I Don't Understand it...

Am I the only person who's not swept away by the latest Bright Eyes releases? I mean, they're ok, but they're not anything close to "an American masterpiece." It's not like he's doing anything original...folk? Throw a mandolin on it? Brilliant! I even prefer the elctro-album to the folk one. The story at the beginning of the first folk song? I nearly threw up. Spare me the fake dramatics, Conor. Reminded me of the endless car ride clip at the beginning of "Lifted" that almost made me never listen to that disc again. (although I would have missed "From a Balance Beam, the true genius track on there.) I think people were so inundated with propaganda saying that this was going to be amazing that they're afraid to speak out. I am not. I've had these records for 2 months, and I've been hoping that they would grow on me so I could fit in, but they haven't. Kids, bright eyes is not the savior of music. Bright Eyes isn't even our generations Elliott Smith. Quit giving him God status.

I know, I know, listen to the lyrics. I try, but all I hear is nasal whine, nasal whine. Perhaps this guy is like Dylan...as Mitch said, "There hasn't been a Dylan song that hasn't improved when someone else records it."

So, I think the thing here is we need a Bright Eyes cover album.

Someone get Dave Matthews on this.

-ed

If I was a children's choir director...

So Sara gets to direct the children's choir at church back in SA, and it got me thinking....I really want to direct a children's choir. And it wouldn't be one of those crappy ones that I was in as a kid, where we sang those stupid "unity" songs and the freaking theme to the "Rainbow Connection," you know, the Muppet movie. And we had to wear matching pastel colored shirts. And I had a little kid crush on the girl who stood next to me (since we all sang the same pitch) and she totally ignored me. It was a generally horrible experience now that I think about it. So without further ado, I give you the songs I would have my children's choir sing:

1. "I Can't Get No (Satisfaction)" - as performed by the Rolling Stones
2. "Higher Ground" - as performed by Stevie Wonder
3. "Just What I Needed" - as performed by the Cars
4. "Debaser" - as performed by the Pixies
5. "Olsen Olsen" - as performed by Sigur Ros
6. "Closing Time" - as performed by Semisonic
7. "The Seed 2.0" - as performed by the Roots
8. "Revolution Blues" - as performed by Neil Young
9. "The Stars are Projectors" - as performed by Modest Mouse (this would be the long, challenging piece where everyone would be all like "man, this guy is a genius!")
10. "I Don't Believe You" - as performed by The Magnetic Fields
11. "Bille Jean" - as performed by Michael Jackson (this would be the encore).

-ed

So...

I think I have reached a new all-time low in terms of intellectual capacity.

I was reading the headlines on Yahoo! News and I saw a line that said "Paris gets Holocaust memorial" and I immediately thought, "Paris Hilton is getting a memorial?!"

Sigh. Curse you, pop culture and your sex tapes.

-ed

I had the best time recording and playing with Aaron and David this weekend. The songs were awesome...if there's such a thing as "hitting the spot" in terms of playing music, that was it. Hopefully we can do some more things together this semester, I really miss having a creative outlet. I have no desire to become famous through anything like that, but there's just something about being able to play music with people who have the same influences/direction as you that I really enjoy. And it'll give me some practice with engineering, so that's not all that bad. Alright, I'm tired, night.

-ed

So, just being bored...

What am I listening to the most these days? Well let's check the iTunes Top 25 Most Played list!

(shortened to the top 10)

1. I Don't Believe You - The Magnetic Fields
2. Banquet - Bloc Party
3. Race For the Prize - The Flaming Lips
4. How To Be Dead - Snow Patrol
5. Freddie Freeloader - Miles Davis
6. Hustle Rose - Metric
7. All Falls Down - Kanye West
8. The Rat - The Walkmen
9. Nightswimming - R.E.M.
10. Chief Inspector Blancheflower - The Fiery Furnaces

-ed

I realized last night that Belmont is more of a home to me than my place in Columbia could ever be. Even when I went back to San Antonio, it didn't feel the same.

-ed

Operation Succesful!

Remember your guard dog?

Well, I'm afraid that he's gone.

It was such a drag to hear him whining all night long.

-Neil Young

The rat dog no longer lives in my building. And no, I didn't kill him. His old owner is supposedly a psycho old woman who believed that her mother was cursing her from the grave for giving the dog away by causing car trouble. Needless to say, the rat dog is gone. The flat is now much quieter, and I am at peace.

Rock Island State Park...

Is amazing. Had some great hiking down into the gorge, saw some really beautiful waterfalls too. My iPod playlist for the journey:

1. Sigur Ros - "Ágætis Byrjun" (i.e. the greatest outdoor music, ever, bar none, no exceptions, etc..)

2. Whiskeytown - "Pneumonia"

3. Uncle Tupelo - "89/93: An Anthology"

4. Stevie Wonder - "Innervisions"

Back to Belmont tomorrow. Whoop.

-ed

Me and Jon A Down By the Wal-Mart (A True Story) ...

My buddy Jon Alaniz stopped by on his way up to Lynchburg College yesterday and spent the night (more of you should do this). I gave him a tour of what I know of Columbia, culminating with a stop at Wal-Mart. It was at said Wal-Mart that we found the best redneck product ever made: Knock-off UnderArmor...camoflauge knock-off UnderArmor. So, when you're out running through the woods chasing deer like a manly-man, you can feel dry and cool with moisture wicking material that just happens to double as camo. Wow. Except, you know, most hunters just sit in a blind and feed corn to the deer and then shoot them. I guess it gets rough sitting in the same spot for hours. Some sport.

Also...

I have seen the TV show "The Parkers" three times in my life. Everytime I have happened to watch it, it has been the same episode. It has the fat mother taking over the church choir, and then the fat daughter tricks fat mom to go see OukKast and misses choir rehersal. Fat mom finds out, gets mad and kicks daughter out of choir. Then the preacher begs fat mom to let fat daughter back into the choir because the choir sucks without her. Fat mom relents. Everyone is happy.

Now, I know what you're thinking.

"Eric, you should have changed the channel the first time that show ever came on."

And you'd be right, but I can't change what happened.

I mean, I think it's destiny. The first time, well, that can happen to anyone. The second time, that's just a freaky coincidence, but the third time? I felt obligated to watch it. Like the episode had become a part of me. You don't just turn your back on things like that, you have to embrace it. And I have. But if it happens a fourth time...I'm not watching TV ever again.

Why did I just tell you this? I dunno, I'm in the mood for damaging admissions. I think it started with Sarah McLaughlin.

btw, I love ginger green tea. Feel free to buy me some.

-ed

I love you, Brittany Parrish...

(actual away message) aggiebtp: eric domkowski...if you're reading this...i'm changing my screen name to punkrockprincess, but at least i listen to modest mouse now.

-ed

Ashamed...

I was flipping channels on the TV, and I ran across a Sarah McLaughlin concert. Now it's not the fact that I didn't change the channel that I am ashamed of. It's the fact that during the hour long program I knew a surprising number of the songs. Like more than half. And Lord help me, I was singing along to "Adia" for the first verse before I caught myself. My indie cred has been beaten to a pulp.

But wait!

I found the Columbia hipster hangout. It's the coffee shop I'd been avoiding on West 7th, House Blend. I gathered up the courage to go there today, and I was pleasently surprised. I ordered a cappucino and sat there and read "Dr. Zhivago," which I hope I can finish before I have to get back to school. It's quite good.

Jon A is comming to town tomorrow. Must remember all the stupid jokes now...think, Eric, think!

-ed

First off...

I want a constitutional amendment banning the use of "punkrockprincess," or any derivative form such as "punkrawkprincess" or "XxxpunkrockprincessxxX", from ever being used to describe someone's online persona. There's absolutely nothing "punk" or "rock" about being a princess, nor is there anything princessy about punk rock...or whatever it is these days...you kids and what you think passes for punk...I'm so old.

Secondly...

Shrek 2 is one of the funniest movies I've seen in a long time. I haven't even seen the original Shrek, but now I feel the need to. There's one scene in Shrek 2 that perfectly describes my experience in Boston a couple years ago...the giant Gingerbread man attacks one Starbucks and everyone runs out of it and into another Starbucks that is right across the street. Seriously, there were Starbucks on opposite street corners. From that I concluded that people who live in Boston are too lazy to cross a street, and ergo, I didn't go to Harvard.

J/K. They said something about not being Asian...I dunno. Andrea Cardinal?

Finally...

I did it. I finally ate at the Catfish Campus. It had been taunting me from the side of James Campbell Blvd. for months now. At first I was too shocked to ever believe that it really existed. I mean, were they serious? Could they honestly call a restaurant the Catfish Campus...and what could be so Delightfully Different about it?

I finally built up the nerve and went to it today. For all my acquired redneck behaviors and mannerisms, nothing could have prepared me for this. I know I'm getting up there in years, but I was the youngest person in there by a good 40 years. No one told me eating catfish was reserved for the AARP. So I sit down, and the old woman in the far corner is staring at me (maybe I'm just paranoid, but this is a reoccuring theme in this town...I think I need a haircut). The waitress is nice, and I order the 3 Fillet Dinner, with fries and "slaw." I didn't know you could seperate "cole" and "slaw" but hey, I'm ignorant. Ok, to be honest, the meal and establishment within itself was nothing remarkable or bad. I think it's a Southern thing, and though I'm from the "South", the Texas "South" is nothing like the real, civil war re-enacting "South," there was nothing really special about catfish...give me salmon any day.

Anyways, remember the old woman in the corner? So she gets up and starts walking towards my table, and as I have conditioned myself to do, I stare at my coffee cup and try to look as uninterested in her presence as humanly possible. What she said next, I have no clue, but it sounded like this:

"haughraughdoahign?"

I look up. I have a horrified look on my face. Now, let me describe this woman. She is what I like to call a "Tennessee Crazy." Southern people are usually by nature friendly, they say hello, they smile. They are not insane. This woman looked insane. About 300lbs on a good day, about my height, with huge glasses and unkept hair. She is obviously a Tennessee Crazy. I am very scared right now.

She repeats herself.

I finally understand...I think. I believe she said "How are you doing?"

I do not know this woman. I have no desire to know this woman. I smile and nod and say "Fine." She then walks away. Then five minutes later I make a horrible mistake. I turn over my shoulder and she's sitting at a bench looking at me. We make eye contact, which is the worst of all possible scenarios. She smiles. I turn around and sit there until I finish my coffee. She still has not left. I have to pay, so I walk up to the counter, and she's still smiling at me. She says "hewwo." I say "Hello" back. I run for the car. I will never go to Catfish Campus again.

Geez...that took a while. Enough for today.

-ed

Is it bad...

That whenever a certain person says something, no matter what it is, I get annoyed? I think I need to just calm down. Simmmmmmaahhh dawwwwwhnnn.

Donna Summer?

Yes!

Oh, and I managed to drive through the founding town of the KKK and I didn't get lynched. I'm getting good at that.

Sounds like enough for today. This is so disjointed.

-ed

Operation Destroy Rat-Dog...

(Let it be said that I love dogs. But there's a catch to that statement. I love dogs that don't double as rats.)

A nuisance has moved in downstairs. It's name is Buffy. It is a pomeranian, which means it looks like a fat rat with a haircut. It can't weigh more than 10lbs and its barks sound like squeaks. Now, I generally dislike all ratty little dogs with a passion (the sole exception being Sara's little Boomer), but there's something to this dog that makes me dislike it even more:

1. For starters, it's a male dog, and it's name is Buffy. This dog is obviously gay. Flamingly gay. Say what you will about if things are born gay or they become gay, no matter how it happens, this dog would rather shop than watch football.
2. The previous owner was this old woman, who, when she died, gave her daughter the sole task of making sure Buffy was taken care of (let's not get into how I know all this...my mother is a chatty woman). I know how older people can get attatched to animals, it's a fact of life. They want something to keep themselves occupied, something they can take care of. That doesn't make it any less stupid. So, the mother and son who live downstairs volunteered to take care of this 10lb. rat, but before they were allowed to, the son had to come spend the night at the daughter's house to see how to take care of and bathe this thing. And then they had to have Buffy over to the apartment for a few hours to see if Buffy was "comfortable." A frickin' rat.
3. It's presence makes Molly ticked off. She barks now. She can't stand this intrusion into her domain of our apartment building. She is one angry half-Chow dog. Who weighs about 5 times what the rat weighs.

This brings me to my next point. I am going to use Molly to, uh, rid ourselves of this problem. Everyone will be happier, believe me. Scott and Linda, I know you're probably growing attached to this dog. That's too bad, and after you're done grieving for this little creature, buy yourselves a more substantial dog...like a collie or something. Anyways, would it be my fault if Molly somehow got loose from her leash when Buffy was out for a walk, somehow hadn't been fed for a day or two so she was really hungry, somehow had been shown pictures of this dog covered with doggy treats, and somehow killed it? Would I really be at fault here? I mean, it's about the same size as a squirel, it's completely within the realm of possibility that should could mistake Buffy for one.

And there we go, Operation Destroy Rat Dog.

I know this probably sounds crazy, and yes, it is. Will it ever be put into action? No, so don't worry. But I still don't like that rat and I won't shed a tear if it drowns in the rain.

-ed

Guess Who's Not Going to See Modest Mouse on January 21st?!

MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Captain Procrastination strikes again! But, I mean, this boggles my mind. Somehow they've sold out Vanderbilt's basketball stadium. A year ago they could probably only sell out the Exit/In. Now I know the real reason why people get angry when their favorite band gets popular...everyone buys tickets before you. Actaully, I think it's a dual ticket with Gavin Degraw, maybe I'm underestimating his popularity among the Vandy crowd, who, if memory serves, seem to favor that crappy acoustic rock thing. Sigh. Well, I'll be enjoying the battle of the boulevard in its entirety this year!

-ed

Top Albums of 2004...

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

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

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

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

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

-ed.

So...

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

-ed

HENDERSON, KY ROCKS.

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

-ed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-ed

COFFEE...

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

But no.

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

-Love, ed.

Reflections on Texas...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-ed