Pictures...

click for bigger images

-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

A Haiku...

Natchez Trace drive fun

but stranded in redneck town

car battery sucks

-ed

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

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

DONE WITH THE SPONGE.

Party 'til dawn!

-ed

One More Day...

Gracias, Dios.

Once more, with feeling!

-ed

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

Countdown...

Only four more sponge days left. Rejoice.

-ed

The Alamo City...

San Antonio - Part 1: Porque Me Odias? Part 2: Meditations on the Railroad Tracks Near the San Juan Mission - The Columbia Sponge Factory Experience. (right click, "save as")

Read the story behind Part 2 here.

-ed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Second Intallment of the Home Town Saga: Maryville

"Maryville - Part I: Julia Ward Howe Visits Maryville College, Part II: Alcoa, Where People Are They Key, Part III: Go Big Orange! Hall For the Point After" - The Columbia Sponge Factory Experience.

(Right Click, "Save As" You know the drill.)

-ed

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

THE BEST PHRASE EVER...

It's a rocking horse good time!

(copyright Christina and Eric)

-ed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Obligatory Boring Saturday Night Post...

Sigh.

-ed

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

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

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

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

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

Ancient Polish Proverb

Dedicated to my female co-workers.

-ed

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why yes, I would like a back massage, thank you...

Today, on the way home after I taught the guitar lesson, I waved at every car I passed. No one waved back. I hope they were thinking, "Do I know that guy?" and got confused. But I still expected people to be friendlier. Geez.

My back really, really hurts. Let's hear it for all the backorders coming in on one day and only one UPS Liason there to handle it. (I'm calling myself that after watching a "That 70's Show" episode where Eric gets a job at the dog food factory as the 'Coupon Liason,' which actually means he puts coupons in bags of dog food).

Probably going to be in IN this weekend, visiting Gub and hurting myself water skiing. I can't get away from pain.

-ed

Tomorrow...

I teach my first guitar lesson. Needless to say, I am freaked out. I've never taught lessons before, and I'm not quite sure how to go about it. Tomorrow's lesson will revolve almost exclusively around the parts of the guitar and guitar maitenence. But I probably should give him something to practice. Crap! Taylor Chaney, I am deeply sorry that you have me as a teacher.

-ed

Bang

-ed

Spurs v. Pistons
This is for bragging rights in the break room at work.

8:03pm - Alanis Morisette sings the National Anthem. Once a slutty Canadian, always a slutty Canadian. Way to blow that one, INS.

8:10pm - I submit that Will Smith quit being relevent to music circa 1999. Let's look at the facts: He almost certainly peaked when he was with DJ Jazzy Jeff, and everyone liked his comeback with "Getting Jiggy Wit It" because he was a movie start by then. Now, it's like if we need a rapper, let's bring in Will Smith. White people like him too.

8:14pm - Gregg Popovich lookes like he hates freedom. I miss San Antonio.

8:15pm - Tony Massenburg??

8:32pm - You know who would give us a kick in the ass right now? Vinny Del Negro.

8:40pm - Dammit, I need some tea.

8:50pm - GLENN ROBINSON WITH A DUNK!! I DIDN'T KNOW HE COULD EVEN WALK!

8:53pm - Down 17-20, but we've pulled back. Right now would be the perfect time for a Sean Elliott Taco C commerical.

9:01pm - After listening to Hubie Brown (or Borebie Brown, I am wont to call him), I can only wish for Jay Howard and Body Soultions to come across my speakers.

9:10pm - Tim Duncan? Paging Tim Duncan, get on the court.

9:15pm - I'm tired. Enough of this.

Episode Eleven....
In which our hero discovers that his new neighbors have a horrible vanity license plate.

I stole my first sponge from work today!!

Shh! Don't tell Kent!

Molly and The Sponge.

Dishes made clean, thanks to Spontex and The Sponge

I really want a pair of the sweet gloves that are black and blue and have a cotton inner layer. That's my next mission.

-ed

Yea! Rich, Chocolately Ovaltine!

To whomever left me the message on my cell phone that was simply a playing of "Come on! Feel the Illinoise" (which, as you might know, is my favorite song right now): I love you.

Today, the girl I work with (and loathe), Megan, says,
"Are you trying to be a Mini Knight?"
Me: "What?"
Megan: "You know, those guys who ride the horses and buggies, with the long beards"
Me: "Oh, you mean a Mennonite, I thought you said a Mini Knight."
Megan: "Yeah, that's it."
Me: "No."

I really dislike her. I sometimes feel sorry for her (which is bad because I shouldn't be judging her) but then she goes, unprovoked, "I'm a bitch, got a problem?" and I realize that she just wants attention and thinks that if she acts tough she will get that attention. She loves to call me an idiot when I do something incorrectly (despite the fact she won't get off her ass to show me how it's done in the first place), and she acts like she's so smart when she shows me how to do something on the UPS computer program (which she has used for a year...me, uh, 2 weeks). It's really exasperating. When I can work by myself, I get things done quickly. But when I have to work with her, it's tough to be motivated due to her constant badgering and laziness. Sigh. I'm sure she complains about me too, and sometimes it would be justified (like when I turned off the computer waaay to early, lol), but I just wish she could be nice for once.

-ed

Back to Work...

I'm torn. I was bored enough to shave off my hair these past three days when I didn't have to work, and I was really looking forward to having something to do when I got back to work, and then I go back, and I remember again why I never want to see sponges again. Why can't I have a job that I enjoy? It's not that the one I have now is terrible, it's just that it doesn't get me excited in the morning to go. And I want to do something that makes me want to be there. Oh well. I'm only 20, and a music business major. I need to get used to these things. You know...disapointment.

-ed

Boredom is a terrible, terrible thing...

Scenario: A bored 20 year old male, left to his own devices for an entire week in a town where he knows basically no one, finds a box in his bathroom called "Barber in a Box." He opens it. He makes a grave mistake. He now looks like this:

Ok, now for a picture of my newly painted room!

-ed

Is It Bad...

That I find televangelists to pretty much be the funniest thing on TV these days? I can't help but laugh, especially when the Southern Pentacostal woman starts screaming at an unseen audience. She definitely rivals the old man who sits at the desk with a green curtain in the background and spouts out barely veiled racisim. She just said "and I asxed him." HAHAHAHA.

Of course, I can't really judge. Tara told me that I'm getting a Southern accent, which is probably the worst news of the week. Sigh. I can't help it, it surrounds me. I'm just trying to survive.

-ed

Lesson of The Day...

Olive oil is not the same as vegatable oil. Please come and taste my brownies if you are not convinced.

But other than that it was a succesful day of living on my own. Nothing died, the apartment wasn't set on fire, and I watched part of the Godfather II. Let's hope it carries over to today.

-ed

After Listening to Chicago's Greatest Hits...

I can safely say that the opening chords of "25 or 6 to 4" are the most rocking that band ever got. And I still don't know what that title even means.

(Props to Christina for figuring it out: "well, when you multiply 6 and 4, you get 24. and that's one less than 25. so it's like, "should i stay awake for 24 hours, or go that extra hour and make it 25?". Tomorrow, I will eat a crepe in your honor.)

I'm off work tomorrow, basically because there's not enough to do. I have this feeling I'll be fired soon. Oh well. It's not because I'm doing a bad job. If I were Kent, I'd fire me too. What's the point of paying me to just sit around and do Megan's work for her when she can obviously do it herself. Maybe the orders will pick up soon, who knows.

Spurs won last night! whoo! NBA Finals! I wish I was in SA for that.

-ed

You Know You Work in A Redneck Town When...
A lesson in being quiet...

This truck driver comes up to us today and goes, "Hey ya'll, I'm gonna be on CMT tonight!" and I go "What for? Were you at some concert?" and he replies "Hell no, I was at this machine gun convention in Kentucky and they interviewed me!"

Like, right there, I wanted to run away and hide.

God forbid that I ever voice my opinions on gun control here, I would probably get shot by these people and their God-given right to bear arms. But really, I'm just amazed that they have machine gun conventions, though I probably shouldn't be.

Sometimes I wonder how I ever make it to work in the morning. Toda,y I swear, my legs didn't work until at least 7am.

I'm off to sleep.

-ed

Now...

I know I'm a music nerd. I go through songs and bands like a fat kid eats cake. But holy crap this new Sufjan Stevens album is going to be freaking amazing. Probably even better than Greetings From Michigan.

"Come on! Feel the Illinoise! -Part I: The World's Columbian Exposition -Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me in a Dream" is simply one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Long winded title and all, I cannot stop listening to it. I repeated it at least 10 times on the way to and from Decatur, and I listen to it every morning before I go to work. I fear I will probably wear it out, but God, I hope not. It's amazing. Everyone I know should buy this, or I will buy it for you.

Also, today, I am playing soccer with a guy who played for the Trinidad National Team and 2 guys from England who coach the MLS camps here. I am going to get my ass kicked. It'll be great.

-ed
-ed

I Hate Vanity License Plates...

And today I followed a guy home who had "THEKANG" on his plates. WTF. I'm pretty sure he meant "The King" but said with a Southern accent. I wanted to rear end him so terribly bad.

I saw a bunch of bunnies for sale on the way to work this morning, and I laughed. Those who know my history with rabbits will laugh too.

-ed

Should I Be Surprised...

That the fat girl I work with has Ho-Ho flavored lip gloss? You know, the little cake thing made by Hostess? It's authenticity was confirmed by Suzanne, the grossly overweight fork lift driver, who I firmly believe has eaten or smelled many, many Ho-Ho's in her life.

The driver of the Old Dominion Freight truck, Elton, is this late 60'sish fat guy who just says the most random and hillarious stuff, so in a semi-regular feature, I bring you Elton's Words of Wisdom, uncensored and uncut.

Elton's Wisdom for the Day:
"That shit we smoked in the 70's, that was good shit. I'd take 3 hits and I'd be outta my head. I had this budy once, took two hits, woke up in a park with ducks shitting on him."

-ed

Coffee and Sunflower Seeds...
are my lifeblood

List of Random Stuff

1. Number of times "Revolution Blues" by Neil Young was playing when I entered a McDonald's parking lot: 2
2. Number of times Tara's mother attempted (unsuccesfully) to tell me why Tara chose Belmont: 2
3. Number of blind horses that ran into me: 1
4. Number of huge metal crosses I encountered: 2
   
5. Worst Driver Award: The woman in the Econoline van who tailed me for 5 miles outside of Paducah, KY when I was going 80mph and no one was around for miles.
6. Time I was most likely to die (Tied with Gayest Moment) : Singing along to a Gwen Stefani song in Effingham, Il, pulling into a gas station next to a guy with a Confederate flag in his window (I could have sworn Illinois was part of the Union...)
7. Word said the most on my ride back: "idiot"
8. Bocce ball means "little balls" ball
   

Dear United States Government,
Before I take a trip to Decatur, Illinois again, I would like you to fix a few things:

1. Please find a better name for "Land Between The Lakes State Park"
2. I-24 turns to crap as soon as I hit the KY state line. Please spend some money and make road driveable.
3. Please get rid of that huge metal cross in Effingham, Ill that scared me to death when it rose like a monster over the horizon.
4. Please make a nationwide declaration that the speed limit is 70, not 65 like KY and Il seem to think it is.
5. Please make an law declaring that when you have to slow down, it is not a "speed zone." There is nothing speedy about slowing down from 65 to 45mph.
6. And finally, please make the terrain of Illinois more interesting. Adding hills would be nice. And trees. That'd be cool too.

Thanks,
Eric Domkowski

All in all, a great trip. Tired me out like no other, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

-ed

Useless Information!

Ok, so since I have a nearly 7 hour drive ahead of me on Saturday, I made 3 mix cd's to help me enjoy the ride. So, for posterity's sake, here are the playlists, each with it's own classic title:

1. Decatur Drive: THE ROCK
1. Silence Kit - Pavement 2. Going Up The Country- Canned Heat 3. My Coco - Stellastar* 4. The Rest Will Follow - Trail of Dead 5. Teenage Riot - Sonic Youth 6. Rebellion (Lies) - The Arcade Fire 7. Like Eating Glass - Bloc Party 8. Romantic Rights - Death From Above 1979 9. The Best of Jill Hives - Guided By Voices 10. Heated Pool and Bar - John Vanderslice 11. Movement - LCD Soundsystem 12. January 1979 - mewithoutyou 13. Abel - The National 14. Bridges and Squares - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists 15. Hotcha Girls - Ugly Casanova 16. The Hardest Button to Button - The White Stripes 17. Arc Arsenal - At The Drive-In 18. Change Your Mind - The Killers 19. Good Morning Aztlan - Los Lobos 20. I Love the Valley OH - Xiu Xiu.

2. Decatur Drive: THE MIDWEST (which basically are bands from the midwest, or bands that I think should be if they're not already. Someone will probably correct me. Advance Warning: Don't Care.)
1. The Great Salt Lake - Band of Horses 2. Never Meant - American Football 3. Without Panasos - The Anniversary 4. Girl Is On My Mind - The Black Keys 5. The Recluse - Cursive 6. With God On Our Side - Bob Dylan 7. All Harm - Early Day Miners 8. Burned Bridges - The Get Up Kids 9. The Dark Don't Hide It - Magnolia Electric Co. 10. Terrified - Norfolk and Western 11. Tear Stained Eye - Son Volt 12. Via Chicago - Wilco 13. Come On! Feel the Illinoise! - Sufjan Stevens 14. The Last Days of Disco - Yo La Tengo 15. Tampa To Tulsa - The Jayhawks 16. Transcontinental - Pedro The Lion 17. Michigan - Red House Painters

3. Decatur Drive: THE DANCE
1. Fever (Adam Freeland Extended Mix) - Adam Freeland and Sarah Vaughan 2. Heartbeat (Phones Maximo Remix) - Annie 3. Still Missing (Royksopp Remix) - Beck 4. Close To Me (Closet Remix) - The Cure 5. Got It Twisted Sister (The Rapture Vs. Mobb Deep) - Dopplebanger 6. What You Waiting For? (Jacques Lu Cont Thin White Duke Mix) - Gwen Stefani 7. No Not Now (Hot Hot Dub mix) - Hot Hot Heat vs FakeID 8. My My Metrocard - Le Tigre 9. Bucky Done Gun - M.I.A. 10. Money Folder (Four Tet Remix) - Madvillain 11. Tears of Octopus (Adam Sparkles Remix) - Man Man 12. In My Arms - Mylo 13. It's For You - Out Hud 14. Remind Me (Someone Else's Mix Edit) - Royksopp 15. Someone Like You (Fast Track Vocal Mix) - Superdiscount 16. Random - Lady Sovereign

-ed

Televangelists...

So, I wake up early every day (around 7:30-8am), and while I drink my coffee, I watch TV. Now, as we don't have cable TV, I'm stuck with whatever is on the standard channels. Luckily for me, we have 4 out of 13 stations devoted to religion (and another 3 for the wonders of Home Shopping). This means I have my choice of televangelists to watch each morning. These guys seriously make me laugh so hard. They range from little kids shows to a guy who answers letters adressing topics as:

"What happened to the other races during Noah's flood?"
'Well, John in Deluth, it says God made Noah take 2 of every 'flesh.' So that means all other races were part of that. Thank the Lord the white man was there to save them."

But by far, my favorite guy is Benny Hinn.

http://www.faithcenteredresources.com/images/benny-hinn-website.jpg">

This guy is amazing. He wears white suits (or today, since he was in Nigiria, a white dashiki) and says God speaks directly to him. He has this weird accent, and I think he's from Israel, so it's even more hillarious. He's one of those guys who pushes people and says they are healed and grabs people and says that their cancer is gone. Today, he told this story about how this woman's daughter isn't in Hell, because God told him so. This guy totally reminds me of that John Edwards psychic weirdo, because he's so vague and creepy. Anyways he makes me laugh really hard, and I need that in the morning.

Did you know Tony Danza has a talk show? Wow. I'll be glad to be working and not have to watch this stuff.

-ed

World, Rejoice: Part II

For I am employed! The Randstad woman called me up today and said they had an opening at this factory for someone to fill orders, so I jumped on it. Turns out I'm working at Spontex, a company that makes sponges.

Ok, laugh....go! Alright, laugh time is up.

She told me I needed to get steel toed boots, so I went to Wal-Mart and bought some, along with some bitchin' Wranglers, which are by far the most uncomfortable jeans I've ever worn, but I think I'll fit in. I also found my camo bandana, which will be used somehow. I figure I should jump in head first and assume the roll of redneck for this job. I'm already afraid they'll see my earrings and think I'm gay, so if I wear the Wanglers, it should throw them off the trail a bit.

It shouldn't be that bad of a job, the woman said there will probably be a lot of downtime. I just hope it lasts for a while, and that I can keep it up when I start classes at Columbia State CC.

And! And! I'm going to Tara's this weekend! Good week all around!

-ed

Another Boring Day...

I'm on the call list at Randstad for "Light Industrial Work," which basically means I'll be doing factory assembly line crap, so whoo hoo. Right now any job is a good job. Hopefully they'll call soon.

I've seen so many things where I'm like, "I can do that!" such as sign painting and holding a sign declaring a business to be "GOING OUT OF BUSINESS! MUST LIQUDATE!" I need to get connections in this town. I even took Christina's advice and looked on thefacebook.com for people in Columbia. I didn't know anyone except Stacey. And for a moment I felt lonely, which is odd, because as an only child I'm used to being alone. I've missed being with people, but I've never felt like I was lonely, like there was no one to connect with. But here, I go for days with the only people I talk face to face with being my parents. Then I talked with Jordan online this afternoon, and that was great because even though we're hundreds of miles away, it still felt like there was a connection still, a person to talk with.

Anyways, that's way more emotional than I usually get. My deepest apologies.

I might see Tara this weekend! Woot! Let's hope it all works out.

-ed

Record of the Week - Daydream Nation - Sonic Youth

What Hell...

Sonics 101, Spurs 89

-ed

Random Thoughts...

• The longer I live here, the more inbred people start to look.
• There is nothing more that makes me not want to get married than the vocal delivery of "Going To The Chapel of Love," that oldies song with the line (delivered like a drunk, unhappy housewife) "Gee I really love you and we're going to get married."
• Despite my best attempts to sleep in today, I still woke up at 7am. I defiantly laid in bed until 8am when my mom came in and made me get up.
• The Debussy record I bought at Goodwill for $.75 is amazing for 1) including Clair de Lune, La Mer, and Arabesque #1 and 2) having that amazing Japanese print that I want so badly on the cover.
• I have this feeling my iPod will never get fixed.
• I miss people I truly know more than I could have ever imagined.

-ed

The Saga Continues...

Today, in the parking lot of Lowes, I saw a kid (probably around 9 years old) get out of a car and proceed to pee in full view of everyone.

I stood there, not knowing what to do or think. Then I realized I was in Columbia, and it all sort of made sense.

The good news is that we finished sheet-rocking my room, so now all we need to do is cover the seams and I can start painting. I'll try to post pictures of the progress.

-ed

What's Wrong with Evangelical Christianity, Part 1.

As many of you know, I grew up in the Church of Christ, a very conservative denomination. We don't have musical instruments in worship, women have basically no say in anything, and we are the people that voted for Bush soley because "he's a Christian." Now I don't consider myself a member of the Church of Christ anymore due to many various things, but something happened today that jogged my memory as to one of the first reasons I became dissillusioned with the church. (Now before I go off on this, please realize I do consider myself a Christian, I'm just not comfortable with a lot of the mentalities that are aligned with it).

We used to have this thing called "Leadership Training For Christ," where you would spend half a year or so learing everything you could about a book of the Bible, and then you would go and compete against other kids from around Texas in such things as a trivia bowl, drama, singing, art, and other things. You would get awarded different medals (gold, silver, bronze) for your efforts, but if you really sucked, you got nothing at all. I realized pretty quickly that something was wrong with this. CHRISTIANITY IS NOT A COMPETITION. Just because I drew a pretty picture doesn't make me a better Christian than the guy who submitted one with a stick figure. I'm sure people would say that it's just good to get kids into Christianity, let them learn about it. That's well and fine, I can honestly say that I know a good deal more about straight Biblical things than many of my friends who still go to church, but to turn it into a competition is horribly wrong.

I was reminded of this when I turned on the TV this morning and it was on one of the 4 religous stations that we get (out of 13 possible channels), and they had a quiz show for little kids about Old Testament things (I also think it was from the 80's). There were two teams, and when the final score was announced, the camera fixed on the losing side and you could see the utter disapointment on their faces (talk about conservative guilt..."look at you, you know nothing!") and it got worse when the guy announced the other team got a watch. The little girl, probably around 10 years old, looked like she was going to cry.

If we continue to turn Christianity into a competition for the younger generation, it would do us well to actually sit down and think about what the message of Christianity is. It's most definitely not a ranked list of the saved.

-ed

How Do I Know I'm In Columbia?
(Besides the accents and the general punk-rock attitude of the citizens)

Because when I turn on the radio in my shower on Friday night, instead of nice oldies music, I hear reports of NASCAR races, complete with reports from the pits.

Still no word on a job, but I'm hoping something happens soon. I'll probably go out looking again on Monday, because tomorrow will be spent working on the house.

Reminder to myself: Buy more jazz records.

-ed

World, Rejoice...

For I have finally set up the voicemail thing on my phone. Now you can all leave me messages and I'll be obligated to call you back (grr).

BTW, these little vegan cracker things my mom bought are amazing when you eat them with pepperjack cheese. Yum.

-ed

Summer in Columbia, Day 1...

Today, my only goal was to go apply for a job at various places around town. I mean, who needs a summer break? Give me work now. Anyways, I applied at Hewgly's Music Store and was told no because they only had two employees but to keep trying because, "one of us has to leave sometime." Yeah, sure. Then I went over to House Blend Coffee Shop and asked and was given an application but no indication of whether they were hiring or not. Then I drove down to the mall and walked around. At the Dollar Tree, they had a huge sign saying "NOW HIRING." Now, I figure that they don't pay a lot, but hey, a job is a job right now, so I went in and asked. This is how it went down:

I walk into the store and the woman behind the counter immediately runs off to the back. So I wait around for about 5 min and walk around the store. Eventually she comes back. I walk up to her.

Me: Hey there, are you still hiring?
Her: Uh, no. (Walks away very quickly)

Now, I don't want to think bad things. I want to believe that people are nice people. But I have reason to believe that because I don't fit the clientle of the Dollar Tree (fat, black, and female) there was no way I was going to get a job. Or if that's not the case, they need to take down the sign and quit giving me hope for employment.

So far, the best opportunity I've seen is for pizza delivery. And I'm seriously considering it. Papa Johns or Dominos? Such a quandry.

Anyways, that's the main excitement for today, woot.

-ed

P.S. Christina, if you have those pictures from when we were all sitting on that deer...I'd like them :)

Now Batting for the Texas Rangers...

Pope John Paul II! I'm not even kidding, check this out.

-ed

Announcement...

Tomorrow, when I talk to people online, I will not use punctuation. Be prepared.

-ed

FYI...

My latest trip to Grimey's is now classified as the best trip this year, since I picked up Talking Heads: 77 on vinyl (which I have been looking for for a long time), and the National's latest record, which is just beautiful and sad, which fits my mood perfectly today. Sigh.

My parents are coming in to town today to take some stuff back to Columbia (or as I am now fond of calling it, the C-O-L), so they're taking me out to lunch...woot. I still don't get to leave until Tuesday afternoon. Thank you Kiki and your crazy antics.

-ed

It's 8:40am, and I'm awake and bored...

bold the states you've been to, underline the states you've lived in and italicize the state you're in now...

Alabama / Alaska / Arizona / Arkansas / California / Colorado / Connecticut / Delaware / Florida / Georgia / Hawaii / Idaho / Illinois / Indiana / Iowa / Kansas / Kentucky / Louisiana / Maine / Maryland / Massachusetts / Michigan / Minnesota / Mississippi / Missouri / Montana / Nebraska / Nevada / New Hampshire / New Jersey / New Mexico / New York / North Carolina / North Dakota / Ohio / Oklahoma / Oregon / Pennsylvania / Rhode Island / South Carolina / South Dakota / Tennessee / Texas / Utah / Vermont / Virginia / Washington / West Virginia / Wisconsin / Wyoming / Washington D.C

-ed

So, stuck eating a freaking Honey Bun again...

WHEN ALL I WANT IS DUNKIN' STIX.

I miss you, Dunkin' Stix. Snack Machine Guy, please bring my Dunkin' Stix back. If I'm going to gain weight, I want to do it with the Stix.

-ed

A Tribute to Frank Brickowski...

When I was younger, I used to collect basketball cards. I would spend my weekly allowence on Upper Deck or Fleer cards that I'd buy at the Stop 'N Go, praying I would get a Michael Jordan card (which I did once. Thanks, God.). Anyways, more likely than not I would get a bunch of no-name players and occasionaly a 6th man (Once I got an Kevin McHale card, that was awesome).

There was one player, however, that I always seemed to get. Frank Brickowski. Frank played for a lot of teams, even the Spurs.

I always got his card when he played for the Bucks. I hate him and his stupid crew cut. His presence in my pack of cards automatically meant that Michael Jordan was not in that pack. Why would Air Jordan waste his time with lowly Frank Brickowski? I did some research and found out Frank went to UPenn, and averaged like 11pts a game. NBA.com lists his carrer average at 10ppg. If Frank was anything, he was consistent. According to a Google search, Frank is more known for knocking Dennis Rodman on his ass in the 1996 NBA finals (when he played for the Sonics) than anything else on the court, even more than winning the 6th man of the year award in 1992. To quote from www.sonicscentral.com, "a 6-9 rough and tumble player full of fire and grit -- and with very few actual skills at the time--made the team." And I always got his card.

Anyways, I hate Frank Brickowski.

-ed

Bruin Cup Party...

So, this pretty much explains the condition we were in...

Kyle and me, on top of Six. Go Decoys.

-ed

Wow...

So Illinois by Sufjan Stevens just leaked and I've picked up a couple of mp3's from it, and all I can say is "Holy Crap." This is amazing. Picks up where he left off with Michigan and makes it better. I can't do it justice, so just listen to it.

Sufjan Stevens - Chicago

-ed

Spurs vs. Nuggets: A Comparison by Uniforms
(aka Why The Nuggets Suck)

So I'm watching the Spurs game, and there's something that the Nuggets exude that just makes me think, "Geez, they suck," and I think I finally figured out what it is. Their uniforms. Seriously, let's take a look at the two "classic" uniforms from both the Spurs and Nuggets. First up, the Spurs:

Ok, first of, note the classic design of this uniform; The Spurs logo square on the center, black and white colors, pretty much the best uniform ever. George Gervin is also posed in a classic shot, looking like the Iceman he is. Now, let's look at the classic Nuggets uniform:

Can anything get worse than this? I can barely describe this thing without choking. Those colors should not be combined. Forest Green? Red and Black? Yellow? Who designed this crap? And Dan Issel? Is this not the most awkward pose ever? He's like the antithesis of George Gervin: White and horrible. I mean, he's nowhere near the rim. I bet he couldn't even dunk on a kidde hoop. Now, a look at the Spurs uniform of today:

Again, classic. Nothing has really changed in the basic design. It's still black and white, the Spurs logo is still in the center, albeit slightly updated, but still the same basic theme. And Tim Duncan has an air of confidence that just says "Winner." Now, the Nuggets of today:

Uh, pardon me, but baby blue has never looked good on athletes. I think the Clippers tried it once. Anyone remember the Phillies uniforms that were baby blue? HORRIBLE. Things don't change. These uniforms suck. Look at Carmelo. He's like "Dear God, trade me now. I feel so gay. Why couldn't I have been the number one pick and played for the Cavs? God, I hate Dan Issel."

And that is why the Nuggets suck.

-ed

Depressing Fact of the Day...

The #1 song on my birthday was "I Want To Know What Love Is" by Foreigner.

This fool rocked my birthday. I want a do-over.

Find out yours here.

-ed

Funniest thing I've read today...

As I was doing research for my paper in Honors about cocaine, I stumbled across a website about George W. Bush's alledged cocaine use, and at the end of the article, there was this:

Rock and Roll: Bush keeps a picture of himself with two members of ZZ Top, but does not play the song "Tube Snake Boogie" during his celibacy lectures. We have found no evidence to support the the most explosive allegation so far; that Bush played air guitar to a Foghat record at a party in the late 1970s. But he won't deny it, either.
http://www.realchange.org/bushjr.htm#cocaine

So...Bush played air guitar to a Foghat record. What a loser. Everyone knows AC/DC was the true 1970's party band. I just really like how they imply that Bush's listening to rock music meant he snorted crack. "explosive allegation," lol.

-ed

Revelation of the Day...

"Signed, Sealed, Delievered" by Stevie Wonder has the best drum sound ever. I can't even begin to describe it. I'm trying to figure out how they did it. Sounds like they used two drum kits and panned them L-R. The snare is so crisp and full. The kick drives. And the tamborine! Amazing.

-ed

Doing Smokin' Keith Proud...

Let's hear it for Blake Hamilton, going 7 innings w/ only one run and beating Penn, all with Smokin' Keith in attendence.
All my favorite memories of SMH baseball involve Smokin' K, like when he would eat all the brownies, steal our seeds, stand behind the plate and smoke while I was catching, getting into fights with the oposing tream's coach, and hitting Kasey Walker with a baseball when he was trying to shoot us flys with the JUGS machine.

Not really Smokin' K, but according to Google image search, the only Keith Hamiton is this big black guy with dreads.

-ed

Take that, Nick Rogers...

Spurs Win. Make the Nuggets their bitch. San Antonio/Pembroke 324 rejoices. Tim Duncan receives taco flavored kisses from Hispanic women worldwide.

-ed

The Red Headed Ninja...

Fast As Lightning - The Viking

So Katherine asked me to help her do her Rec Tech project, and of course I agreed due to the fact that song that came of my Rech Tech class, "Cliche College Ballad" was the best thing ever, A/C in the background and all. However, as Zach pointed out, we may still turn out crap, but "the quality of our crap has improved a lot."

And with that, a combined effort of Jeremey "The Viking" Stephens, Christina Petaros, and myself has birthed upon the world the wonder I like to call "Fast As Lightning," quite possibly the best rap ever created at Belmont. Take that Blaze.

-ed

I went out and stared it down...

I was going to lead off with Iron and Wine lyrics because I saw them last night, but I didn't...

Basically, the show was amazing. They re-interpreted nearly every song they played, with only songs from the new Woman King EP and "Naked as We Came" getting the recorded version treatment. Many times I didn't realize what song was being played until Sam Beam sang the lyrics, but the songs sounded amazing, a testimony to their melodies and lyrics. They are definitely more "rocking" these days, with Beam even playing electric guitar and damn near making the tall guy in front of me bang his head. At an Iron and Wine show. What is this world coming to.

Anyways, this is the best song I've ever had the opportunity to play bass on, so please download it:
UniXcore - The James Bond Jrs.

(I'm sorry if it doesn't work, I've tried everything. If it doesn't, simply type in "http://www.geocities.com/ericdomk/UniXCore.mp3" into your browser, and it should work then)


-ed

Please Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself...

So Ashley inspired me to reconfigure this thing. Of course I basically just chose a new template, but it's a fresh, new, exciting, (insert cliche here) start for ye olde blog.

-ed

Here is my new disposition...

Flashback 2002: Driving in my car, singing along to "To the Tune of 5,000 Screaming Children" at the top of my lungs, pitch blackness surrounding me on the backroads of New Braunfels, TX.

Last night, April 22nd 2005: Front of the stage, singing "To the Tune of 5,000 Screaming Children" along with Brett Detar, just like I was 17 again. Amazing.

I know exactly why people go to Journey concerts still. They may be passed their relevance, but the memories and feelings remain.

Thanks to Christian Petaros for the great photos.

-ed.

So call me lame...

But I'm uber-excited for the TNT Music Festival. Why? Because The Juliana Theory is playing, a band I spent my middle teenage years adoring. Then they released a crappy album on Epic and I totally forgot about them. But for a few years, they were amazing. They were pseudo Christian so my mom wouldn't get on my case about them, and they had piercings and harmonies. Now I'm listening to Emotion is Dead and sadly realizing I know every melody and guitar line. But I will be front row when they play, and I will be singing along to every song I know. I am lame.

Don't you just love my newfound use of images???

-ed

Neon Signs and Silver Lakes...

THE GREATEST SONG EVER by Chris Smallwood and the Unfortunate Genitalia.

-ed

Wow.

There are two records that I have played enough to know every single note and nuance of, and they are "Lonesome Crowded West" by Modest Mouse, and "Ghosts of the Great Highway" by Sun Kil Moon.

I went to see Mark Kozelek (of Red House Painters/Sun Kil Moon) this Friday night, not expecting much because his last performance in Nashville (that I also went to) was pretty disasterous. But how does he start off his show this time? With a cover of "Truckers Atlas" by Modest Mouse. I was floored. He played a quick cover of "Dramamine" from MM's "This is a long drive for someone who has nothing to think about," last year, but nothing prepared me for the beauty and sadness that Kozelek brought to Issac Brock's lyrics this year. Then, after he changed guitars, he started with the "Dramamine Cover" and since I was the only one who cheered, I'm hoping I was not the only one in the crowd who knew what was being played. Finally, he played "Convenient Parking," and turned it into something entirely different and amazing. I can only hope that one day Kozelek decides to release a record of Modest Mouse covers, like he did with AC/DC, highlighting the lyrical genius of Brock with Kozelek's beautiful guitar playing. This would be my ulitmate mash-up record. Please Mark, do it.

-ed

And now for something that just doesn't happen at Belmont....

(names and facts have been changed for protection of the innocent...)

ericdomk: hey (name), what's up?
Person: not too much you?>
ericdomk: just relaxing in my room for a bit...how are things in (random city)?
Person: not gonna lie.. i'm still drunk from last night
Person: so pretty good
ericdomk: haha, amazing
Person: i had to take a quiz before 8 thismorning on the internet
Person: and i went to class drunk

I'm waiting for one of these from Kibbe...nah, j/k, she don't roll like that.

-ed

Do teachers plan these things out??

Dr. Thorndike asks us to write a WebCT post about what our group is covering in our presentations, so that means two of us are writing about the exact same thing. Well, Kate beat me to the post, so instead of just repeating what she wrote, I hammered out this gem of a WebCT post...

Yeah...ditto what Kate wrote.  The topics we will be covering will raise
moral and ethical questions that you, the students, are afraid to ask in
polite company, such as, "Cocaine, I hear a lot about it from my older
brother that lives in the basement, but what exactly does it do?" and,
"What do I need to write on the back of these evaluation slips?"  We're
using some pretty sweet books, the covers look well planned out, kudos to
the design teams.  A potential field trip to seedier sides of Nashville
is being evaluated by President Fisher and his people.  Ok, not really,
but it will be entertaining. I promise.


So this is probably the most worthless thing I've ever written for that class.  And I love it.

-ed

Indie Rock All-Star Team...

So a while ago in Spin, Chuck Klosterman wrote a satirical article about a rock star dream team, where you pick individual musicians from different bands, He might have been joking, but I'm gonna give it a try.

Drummer - Jeremiah Green (Modest Mouse)
Lead Guitar - Jim James (My Morning Jacket)
Guitar - Mark Kozelek (Red House Painters/Sun Kil Moon)
Singer - Travis Morrison (Dismemberment Plan)
Lyricist - Stephen Merritt (The Magnetic Fields)
Bass - Kim Deal (Pixies)
Keys - Whit Travisano (The Mercury Program)

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Eric's Karmic Rule of Guitar Picks...

For every pick you lose, you shall find one in return.

You know it's true.

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Things I cannot spell, at all...

So I was sitting in Bongo, writing a paper, and I realized that there are quite a few words that I misspell on a regular basis that I'm consciously aware that I misspell and I still do it. Just a sampling of them...

1. across
2. access
3. coming
4. absolutely
5. whether

There are others. When I think of them, I'll add them.

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