Tuesday, December 27, 2005

My New Dog!



adopt your own virtual pet!
Just When I Was Coming to Terms With Religious Institutions...

This crap happens. Read the article, then read what I have to say.



So this is just flat out ridiculous. Ever wanted to just yell out curses in the middle of church, just to shock people into reality? Maybe that's just me, but I want to do that to this preacher so badly. This sort of stuff is what angers me so much about The Suburban Christian. They're in an insular world, shielded from, as the preacher puts it "all that revelry going on," and giving themselves a pat on the collective back and giving away a $120,000 house. WTF. Of all the things that a church can do, such as get off its ass and maybe help people, these idiots plan on serving themselves a nice big piece of "We're Holier Than You," complete with "Twelve finalists — symbolizing the 12 apostles," as if they needed religous symbolism to make this act of selfishness palpable.

And this guy who builds it, he charges the church for this? I mean, let those fools do as they may, but at least give the thing away. Or maybe, here's a f*cking good idea, use that $53,000 you used to build a house for a probably non-deserving American family and sent it someplace like Sudan where they are wiping out more Christians than these people can even comprehend. Who actually understand the meaning of sacrifice. Maybe you can save a child from death instead of chanelling money into a f*cking tax write off.

This, this is why I cannot identify, nor wish to identify, with Christianity as it is today. Instead of helping people, these zealots do the best they can to seal themselves off from the world and live like a commune, shielding people from the "dangers" of life, when in reality, they are the most dangerous group of people in the world. In the best possible scenario, whoever wins this thing will sell it and use the money to set up a soup kitchen. Or build a school in Africa. Who knows. In reality, the person who wins this will probably praise God for helping them, focusing on the "me, me, me" mentality of Christians (i.e. "God's plan for MY life"), move into this house and go in to debt decorating it to keep up apperances. All the while praising God's plan for their lives. Disgusting. Please, prove me wrong.

-ed
Road Trip!

So I don't know exactly how this is going to turn out, but hopefully I'm leaving tomorrow, headed for somewhere North. The main objective is to be in Decatur on the 30th. What happens in the two days prior to that is kinda up in the air. Anyways, anyone have any good driving music suggestions?

-ed

Sunday, December 25, 2005

So...

Maybe I was a bit overly cynical on the last post, but I do think some of my statements are valid. Anyways, Christmas has come and gone, and all in all today wasn't too bad. My mom bought me a new wallet, but she bought an eel skin one, so it's all shiny and looks like something a pimp would use. So I talked my dad into trading with me. Sorry, Dad. They also got me that book by Bob Katz that I wanted, so I've been going through that most of the day, he has some pretty good pointers.

I'm working on a short story that's turning out to not be very short at all, maybe I'll figure out its direction soon. I don't know how writers are supposed to write, but I find myself not knowing the ending of whatever I write until I get there. I'm just not good at formulating things like fiction beforehand. So yeah, Merry Christmas, world.

-ed

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Christmas Eve...

There's this part of me that has to wrestle with the fact that I might indeed be an uncaring jerk, especially around the holidays. I really don't know what my problem is, but I think it might stem from the fact that I'm stuck here in Columbia without much interaction with people that I like, and that in turn, coupled with the sense of utter boredom, makes this quite an unpleasent Christmas season. I used to get excited for Christmas (even last year, but I suspect that was because of my selfish desire to unwrap that iPod -RIP) , but ever since I've gotten home I haven't been very enthusiastic about it. I think my pissed off college student self has gotten the best of me, because I can't stand the commercialism and cheerfulness for the sake of appearences that seems to pervade this time.

Like the whole thing about how Christians are upset because they think that Christmas is being compromised by secular society into something less than holy. I mean, give me a effing break. No one, on Christmas morning, is giving a crap about Jesus. Let's be honest, it's all about the gifts, and the commercialism. They might talk a big game about how Jesus is the reason for the season, but what does Christmas build up to? A huge ass tree and presents and a myth. Let's all just agree what Christmas is now actually about (material things) and quit bitching about loss of meaning. Christmas lost meaning when gifts were given, regardless of the religious symbolism. When it turns to "what did I get" it automatically shuts out what is supposed to be remembered, and tacking it on over a prayer during lunch isn't going to change that fact.

Anyways, I'm just going to go on record and agree with all those who want to call it "happy holidays," because I'm tired of pretending that his day has religious significance, since it's common knowledge that Jesus was born in like April of May, instead of this arbitrary day that was co-opted from some pagans to make them feel better about becoming Christians.

Really, I want to be happy this break. I think that when I get out of here and visit people I love, my mood will change, but right now, I'm just not feeling it.

-ed

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Best Albums of 2005...

According to me. I make no apologies.

15. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – Cold Roses – Never thought I would enjoy a post Whiskeytown Adam’s album, but this is surprisingly awesome. Better than the Jacksonville City Nights album because he doesn’t seem like he’s trying, which is a welcome change of pace.

14. The Russian Futurists – Our Thickness – That reverb that guy uses, it kills me. And his thousand tracked vocals? So cool. So cool.

13. Stars – Set Yourself on Fire – They could have just released the first song, “Your Ex-Lover is Dead” and still have ended up on everyone’s best of list. I’m actually not sure if this is 2004 or 2005, but I just found it, so it’s new to me.

12. Giant Drag – Hearts and Unicorns – Really, this belongs in 1997 alongside a PJ Harvey record. But the best song titles.

11. Death Cab For Cutie – Plans – Seriously, I loved this album. Walla’s production continues to improve, and the melodies are strong, and Ben Gibbard’s voice is still my all time favorite.

10. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! – S/T – I really think they deserved the hype. I hate all the crap that gets said about “influences” which is overplayed by critics. Sure it might sound a bit like NMH, but shit, I think we could all be happy if everything sounded like NMH.

9. Sigur Ros – Takk – Beautiful. End.

8. The Silver Jews – Tanglewood Numbers – I never listened to the Silver Jews before I saw all these write ups about the new album and how David Berman lives in Nashville. I really hope someday I see him at Grimey’s or something, even though I probably would never be able to tell who he was. Anyways, this is awesome.

7. Bloc Party – Silent Alarm – This probably would have ranked higher a few months ago, and really, it should be. It’s as solid as the come; I just really hope they can deliver on the follow up.

6. Broken Social Scene – S/T – The production gets knocked a bit on this album, but I think David Newfeld did an amazing job, coming from an engineer’s perspective, with managing everything, and I loved his use of distortion on practically everything.

5. LCD Soundsystem – S/T – Definitely lived up to the hype, best live show of the year as well.

4. The Juan MacLean – Less Than Human – There was this one point during the Juan MacLean show where John kept flinging apart the two mics he was using during “Tito’s Way” and at the same time the Theremin player would freak out. It was perfect. Just like this.

3. The National – Alligator – I had been high on these guys since freshman year when they played 2NMC, and I really didn’t think anyone else knew about them. This album stayed in constant rotation since its release, a beautiful record from start to finish.

2. Sufjan Stevens – Come On Feel the Illinoise! – This was my album of the year until I saw him live, which was a terribly disappointing experience. But besides that this album is perfect. I remember driving up to I-57 and “Come On Feel The Illinoise” came on just as I hit the entrance ramp. Tears of joy.

1. Wolf Parade – Apologies to the Queen Mary – When I first heard this album, I was in awe. I downloaded “You Are A Runner” a long time ago on the Sub Pop website, but I didn’t give it much of a listen. I was an idiot. Hands down the most exciting release of 2005.

-ed

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Why is it...

That whenever I have a dentist appointment coming up, I brush my teeth about 50 times more than I usually do, thinking that all this concentrated dental care will make up for my lack of it the past year? Maybe, just maybe, I'll fool them tomorrow.

Do I floss? Why, yes, yes Miss Dental Assistant, I have been flossing, can't you tell?

Oh, of course sir, it looks like you've been doing it for at least 3 years!

Sweet.


-ed

P.S. That will totally not happen tomorrow.

Monday, December 19, 2005

Growing Up...

Guys, ever had that moment when you think that maybe you're actually becoming a competent man? Where you take a look at yourself and are like, hell yeah, I can take on the world! Bring me the newspaper! I want to watch the News Hour with Jim Lehrer! 9 to freaking 5! It usually occurs when you do something that the world deems "manly," like fix something. Or eat a whole lot of something. Then, just when you think you're awesome, something comes up that you just can't fix or eat, and you feel worthless again. It sucks.

This happened to me today. I was living off the high of fixing my car cd player, and then my dad goes "We're going to fix your car today." Now, I can handle a cd player, but the entire car? SOL. So what this really consists of is me standing behind my dad as he fixes my car's brakes and handing him wrenches and saying crap like "I dunno." All of this is a horribly demasculating experience, which culminates with my dad's acknowledgement that I probably will never do anything like this myself. And it's probably true, but at least I know what a brake pad looks like now. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to drink my black coffee.

-ed

Sunday, December 18, 2005

Goals...

I've accomplished too many things, way too fast. I seriously need to slow down. I started working out, built a cable to connect my computer to the RCA inputs on my stereo, fixed my car cd player, started reading All The Kings Men, and, the absolute highlight, bought a sweet bathrobe for $4 at Goodwill. This stuff was supposed to last me at least 4-5 days. I'm going to run out of things to do by Christmas Eve, and that gives me 5 days or so of nothingness until I take my trip. Maybe I'll connect that stereo to the dirt room like Tara suggested...

-ed

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Dynamics...

Reference this

This topic has been bothering me for a while, and is of great interest to me due to my desire to be a mastering engineer. The article is an interview with top mastering engineers about the lack of dynamic range in today's music. Particulary in today's recording environment, there is pressure to make things as loud as possible, pushing the 0dBfs to its limits, resulting in what, when analyzed in a waveform editor, look like square walls of waves. There's a great image in the article comparing a song from 2005 with a Whitney Houston track in 1985. The Houston track has actual dynamics, while the 2005 song looks like 2 stereo bricks.

Recently I mastered my first album, and I sent demo tracks to the band to see how they liked it. The first track I did, I left quite a bit of dynamic range in the master and sent it off to them. Immediately I was requested to make it louder. Someone, I forget who, maybe Bob Katz, had a great suggestion for that once..Turn up the volume knob! (Also had a great idea to force stereo manufacturers to install compressors in their devices and if people wanted brickwall sound, they could just turn on the compressor button and everything gets squashed without compromising the original source in case someone wanted to listen back with dynamics preserved. I thought it was a good idea) But of course there's the pressure to make their recording sound as loud as everyone else's, and a "quieter" album would not be perceived as good quality. So I ended up mastering that album with about 12dB gain on my compressor (with a 0dBfs limiter) so that I could get the loudness they wanted. Of course, the waveforms look like bricks now, I'm embarassed to say. But it's what the client wanted.

So what's the point of this? None, really. It's just that topics like this highlight the increased degredation of musical quality, sacrificed for commercial profit, even by the most indie of bands. It's not just major label artists getting huge radio play that now have this louder is better mentality, it's nearly everyone (See jazz musician mention in article). At some point, you have to wonder if it's worth fighting it, as it seems that the only ones giving a crap are engineers themselves.

Audio Rant of the Night...Complete!

-ed
Things I Want To Do Over Break: The List

  1. Mount the speakers on the wall
  2. Figure out how to hook up my DVD player to that old TV
  3. Write a decent song
  4. Fix my car cd player/install a new one if that fails
  5. Read All The Kings Men, as recommended by Ashley Strosnider
  6. Find a good coffee place, or at least some diner where I can just sit and drink black coffee and read
  7. Practice the violin
  8. Work out every day
  9. Read more books
  10. Find a way to heat my basement
  11. Hook up a cable from my computer to the Stereo Reciever in the main room
  12. Write
  13. Play with my dog
  14. Eat at Bucky's Diner w/ my dad
  15. commadeer a drum set from the school music dept.
-ed

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Um...



You think Jesus would have found a better instrument to watch over, like a Rhodes Piano. I mean, he's the Son of God, he should use better judgement.

Moral of the Picture: When people try to portray Jesus, he generally ends up looking creepy. No more, please.

-ed
Creating vs. Documenting...

I came across this article on the EQ website, an interview with Howard Bilerman, the engineer for Godspeed You! Black Emporer and the Arcade Fire. At the bottom of the page where the main interview concludes, Bilerman says,

"I I think we need to move back to a place where going into a recording studio is more about documenting, rather than creating. . . . If you take that approach, then you serve the music in a completely different way, and are generally far more sensitive to the artist and their songs. Finding space to be creative within that is the true art of recording."

This presents an interesting debate, particularly for engineers coming up right now. We're all so used to the DAW system and its ease of editing, and how we can create perfection and amazing sounds just by clicking "Process" on a plug-in. I am certainly guilty of this method. I love creating weird sounds from regular audio in ways that are never natural or even replicable in the real world. For instance, I'm a big fan of reversed sounds. When used correctly (i.e. not the stupid way I used to use them on drum loops), they have a lot of power. However, this cannot be replicated or even created by the original source. Now, the obvious jumping off point on this debate is the use of Auto-Tune. I pretty much refuse to use it, but it is so prevalent in engineering these days that to not know how to use it is a handicap. There is too much "Fix it in the mix" mentality, and this in turn affects the musicians, who think that they should be able to play whatever and still have it sounding good.

Also, I've always been told that engineering is another art form, that it's not just technical bullshit, and it's true, the best engineers usally are great musicians in their own right. However, when does the engineer influence the creative process too much? It's a question that I struggle with sometimes, to let the musician handle all the creativity and perfection and let me simply "document" it or to use what I can do to create perfection? Is it lying to your audience? Now it's obvious to me that things like EQ and Reverb, delay, etc, are not things that drastically alter the original performance of the musician, despite being things that can alter it. Such things are not destructive or decietful (well, yes, they are...but in an entirely different way). Where as reverb does not fool you into thinking that a guitar solo was in perfect time, Beat Detective can.
Bilerman adds,

"Tinkering with tempo and pitch diminishes the feel of a song."


Anyone who listens to modern pop music with a critical ear knows that it's all processed and quantized to perfection, and the vocalists are generally doctored up in the studio. It's my opinion that if an artist cannot hit their notes, it's really not my fault. Are they not comfortable enough in their work to present it as is? Do they need me to create the illusion that their intonation is amazing? To do such a thing cheapens the artistic value of the recording. Quite simply, if you cannot hack it, then live with your imperfections. Jeff Mangum wasn't always in tune, but his songs are brilliant. If your material is good, people can live with a missed note, as the emotion is what sells.

That said, I cannot see myself ever recording in a world where I don't have to do destuctive editing. And to be honest, this type of thing has been going on since analog days, ever heard of comping a vocal or guitar solo? I think the key of that though, is the artist was still doing it on her own, without the help of software. But I love the ease and the ability to insert 15 1176 compressor plug ins on my tracks, so while I still have reservations about certain things, I'm not going to be swear off digital by any means.

Ok, enough ranting. The only one who will even really care about this is Ben Stein.

-ed

Monday, December 12, 2005

Ideas...

I need some things to occupy my time while I'm in Columbia over the break, so if anyone has ideas of things that I can do, let me know. I've already decided I would read books. But I need something else, ok? I can only handle the hateful stares of the Maury Co. librarians for so long. Maybe I'll write a song? Give me subject matter and I will write one for you. Really, people, it's going to be boring. I need entertainment. Anything!

-ed

P.S. I just bought Illinoise on vinyl, which is the perfect medium for that music. Plus the artwork looks so much better when it's record sleeve size.

Saturday, December 10, 2005

Three Cheers...

For inheriting socks in the laundry room.

-ed

Friday, December 09, 2005

Best Songs of 2005

I'm just going to assume that I will hear no other good songs between now and 2006 and go ahead and post this.

1. "Sugar, We're Going Down" - Fall Out Boy: I wrote about this a week or so ago. Basically, it has the best chorus of the year, despite my total lack of knowledge of the subject matter. Plus I saw the video, and it has a guy in deer horns.

2. "I'll Believe in Anything" - Wolf Parade: The little effed up synth in the beginning? Brilliant. The lumbering drums? Brilliant. That riff? Brilliant. The build up to the "chorus" is such a, for lack of the better word, tension builder, that when he sings "Nobody knows you, and nobody gives a damn," I dare you to try to listen to this without yelling along.

3. "Tribulations" - LCD Soundsystem: I sold my guitars and bought synthesisers.

4. "Since U Been Gone" - Kelly Clarkson: There was a reason Pat Benetar was awesome. It's because she embraced the rock. Now we all know Kelly Clarkson was the American Idol winner. We all know that this is manufactured. That still doesn't diminish her enthusiasm for THE ROCK.

5. "Come on! Feel the Illinoise! -Part I: The World's Columbian Exposition -Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me in a Dream" - Sufjan Stevens: I wrote that I was in love with this song during the summer, and someone, don't know who, called me and left this song playing as the message. Whoever you are, you are awesome.

6. "Abel" - The National: I think I have a thing with the cathartic vocals this year (see #2 and #8) , but when the song starts out with Matt yelling "My Mind's Not Ready!" you just can't help but be sympathetic for the guy.

7. "Chariot" - Page France: So a song about the rapture is probably one of the most upbeat, fun songs of the year. The little glockenspiels and xylaphones are obviously the instruments of heaven.

8. "Ibi Dreams of Pavement (A Better Half) - Broken Social Scene: All these songs are just covered in distortion, that's probably why I love them. They're so dirty and pushing the edges, making them more immediate and beautiful.

9. "Like Eating Glass" - Bloc Party: I really thought they couldn't top "Banquet," but then they lead off their album with this.

10. "Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood" - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: My vote for best bass line of the year/coupled with the best line "There's nothing left to fear, now that big foot is captured."

11. "All Night" - Damian "Jr Gong" Marley and Stephen Marley: WTF. Why is this so awesome? Those guitar hits are perfect. And the doo-wop backing vocals come out of nowhere. That's why it's so awesome. Screw "Welcome to Jamrock," this is the best Marley song of 2005.

12. "Tito's Way" -The Juan MacLean: This song didn't really reveal itself to me until I saw them live w/ LCD Soundsystem. Then I saw the guy use the theramin and I about lost it. Dance, dance, dance.

13. "So Begins Our Abalee" - Of Montreal: I really don't know why this album doesn't get more press, it really is amazing. I first heard this in Aaron Graves' car, and that choir in the beginning was just too good to be true. But it is true, and it's fucking good.

14. "Glósóli" - Sigur Ros: This song combines the best elements of Sigur Ros. Plodding basslines, their new uses of tinkly bell things, huge crescendos, and Jonsi's voice. Sometimes a bit tame (I do wish they'd cut loose a bit more), but always beautiful.

15. "How Can I Love You (If You Won't Lie Down)" - The Silver Jews: 2005, the year in which I learned to love the Silver Jews. "T-t-t-ime is a game only children play well" So brilliant.

16" Oh Mandy" - The Spinto Band: Those Mandolins! Those Mandolins! Those Mandolins!

As always, the offer is open for me to make a CD of these for you. Just let me know and it will be done.

-ed

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Feeling a bit daring....

I'll upload some more fun music that I recorded this summer. This was the original incarnation of the "Cigars" short story (http://paxford.blogspot.com), I just used cigarettes because it sounded better, lol. The bass is too loud, but it was one of those instances where I had to mix down b/c my computer was threatening to shut down on me and I never bothered fooling w/ it again. Also, I think the chorus is kinda lame. Enjoy!

"Cigarettes and Dusty Roads" - Dime Store Keats


For this one, I was obsessed with creating a song similar to "The Moon" by The Microphones, but with keyboards. I just don't think I got there. But that's the reason for the distorted organs and obscured vocals. But there's no excuse for the Yamaha keyboard drums. None at all.
Fun fact - during the "interlude," for the metallic drum sound, I used a soccer ball and hit it with a drumstick.

My Streets Have Names - Dime Store Keats

-ed

Monday, December 05, 2005

Sun, Sun, Sun

I keep listening to the new The Elected album and I can't help but thinking that this is what Bright Eyes would sound like if Conor Oberst didn't suck.

-ed

Saturday, December 03, 2005

This is a song that uses banjos and guitars...but no shaker.

So I never really upload my own music anymore (since that wonderful spurt of Columbia Sponge Factory Experience tunes, the well has been dry), but I got bored tonight and threw together a little thing, so yeah, enjoy if you would like to:

10:58, Saturday Night - Dime Store Keats

(rapidshare, so follow instructions!)

-ed

Thursday, December 01, 2005


Like looking in a freaking mirror.

-ed


Tuesday, November 29, 2005

One time I told a girl I was in an emo band...

...because I was embarrased that the band I was in only played Metallica covers and the guitarists played ESP's. That unfortunate claim, however, does not detract from the fact that I have been in love with that Fall Out Boy song "Sugar, We're Going Down" for about 3 weeks now. Now, this isn't really the emo that I grew up with and once pretended I was. That was like Rainer Maria and Sunny Day Real Estate. That was freaking awesome.

This is Motley Crue II.

But what a great chorus. I don't really know what he's singing, and he sounds like a tard when he sings "Downtown," but that melody. Brilliant. It almost makes me want to buy the entire album, but there's no way they can surpass that song. I don't want to ruin their image in my mind. Basically, they are the pop-emo Gods of 2005. When I hear that song, I smile. I don't even know the lyrics, and I've listened to it about 50 times. They don't matter. They're probably about a girl. Whoopdedoo. It makes me want to hold my fist in the air and wear tighter jeans, all so that I can fully appreciate the songs awesomeness. I think I'll go do cartwheels now.

-ed

Sunday, November 27, 2005

How is it...

That whenever my mom washes my clothes, I end up with about 2 t-shirts less than with what I came home with, and a random pair of underwear? You would think after washing my dad's and my clothes for 20 years, she would figure out what belongs to us. But then, you'd be wrong.

-ed

Saturday, November 26, 2005

I suck at fishing...

That makes a big O-fer in my TN fishing career. Spent 5 hours on the Tennessee River, came back with uh, nothing. I even used freaking minnows. MINNOWS. EFF TN FISHING!!!

-ed

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

If anything in this world is timeline worthy...

Then what happened this afternoon would be it. Thank you Kyle, and your drivers licence.

So I'm at work again, I have a few books to read so hopefully I won't get as terribly bored. The kid today, I can't tell if he's actaully competent or just wanted to sound impressive, but he asked for "cans" today when checking stuff out. Now, for those who don't know, "cans" is studio slang for headphones, except no one ever says that unless they want to show that they know what's going on. With all the engineers I''ve worked with that were competent, no one actually says that when they talk about headphones. It's douche-jargon. There is some slang that is acceptable, but that's basically just abreviations of stuff like, "DI" or "2 inch" or "pancake" etc..."cans" is pushing it.

EDIT: I had a chance to be a hardass tonight, b/c the guy tried to guitar on the session. While this is one of the rules I find most annoying about Belmont's policies, I got a kick out of enforcing it. Ha! Ninja kick!

Also, I had M83 blarring when the assistant came in today. I think he might have been weirded out by the dramatic spoken word part.

-ed

P.S. I was looking through amazon.com for some ideas on what to read next, and I keep coming across used books for $0.01. I'm tempted to buy these things, yet I don't quite believe that they're only a cent. I bet I'd get screwed on the shipping costs.

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Big Sigh.

I believe that I am the most bored person in the world right now. Yes, even you, reader of my blog, if you do exist. I am more bored than the boredom that drove you to read this. Squared.

-ed

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

BEEP.

I hate you, stupid weather alarm thing that goes off every 5 minutes that sits above my head.

-ed

Monday, November 14, 2005

Justified!

Someone else thinks Shakira sounds like Alanis Morrisette in her new single too!

http://www.stylusmagazine.com/feature.php?ID=1956

-ed

Saturday, November 12, 2005

Not only are they pretty, but they're unique!

Taken from 2 sorority girls profiles....I just had to laugh.

///

"Today we salute you Miss Phi Mu Sister. Not only do you have the looks, brains, and glamour, but most importantly the class to back it up. Sure, frat boys may talk to other ladies, but don't worry, their only dream is to date-a-Phi Mu. With that ladybug flying high and that Phi Mu sparkle in your eye, you are every guy's dream and every girl's envy. You can party like a professional, yet still keep that frat-tastic class. And remember: There's only one thing to be...and that's a Phi Mu!!!"

"Today we salute you miss Chi O sister. Not only do you have the looks, brains, and glamour, but most importantly the class to back it up. Sure, frat boys may talk to other ladies, but don't worry, their only dream is to date-a-Chi O. With
that Owl flying high and that Chi O sparkle in your eye, you are every guy's dream and every girl's envy. You can party like a professional, yet still keep that frat-tastic class. If you're dating a Chi O, raise your hand. If you're not, raise your standards. Then crack open an ice cold Miller Lite you sexy Chi O's, and remember: There's only one thing to be... and that's a Chi O!!!!"

///

So, the only appreciable difference that I can determine is that Chi O's like to drink. I really hope that they both think that their little rallying cry things are unique.

-ed
BEST. SHOW. EVER.
Jensen Sportag/Shit Robot/The Juan MacLean/LCD Soundsystem - Exit/In

Ok....maybe an overstatement, but absolutely the best show of 2005, hands down. Sam and I were the first ones there, @ like 7:15, and doors didn't open until 8:30. Not that we really needed to get there early, the place didn't fill until around 10pm...but we were there, ready to dance. To our great disapointment, Shit Robot never made it up on stage, instead DJing from behind the sound booth. Jensen Sportag was the first live act, 2 guys with sequencers and a keytar, and despite my initial ambivalence, I really liked them by the end of the set. I'll be sure to check them out again. After a long delay, The Juan MacLean made it on stage and freaking rocked out. They had a theramin/Keytar player who was amazing, and they started out with "Tito's Way." I danced, and I danced hard. Then they launched into "Give Me Every Little Thing," and it was pretty much perfect. When the bass and drums dropped in, it was life affirming. They closed with an extended/awesome version of "Shining Skinned Friend." Oh, so, so good.

LCD Soundsystem made it up to the stage around 12ish, or a little after, I'm not entirely sure. When they started the beat to "Yr City's a Sucker," I started smiling, and that smile never left my face the entire night. James Murphey is an intense frontman, and he commanded the audience's attention throughout the whole show. They played everything I wanted them to play, with a sped up "Daft Punk is Playing at My House" being the highlight for me, as the crowd went apeshit over it. "Losing My Edge" was good, but I think that he's probably tired of playing it...he did a fun adlib about verses and choruses in it, so the variation was good. "Tribulations" kicked ass too, a song I never wanted to end. The encore song was something I'd never heard before, probably a new song, but it was much more guitar/rock based, so it'll be interesting if that's the direction their going in for the next album.

Anyways, a freaking great show. I'm still dancing.

-ed

Thursday, November 10, 2005

...

There is a golden plunger that has taken residence next to the air conditioner @ RCA B. I'm growing fond of it, really.

-ed
Obligatory Thursday Work Post...

Today sucks. But tomorrow I will be dancing to LCD Soundsystem. Boo yah.

-ed

Thursday, November 03, 2005

So maybe we did find David Gresham...

So I haven't mentioned this in a while, but I'm part of an awesome writing group on Tuesday nights, and we publish our stuff on a blog (http://paxford.blogspot.com), which I recommend anyone reading this blog go to immediately to read things of actual value. Check it out!

-ed
Dear Werther's Original Candies...

I love you.

-ed

Sunday, October 30, 2005

Halloween...

Ashley asked me to put together a mix for the Honors Halloween party (ok, laugh now), so I threw one together today, it's about an hour long. It's pretty decent, but I missed some of the transitions about 30 min in and I didn't really care to start over. I doubt anyone will care but me. I also got bored and threw on a filter during the bloc party song that I missed a cue for, so it's kinda funny and wrong. oh well. Tracklist:

  1. Do They Know It's Hallowe'en (Cadence Weapon Remix) - North American Hallowe'en Prevention Initiative, Inc
  2. Bochecha Ardendo - Os K-Rrascos & Vanessinha Do Picatchu
  3. Warning Siren - Tiefschwarz
  4. Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani
  5. Thriller - Michael Jackson
  6. Destroy Everything You Touch - Ladytron
  7. Another Excuse (DFA Remix) - Soulwax
  8. Close To You - The Avalanches
  9. Hombre - M.I.A.
  10. All Night - Damian Marley
  11. Sign, Sealed, Delievered (Remix) - Stevie Wonder
  12. Give Me Every Little Thing - The Juan MacLean
  13. (Shine Your) Light Love Hope - Bob Mould
  14. Chicken Payback (Madlib's Soul Distortion Vocal Remix) - The Bees
  15. Romantic Rights - Death From Above 1979
  16. Banquet (Phones Disco Edit) - Bloc Party
There you have it. Only 2 halloween songs actually made it, but eh, I'd get tired of minor key songs all night if I were there. If someone asks, I'll upload an mp3 of it for their enjoyment.

-ed

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Monday, October 24, 2005

Today...

I got to see Alan Parsons. He engineered Dark Side Of the Moon by Pink Floyd, but all you really need to know about him is that he wore a purple blazer and those jeans where you can zip off the bottom part and make shorts. If that's not Prog-Rock awesomeness, I don't know what is.

-ed

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

YES.

I found a bootleg copy of the new Sun Kil Moon record where he covers Modest Mouse songs, and I think I might just explode with happiness. I always said that this would be my dream combination, and Mark freaking kills it. SMILE!!!!

-ed

Sunday, October 16, 2005

Seriously...

I cannot even begin to describe how much I hate the song/music video of "Something To Be Proud Of" by Montgomery Gentry. I've run across it twice this weekend while flipping through channels, and to be honest, I watched it all the way through, but my disgust for it built throughout my experience with it.

First off, on purely asthetic grounds alone, the video is the worst piece of crap I have ever seen. It's these two guys in a f*cking desert, or plateau, or WTF, I don't know. And one tall guy wears a duster and a cowboy hat, while the feminine one plays guitar and looks like a reject from a Matchbox20 band. Ok, so they're in a desert (which is computer generated so it looks horrible already) and then images of the stuff they're singing about are flashing on screen. And this f*cking F16 keeps flying over through the entire thing, along with a GT) that drives across. THAT'S THE ENTIRE THING. They filmed it on a green screen and then used the computer animation of the 90's to make them seem, I dunno, badass? How about CRAP.

I know who they're aiming the song towards. It's basically listing all these things where guys have had shitty lives, because 1.) They were in the army 2.) Didn't go to college and had to work bad jobs because of a lack of education PURELY BY THEIR OWN CHOICE BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE BADASSES. F*cking GTO.

Anyways, the chorus goes like this:

"That's something to be proud of:
"That's a life you can hang your hat on.
"You don't need to make a million:
"Just be thankful to be workin'.
"If you're doing what you're able
"An' putting food there on the table,
"And providing for the family that you love:
"That's something to be proud of.

Granted, it's a nice sentiment. But I can see this becoming an anthem for people who have no motivation in life.

"I haven't done anything worthwhile, but dammit, I put food on the table. Give me another beer."

Anyways, get ready for your redneck neighbor to be singing this with his buddies at the bar. Loudly. That's something to be proud of.

-ed

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Travelling, Swallowing Dramamine...

Being in a state that I haven't visited since freshman year, everything's just a little fuzzy today. I wouldn't say that I feel "sad" or anything like that, but just really tired and exhausted. And fittingly enough, when this does happen, my music selections are a tad on the melancholy side. I tried listening to the new Deerhoof cd, but that made my head hurt (I do plan on remixing one of their songs though, tracks are available at http://deerhoof.killrockstars.com/remix.html), so I threw on some American Football. Hopefully I'll pick up before work and in time to do some more reading. I rather enjoy this now.

American Football - "Never Meant"

-ed

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Remember this...

Aloha - Let Your Head Hang Low

Heard it on WOXY, remember it from KTSW, need it in my life.

-ed
LACK OF SUBJECT HEADING

So I guess I only have time to write in this thing when I'm at work, which reminds me of all those surveys we take in business classes about if we would use the computer at work for personal use and I always said I wouldn't or something. I totally lied, as if I had ethics. But I mean, if I actually had something to do it would be different. Tonight is especially boring due to the fact another staff guy is doing a session so that means that I basically just open doors and check out mics. Lame. I need weak A1 students so I feel powerful! But the singer for the session brought pizza and encouraged me to eat it, so yeah, I indulged her. This should happen more often.

Oh yeah, I recieved a $50 ticket from B-effing-Po yesterday. For parking in the only open spot, where everyone else had Belmont stickers, and where there is NOTHING that says I cannot park there. I don't feel like writing everything I think about this situation, but at least I don't have to pay it if I take some stupid test. But yeah, screw you Belmont.

-ed

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Lesson...

When, if you are ever doing a session at RCA B, and I am the staff engineer, I come in the check on how you're doing just to make sure things are going smoothly, NEVER, NEVER answer me smugly "Yes, if we have any problems we'll come and get you," like you are the hot-shit Audio One engineer. You will run into problems, and I will be very, very uninclined to help your ass.

FYI.

-ed

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Wow.

So I found this Rolling Stones cover I recorded sometime this summer. And since I already sent it to Sam, I figure she'll try to blackmail me and the only way to defeat it is to make it available to all. Please laugh, it'll be the best way for you to enjoy it.

Dime Store Keats - Miss You

Yes, that's a new recording alias.

-ed

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

So it struck me today...

as we watched movie clips in my post techniques class, that I think Twister is the worst movie ever made. I was overcome with just disgust and nausea at the stupidity of the premise, and I really hope that people like that do not exist. If they do, eff them, and I hope they get sucked up into a tornado and die.

-ed

Monday, October 03, 2005

I like this song too...

Page France - Chariot

Thanks, Sam!

-ed

Thursday, September 29, 2005

Ouch.

I'm at work, and I just burned my tounge beyond the normal limits of pain. Why must I be so hungry and rush to the microwaveable rice dish? Patience! Patience!

-ed

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

I am in love with this song...

Stars - "Your Ex-Lover is Dead"

-ed

Monday, September 26, 2005

So Who Wants to Be My Facebook Friend?


Uh, can we say "Hells yeah?"
Double D is in the house!
-ed

Sunday, September 25, 2005

You're Supersonic...

Here's that zip file of my favorite songs by Modest Mouse, Red House Painters, and the Dismemberment Plan. It's a large file (43MB) but well worth the download, I promise. Enjoy!

-ed

Saturday, September 24, 2005

Sufjan Stevens, 9/23/05, Cannery Ballroom

I'm pretty conflicted about this one. To say that I'd been eagerly awaiting this one is an understatement, and maybe I had my hopes set too high.

The line to get in was ridiculous, and we got there at 7:45 and it was stretched all the way to the parking lot. We had the misfortune of being in front of one of the most annoying people I have ever heard before, this small girl who decided she would share her opinion on everything to this poor guy she had just met. She was obviously very passionate about her views, but she kept talking about God and her version of liberalism and it was pretty obvious she was a product of ignorance. We tried our best to tune her out, but her voice was piercing. Unfortunately, that was just an inkling of the douche-factor of this crowd. We finally got in the doors around 8:45-9, a full hour after they were supposed to open, they said something about a security issue. I don't really know.

Anyways, we got in there, not terrribly far back from the stage, but we made the dumb mistake of standing near a pole. During the course of the night, I constantly got edged more towards to pole and by the time Sufjan got to the stage I was basically directly behind it, so I all I could see most of the time was the trumpet player and the hyper guitar player. Oh well. That was really my fault more than anything for putting myself in that position. But seriously, who designed this place with poles in front of the stage. LAME.

Ok, the rest of the crowd. Basically the douchiest crowd ever. I've been to shows with the ultimate douche-potential (Los Lobos, drunk bikers. Do I need say more?) and they were nowhere close to this. Ashley had more run ins with them than I did, having beer spilled on her yet again and getting booty danced on. At a Sufjan Stevens show. Now, I don't want to judge people (which of course I am about to do now,) but as Ashley said "I assumed people who listend to Sufjan were reasonable people." How wrong we were. They were loud and disruptive, and acted like it was a freaking destiny's child concert of something. The asshole next to me had his cell phone on speakerphone mode and kept talking to someone loudly and of course I could hear the other guy talking back. Also, I really, really hate people who try to move up in the crowd, halfway through the show. Look, I'm short, I usually don't have the best view, but I stick with the place I get when I arrive, because that's just the right thing to do. You have no right to push me to the side and cram in there because you got there late. I've never really been one to yell at people about this (even though secretly I always want to) but last night two people almost made me break my silence. Obviously no room to move in, this girl and her fat ass boyfriend bulldoze through me like they own the space. Argh.

So, the music. To be honest, it was really hard to concentrate on it because of the people around me and the amount of time we had to wait and stand. By the end, my knees had cramped up and my back was sore. But really, the music was amazing. He played "Decatur," my favorite song, which hadn't been showing up in his setlists recently, so I was happily surprised. And "Metropolis" was absoultly amazing live. There was enough variation from the record to keep me interested and not feel like I was listening to a cd. But the entire experience left me sort of unfulfilled. Maybe in hindsight I'll believe I enjoyed it more. Ok, I'm out.

-ed

Thursday, September 22, 2005

HA.


*Japanese Smoking Ettiqute Sign.
-ed

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Inspired by the Winfield!

Today when I was helping the Winfield out with her Honors website, she asked my what my 3 favorite bands are. I had just writen an essay extolling the brilliance of Modest Mouse at the Paxford Blog, so the number one was an easy pick. They are, in order, Modest Mouse, Red House Painters, and the Dismemberment Plan. So, being the nerd I am, I thought to myself, what are my 3 favorite songs by each band? List time!

Modest Mouse:
The Stars Are Projectors
Never Ending Math Equation
Heart Cooks Brain
Red House Painters:
Have You Forgotten?
Grace Cathedral Park
Byrd Joel
The Dismemberment Plan:
The City
The Ice of Boston
You Are Invited

I'll post a zip file of all of them sometime soon, so you too can hear the awesomeness.

-ed

Monday, September 19, 2005

So...

This might sort of seem dumb and lame to all those hardened music industry people, but today I finally had a childhood dream realized. My name is on the packaging of a professional CD recording. I mastered an album by a band called Eagle*Seagull who are on my friend Bryan's label, Paper Garden Records, and my name is in the credits on the sleeve. I know this doesn't sound all that cool, but ever since I decided that I wanted to pursue engineering, this is something I've looked foward to. I used to read the credits whenever I bought a cd and look at who engineered it, where they did it, and who mastered it and wish I could be there someday. All the rock stars want their names on the cover, all I've ever wanted is to be in the fine print. But yeah, I think it's really cool, and hopefully there are many more to come. So go buy the album and marvel at my name in silver ink.

-ed
Why, In Hindsight...

I miss San Antonio.

Thank you, Cary, I remember again why you're the best columnist in SA.

-ed

Sunday, September 18, 2005

Pasta Jeopardy...

Answer: What is a strainer.

Question: What does Eric need to buy before he makes pasta again so he doesn't dump said pasta into the sink while trying to remove the water?

Yeah, that was embarrasing.

-ed

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Weird...

There's something really, really familiar about part of the Mariah Carey song that I heard when I was working out this morning...and I can't place it. I thought it was a rip of that "Ignition" song by R. Kelly when I first heard it, now I can't seem to remember what exactly it was. It's only a few measures, but it's a phrase I've heard before....any ideas? If I can figure out what part of it it is, I'll let you know.

-ed

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

New Outlet!

So our Tuesday night group is off the ground now, and we've started a blog to publish what we've written for each meeting. The address is: http://paxford.blogspot.com

Check it out if your curious, this weeks topic was "People who we know, but don't know their names." Thus my three haikus about the fat kid I saw at a greek festival. Next week promises to be a bit more substantial. We're writing off the quote from Dead Poet's Society, "words and ideas can change the world." I'm keeping the link on the right side of the blog in case you ever want to visit it. The writers are: Ashley Strosnider, Shadndus Valentine, Ryan Stufflebam, Tara McDonough, Lauren Winfield, and myself.

-ed

Sunday, September 11, 2005

BEST SHOWS ON TV...EVER


Tommy Lee Goes to College


Gene Simmons' Rock School


Hogan Knows Best

This has been a banner year for reality TV shows. It's near flawless, and could only be better if they had a show about Mr. T.

-ed
Sunday...

The only songs I have in my iTunes library with "Sunday" in the title are by Beck and Jimmy Eat World. This is depressing because I thought it would be cool to listen to all the songs I have with Sunday in them, on a Sunday, and it took a total of 8 minutes. So in a list of irrelevence, here are the songs I have, sorted by days of the week:

Sunday:
"Sunday Sun" - Beck
"A Sunday" - Jimmy Eat World

Monday:
"Blue Monday" - New Order

Tuesday:
NOTHING

Wednesday:
NOTHING

Thursday:
Everything by the band "Thursday"

Friday:
"Casual Friday" - Black Leotard Front
"Friday Night" - The Darkness
"Friday" - Sunny Day Real Estate

Saturday:
"Saturday" - Josh Rouse
"Saturday" - Yo La Tengo

So, yeah, the middle of the week seems to get no love from songwriters.

BTW, why do I suck at writing? I'm trying to come up with something for Tuesday night, and everything I've tried just doesn't seem good to me. I need decent subject matter.

-ed

Saturday, September 10, 2005

Opa!



Blubberbelly Bluelips, I miss you.

-ed

Friday, September 09, 2005

The Disco Strikes Again!

The Disco Arts and Crafts Collective - It's a Scrapbook Party!

I'm using a file sharing site, so when you click on it, it takes you to an external site. Scroll down to the bottom, choose "free," and then wait for the link to show (@ 30 seconds), and then download!

-ed

Thursday, September 08, 2005

I EFFING CALLED IT!

Mark Kozelek records album of Modest Mouse covers, via Pitchfork

Um, did I predict this in uh, April? YES.

Does this mean that I am peeing my pants in anticipation? Correct.

-ed

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Werner, why aren't you wasted!?

So last night's C.S. Lewis/Shadowlands party was actually fun, despite the fact I fell asleep for the last 20 min or so. Out of it came the suggestion that we start our own Inklings type group, which I think would be great, but I'm not sure if anyone but Ashley and me are interested in it. Hopefully something will come from it.

The sound in space question was answered, and the correct answer is yes, the sound would be audible in the craft. Thank you, Ryan, Tara, and Dad.

Nearly done with the Eagle*Seagull album. Quite a learn as you go experience.

-ed

Monday, September 05, 2005

BIG POST!!

Ok, I will attempt to write about everything I've meant to write about in the past few days.

First off, a letter I just wrote my dad...

hey dad,
I'm reading a book, Out of the Silent Planet, by C.S. Lewis, and it's a science fiction book, writen before anyone had ventured into actual space. Anyways, there's something in there that I'm fairly sure isn't possible, and that is the main character hearing the sounds of meteroites hitting their space craft. Now, I base my disagreement with this solely on a Superman comic book that I read in middle school, where Superman is in space and realizes that he can breathe in a spacecraft because he can hear sound, and you can only hear sound in atmosphere. However, because the character in the book is inside a craft w/ breathable air, would the sound of something hitting the outside the walls be translated into sound inside the craft? Or would the sound just be non-existant?

Anyone have an answer for that one? If you can beat the physics teacher to the answer, I will give you a gold star.

Next, the topic of "Dirty Dancing"...

I finally saw enough of that movie to know that it is ok to make rash judgements on it. Now, inane dialogue and plot aside, my main problem with this movie is their choice of music. It is from my observations on the dress and automobiles in the movie that I can conclude that the movie is set sometime in the 1950's or 60's. The music director was placed in an interesting position of having period-correct music during the dancing scenes, and 80's music (when the movie was made) as the film's soundtrack. These two elements are allowed to coexist, as annoyingly as it is, and the separtation between the two is kept up until the end scene. I consider this to be an affront to anyone who knows anything about production quality and basically, music. The end song "I've had the time of my life" is obviously an 80's song, yet the characters are singing and dancing to it like it was a freaking Guy Lombardo hit. This is just wrong. It smacks of 1980's studio production. The snare is artificially huge. The duet is extremely 1980's. How did this happen? What a mistake.

ok, done for now.

-ed

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Whoooooo!!

Well, we can't win in Mexico, but at least we can take care of business here.

Bring on Germany!

-ed

Friday, September 02, 2005

Dear San Antonio, I hate you.

Read this.

Now read my diatribe:

Dear Chip Haass,
You are a dumbass. I can say this because you were once my HS baseball coach, and you sucked at that too. So let's see, there are God knows how many people dying in New Orleans, and you are worried about getting the New Orleans Saints to play in the Alamodome. And there are business men who are going to PAY Benson money to move the Saints here. WHAT THE F**K. How about you use that money to get food and water to the people who need it instead of bringing a sub-par football team whose payroll could feed all those who need help. That just disgusts me. Mr. Haass, you suck at life.

-Eric Domkowski
Saint Mary's Hall, class of 2003.

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Tradegy Brings Out The Worst...

Hey, here's a bright idea. Like, if I were in a city that just got destroyed by a huge hurricane and me and 10,000 other citizens were stuck with no place to go and then some people tried to help us by bussing us to Houston, you know what I would do?

TOTALLY GET A GUN AND START SHOOTING AT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO HELP.

And then I would get in fights with people. Brilliant. Utterly brilliant.

Then If I were NBC, I'd get world renowned social commentator Harry Connick Junior to give his words of wisdom, since you know, he's a genius and all. he calls New Orleans citizens "freakishly strong." I think we have the freakish part right, Harry.

-ed

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Words I Can't Spell...

coming (Comming)
y'all (ya'll)
settings (cettings...ok, this is horrible, but I did that twice today)
receive (recieve)

The new DCFC album is pretty good. I haven't listened all the way through, but I like what I hear. Haters just need to accept it. And shiznit.

There will be a new track from Eric 'n Sam soon, be on the lookout.

-Eric

Monday, August 29, 2005

The Disco Knitter II: The Reckoning

Now with double-entendre vocals by the one and only Sam Dorgan! Soon to be released on a split 7"! Or something!

The Disco Knitter - Eric 'n Sam

click on it normally, and then click on the link on the next page to download it.

-ed

Saturday, August 27, 2005

Espresso...

IS A SCAM. I paid $2.50 for essentially a shot glass amount of EXTREME coffee. I thought it was a joke at first, but Ashley confirmed it's legitimacy. It was harder to drink than any liquor I've ever tasted (Early Times, what?) , and I was still yawning. I know I'm addicted to caffine, but it still never keeps me awake. Except that one time I had so much I was shaking. But I still slept. Anyways, never order straight espresso, for you will regret it.

-ed

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Dear Teachers...

I do not care about your life history. I do not care if you worked in a hotel in the 80's. Simply give me a syllabus and let me leave. Thanks.

-ed

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Thanks...

to Sam for this one.

The Spinto Band - "Oh Mandy"

They're playing at the End tonight, $8.

-ed
Basically...

I live in an apartment soley so I can use a teapot.



My teapot doesn't look like this, but I wish it did.

-ed

Saturday, August 20, 2005

Finally...

After camping out on Killjoy the futon last night, and waiting on foreign exchange students to leave (who came back to get what I'm going to assume was the alcohol they left, and who destroyed the upstairs bathroom, but eh, new shower for me and Gub), I'm finally enjoying life in Commons 1505. And it's not half bad.

-ed

Thursday, August 18, 2005

Back to Belmont...

Tomorrow!

Cue Ickey Shuffle!




-ed

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Dear World,

I shaved my beard and now am sporting a fauxhawk. I just thought you'd like to know.

Love, Eric


Have you ever been in a situation where you think that it should be a movie scene? Today I was driving back home through a backroad lined with corn fields, pouring rain, and Kid A was playing. It seemed like the lost scene to a redneck version of Garden State.

Cue Radiohead backlash.

Basically, I can't wait to be back in Nashville.

-ed

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Pictures...

click for bigger images

Barn in Stieversville, TNBarn in Stieversville, TNDooDad's Country Store, Sawdust, TN
Nashville or Tupelo?'Scenic Overlook', Natchez Trace ParkwayWaterfall, Natchez Trace Parkway
Self-PortraitWorst Monument Ever, Meriwether Lewis National MonumentHighway 64, near Lawrenceburg, TN
Gas station my car's battery died at




-ed

This one's for you, Ashley...

Penn Yan - Intro: Old Mennonite Woman's Music Box, Part 1: Oh! - The Columbia Sponge Factory Experience (right click, "save as")

I'm sorry about the long intro, it was a case of very bad arranging and lack of talent on the violin that led to it's repetativeness.

-ed

Monday, August 15, 2005

A Haiku...

Natchez Trace drive fun
but stranded in redneck town
car battery sucks
-ed

Sunday, August 14, 2005

Why knowing people in the mental health field is a good thing...

Hours of entertainment! Amy told me this recently, and it is just too good to keep to myself:

Seems like she has this patient who told her that someone took his "seed" and artificially inseminated thousands of women around the country, so therefore he has thousands of children. Which in itself is pretty funny. But it gets better. It has come to his attention that there is a plot to kill all these children, involving none other than the former Danny Tanner. Yes, Bob Sagat is trying to kill his kids. Amazing.

In other news, I think I'll go drive part of the Natchez Trace Parkway tomorrow, then head over to Davy Crockett SP in part of my Redneck Sightseeing Tour/Old Barn Photo Hunt Extravaganza 2005. I feel like I'm probably going to plow through my plans for this week too quickly, but eh. That's all I have to say about that.

Eh.

Back in Nashville in less than a week.

-ed

Saturday, August 13, 2005

In Retrospect...

Things I Will Miss About Spontex:

Things That I Won't Miss About Spontex:

  1. Steel toed boots
  2. Weak fans that are supposed to cool a huge warehouse
  3. Megan Miller
  4. Bluettes
  5. Wow! Scrubbers
  6. The intellectually numbing ability of the entire complex
  7. Spiders
  8. Giant Malaysian Moths
  9. FF-455
  10. "Ronny Woody! 165! Ronny Woooooody!"
  11. "Hey, you're the UPS guy, mail this (insert random object) to Pakmanistankazakstano."
  12. "Whart?"

-ed

Friday, August 12, 2005

DONE WITH THE SPONGE.

Party 'til dawn!

-ed

Thursday, August 11, 2005

One More Day...

Gracias, Dios.

Once more, with feeling!

-ed

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Blisters...

inevitably, I will break them. For once I would like to have a blister and see what it does when you let it heal itself. I guess that's kinda gross, but oh well. In the name of science, I want to know, and because the one I have on my hand from getting burned with oil (let's hear it for the wonders of cooking fried shrimp in your own kitchen! And a hand for the splash the shrimp make when entering the oil!) hurts now that I accidently broke it this afternoon.

I finished the Penn Yan, NY song, just need to do a little mixing. Judging by the lack of comments about the San Antonio song, I guess it sucked. I dunno, I liked it. Sigh.

-ed

Monday, August 08, 2005

Countdown...

Only four more sponge days left. Rejoice.

-ed

Saturday, August 06, 2005

Feels like 2002...

I listened to The Get Up Kids and Sunny Day Real Estate today, and it was good.

The San Antonio song is finished, it shall be posted sometime soon. It tackles such diverse issues as infidelity and railroad tracks. It is awesome. Orlando is next. Better watch out, Walt.

-ed
Moment of Enlightenment...

Ok, there's this Antonio Banderas movie that I love called "The 13th Warrior" and basically he's this Arab guy who goes and fights with Vikings. It's awesome. But besides that, there's a scene near the beginning where he's sitting with the Vikings at night, and he can't understand their language. But he starts concentrating and abosorbing everything they do, and suddenly he understands them.

That happened to me yesterday at work.

I had to go around on top of a forklift driven by Buck "Whatthehelldidhesay" Bolton, a man who I have not understood a word out of his mouth the entire summer. After 15min of closely listening to Buck, I started to understand him. It was amazing. Our partnership proved fruitful, and I counted boxes upon boxes with joy.

End of story.

-ed

Friday, August 05, 2005

12 hours...

is too long to be spent in a sponge warehouse. It shall never happen again. One more week of Spontex shenanigans.

"Hey Farva, what's that resturaunt that you like to go to?"

"You mean Shenanigans?!"

-ed

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Mexicans, Porque me odias?

My mexos didn't show up at the field today, so there was no soccer played. Sad times. I walked the dog instead. Not quite the same thing.

After tomorrow, only one more week of work. Hallelujah. Then begins the 1st Annual Old Barn Photography Tour of South Middle Tennessee. No joke. I've become obsessed with old, decaying, surrounded by trees barns that populate the countryside. I shall take leisurely drives around the area and take pictures of them. You may call it lame, I call it "finally, a vacation."

-ed

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Praise Elohim...

My dog finally heeded nature's call today and relieved herself. After a week. I didn't know this was possible, but she did held it. She wouldn't go on our lawn, so I took her across the street, and bang, we're golden. Good girl.

Speaking of the God of Job,

Why, oh ominscient being, do all insects in Maury Co. decide that they need to die on top of the boxes in the Spontex warehouse? And, along with this, why are these said boxes prone to falling on me? I need an answer, seriously. Give me a sign. Like those things you give Mexican Catholics, you know, the leaky faucet that looks like Mary. Funny how no one else gets those, like the Orthodox Greeks. Or the Amish. Poor Amish.
Anyways, peace out homes.

-Eric

Ok, I need a new city to focus my attention on. Any suggestions? I've already started planning my San Antonio masterwork, so that's already taken care of. Working Title: San Ant

-ed

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

And Now, the #1 Hit Single...

"If You Think it's Hot Now, Just Wait Until August" by Suzanne Dugger
B-Side "WHART?!" by Suzanne Dugger (Ft. Megan "Suzette" Miller)

Created by Grant Pavey and Eric Domkowski inside of a very long, very hot 18 wheeler trailer.
The Rock Just Keeps on Coming!

Henderson, You Are Not My Friend - The Columbia Sponge Factory Experience
(right click, "Save As")

Disclaimer: I have been to Henderson, KY. It is actually a very nice town. This song takes artistic license with certain events that may or may not have happened in the town's premises.

-ed

Sunday, July 31, 2005

For Your Listening Pleasure...

The King of Pallet Jacks, Part Uno - The Columbia Sponge Factory Experience (right click, "Save As")

Yes, I know it distorts in the first bar...I was tired and didn't want to play the whole thing over again. As for the references in the song:

Suzanne: Fat woman who works next to me...has an uncanny ability to eat all the ice cream sandwhiches that people bring and put in the break room freezer

David: Always has some sort of tabacco product in him (snuff, dip, cigarettes)

Megan: the other temp worker...I dislike her immensely.

The row no one dares to go: Aisle T

Ok, there we go. Hope you enjoy it. Ha!

-ed

Saturday, July 30, 2005

My World is Shaken...

There is another Eric Domkowski out there. Some guy who lives in NY and is a cyclist. Which makes me think we're probably related somehow. I used to think I was the only one...sigh.

-ed

Friday, July 29, 2005

They buried her alive, one evening 1945...

Slowly buy surely, my basement is looking and feeling more like a home. I set up the old stereo system tonight, as well as an ad-hoc coffee table, which is an old chest my dad used in college. I also mandated that Molly is to live inside with me, so she's chilling next to me as a write this tonight.

Only had to work until 11:30am today, that was amazing. Read a lot in East of Eden and recorded the Columbia installment of The Hometown Musical Saga, which is actually a parody of Neutral Milk Hotel's "King of Carrot Flowers, Part 1"...I call it, "King of Pallet Jacks, Part Uno." I think it's hillarious, I wrote it in my head when I had to do inventory consolidation this morning, so no one is really going to understand all the phrases. It's Spontex Specific.

I was going to give blood, but the BLOODMOBILE wasn't at Lowes at 4pm because they had "problems." Obviously my blood isn't needed that badly.

Ok, awesome news of the week. I am the owner of not 1, but 2 violins. One of them is my great grandfather's, so it's around 100 years old, not in the greatest shape since it's been in an attic in New York for quite a few years, but my dad and I are reparing it. Bought some fine tuners, a bow, and strings today. Going to have to refinish the fingerboard. It'll take some work, but it'll be worth it. The other one is one he bought off one of his employees, and it's in a little better shape. I know nothing about violins, so I can't tell which is the better of the two, but I think for traditions sake I'll use my great grandfather's. I just think it's cool that they found it and now I get a chance to play it. And of course the whole playing it part will be a trip, but I think I can get the hang of it fairly quickly, since I play the mandolin already.

ok, enough for tonight. Oooh, tomorrow the revival of "Bucky's Saturday's" will begin. Time for some good Southern breakfast foods. Pass the grits!

-ed

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Two-timing son of a...

I got stood up for my guitar lesson today. Drove all the way out there, and no one was home. Either that or the kid hid in the house until I drove off. Left a note for them to call me, but nothing so far. Man, there goes my gas money for the week.

Played soccer with my Mexican's last night. Too much individual crap, they don't realize how to play as a team. It would be different if they were as good as Kevin, but they aren't at all, so it's frusterating for me when I'm open on the wings and all they want to do is dribble into traffic. Sigh.

Talked to Tara for a while tonight, definitely counting down the days until I see her again.

Oh yeah, Shandus, if you read this - The song will be up soon, still trying to figure out how to transfer it to this computer. Sorry for the wait.

I'm out!

-ed
Dear Dick Blick...

Thank you for ordering from Spontex. Reading your name just about made my day worth getting up for.

-ed

Monday, July 25, 2005

THE BEST PHRASE EVER...

It's a rocking horse good time!

(copyright Christina and Eric)

-ed

Sunday, July 24, 2005

To The God of Abraham, Iaasac, and Moses...
And other people with long names...

Hey man, remember back in the good old days, when you were wrathful and smited people and stuff? Lot's wife, pillar of salt? Didn't that feel good? The Tower of Babel? Yeah, that was awesome.

Dude, what happend?

You got all PC on us with all this turn the other cheek and Good Samaratin junk, and you just haven't been the same. Maybe you had some bad experience or something, wanted to make a difference in the world, I understand, happens to the best of us. But now, YHWH, it's time to give that up. I need the old Elohim back, like before you got all warm and fuzzy and started wearing cardigans. People need to be smited, you and I both know it. These people are guilty of the worst possible sin, and they flaunt it in your face under the guise of "praise." Who are these people? The ones who write church songs, and because they run out of any good ideas, they do a key change. God, it's so bad. Like they can fool us with an ascending step key change at the end, please. You and I both know that church music is bad to begin with, and this convention is just making it worse. Lord, I have to be there on Sundays, so let's make it worth my time, ok? Start smiting and make this world a better place.

Kisses,
Eric Domkowski

P.S. About those contradictions in the old Bible, it's cool man, don't sweat it, I got your back.

BTW, totally moved into the new house. The basement rocks, pictures to come soon, along iwth the 2nd installment of the Home Town Musical Saga: Maryville, TN.

-ed

Friday, July 22, 2005

This is the last post ever from 1101 West 7th Street, Apt 13. Columbia, TN, 38401

And good riddence.

Things I Won't Miss:
  1. That f$%&g stairway
  2. Explaining that I live on a school campus
  3. Chloe
  4. Speed Bumps
  5. Sharing a bathroom with my parents
  6. The fact I lived in a former military school barracks.
  7. The general un-punk attitude of my neighbors. (what does that even mean!?!)
  8. Being afraid of pissing the neighbors off with my amps
  9. Glenn and his disel truck EVERY MORNING OUTSIDE OF MY WINDOW
  10. Every cop in the Columbia dept. who drove W. 7th St. non-stop, thwarting my attempts to go 40mph.

Yeah. Whoo. Moving all day tomorrow. Then perhaps studio time w/ Gary. It's going to be a loooooooooong day. Leave encouraging comments if you must.

-ed

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Natural Rogaine...

My hair is growing back. I don't know what to do with it. I got used to the whole shaved head thing where I didn't have to do anything at all with it. Now there's actually real strands of hair. Any suggestions? Mullet? Emo do? The Wesley Snipes (circa 1991)?

-ed
Limited Time Offer!

Due to the rousing "success" of the Maquoketa theme song, I am offering to write a song about anyone's hometown. Just let me know if you want to take me up on the offer. It will probably be bad, and I will sing out of tune at least twice, but it will be yours and will give me something to do during the evening hours besides watch King of The Hill.

-ed

Monday, July 18, 2005

It was a close one...

As I was driving home from work today, I thought of all the redneck things I've done since I've lived in Columbia. You know, things like putting a fish hook in my hat, wearing Wrangler jeans, talking about trucks, working in a factory, and slowly developing a borderline Southern drawl. And then I thought of something that I haven't done yet. Drive around town shirtless, with the window down (this could also be accented by a confederate flag bandana). I fought the urge to do it, but who knows...if the mood strikes me...watch out, ladies.

-ed

Embarrasing song stuck in my head today: Shake That Thing - Sean Paul

Sunday, July 17, 2005

The Maquoketa Theme Song...

I told Christina I would write a song about the guy taking her picture at wal-mart. She probably thought I was kidding. I don't kid about things like that, folks.

Maquoketa - The Columbia Sponge Factory Experience

Forgive the mp3 quality, I have to save space somehow. And the production value. I did it this afternoon, all in one sitting.

-ed
Indie Cred Like Whoa.

From Will Fleeson's going away party. Viva France.


Oh snap. Totally should be a mypace picture.


Mitch. Plastic cup with wine. Classic.


Roomate love.


White and Vike.

-ed


Friday, July 15, 2005

Is This Considered Sinning?

Today, in my e-mail junk mail, I got one with the subject line:

Want To Meet SEXY Christians???
And I was shocked, because everyone knows Christians aren't sexy. In fact, some can be downright impotence inducing. If we're talking about the sexiest religion, hands down it's gotta be Hinduism. Lots of skin. Crazy positions. Can we say "Kama Sutra?" Yeah...I'm not falling for that sexy Christian stuff. You gotta do better than that, internet.

-ed

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Great Day!

You know, as far as "Columbia" days go.

School, work, blah. They came and went. Then I got home and I had an amazing letter from Tara (a real one. I'm becoming a fan of real, handwritten letters), then I went and played soccer with some Mexican immigrants at the Columbia State field. So much fun, it was just like playing back home. No one spoke English and I got to say "chinga tu madre" and they knew what I meant. Beautiful. So besides these huge blisters on my feet which are going to absolutely kill me tomorrow at work, I feel great. Whooo.

-ed

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

The Return of Randomness...

Things that are prevalent in Southern culture that I just don't understand:
  1. "Git-R-Done" - wtf. Did I miss something?
  2. Cameros
  3. NASCAR
  4. Confederate flags, along with the claim "It's not about racism". Uh...yeah...crap.
  5. Moustaches
  6. Staunch Conservatism (with emphasis placed on "God's Will")
  7. Big Trucks
  8. White males in FUBU-esque stuff (I feel like such an old man, but it seems so fake)

New Regular Feature! Black Metal Band of the Week! Random!

Vilkates

-ed

Monday, July 11, 2005

New music from the long forgotten Firewheel Project...

Seriously. I wrote a song so that Kyle can pimp it out to TV commercial people. Here it is. Enjoy:

The Disco Knitter

-ed

Hint: copy link location, paste in browser, hit enter. I don't know why geocities is so lame when it comes to linking mp3's, but the pasting method works.

In a moment of utter Yuppie-tude...

I now own one of those headset things for cell phones. Well, I didn't actually buy it. My mom got a new phone, and that came free. So I took it. I still haven't used it, despite having 2 phone calls that lasted in excess of 30 min and could have benefited from the hands free approach. Someday.

Ok, time for pictures of my dog and her new, LAME haircut.

Notice the lack of hair and body devoid of any furiness. Poor girl.

-ed

Saturday, July 09, 2005

Obligatory Boring Saturday Night Post...

Sigh.

-ed

P.S. Next time, pictures of my newly shorn dog. I lead an uber-exciting summer life.

Friday, July 08, 2005

601 days without an accident= Steak Cookout for all Spontex employees!

Seriously. Sponge making is dangerous as hell. This is quite an accomplishment. I plan on cleaning them out, I'm eating at least 3 steaks and stuffing about 5 in a bag and taking them home and feeding them to Molly.

Stolen from Jersey's MySpace blog:
Is 17 (Eric) the sexiest person alive?: Yes, in that little man sort of way! hahaha! Love you wee.

-ed

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Official Time I Was in Pajama Pants and Swore to Never Leave the House Until Morning:

4:52pm.

I bought a bitchin' couch at Goodwill for my basement. It matches nothing at all, I love it.



This is the dog that lives next door in my apartment building. It barks all the time. I hate it. I try to get it to jump off the balcony and therefore hanging itself on its own leash. It hasn't done it yet, but there's still time.


Chloe, who bears an uncanny resemblence to:


That dragon thing from The Neverending Story. Can't really tell if from that, though.

Gotta go back to work tomorrow. I'm really hoping I just didn't dream the whole "Monday + Tuesday" off thing. I have this whole scenario worked out in my head where I walk in and Megan goes "Where were you yesterday?" and Kent's all like shaking his head and crap, and I go "My dad had to go the the emergency room and I'm was the only one who could take him," which of course is a total lie, but they wouldn't know that. It really helps that I don't know the phone number at that place. Tomorrow, I think I'll write letters during Accounting 2. I wrote out Taylor's practice song during today's class. It should work...in theory. Thank you, Mrs. Zaccagni.

-ed

Sunday, July 03, 2005

Independence Day (in which we declared ourself free from the taxes of King George)...

Is tomorrow. And tomorrow, at Wal-Mart, you can get your picture taken with Uncle Sam-Mule. Yet, despite this, the redneck assholes who live here have been setting off fireworks since June 25th. Just couldn't wait, could we, Jed? I hope you blow a hole in your Camero with an extra large bottle rocket.

-ed

Thursday, June 30, 2005

Fat, dumb, and smoking is no way to go through life.

Ancient Polish Proverb

Dedicated to my female co-workers.

-ed

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Correction...

I have been informed that it is actually "Minkus" not "Meekus" by the esteemed David Lanza.

NEWS FLASH:
Spontex makes sponges for Hill Country Fare. Throw your hands up for the best store brand EVER!

-ed

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

TGIF...

I just saw Meekus on TV! Remember? From Boy Meets World? Meekus!! The nerd! He was on some show on the WB (which I flipped past, then stopped to watch the wonder that is Meekus). Ah, Meekus.

-ed

Monday, June 27, 2005

Conversation of the Week...
And it's only Monday

Refering to Kyle and my boss at the Curb, Bill Scheddin:

KyleD901: bills is tight like that
ericdomk: what a pimp...we should throw a party for him
KyleD901: dude... doing it
KyleD901: end of next semester... bill party
KyleD901: i'll buy the booze
ericdomk: shit kicking bill-fest
KyleD901: with CEC money
KyleD901: lolKyleD901: he will enjoy that
KyleD901: shitkicking Bill-fest... still laughing about that one
ericdomk: hand out flyers...no one will understand but the HSM's
KyleD901: nah dude we will stick a picture of his face on the keg
ericdomk: HAHA...yes
KyleD901: and make him do a keg stand

-ed

Saturday, June 25, 2005

The Spurs 2005 Championship: A Dedication

To the player that inspires me to this day, and the original Steve Kerr, Andrew Gaze


Sorry, I can't find one of him in a Spurs uniform. Figures.

I remember sitting in the upper levels in the ALAMODOME (God bless it) with the drunks screaming "SHOOT IT GAZE!" whenever he would touch the ball. He was supposed to be the Michael Jordan of Australia and he was like 40 years old when he played for the Spurs. I think he deserves an honorary ring. Without him, we would have never ventured into the foreign player market. A true trailblazer. I miss him. Shoot it, Gaze.

-ed

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Dear Suzanne,

I know you took my tape gun. I saw you do this. I saw you walk over to my desk and trade my amazing one for your piece of crap tape gun that always gets tangled. So far I've said nothing. But if I see your fat fingers waddle over to my desk again and take my tape gun, there will be consequences. Thank you.

-Eric "Rich Kid" Domkowski

Sunday, June 19, 2005

The Most Awesome Flea Market in the World...
Is in Louisville, KY. True story.

Eric vs. Byron: The Short-Lived Epic Battle.
My neck really hurts today, the above being the culprit of it's stiffness. But going to FLOYDS KNOBS, IN to see Gub and the Eichen-family was a load of fun, especially the bowling game in which Amanda "Comanda" Perkins coined the term "playing unplugged" when she barely rolled the ball down the lane. And I totally smoked her in swimming too, therefore relieving me of my duties as "Worlds Slowest Swimmer." And I saw the Knobs. And a giant dinosaur.
Now, must prepare for Spurs game. Spurs must win. Spurs shall win. Please.
-ed