I was listening to NPR on the way to work this morning and I heard two things that struck me as curious.
The first was a brief story about a possible terrorist attack that didn't happen. Here is a rough paraphrase of the story: "Homeland Security, suspecting a shoe bomber, apprehended a diplomat from Qatar smoking in an airplane restroom. No one was harmed."
This brief story is so loaded with subtext that I couldn't believe they left it at just a few seconds like this. While smoking isn't a terrorist act YET, smoking on an airplane these days is a pretty stupid thing to do. What I don't understand is where the 'shoe-bomber' came from. And why was it important to stress, after clearly stating that the guy was just smoking, that no one was harmed?
In it's incredible lack of detail and overwhelming sense of terrorist hysteria this story just reeks of Orwell. It has a "we're winning the war, but you still need to be afraid" feel to it. Listener beware, Big Brother is speaking.
The second item concerns a trend I have noticed on NPR. All through the Bush administrations, the reporters referred to Bush as 'the president' or 'President Bush.' Lately though NPR refers to Obama almost exclusively as 'Mr. Obama.' This is confusing to me. Are they showing more or less respect for the president by never referring to him as the president?
Did we constantly need to be reminded that Bush was the president? Or were they assisting Bush in maintaining the image that he was Commander In Chief and totally in charge in a 'time of crisis?'
And is Obama just that guy who happens to be president right now? Or are they trying to put forth the image that he is 'one of us.' You know, just Mr. Obama over there on Pennsylvania Avenue.
I don't understand the message they are trying to send. All my life I have heard about the evils of the liberal media, but in reality I prefer the liberal media to the conservative demagoguery that prevails on the nations airwaves right now. Reporters gnashing their teeth in pursuit of the truth is much more appealing than reporters gnashing their teeth and baying for the blood of the infidel.
Anyway, enough political rant for today. My next subject: Reality TV
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
long time, no post
Well, almost four months in 2010 and not a single post from me. Sorry about that. it's been quite busy and insane around my house and my workplace.
I am currently in a hotel room in Mobile, Alabama. My wife is hard at work teaching semi-literates how to use their telephones and I just came along for the ride (and a day or two with no worries). I've been wondering recently what exactly I am going to do with my life. I would love to be a cartographer, if I could ever get a straight answer on how or where to get that degree. I had a great idea for something that would be a boon to the tourist industry all over the world, just not sure how to market it or develop it. But it would certainly be easier if I had more knowledge of cartography. anyway, I'm rambling now. So onto music:
Music: new albums: Peter Gabriel finally put out a new album and guess what...NO NEW MATERIAL. It's an album of covers, and while I love what Peter Gabriel can do to a song, I would really have preferred his own creations. His interpretation of Heroes is pretty amazing but severely depressing as well. The whole album is like a soundtrack to a suicide. It is a must have for Gabriel fans, but I would rather listen to Us or Up.
Movies: "The Hangover" was not nearly as funny as everyone who raved about it led me to believe. It had moments of sheer comic genius, but mostly it felt like "Dude where's my car?" meets "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." And while there are a few laugh out loud moments in the movie, there were also some truly disturbing moments that I wish I could scrub from my brain.
"From within" was an interesting little horror movie. It's the first of the 2007 batch of "8 films to die for" that was actually pretty decent. Definitely more interesting than "The Hangover."
Books: Just finished two pretty cool little books: Johannes Cabal - Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard and Mall of Cthulhu by Seamus something. Both books are interesting little supernatural tragicomedies. hmmm ... Something just occurred to me. These two books have complimentary anachronisms. Mall of Cthulhu takes place in modern times, but they are battling creatures mostly associated with 1920s Lovecraftian lore. Johannes Cabal - Necromancer takes place in an era much like the 1920s/30s (carnivals traveling by train) and while the villain is timeless (Satan) a lot of their dialogue is anachronistic in that it seems modern and times even a little pop culture savvy. Well, I just read back over that and it's just me being weird and geeky, so disregard this paragraph.
All right, time to go get lunch.
Thanks for reading. And don't let the bastages get ya down.
I am currently in a hotel room in Mobile, Alabama. My wife is hard at work teaching semi-literates how to use their telephones and I just came along for the ride (and a day or two with no worries). I've been wondering recently what exactly I am going to do with my life. I would love to be a cartographer, if I could ever get a straight answer on how or where to get that degree. I had a great idea for something that would be a boon to the tourist industry all over the world, just not sure how to market it or develop it. But it would certainly be easier if I had more knowledge of cartography. anyway, I'm rambling now. So onto music:
Music: new albums: Peter Gabriel finally put out a new album and guess what...NO NEW MATERIAL. It's an album of covers, and while I love what Peter Gabriel can do to a song, I would really have preferred his own creations. His interpretation of Heroes is pretty amazing but severely depressing as well. The whole album is like a soundtrack to a suicide. It is a must have for Gabriel fans, but I would rather listen to Us or Up.
Movies: "The Hangover" was not nearly as funny as everyone who raved about it led me to believe. It had moments of sheer comic genius, but mostly it felt like "Dude where's my car?" meets "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." And while there are a few laugh out loud moments in the movie, there were also some truly disturbing moments that I wish I could scrub from my brain.
"From within" was an interesting little horror movie. It's the first of the 2007 batch of "8 films to die for" that was actually pretty decent. Definitely more interesting than "The Hangover."
Books: Just finished two pretty cool little books: Johannes Cabal - Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard and Mall of Cthulhu by Seamus something. Both books are interesting little supernatural tragicomedies. hmmm ... Something just occurred to me. These two books have complimentary anachronisms. Mall of Cthulhu takes place in modern times, but they are battling creatures mostly associated with 1920s Lovecraftian lore. Johannes Cabal - Necromancer takes place in an era much like the 1920s/30s (carnivals traveling by train) and while the villain is timeless (Satan) a lot of their dialogue is anachronistic in that it seems modern and times even a little pop culture savvy. Well, I just read back over that and it's just me being weird and geeky, so disregard this paragraph.
All right, time to go get lunch.
Thanks for reading. And don't let the bastages get ya down.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Comedy strikes back
So what are you to do when nothing new comes out? Or worse, when everything new that comes out...well...sucks?
Fall back on old reliable is what!
I have found myself listening to The Beatles, The Cult, They Might Be Giants and Iron Maiden quite a bit recently. Not that I don't always listen to the Beatles and Iron Maiden anyway, but my point here is actually to ask what is going on with music?
I got the new Wolfmother album a while ago and after a couple times through, I was done with it. There was only one memorable song on the album, and to be honest it was only memorable because it reminded me of Peter Frampton. To paraphrase Christian Slater in 'Pump up the Volume': What happened to all the grand themes? Have they all been used up and turned into theme parks?
The Disney farm keeps churning out these overprocessed, talentless fembots for the entertainment of the bovine masses. The bar has been set so low in metal right now that I could probably start a band. Indie/alternative is annoying and angst-y. (But isn't it always?)
Sadly, novelty/comedy records are the best thing coming out right now. The most exciting new music I've heard recently are from two comedy duos: Flight of The Conchords and The Mighty Boosh.
The Conchords are lighthearted and entertaining for the most part. Lately they seem to be sinking to the Lowest Common Denominator with an excess of dick jokes and crude humor. Even with those though, the show and the music are very enjoyable. What's more important is that on their new album "I Told You I Was Freaky" they included my favorite song from their first season - 'Pencils in the Wind.' I remember in the show, this song was done in a huge Meatloaf-ian production. It was AWESOME!
The Mighty Boosh, while similar in concept is so surreal that it staggers the imagination. The music is glorious. If you can find a copy, I highly reccommend buying at watching it over and over and over again. I can't wait for an album from them. My favorite episodes include: Tundra, Eels, The Legend of Old Gregg, and The Hitcher.
Check them out. You won't be disappointed.
Fall back on old reliable is what!
I have found myself listening to The Beatles, The Cult, They Might Be Giants and Iron Maiden quite a bit recently. Not that I don't always listen to the Beatles and Iron Maiden anyway, but my point here is actually to ask what is going on with music?
I got the new Wolfmother album a while ago and after a couple times through, I was done with it. There was only one memorable song on the album, and to be honest it was only memorable because it reminded me of Peter Frampton. To paraphrase Christian Slater in 'Pump up the Volume': What happened to all the grand themes? Have they all been used up and turned into theme parks?
The Disney farm keeps churning out these overprocessed, talentless fembots for the entertainment of the bovine masses. The bar has been set so low in metal right now that I could probably start a band. Indie/alternative is annoying and angst-y. (But isn't it always?)
Sadly, novelty/comedy records are the best thing coming out right now. The most exciting new music I've heard recently are from two comedy duos: Flight of The Conchords and The Mighty Boosh.
The Conchords are lighthearted and entertaining for the most part. Lately they seem to be sinking to the Lowest Common Denominator with an excess of dick jokes and crude humor. Even with those though, the show and the music are very enjoyable. What's more important is that on their new album "I Told You I Was Freaky" they included my favorite song from their first season - 'Pencils in the Wind.' I remember in the show, this song was done in a huge Meatloaf-ian production. It was AWESOME!
The Mighty Boosh, while similar in concept is so surreal that it staggers the imagination. The music is glorious. If you can find a copy, I highly reccommend buying at watching it over and over and over again. I can't wait for an album from them. My favorite episodes include: Tundra, Eels, The Legend of Old Gregg, and The Hitcher.
Check them out. You won't be disappointed.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
rant #1
It was pointed out to me that I had not really ranted about anything yet. So I thought I would do my first rant for this page about my favorite thing to rant about... how much people suck!!
Thursday morning I had just opened the store and was making some copies for a regular customer when a lady (and I use the term very loosely here) came in. I said hello and informed her that I would be with her just as soon as I finished loading the copier with paper. Before I could even finish the sentence, she asked how much a copy was on colored paper. I told her 13 cents. She scoffed and mumbled something under her breath. Then asked how much it would be if she made the copy herself. I told her 12 cents.
She stepped back from the counter, turned away from me and stated that "God would get me for overcharging her."
I was stunned.
I said "Excuse me? What did you say, ma'am?"
She mumbled something incoherent and walked away from the counter.
Those of you who know me know that there was no way I was going to leave this one alone. I followed her to the other side of the store and asked her again what she had said.
She stated that she had never been charged so much before, to which I responded that our prices hadn't changed in five years and that if she was unhappy with our prices she should leave, because I wasn't going to be insulted or threatened over 13 cents.
She sputtered and took the lid off of her cup of water from Starbucks. She proceeded to make rapid, jerky body movements with the cup, sloshing water all over the carpet.
I informed her again that she need to leave the store, at which point she drew the cup back and I took a step toward her and said:
"If you are thinking about throwing that water at me, I suggest you think again...on your way out the door."
At which point she left.
The problems I have with this situation are many:
First:
If she had enough money to go to Starbucks, Why was she raising such a stink over a measly 12 or 13 cents. It is highly unlikely that she would find a cheaper price around here.
Second:
We deal with a lot of crazies on Southside. Apparently when Alabama decided to shut down all their mental hospitals they gave all the inmates (oops, patients) bus tickets to Birmingham. and they have all taken up residence on the streets of Southside. Between that and the influx of crazies after Katrina hit New Orleans, the population percentage of mental defectives jumped through the roof.
Third:
On the off chance that this woman wasn't the average local mental midget, my third concern is simply
WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO CIVILITY?
I loathe and despise most people just because that's who I am. But even I have mastered the ability to never let them sense that (or if they do sense it, they're too gutless to mention it to me). I treat every person who walks in the store as if their requirements are the most important thing to me. It's called doing the job.
Now I admit I sometimes get frustrated and react badly to situations, but those instances are fairly rare. I never set out to make someones life miserable unless they truly deserve it. I just don't care enough about them as the human flotsam they are to waste my time making their day difficult. Plus, and this is the most important thing, if you fulfill their requirements quickly and efficiently, they give you money and go the hell away.
OK. I'm starting to get wound up, so I'm going to call this the end of rant number1.
Remember people: be nice or be gone!
Thursday morning I had just opened the store and was making some copies for a regular customer when a lady (and I use the term very loosely here) came in. I said hello and informed her that I would be with her just as soon as I finished loading the copier with paper. Before I could even finish the sentence, she asked how much a copy was on colored paper. I told her 13 cents. She scoffed and mumbled something under her breath. Then asked how much it would be if she made the copy herself. I told her 12 cents.
She stepped back from the counter, turned away from me and stated that "God would get me for overcharging her."
I was stunned.
I said "Excuse me? What did you say, ma'am?"
She mumbled something incoherent and walked away from the counter.
Those of you who know me know that there was no way I was going to leave this one alone. I followed her to the other side of the store and asked her again what she had said.
She stated that she had never been charged so much before, to which I responded that our prices hadn't changed in five years and that if she was unhappy with our prices she should leave, because I wasn't going to be insulted or threatened over 13 cents.
She sputtered and took the lid off of her cup of water from Starbucks. She proceeded to make rapid, jerky body movements with the cup, sloshing water all over the carpet.
I informed her again that she need to leave the store, at which point she drew the cup back and I took a step toward her and said:
"If you are thinking about throwing that water at me, I suggest you think again...on your way out the door."
At which point she left.
The problems I have with this situation are many:
First:
If she had enough money to go to Starbucks, Why was she raising such a stink over a measly 12 or 13 cents. It is highly unlikely that she would find a cheaper price around here.
Second:
We deal with a lot of crazies on Southside. Apparently when Alabama decided to shut down all their mental hospitals they gave all the inmates (oops, patients) bus tickets to Birmingham. and they have all taken up residence on the streets of Southside. Between that and the influx of crazies after Katrina hit New Orleans, the population percentage of mental defectives jumped through the roof.
Third:
On the off chance that this woman wasn't the average local mental midget, my third concern is simply
WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO CIVILITY?
I loathe and despise most people just because that's who I am. But even I have mastered the ability to never let them sense that (or if they do sense it, they're too gutless to mention it to me). I treat every person who walks in the store as if their requirements are the most important thing to me. It's called doing the job.
Now I admit I sometimes get frustrated and react badly to situations, but those instances are fairly rare. I never set out to make someones life miserable unless they truly deserve it. I just don't care enough about them as the human flotsam they are to waste my time making their day difficult. Plus, and this is the most important thing, if you fulfill their requirements quickly and efficiently, they give you money and go the hell away.
OK. I'm starting to get wound up, so I'm going to call this the end of rant number1.
Remember people: be nice or be gone!
Friday, August 14, 2009
The Church - untitled #23
The Church are one of the most consistent bands that don't suck in music today.
Since the early 80's they have been turning out album after album of melodic, subdued pop. In my opinion nothing they have done since has matched the glory of what my best friend and I call "the trilogy" of albums: Starfish, Gold Afternoon Fix, and Priest=Aura. Yet they continue to make the world a fuzzier place with their distinctive droning guitars and ethereal lyrics.
The voices of Steve Kilbey, Marty Willson-Piper, and, in a rare vocal performance, Peter Koppes continue to be as haunting and beautiful as ever. The songs are as well written as they always have been but there is something to the album that has been lacking in their new material lately. I can't put my finger on it. There is a feeling of nostalgia, but without the sadness.
You could say that this is more of the same old stuff since the Church has followed the same formula for more than a quarter of a century. You would, however, be wrong. These songs pack more of a punch than anything released since the trilogy I mentioned earlier.
This is the perfect follow-up album to the acoustic greatest hits collections: El Momento Descuidado and El Momento Siguiente. They reintroduced the wonderful old songs with a new twist and set the stage for what I hope will be a new trio of albums full of original material. (Although the more pessimistic side of me figures this will probably be the third album finishing what began with El Momento Descuidado).
Recommended tracks:
Pangaea
This song would have fit well on Gold Afternoon Fix or Priest=Aura. The inclusion of a cello makes it stand out from the material on those albums though. It's a tasty little ethereal nugget.
Deadman's Hand
This song would have fit well on Starfish. The song brushes up against 'Under the Milky Way' a few times, but manages to stand on its own as a great tune.
Sunken Sun
Simply awesome! With layered guitars and lyrics evoking both the mythic and the mystic, 'Sunken Sun' earns its place in the pantheon of incredible Church songs. This should be a single.
Lunar, Operetta, and Cobalt Blue are also outstanding songs. There is very little on this album that isn't worthy of at least one more listen. I recommend it highly for old fans and for new fans it needs to be the 6th album you get.
Since the early 80's they have been turning out album after album of melodic, subdued pop. In my opinion nothing they have done since has matched the glory of what my best friend and I call "the trilogy" of albums: Starfish, Gold Afternoon Fix, and Priest=Aura. Yet they continue to make the world a fuzzier place with their distinctive droning guitars and ethereal lyrics.
The voices of Steve Kilbey, Marty Willson-Piper, and, in a rare vocal performance, Peter Koppes continue to be as haunting and beautiful as ever. The songs are as well written as they always have been but there is something to the album that has been lacking in their new material lately. I can't put my finger on it. There is a feeling of nostalgia, but without the sadness.
You could say that this is more of the same old stuff since the Church has followed the same formula for more than a quarter of a century. You would, however, be wrong. These songs pack more of a punch than anything released since the trilogy I mentioned earlier.
This is the perfect follow-up album to the acoustic greatest hits collections: El Momento Descuidado and El Momento Siguiente. They reintroduced the wonderful old songs with a new twist and set the stage for what I hope will be a new trio of albums full of original material. (Although the more pessimistic side of me figures this will probably be the third album finishing what began with El Momento Descuidado).
Recommended tracks:
Pangaea
This song would have fit well on Gold Afternoon Fix or Priest=Aura. The inclusion of a cello makes it stand out from the material on those albums though. It's a tasty little ethereal nugget.
Deadman's Hand
This song would have fit well on Starfish. The song brushes up against 'Under the Milky Way' a few times, but manages to stand on its own as a great tune.
Sunken Sun
Simply awesome! With layered guitars and lyrics evoking both the mythic and the mystic, 'Sunken Sun' earns its place in the pantheon of incredible Church songs. This should be a single.
Lunar, Operetta, and Cobalt Blue are also outstanding songs. There is very little on this album that isn't worthy of at least one more listen. I recommend it highly for old fans and for new fans it needs to be the 6th album you get.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
