wait to wake up tomorrow to a case of the mud butt or something to that tune. Stupid frozen burgers.

I'm an SP soldier, microphone holder.

Peace

Wednesday, August 04, 2004

So today the fish taunt me...

I see these fish near the banks, so I throw my lure in near them...they swim over to it...they look at it...and then swim away. Needless to say I flicked them off, then realized that was kinda pathetic and was thankful no one was around. Then I saw an aligator. No joke. I will never go in the Duck River. I really need to find a new place to fish.

Finally saw Stacey today, she gave me the grand tour of Columbia, capped off with a great meal at La Hacienda, or "LaHa" as she put it.

I saw the blues brothers tonight and had the urge to pull out my robert johnson cds.

GOING TO SLEEP NOW, QUIT ASKING QUESTIONS!

Tuesday, August 03, 2004

So I went to the mall today...

and it was pretty much just me and a bunch of old ladies. I went to the lone "bookstore" in Columbia, which also doubles as a Hallmark store, and bought the August issue of Spin since my subscription doesn't kick in for a while. I found the cd store there, and you know, I can deal with the higher prices here, but to charge $20 for a cd I can get at best buy for $10 is a bit absurd. I know it's tough making a living and since you're the only game in town you can be outrageous, but that was too much for me.

The local music store (instruments) was nice, the guy there was very friendly and eager to help, I guess since I was the only customer in a long while. He helped me find a lap steel instruction book and ordered it for me. Should be in in about a week. Nice.

Tomorrow I will go fishing. And catch nothing, like always.

You know what I saw for the first time in a looooong time tonight? Fireflies. Cool.

I wonder if Jill popped that baby out yet.

I am officially christening this my "Fleetwood Mac and Neil Young Summer"

I have run out of things to write

Word to your mother.



Monday, August 02, 2004

So, Eric, what kept you sane on that 18 hour drive from San Antonio to Columbia, seeing as though you had to follow at huge Penske truck going 65 and being passed by all sorts of vehicles?

Well son, I will tell you.

Here, in no particular order, are the cd's that made up my 12 disc changer on my two day journey.

Day 1 (7/26/04)
The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow
Son Volt - Trace
Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Some Mix I Made with The Rapture and Michael Jackson
The Dismemberment Plan - Emergency and I
Fleetwood Mac - S/T
Neil Young - On the Beach
Uncle Tupelo - 89/93: An Anthology
Yeah Yeah Yeah's - Fever to Tell
Outkast - Speakerboxxx
Fleetwood Mac - Rumors
Sun Kil Moon - Ghosts of the Great Highway

Day 2 (7/27/04)
Death Cab for Cutie - Photo Album
The Get Up Kids - Something to Write Home About
Counting Crows - August and Everything After
Secret Machines - Now Here is Nowhere
Brand New - Deja Whatever
Outkast - Love Below
Neil Young - Harvest
Modest Mouse - Good News for People Who Love Bad News
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot it in People
Stevie Wonder - Greatest Hits
The Notwist - Neon Golden
Pixies - Surfer Rosa


Well, there isn't really a lot to do here. I pretty much just fish, run, write songs and then commit them to tape before I forget them.
Funny thing...this county is named "Maury County"...you'd think that it was pronounced like "Mauuuary", i.e. Maury Povich...noooooooooooooooooooooooo. They say it "Murry" I am really not used to the accents here yet...but I have found the local bait shop, so I'm trying to get in good with them there. Speaking of that I am now going to go fishing. Adieu.

P.S. I drink waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much coffee these days. After 2 years without caffine, I'm hitting the coffeemaker like a relapsed heroin addict.


Saturday, July 31, 2004

Sweet Home Columbia

I don't have much time to write, seeing as though I'm on the computer in my dad's new office...the phone company is very slow so we don't have a phone line in the apartment yet. When I get that hooked up, I'll detail my adventure up until now. Columbia is well, small. I drove around the entire town in about 30 min this morning. Lots of mullets. Lots. I found a good fishing spot...caught no fish. We're stealing cable, but all I can get on our 1970's TV is AMC, which isn't really that bad. gotta go, peace my peeps.

Friday, July 23, 2004

So....
 
What a week.   Let's see, how did it start out...Friday, the surprise party for me at Jordan's, which was awesome.  Saturday, a three-year relationship ended.   I can honestly say I experienced both ends of the emotional spectrum in a 24 hour period.  Maybe it really is the best thing, time will tell...part of me wants us to get back together, but then I realize that if I spend my time dwelling on that, I'll never move on...and end up like Bill Dautrive...and that's not going to happen.  All I know is that I've lost 10lbs in a week due to my incessant treadmill routine. 

I'm also afraid I'm going to lose my best friend...it would be a shame if 3 years of memories went to waste.   I mean, romantic interest or not, I've shared more with her on a person to person level than anyone else, and I don't want that to just fade.  So I guess if she's reading this, I just want her to know that I'm always there for her and that if she thinks we can continue this on a friends level, I'm for it.  There!  I put the pressure on you! ;)

Anyways, I'm leaving for Columbia a lot earlier than I expected (i.e. This Monday).   Everyone who wants to say goodbye to me, better get on that fast, cause I'm leaving Texas baby, and I ain't coming back.

awesome...this journey can only get better.

Saturday, July 17, 2004

I don't care what they say, I like the Polyphonic Spree
and other random musings.
 
Anyone else drawing Uncle Tueplo comparisons with Sparta and the Mars Volta?  Sparta is obviously the Son Volt of this pairing, with the Mars Volta on a Wilco-like tear.  Sparta puts out their debut, a strong one at that, that isn't much different that At The Drive In (a la Son Volt, Trace).  Critical acclaim follows.  The Mars Volta puts out an EP, not as widely acclaimed (Wilco, AM).  Then the Mars Volta busts out with their debut, a prog-rock masterpiece that blows everyone else out of the water (Wilco, YFH).  Sparta then releases their next cd which, while good, shows no real growth or deviation from ATDI.(Son Volt, Jay Farrar's every other release).  Interesting...hopefully the Mars Volta won't suffer a Ghost Is Born type relapse.
 
 
I think I'll get a haircut today.
 
All of my friends are dirty sneaks, and I love them for it.

Thursday, July 15, 2004

Holy crap...Blogspot upgraded...amazing!
 
The Ultra Secret Vishnu Department at Harcourt, Part I
Ok, this is really strange...there's this section, suspiciously titled "Alerts" in the back of my office, near the door.  Every single person, and when I say every single, I mean every freaking single person that hides back there is of Indian enthnicity.  Not Sitting Bull Indian, but the "I wanna blow up Pakistan" Indian...now that I've said that they're probably Pakistani...but who can really tell.  For argument's sake, they are Indian.  But whatever the hell it is they are doing, obviously Harcourt decided that only Indians can do it.  Are they dealing with the Indian gov't setting up tests?  Well, obviously not otherwise I would have dealt with it.  There are also no other Indians anywhere else, save the one guy who sits in the cubicle next to my favorite copy machine who is always on IM, but he's secluded so it just lends to my secret Indian conspiracy theory.  It's really bothering me.  I will get to the bottom of this before I leave.
 
 
Finished my first recording with the olde Lap Steel.  My summer EP is turning out good despite my limited time to record it.  I've turned into a big fan of one takes.  Except for the lap steel, cause I'm learning the instrument as I'm recording so it takes a few times to nail down exactly what I want. 
 
boob.
 
 

Monday, July 12, 2004

I don't have the energy to write a bunch today...but needless to say, Fleetwood Mac's Rumors is by far the best record my mother ever bought...and one of the only ones...I guess when you sell eleventy-billion copies, even Liz will have it.

And needless to say I'm pretty lonely right now...haven't talked to Maddie in a week cause her cell phone doesn't work in the mountains. I thought she got back today, but I'm not really sure. Oh well...I'm listening to "The City" a lot ( see post on greatest songs ever).

I'll deal with Johnny Liberal tomorrow night.

Sunday, July 11, 2004

Why John Kerry is full of it
and why the current celebrity sentiment is built on nothing but ignorance

I feel I must write something about this upcoming election thing after this week's barrage on why Johnny K's picking of Johnny E as his running mate is going to improve his chances. Let's examine the new battle cray of the K/E campagin..."Middle Class Values"...Um, excuse me, when the hell were John Kerry and John Edwards considered middle class? John "The Male Anna Nicole Smith" Kerry, while rich before, married into extreme wealth with his marriage to the Heinz woman. Edwards, while he gives a great story about his middle class parents, is a succesful trial lawyer (read: multi-millionaire), far removed from the middle class I live in, where we live pay check to pay check, drive chevrolets and don't give a flying flip about Kyoto. John Kerry is obviously out of touch with the "Middle America" he's trying so desperatly to court, which is why he selected Edwards as his running mate...a Southern gentleman who will singlehandedly swing the vote in favor of Kerry in the Southern states. Voters should be insulted by this. Instead of having the balls to run on his own platform, Kerry is using Edwards to reach the people he can't. Some might say "wow, brilliant." I say "What a dumbass, no one votes for the VP." Seriously...this is the campaign for President. If Kerry is so insecure about his chances that he must rely on an unproven charmer to carry him, that says a lot about the man. Not that I'm the biggest Bush/Cheney fan, but Bush has a confidence about him that is nowhere on Kerry. Kerry's makes me feel like I should beat the crap out of him just because he exudes weakness.

AND...I'm sick of this bleeding heart liberal entertainer crap. God bless Arnold Swarwherever for having the balls to run as a republican in Hollywood, at least he's living in a somewhat real world. I've yet to see one of these celebrities send back their fat refund check from the Bush tax cuts...then I'd believe their rants. oooh, classic moment I saw on Fox news today. This is when I knew Kerry was a douche bag for good. His Press whore (who happens to be a guy with a horrible haircut) was shown a clip where Kerry is jamming out with all these celebrities and musicians (Bon Jovi, Whoopi Goldberg, etc...) and they start bitching out Bush with all these horrible phrases, then they cut to Kerry going "And these are the middle class values I'm talking about!!" His press whore then spends a few minutes spouting off stuff like "I don't think he was present at the whole event" and "The values he's talking about aren't what they were saying." give me a break...it's a fund raiser for Kerry, if he's not there ther entire time, what a scam, and of course he's talking about what they were saying. John Kerry is a douche bag, and everyone around him knows it.

And finally, why any one trust celebrities for political awareness is beyond me...case and point a quote from Adam Yauch of the "politicaly-minded" beastie boys in Spin Magazine. "I think Bush is terrifying. The guy is a lunatic. We'd be hard pressed to find somebody worse to put in there. Maybe Adolf Hitler." um....can we say dumbass? I think so. Next, when asked if he's politically active, he says "Does that mean I'm at political functions...Or does that mean I'm in the park with my friends talkinb about how fucked George Bush is? I guess I"m in the category of talkinb about hom fucked George Bush is...That's how politically engaged I am." So this artist, who is touted by MTV as being one of the most politically astute basically does no research on his stands and is just shooting the shit with friends and that's how he comes by his opinions. Nice.

Tomorrow...the Saga of the Brainwashed Liberal College Student that sat next to me at work.

Friday, July 09, 2004

First off...

I am convinced Joel does not realize how insignificant a role I play at the office...He goes "We're gonna need everyone to come in on Saturday." Joel, seriously, I spent 30 minutes today picking lint out of my "Shipped On (Date)" stamp, I really don't need to be there Saturday...in fact, I don't serve a purpose at all except to keep Sandra and Diana entertained. I suppose that's what keeps me from being fired, they like me for some reason. Oh well, I'm still getting paid.

Secondly...

My pop song project is underway, I have a killer hook and chorus already. I'm proud of it.

Thirdly...

Spin was right, Fleetwood Mac is a damn good record.

Fourthly...

Where is my lap steel guitar?? It's been two weeks. Stupid Canadians.

Fifly...(Dave Chappelle anyone?)

I don't care what Larry Ratliff says, I am going to go see "Anchorman"


Rhiannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnon.

Thursday, July 08, 2004

Why Thursday is the worst day of the week

Simply because it's not Wednesday or Friday.

Let's think about it...Wednesday is hump day...the week is half over...two more days and it's Friday (aka payday)...you begin to party.

Then Thursday hits you like a ton of bricks. There's one, awful, horrible, long day before Friday, and you gotta work the whole damn Friday to get paid anyways. Friday seems so far away, and Wednesday is a distant memory. Basically, Thursday is like the other Osmonds. No one gives a crap about anyone but Donnie and Marie, and when you have to think about the rest of them, it's painful. Think about Thursday...hurts, doesn't it?

It's only a mater of time...

My job is growing irrelevent at an exponential pace. Sandra makes me sit with her and act like we're doing something so I don't get fired too quickly. I like her, she understands I have really stopped caring about this job...and she made me corn cakes one day. When everyone else got the boot, and I revealed that I'm not coming back, my position quickly became in jeopardy...and with that in mind, my performance has, shall we say...suffered. Not that I do a poor job on what I do accomplish during the day...on the contrary, I'm still as dilligent as ever with my QCing duties...it's just that I take longer...go for walks...find any excuse to go shred stuff on the industrial shredder...use the bathroom in the cafeteria...I guess this is a bad thing...I keep telling myself that I can't be like this when I have a "real" job, but then I tell myself I'll be doing something I like, which, as we all know, is bullcrap...but this is my first real job...I'll call it my "Rookie League" season.

Peace my honkies.

Anyone actually reading this? Let me know (AIM: downsouthpunk35)

Wednesday, July 07, 2004

I am going to prove a point...to show my utter disregard for today's pop music scene and my own overblown confidence in my songwriting ability, I am going to write a commercially viable pop song. I have done this before, with "One Step Behind", which, though in a bare-bones arrangement was a really good fluffy-pop song. And this one is going to be good too...just to prove that you don't have to be a musical genius to write "acceptable" radio songs, I am going to do this. Will I actually finish it? With all the crap going on right now, signs point to no, but I'm gonna get the idea in my head and on paper at least.
All The People That Pretended To Like Me Are Gone
(or at least those that ate lunch with me)

It's true. I'm the last one left standing out of my hiring group. I guess I get the longevity award. Victor, Esther, Sarah, Jon, and Stacey, this one's for you.

Victor - I will miss your stories of prostitutes in Guam. Maybe someday you will be able to play your drums and not have your girlfriend yell at you.

Esther - You amazed me with your stories of your drunken exploits. And yes, even though you were .01 above the legal limit, the cop really shouldn't have thrown you in jail.

Sarah - Wal-Mart really is the only store that matters. Hope you finally find a job.

Jon - I will never forget your daily "meetings" with the newspaper in your "office". And all the pot you smoked.

Stacey - I will miss your agreeing with me and Victor that Harcourt is devoid of attractive women and your open oggling of Jugs.

So what's it like to be the longest tenured temp at the office? Pretty crappy...I'm still doing menial work like shoving stuff into envelopes...I wish they'd fire me and end this tension.

Miss my Maddie.

Peace my crackers.

Tuesday, July 06, 2004

How I've fooled them all...

So I got offered a full time job at Harcourt today...seems that I forgot to mention that I go to college in Nashville and am getting the hell out of Dodge ASAP. I feel my imminent firing approaching, considering Norma said something to the tune of "Well, we need to find someone else to train to do this." Yet again my "slacking just less than the others" attitude has gotten me a pseudo-promotion...I may be on to something.

Making progress with DJ Dave's record collection...my favorite find so far is the s/t Fleetwood Mac one..."Say That You Love Me" is such a great song. And I don't think there is a better record side than side 2 of London Calling by the Clash...Also, despite Pitchfork's glowing recomendation of David Bowie's Low, I seriously doubt that it's the #1 record of the 70's...it would have to be Led Zep IV or London Calling.

Forgotten Treasures - as I was in the process of trying to organize my cd's in one of my new 200 cd-holding cases, I came across Neon Golden by The Notwist...dunno how I forgot this bad boy, but it's an excellent record.

This summer's EP is shaping up nicely...track list is as follows: Niches, Crutch, Say That You Love Me (Fleetwood Mac Cover...I ditched the Nick Drake idea), and Boylston.
I've done 4 track tape demos for all of them and only the instrumental "Boylston" is on Nuendo right now....quit acting like you know what I'm talking about.

Peace, Love, and I'm getting laid off soon! Yes!

Sunday, July 04, 2004

What's Wrong With Music: A List by Eric Domkowski

(I scribbled these down during a break at work)

1. Clear Channel Communications (obviously)
2. Pop-Country (crash commercialism surpassing even that of pop music)
3. Letting Pop singers sing the National Anthem (seriously, they suck...and did anyone see Aretha Franklin do the one at the NBA Finals? Could she do a worse job at lip-syncing? It was awful)
4. Barbara Striesand (from her ridiculous leftist politics to her less than acceptable singing voice, why do we even give her air space any more?)
5. "Big" sounding 80's drums (come on, obviously you didn't record the snare in a warehouse, you're not fooling me)
6. Nu-Metal (crap, the entire state of rock radio falls under this one)
7. Michael Jackson (I love "Off the Wall" and "Thriller"...it's a shame he didn't just die or something to preserve a legacy...now it's just sad)
8. Arena Concerts (is there anything less intimate than sitting 500 feet from a performer?)
9. The rap "image" (especially the pimp, ho's money crap...I'm not against the music, just the image that certain popular groups exude is bullshit and needs to stop before a generation of kids imbibes much more of it)
10. Auto Tune (now any dumbass can sing).



Wednesday, June 30, 2004

Random Thoughts Time...

In all sitcoms, why do people always bust in through the back door that leads to the kitchen? When in real life do people come into your house through the kitchen door? And it always leads to the carport and backyard when they go outside...does that seem odd to anyone else? Did the option of using the conventional front door just not enter their minds? WHY??

So this lady at work I thought was fat, turns out she was pregnant. This isn't the first time this has happened to me.

When did our radio stars cease to be musical innovators? I'm betting on the late 70's, early 80's. Besides, let's say Nirvana and Radiohead, has anyone done anything of merit in the past decade that's been commercially succesful? I mean, though I don't always like them, Pink Floyd were amazing musicians. Led Zepplin? U2? Geez, even Dire Straits. Can you name a group of solo artist that garnered tons or radio play that you were like "Man, that guy can play" No? Me neither. My generation's radio stars are about as adventurous as bingo night in the retirement home. And that is something very sad. We are glorifying stars who incresingly rely on vocal talents instead of true musicianship, and those talents should be called into great question due to advances in the studio (I should know). Not that musical innovation is totally absent from the world, it's just that those who are pushing the envelope are not getting the respect they deserve while today's kids are being given music of the lowest common demoninator.

Best Investment I've made this summer - the one pound bag of sunflower seeds. Best $2 I've ever spent.

Why are all my recent songs sounding like Songs For A Blue Guitar - era Red House Painters? Oh yeah, that's cause it's all I've been listening to.


Ok, here are the songs that made up the 1st ever Belmont Hockey game pre-game drive mixtape. Wow.

"Bille Jean" - Michael Jackson
"Theme From Shaft" - Issac Hayes
"Don't Stop Believing" - Journey
"Get Your Hands Off My Woman" - The Darkness
"Enter Sandman" - Metallica
"Fat Bottomed Girls" - Queen
"Carry On My Wayward Son" - Kansas
"Jenny Says" - Cowboy Mouth
"Damn It Feels Good to be a Gangster" - I really don't know...the mp3 I had says the Eels...but I doubt that.
"All Falls Down" - Kanye West
"Firestarter" - Prodigy
"One More Time" - Daft Punk
"Staring at the Sun" - TV On The Radio (this song makes every mix I've made this year, regardless of format.)

Guess which one got the most groans? Yup, Daft Punk.

Till we meet again.

(and no I haven't forgotten about my worst list, give it time)

Sunday, June 27, 2004

someday, when I have $2,500 to throw around...I will own a Gretsch White Falcon. *sigh* too bad this thing doesn't allow for pictures, or I would post one.

Thursday, June 24, 2004

What I hate about my job...

no, it's not the things like the early hours, or the bad coffee.

It's things like how I have 5 feet between my desk and the one behind me, but my fat boss manages to run into the back of my chair everytime...or how parents wonder why their kids can't spell when they are spelling their names phonetically like a retard...come on, you name him D'Schuwan and you wonder why he fails...idiots...I saw 5, count them, 5 different spellings for "Michelle".

Also, God have mercy on my soul, but I utterly despise Christian school names...after having to audit the entire American Association of Christian Schools, I am growing tired of all these "Heritage Christians"...look, if you've been a school for 2 years with 10 students you don't have a heritage. There were other offenders, but I have banished them from my mind.

And I haven't forgotten about the glorious "Worst things in music" list...here's a sneak peak...BARBARA STRIESAND.

Also, if anyone wants a cd copy of my greatest songs ever, I will gladly provide them with one.

Peace

Monday, June 21, 2004

Yeah...didn't win the lap steel...I put my max bid at $330...sold for $335...I think I blew my ebay good luck with the zztop t-shirt. So I think I might have to buy it at full price from somewhere...and that chaps my ass man, it really does. Not only would I have gotten it for $20 less than Musicians friend, but I would have gotten free shipping...dang.

Next week, there will be the unveiling of the grand list of "The Worst Things in Music in the Past 100 Years" Not that I have 100 years worth of musical knowledge, but I just didn't want to leave any room for error.

Madeleine comes home tomorrow! Yes!

"Name me someone ridiculous, Danny Richmond!"

"Eiesenhaur Nazi Fascist Supreme!"

"2, 4, 6, 8 they brainwash and teach you hate!"

Oh, I just love Charles Mingus.


Sunday, June 20, 2004

The Chandler Lap Steel is mine in exactly ONE HOUR...as long as no one bids over $330. Bastards (copyright Jordan).
ok, I lied, the triumphant return is today, the 20th.

Aaaaaaaaaaand...I'm back.

Yeah, I can't believe it either...it's been a while. So why am I returning, you ask? Ah, good question, young lady. I return to bring you my list of the fifteen greatest songs ever.

Another list? Didn't you already exhaust yourself with that stupid "Top songs of the 90's?"

No.

Now, this list is kind of different. It's not enitirely based on musical value, but more on the value these songs have to me personally. I had a few criteria for this list, not just compiling ever 90's alt-rock song like I did last time. First off, the song had to be known to me for over a year (a rule that I make an exception for for a few songs). I wanted songs that had lasting power. I'm in love with "Staring at the Sun" by TV on The Radio, but I've only had the cd for 2 months or so, so I don't want to go calling it a classic just yet. I mean, there was a time in my life I would have sworn "Tomorrow's Another Day" by MxPx was a work of art. You can understand my hesitance to champion anything fresh in my mind. Second, it had to have some emotional value. These songs had to be more than just great melodies, they needed to bring some sort of feeling or memory to me at their opening chords. Third, they had to be awesome. Ok, that said, I present you with the Greatest Fifteen Songs of ALL TIME.

1. "The City" - The Dismemberment Plan - Sometimes there are songs that you hear and you go "Shit, that's me." This is one of them. I first got this cd before I left for college, but I didn't understand the lyrics of this song until I had been on my own for a while. Travis Morrison, the singer, has an amazing way with words, and this is his finest moment, describing the utter lonliness of being abandoned and living alone. This song, while one of the greatest breakup songs ever, hits on so many more levels, and I challenge those who are in college to try to listen to the first verse and not feel like he's talking about you. On a personal level, I always get an urge to play this song whenever I'm away from my girlfriend for an extended period of time. I don't relate to the last part of the song, but something about "The city's been dead/since you've been gone" makes me want her back with me more than ever. Needless to say, this song got a lot of spins last week.
"Sometimes I stand alone on my roof at night/and watch as something seems to happen to someone else/I wish that a breeze/ would pick me up and carry me away."

2. "The Stars are Projectors" - Modest Mouse - This entire list could be overrun with Modest Mouse songs, but I chose the one that has found more plays on my stereo than any other one. At nearly 9 min, this song takes you on so many twists and turns, and most bands would be lucky to have an album's worth of material as good as this song. If this cd is in my changer in my car and I'm driving at night, I always turn it up, lower my windows and sing at the top of my lungs. I know, I'm a bit off.
"The stars are projectors/projecting our lives down to this planet Earth/Everyone wants a double a feature/they all want to be their own damn teachers"

3. "Lowell, MA" - Death Cab For Cutie - This song is so important to me because it taught me to enjoy melodies. Before this song, I was a total punk rock kid, as were many of us, stupidly. I was convinced everything needed to be fast and loud. This song hit me over the head and opened my ears to so many more things. DCFC is one of the most influential bands ever for me musically and I owe what little sense of melody I have to listening over and over to Ben Gibbard songs. Scary!
"Don't go holding out on me now."

4. "Close to Perfect" - Homesick for Space - Ok, here's what I meant about what songs not being classics, or musically astounding. This band is the most influential band ever as far as my musical tastes now. I came across a review for this 5 song EP on some punk website a few years back and decided to give it a try. I burned a copy of this song to a cd before I had ever listened to it, along with a bunch of hardcore songs. To think that I heard this song in the middle of a mix of hardcore is humorous unto itself, but this song blew me away with it's melodies and drumming. Falsetto...I'd never thought about that before. This band opened my ears to other acts like DCFC and Sigur Ros...and of course that led to everything else.
"And we turn too slow/These days come and go"

5. "Olsen Olsen" - Sigur Ros - I remember my first taste of Sigur Ros like it was yesterday. It was a clip of them playing "Untitled 1" and it was low grade, audience tape recorder quality, with talking in the background. I was floored by it and immediatly bought their "Untitled" cd. But I didn't find this song until Madeleine gave me that "A-blah b-blah blah" cd for Christmas one year. This song stayed on repeat on my stereo for nearly a day. If I ever just want to chill out, I throw this on and make a glass of tea and just meditate. Amazing.
(Not a real language....wait..."da da da da da da da da da da")

6. "Look Away" - Hootie and the Blowfish - As my favorite band before my forgettable punk-only years, Hootie and the Blowfish, though despite the crap I get from people these days, rocked. This is an obscure track of their major label debut, and it's so beautiful that I challenge all the Hootie naysayers to listen to this song and not at least come away with some respect for them.
"Saw her standing there/tears upon her face told me something was wrong"

7. "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" - U2 - I get chills still when I hear this song. Enough said.

8. "Train in Vain" - The Clash - This is where The Clash showed they were a truly great band, in my opinion. Arguably the greatest punk band ever, they wrote this amazing pop song, that should be counted as one of the greatest songs, period, genre nonwithstanding. I saw a country band, Two Tons of Steel, cover this song, and it translated as well in that style as it does in the original, the proof of a great song.

9. "Black Lung" - Rancid - Ok, one pure punk song makes the list. Rancid are great, and I still hold to that even now, and this is my favorite song by them, by a longshot. I listened to this before every soccer game my junior and senior year in high school and I never got tired of it. The bassline drives this thing and the call and response chours is perfect.
"Hey unbeliever/Hah! Black Lung Fever/Transmit reciever/ I don't like you either!"

10. "The Seed 2.0" The Roots ft/Cody Chesnutt - A cover of an original Chesnutt song, this thing broke my year rule by just flat out kicking musical ass. As my buddy Jon A pointed out, the innuendo is perfect. If all rap-ish songs were this clever, the genre might have a leg to stand on (props to Outkast for delievering such an album this year).
"I push my seed in your bush for life/I take my time because I'm pushing it right"

11. "Haitian Fight Song" - Charles Mingus - I love jazz, no exceptions. More specifically, I love jazz with great basslines. Charles Mingus was a bass player. Ergo, this song has an amazing bassline. I will hold to the day I die that this man was a musical genius worthy of mention with Beethoven and Mozart, though I doubt anyone will go with me on that, due to the musical sonbbery I wish didn't exist. "How could a black bass player from Arizona be as worthy as Beethoven and Bach? Ludicrous!" Well sir, you have your gods, I have mine. BTW, Bach sucks. Beethoven wasn't too bad. Debussy was better.

12. "Airegin" - Grant Green/Sonny Clark - More jazz! One of my first jazz cd's, the opening track caught my attention right away. There's this tension near the end of the song after the drum fills, and then the guitar comes in with the main melody again and just levels entire cities with the groove on it. Again, one of those that has more emotional value than musical, yet still a great song.

13. "Cold Shot" - Stevie Ray Vaughan - I have my grandfather to thank for my SRV addiction. When I was 11 or 12, he gave me a cd that came with his new computer that had a bunch of songs on it from Sony artists. Most of it was crap, with people like Gloria Estefan and Alice and Chains, "Couldn't Stand the Weather" by SRV was on there, and seriously, this moment has had more influence on me (indirectly) than any other incident in my life (so far). I quit playing classical guitar, bought a strat and proceeded to immerse myself in blues and jazz for a good 3-4 years. Imagine if were still playing classical guitar. You can't? Me neither. I can't imagine my life before SRV. That's heavy, man.
"That's a cold shot baby, yeah, that's a drag."

14. "First Tube" - Phish - Man, I get so much crap for liking Phish in college, despite being the perenial pot smoking college band. This song flat out grooves for like 9 minutes, building on the main riff. The synths bleet and splat all over the place, and the bass is relentless. Too bad they're breaking up, I think I'll go buy their new cd, just to piss off all my friends. Hey, remember that time I played this during a poker game and everyone got mad at me? Yeah, that was great.

15. "Good Morning, Aztalan" - Los Lobos - I really connected with this band, being from such a heavy hispanic town like San Antonio...and another one of those bands I get crap about. This is from the album of the same name from pretty late in their careers, and the driving drum beat really sells the song. I remember going to their concert last year and saying to myself after they finished their set, "There's no way they won't play this for the encore." Sure enough, they busted this thing out in the packed confies of Gruene Hall and pretty much made my life a much better place. I left right after that because I realized it couldn't get much better, ever.
"I gotta say 1, 2, 3 more things before I go on."

In the next few days, I will list the top 15 worst songs ever, beginning with every hair metal ballad ever written. Warrant, you're a marked band, son. Sister Christian would rap your knuckles while you picked every rose thorn out of your ass, you pansy. You thought it was clean, but no! Every rose has it's thorn.

HOLY CRAP HAVE YOU HEARD? THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN OF THE FIREWHEEL PROJECT BLOG...JUNE 21ST, 2004. BE THERE.

Saturday, April 24, 2004

I Don't Understand "Texas" Music

Really, I just don't get it. It's nothing special. I have seen both Jerry Jeff Walker and Robert Earl Keen, the monsters of Texas Music, and I have left both shows very unimpressed.

Perhaps it wasn't the right venue. I saw JJW at the San Antonio Rodeo, complete with amazingly cheesy revolving stage, and I saw REK at Vanderbilt's Rites of Spring, with the place in a decidedly damp mood after the afternoon's downpour of rain.

Maybe both are past their prime. These guys are old. REK looked like he could have cared less about the show. JJW just looked half dead.

Perhaps it was the uninspiring music. I think that unless you now every word by heart, these shows aren't fun. Like I said about REK; he didn't look very happy to be there. That doesn't translate well for the audience. At least the guy on before him, Matt Wertz, gave it his all.

Anyways, give me Two Tons of Steel anyday for my Americana fix.

Au Revoir.

Monday, April 19, 2004

I HAVE CONQUERED EBAY
Here is an hour by hour account of my first experience winning an eBay auction...

2 pm: I see that a vintage ZZ Top t-shirt is for sale for $20. Being an absolute ZZ Top freak, even to the point of suggesting that we play "Just Got Paid" at a church retreat, I feel the shirt is well worth the $20.

3pm: Check the shirt again. No one has bid yet. I am excited.

3:05pm: I realize that the shirt is probably too expensive for the average bid-stealing jerk. I am feeling better about the auction.

3:30pm: I try to sign up for a free service of Auctionsniper that Jessi told me about. Keeps telling me that my account doesn't exist. I know for a fact that this is a lie, since I am signed into eBay as I attempt this maneuver. Much cursing the internet follows and I decide to do it the hard, honest way.

5pm: I go to dinner. Still no bidding. I am picturing me walking around campus and people going "Man, what an awesome shirt."

5:25pm: I rush back to my computer to place a bid since I will be in the studio for an undetermined time. I put my maximum bid at $30. I am the first bidder.

7pm: I return from the studio to find that I am still the only bidder. I can see the shirt fitting tightly over my huge muscular arms while I am hanging out with Dusty Hill.

8:16pm: I return from playing basketball to see that I am still the only bidder. only 50 minutes remain in the auction.

9pm: I sit glued to my computer screen, refreshing every 10 seconds. I have not been this nervous since last night when I did the same thing with a Van Halen t-shirt (see yesterday's entry)

9:05pm: I am now the proud owner of a vintage ZZ Top "El Loco" t-shirt. Much rejoicing. I only had to pay $20. I start singing show tunes cleverly changing the lyrics to reflect my newfound love of eBay. I pay the guy. The shirt is mine. The shirt is MINE.

Tomorrow the cycle repeats with the bowling shirt. Let's keep this winning streak alive, baby!

Gracias.