status check - happy
background ambiance - typical
note the link!
"oh my god, it's going to be the most intense show ever."
uh ... doubtful. but i know it's going to be a grand weekend. laugh, dance and sing while the sun goes down, then enjoy a blue moon.
hope your weekends are just as lovely.
cheers,
v.
7.30.2004
7.29.2004
public service announcements
status check - amused
background ambiance - nothing unusual
1) during today's trip through cyberspace, i have come across an alarming number of references to "indy" music. i'm serious - at least five different times i've read people describing an "indy" band. come on people, unless the band is getting ready to rock the indy 500 or started with little more than a hope and a dream in tippecanoe, correctly spell any references to indIE.
that said, if it's a cover band providing stirring renditions of "indiana jones" soundtracks, i urge you to send me concert dates. i'll make a trip. that would be fun.
2) if being vegan is as easy as the vegan beans and rice wrap from new world tortilla, i'll swear away the milk and honey right now.
3) when you dramatically erase things (or people) from your life (or cell phone), remember to check your address book, too.
4) after learning that martin st. louis hung out on church street this afternoon with the stanley cup, it was decided that the nhl's tradition of letting champion players do whatever with the cup for 24 hours rocks so hard.
background ambiance - nothing unusual
1) during today's trip through cyberspace, i have come across an alarming number of references to "indy" music. i'm serious - at least five different times i've read people describing an "indy" band. come on people, unless the band is getting ready to rock the indy 500 or started with little more than a hope and a dream in tippecanoe, correctly spell any references to indIE.
that said, if it's a cover band providing stirring renditions of "indiana jones" soundtracks, i urge you to send me concert dates. i'll make a trip. that would be fun.
2) if being vegan is as easy as the vegan beans and rice wrap from new world tortilla, i'll swear away the milk and honey right now.
3) when you dramatically erase things (or people) from your life (or cell phone), remember to check your address book, too.
4) after learning that martin st. louis hung out on church street this afternoon with the stanley cup, it was decided that the nhl's tradition of letting champion players do whatever with the cup for 24 hours rocks so hard.
come on, come on and dance all night
status check - groovy
background ambiance - same old sounds
weather predictions: partly cloudy, high 82. precipitation 20%. sunset: 8:04 p.m.
attendance predictions: 50,000 - 100,000
sooo ... ok. the crowd may be a bit bigger than i have thus far anticipated.
i had hoped to attend coventry in august, more so for the expereince of it than anything else. let's face it, that's why i went to woodstock, after all. 250,000 of my closest friends? i couldn't say no. and despite getting lost, despite the heat, despite the medical tent - i would have considered going again, had they offered a woodstock '04. i did want to go to bonnaroo and coachella, afterall - just had no way of getting there.
as it turns out, coventry is also not in my destiny. alas, my only trey experience will be running into him at cumby's (again, for the record, might i note that he never apologized for bumping into me?).
instead, i'm going to a show that could be just as large, if not larger. in a much more enjoyable location than the northeast kingdon, with a band i actually like (contrary to popular belief, not all vermonters are huge phishheads. even those who went to college in burlington). sans phish's $150 ticket fee - any fee, actually. and if they're playing until sundown, that makes for at least three hours of potential playtime.
somehow, i think i made out in this deal. coventry - HA!
background ambiance - same old sounds
weather predictions: partly cloudy, high 82. precipitation 20%. sunset: 8:04 p.m.
attendance predictions: 50,000 - 100,000
sooo ... ok. the crowd may be a bit bigger than i have thus far anticipated.
i had hoped to attend coventry in august, more so for the expereince of it than anything else. let's face it, that's why i went to woodstock, after all. 250,000 of my closest friends? i couldn't say no. and despite getting lost, despite the heat, despite the medical tent - i would have considered going again, had they offered a woodstock '04. i did want to go to bonnaroo and coachella, afterall - just had no way of getting there.
as it turns out, coventry is also not in my destiny. alas, my only trey experience will be running into him at cumby's (again, for the record, might i note that he never apologized for bumping into me?).
instead, i'm going to a show that could be just as large, if not larger. in a much more enjoyable location than the northeast kingdon, with a band i actually like (contrary to popular belief, not all vermonters are huge phishheads. even those who went to college in burlington). sans phish's $150 ticket fee - any fee, actually. and if they're playing until sundown, that makes for at least three hours of potential playtime.
somehow, i think i made out in this deal. coventry - HA!
7.28.2004
out past the fountain ...
status check - perpetually annoyed
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
out past the fountain, a left at the station, i start my day in the usual way ...
how about i turn around, turn right at the station, pass the fountain again and just call it a day?
one of the advantages to livejournal is the friends-only or private options to posts. i could post more - vent, bitch, scream, bash whoever i want - without having to wonder who would come across said ranting at any point down the road.
but here, i'll just be quasi-cryptic. my tolerance level is shot. so annoyed. it's not even anything in particular right now. which is the problem. i want something exciting to come up - something exciting to me. but it wouldn't matter, even if it did, because i couldn't do anything about it anyway.
i haven't been sleeping well. my schedule is wearing on me and i just wind up waking up annoyed that the rest of the world is preparing to put in the required early hours and then enjoy the nighttime. i'm tired and cranky and look forward to the weekends and the misadventures they may hold. but then i get annoyed when they don't live up to my expectations.
i have a tendancy of falling into ruts - part of that whole lack of patience thing. i'm convinced that by staying the course, i'm falling to the wayside. and then i get whiny and moody and lament about how things will never change - but by being whiny and moody, i'm doing little to alleviate the situation. i know i need to be a bright, sharp version of myself - i just don't feel as if i'm going to accomplish anything right now by doing so. i'm tired.
ack. it's just a long week. and it's only wednesday. but i do have things to look forward to. in a few days, i will be able to relax in the sunshine and perhaps toss a frisbee to friends. we'll be sandwiched between the skyline and water and i'll be ready to enjoy dancing to music and singing along. the warm days will strive to brighten my mood and remind me that i'm still young and - at least i think so - fun.
there are a couple of holes where important things should be in my life - i know what one of them is, i just don't know what else is missing.
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
out past the fountain, a left at the station, i start my day in the usual way ...
how about i turn around, turn right at the station, pass the fountain again and just call it a day?
one of the advantages to livejournal is the friends-only or private options to posts. i could post more - vent, bitch, scream, bash whoever i want - without having to wonder who would come across said ranting at any point down the road.
but here, i'll just be quasi-cryptic. my tolerance level is shot. so annoyed. it's not even anything in particular right now. which is the problem. i want something exciting to come up - something exciting to me. but it wouldn't matter, even if it did, because i couldn't do anything about it anyway.
i haven't been sleeping well. my schedule is wearing on me and i just wind up waking up annoyed that the rest of the world is preparing to put in the required early hours and then enjoy the nighttime. i'm tired and cranky and look forward to the weekends and the misadventures they may hold. but then i get annoyed when they don't live up to my expectations.
i have a tendancy of falling into ruts - part of that whole lack of patience thing. i'm convinced that by staying the course, i'm falling to the wayside. and then i get whiny and moody and lament about how things will never change - but by being whiny and moody, i'm doing little to alleviate the situation. i know i need to be a bright, sharp version of myself - i just don't feel as if i'm going to accomplish anything right now by doing so. i'm tired.
ack. it's just a long week. and it's only wednesday. but i do have things to look forward to. in a few days, i will be able to relax in the sunshine and perhaps toss a frisbee to friends. we'll be sandwiched between the skyline and water and i'll be ready to enjoy dancing to music and singing along. the warm days will strive to brighten my mood and remind me that i'm still young and - at least i think so - fun.
there are a couple of holes where important things should be in my life - i know what one of them is, i just don't know what else is missing.
7.27.2004
skinny kid, funny name
status check - impressed
background ambiance - television
barack obama will one day be president of the united states.
background ambiance - television
barack obama will one day be president of the united states.
this is my kind of merch
status check - laughing
background ambiance - same old, same old
just when i think pete can't rock any more, he goes and impresses/amuses me on a whole new level.
view it.
live it.
love it.
everyone i'd love to see in boston during any of my normal travels is in boston while i'm up here. among the dnc-ers are baffleck (of course), john cusack (for president!), richard schiff (toby! west wing!), and the like.
BOLLOCKS!
this week will never end.
background ambiance - same old, same old
just when i think pete can't rock any more, he goes and impresses/amuses me on a whole new level.
view it.
live it.
love it.
everyone i'd love to see in boston during any of my normal travels is in boston while i'm up here. among the dnc-ers are baffleck (of course), john cusack (for president!), richard schiff (toby! west wing!), and the like.
BOLLOCKS!
this week will never end.
'cause there's beauty in the breakdown
status check - decent
background ambiance - "such great heights" in my head
i'm not one for soundtracks. you go to a movie and think about the incredible assortment of your musical favorites you're enjoying. you pick up the soundtrack and realize half the songs aren't included on the disc because of copyright issues. the good songs are dispersed in a tracklisting featuring instrumentals for the key plot moments that are lovely while you sit in the theater, but not so much when you're trying to rock out or drive in your car.
but then zach braff decides to make a film and provide an accompanying soundtrack with a dazzlingly kickass tracklisting. therefore providing the exception to my anti-soundtrack rule.
"garden state" includes songs from coldplay, the shins, simon & garfunkel and - revelrevel - remy zero. and a version of "such great heights," one of those songs that i rarely listen to, but love when i hear it and think about how i should listen to it more.
another reason i'm looking forward to the movie. august 6 in select cities. and, as luck would have it, i will be in a select city on august 6 and will celebrate a friday vacation day with a mid-day screening - i hope.
"And that's where I was, lost and depressed and thinking: `What's going to be the next chapter of my life? Because I need it to start now.' I felt a lot of people in their 20's could relate to that feeling, praying for an epiphany, praying for some clarity, something that would come along and open their eyes."
exactly. thank you, zach.
background ambiance - "such great heights" in my head
i'm not one for soundtracks. you go to a movie and think about the incredible assortment of your musical favorites you're enjoying. you pick up the soundtrack and realize half the songs aren't included on the disc because of copyright issues. the good songs are dispersed in a tracklisting featuring instrumentals for the key plot moments that are lovely while you sit in the theater, but not so much when you're trying to rock out or drive in your car.
but then zach braff decides to make a film and provide an accompanying soundtrack with a dazzlingly kickass tracklisting. therefore providing the exception to my anti-soundtrack rule.
"garden state" includes songs from coldplay, the shins, simon & garfunkel and - revelrevel - remy zero. and a version of "such great heights," one of those songs that i rarely listen to, but love when i hear it and think about how i should listen to it more.
another reason i'm looking forward to the movie. august 6 in select cities. and, as luck would have it, i will be in a select city on august 6 and will celebrate a friday vacation day with a mid-day screening - i hope.
"And that's where I was, lost and depressed and thinking: `What's going to be the next chapter of my life? Because I need it to start now.' I felt a lot of people in their 20's could relate to that feeling, praying for an epiphany, praying for some clarity, something that would come along and open their eyes."
exactly. thank you, zach.
7.26.2004
damn the man
status check - frustrated beyond belief
background ambiance - silence
patience is not a virtue. it is a pain in the ass excuse for bureaucracy that leaves strong, capable people unable to do that which they want to do - and are good at - what they are meant to do.
it is a way to keep a limit. it is a way to waste away important time. it is a way to keep someone from something - for whatever reason. it is a way to worry someone that she will never get what she has been striving for.
it is a way to bury one's hopes and dreams in a series of medial tasks that will rub away the sharp edges of those dreams.
i refuse to be patient.
background ambiance - silence
patience is not a virtue. it is a pain in the ass excuse for bureaucracy that leaves strong, capable people unable to do that which they want to do - and are good at - what they are meant to do.
it is a way to keep a limit. it is a way to waste away important time. it is a way to keep someone from something - for whatever reason. it is a way to worry someone that she will never get what she has been striving for.
it is a way to bury one's hopes and dreams in a series of medial tasks that will rub away the sharp edges of those dreams.
i refuse to be patient.
7.24.2004
speedy delivery
status check - pleased
background ambiance - live averi recording
i'm going to date myself by asking, but it needs to be asked: what ever happened to mr. mcfeely? you know, "speedy delivery!" on mister roger's neighborhood. he was the man. i always liked him better than mister roger - or, at least, i did once he made a trip to proctor to visit the marble exhibit and whatnot for a segment on the show. by that time, i was in second or third grade and my roger-watching days were over, but i still loved knowing there was a proctor marble sculpture somewhere on that set. is he still alive?
my current postperson, while not nearly as cool as mcfeely, still scored points today. i was the happy recipient of several items i figured would arrive much later than they did.
among my postmarked mail was a postcard from gotham, courtesy of miss rebecca. postcards always make me happy and this one was particularly lovely - times square lit up in a blaze of neon at sundown. note to self: visit nyc soon. it's been too long. note to becca: thank you!
i'm enjoying my other delivery as i type. i'm bobbing my head and fighting the urge (an urge likely to take over following post-posting) to dance to "this liminal life" from the 6.14 avalon show in which averi opened for gavin dewhothehellcareshesnotlivinguptohispotential. holly, averi fan extraordinaire, hooked me up with my first unofficial copy of an averi show. note to holly: muchos gracias, chica.
it's kind of weird, having it. while i've attended many a packed paradise show and seen the band play in a number of venues and whatnot (and witnessed the stu/matt autograph signing at the rufus/guster/ben show), it's bizarre to realize that averi really is getting more established. when it really comes down to it, i guess i just still think of them as the funny guys who played the benefit i organized back in the day, when even i didn't know many of the songs. they've been my unknown band for so long now that i have to realize they're known - or at least getting there.
regardless. as i relax and enjoy the saturday, i urge you to see "napoleon dynamite." if you haven't already, that is. b-ton has finally gotten with the times and decided to show it, so i was able to partake in the random, engrossing goodness last night. i highly recommend it. note to pete: thank you for telling me that i must see it. you were right. now get out to the east coast and play some shows here, dammit.
ok, i've fought it long enough. dance time.
background ambiance - live averi recording
i'm going to date myself by asking, but it needs to be asked: what ever happened to mr. mcfeely? you know, "speedy delivery!" on mister roger's neighborhood. he was the man. i always liked him better than mister roger - or, at least, i did once he made a trip to proctor to visit the marble exhibit and whatnot for a segment on the show. by that time, i was in second or third grade and my roger-watching days were over, but i still loved knowing there was a proctor marble sculpture somewhere on that set. is he still alive?
my current postperson, while not nearly as cool as mcfeely, still scored points today. i was the happy recipient of several items i figured would arrive much later than they did.
among my postmarked mail was a postcard from gotham, courtesy of miss rebecca. postcards always make me happy and this one was particularly lovely - times square lit up in a blaze of neon at sundown. note to self: visit nyc soon. it's been too long. note to becca: thank you!
i'm enjoying my other delivery as i type. i'm bobbing my head and fighting the urge (an urge likely to take over following post-posting) to dance to "this liminal life" from the 6.14 avalon show in which averi opened for gavin dewhothehellcareshesnotlivinguptohispotential. holly, averi fan extraordinaire, hooked me up with my first unofficial copy of an averi show. note to holly: muchos gracias, chica.
it's kind of weird, having it. while i've attended many a packed paradise show and seen the band play in a number of venues and whatnot (and witnessed the stu/matt autograph signing at the rufus/guster/ben show), it's bizarre to realize that averi really is getting more established. when it really comes down to it, i guess i just still think of them as the funny guys who played the benefit i organized back in the day, when even i didn't know many of the songs. they've been my unknown band for so long now that i have to realize they're known - or at least getting there.
regardless. as i relax and enjoy the saturday, i urge you to see "napoleon dynamite." if you haven't already, that is. b-ton has finally gotten with the times and decided to show it, so i was able to partake in the random, engrossing goodness last night. i highly recommend it. note to pete: thank you for telling me that i must see it. you were right. now get out to the east coast and play some shows here, dammit.
ok, i've fought it long enough. dance time.
7.23.2004
1:31 a.m. - post 1,500
status check - wide awake
background ambiance - rain
it's one of those hot, sticky summer nights. i don't want to try going to sleep yet because i know my fan won't make up for the humidity in my room and i won't find a cool place on my sheets to help me fall asleep. for some reason, it makes much more sense to stay in the equally hot living room and look around online while watching tivo-ed episodes of the west wing from back when it was really good (circa senior year) that are blessedly being repeated on bravo each night. while i plan on being awake in the morning to either go for a run or bike ride (depending on the weather), i'm alert and content typing away while the book i have enjoyed each night waits patiently on my nightstand for me to pick it up and pour through another few chapters. i can hear the rain steadily fall outside the open living room window and, for some reason, it makes it feel cooler and more bearable.
Last Alcoholic Drink: a strawberry dacquari
Last Car Ride: a triumphant return home from the end of the work week - about two and a half hours ago
Last Kiss: a lifetime ago
Last Good Cry: i laughed until i cried several times this past weekend. as far as an emotional cry - can't recall.
Last Library Book: the harry potter series - over a year ago
Last book bought: lit riffs
Last Book Read: reading: action! a novel finished: dream brother (again)
Last Movie Seen in Theatres: anchorman
Last Movie Rented: i haven't rented in ages. bought: big fish
Last Cuss Word Uttered: i rarely say anything other than fuck lately - and what i lack in diversity, i make up in frequency
Last Beverage Drank: diet sunkist
Last Food Consumed: the closest thing to chipotle burlington has to offer
Last Crush: red wine buying boy
Last Phone Call: beth
Last TV Show Watched: west wing!
Last Time Showered: this morning
Last Shoes Worn: black ballet flats
Last CD Played: live averi. more importantly, last song listened to: new rilo kiley
Last Item Bought: dinner
Last Download: keane
Last Annoyance: money, being in the wrong department
Last Disappointment: related to being in the wrong department
Last Soda Drank: diet sunkist
Last Thing Written: "diet sunkist"
Last Key Used: " or, if thinking in terms of doors, backdoor key
Last Words Spoken: now go to bed!
Last Sleep: last night - this morning
Last Ice Cream Eaten: celebratory b&j's coffee heath bar crunch, last night
Last Chair Sat In: desk chair at work.
Last Webpage Visited: archive.org to look up live guster
background ambiance - rain
it's one of those hot, sticky summer nights. i don't want to try going to sleep yet because i know my fan won't make up for the humidity in my room and i won't find a cool place on my sheets to help me fall asleep. for some reason, it makes much more sense to stay in the equally hot living room and look around online while watching tivo-ed episodes of the west wing from back when it was really good (circa senior year) that are blessedly being repeated on bravo each night. while i plan on being awake in the morning to either go for a run or bike ride (depending on the weather), i'm alert and content typing away while the book i have enjoyed each night waits patiently on my nightstand for me to pick it up and pour through another few chapters. i can hear the rain steadily fall outside the open living room window and, for some reason, it makes it feel cooler and more bearable.
Last Alcoholic Drink: a strawberry dacquari
Last Car Ride: a triumphant return home from the end of the work week - about two and a half hours ago
Last Kiss: a lifetime ago
Last Good Cry: i laughed until i cried several times this past weekend. as far as an emotional cry - can't recall.
Last Library Book: the harry potter series - over a year ago
Last book bought: lit riffs
Last Book Read: reading: action! a novel finished: dream brother (again)
Last Movie Seen in Theatres: anchorman
Last Movie Rented: i haven't rented in ages. bought: big fish
Last Cuss Word Uttered: i rarely say anything other than fuck lately - and what i lack in diversity, i make up in frequency
Last Beverage Drank: diet sunkist
Last Food Consumed: the closest thing to chipotle burlington has to offer
Last Crush: red wine buying boy
Last Phone Call: beth
Last TV Show Watched: west wing!
Last Time Showered: this morning
Last Shoes Worn: black ballet flats
Last CD Played: live averi. more importantly, last song listened to: new rilo kiley
Last Item Bought: dinner
Last Download: keane
Last Annoyance: money, being in the wrong department
Last Disappointment: related to being in the wrong department
Last Soda Drank: diet sunkist
Last Thing Written: "diet sunkist"
Last Key Used: " or, if thinking in terms of doors, backdoor key
Last Words Spoken: now go to bed!
Last Sleep: last night - this morning
Last Ice Cream Eaten: celebratory b&j's coffee heath bar crunch, last night
Last Chair Sat In: desk chair at work.
Last Webpage Visited: archive.org to look up live guster
7.22.2004
copley! copley!
status check - pleased
background ambiance - scanner
i was delighted today to discover that i have another opportunity to enjoy a howie double-header. while august 5 will require an earlier estimated time of departure, i'm happy to have to drag myself out of bed that much earlier.
howie's playing a free wbos concert series show at copley - 12:30 p.m. start time.
the first dual-day, well, day (that felt odd to write, i can't even imagine how that felt to read - extra points if you deciphered it correctly on the first read-through), beth and i braved a light rain to get to howie's mhz taping in falls church. neat experience, fun set. we then braved a downpour to get back to the metro and head into monsoon-drenched georgetown before drying off and heading to see him open for tori (aka the goddess of everything impish and musicially wonderful) at george mason.
this time, i'm hoping the rain holds off. but i'd like to have a solo howie copley gig - the fbp set is full-band and i'm a member of the anti-band camp. the mhz/gmu day was the last time i saw him solo and i want that type of show back.
but regardless, it'll make for another fun story to share. although i'm sure beth's heartbroken over not being able to see him again - let alone twice in one day again.
i'll just have to send her concert voicemail love from both. bwahaha.
background ambiance - scanner
i was delighted today to discover that i have another opportunity to enjoy a howie double-header. while august 5 will require an earlier estimated time of departure, i'm happy to have to drag myself out of bed that much earlier.
howie's playing a free wbos concert series show at copley - 12:30 p.m. start time.
the first dual-day, well, day (that felt odd to write, i can't even imagine how that felt to read - extra points if you deciphered it correctly on the first read-through), beth and i braved a light rain to get to howie's mhz taping in falls church. neat experience, fun set. we then braved a downpour to get back to the metro and head into monsoon-drenched georgetown before drying off and heading to see him open for tori (aka the goddess of everything impish and musicially wonderful) at george mason.
this time, i'm hoping the rain holds off. but i'd like to have a solo howie copley gig - the fbp set is full-band and i'm a member of the anti-band camp. the mhz/gmu day was the last time i saw him solo and i want that type of show back.
but regardless, it'll make for another fun story to share. although i'm sure beth's heartbroken over not being able to see him again - let alone twice in one day again.
i'll just have to send her concert voicemail love from both. bwahaha.
7.21.2004
see scott. see scott squirm.
status check - forcing optimism
background ambiance - keyboards (computer variety, alas)
white house press briefings have become one of my favorite daily fixtures. it's like candy for the journalistic mind, as long as you try not to focus on this being the spokesman for our president and all ...
why do you need the onion when you have this - and it's REAL! (see link above)
a selection from today's laugh-fest:
Q The President is very dedicated to seeing that U.N. resolutions are implemented. Is he going to work to get the U.N. resolution to calling on Israel to tear down the wall built on Palestinian land -- is he going to work for that?
MR. McCLELLAN: What he's going to do is continue to work for a political solution to --
Q I asked a different question.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- the situation in the Middle East. The United Nations resolution that you referred to, as you're aware, is not binding. We did express our concerns about that at the United --
Q Whether it's binding or not, it's a resolution, it is the U.N. and there have been several.
MR. McCLELLAN: Okay. I would like to respond to your question, and I'm trying to. The United Nations resolution that you referred to was not binding. We expressed our concerns about it, about it being one-sided. And we've also made it very clear that we believe the way to resolve the situation in the Middle East is through a political solution. And the road map is what has been put forward to get us to the political solution. The solution that the President proposed, of two states, living side-by-side in peace and security.
And the Quartet endorsed that road map as the way to resolve this --
Q The road map has nothing to do with this fence being built on Palestinian land, 400 miles.
it's sad to realize i'm thinking back on the good ol' days with ari fleischer.
in other political or semi-political news, matty nay gets mad props for a great journal entry, including the gem:
seriously.
everytime i think it can't get any more jackass, crooked and mickey
mouse...
my man george w finds a new slimy height to climb.
and the fabulous observation that "i just don't understand how you can be apathetic and act indie rock cool when you shop at the abercrombie and fitch."
i fucking love that man. in a non-sexual, 'praise the jesus of rock', 'let's sing some more whitesnake' and 'the shirt is a lying asshole' sort of way.
ok, bye.
background ambiance - keyboards (computer variety, alas)
white house press briefings have become one of my favorite daily fixtures. it's like candy for the journalistic mind, as long as you try not to focus on this being the spokesman for our president and all ...
why do you need the onion when you have this - and it's REAL! (see link above)
a selection from today's laugh-fest:
Q The President is very dedicated to seeing that U.N. resolutions are implemented. Is he going to work to get the U.N. resolution to calling on Israel to tear down the wall built on Palestinian land -- is he going to work for that?
MR. McCLELLAN: What he's going to do is continue to work for a political solution to --
Q I asked a different question.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- the situation in the Middle East. The United Nations resolution that you referred to, as you're aware, is not binding. We did express our concerns about that at the United --
Q Whether it's binding or not, it's a resolution, it is the U.N. and there have been several.
MR. McCLELLAN: Okay. I would like to respond to your question, and I'm trying to. The United Nations resolution that you referred to was not binding. We expressed our concerns about it, about it being one-sided. And we've also made it very clear that we believe the way to resolve the situation in the Middle East is through a political solution. And the road map is what has been put forward to get us to the political solution. The solution that the President proposed, of two states, living side-by-side in peace and security.
And the Quartet endorsed that road map as the way to resolve this --
Q The road map has nothing to do with this fence being built on Palestinian land, 400 miles.
it's sad to realize i'm thinking back on the good ol' days with ari fleischer.
in other political or semi-political news, matty nay gets mad props for a great journal entry, including the gem:
seriously.
everytime i think it can't get any more jackass, crooked and mickey
mouse...
my man george w finds a new slimy height to climb.
and the fabulous observation that "i just don't understand how you can be apathetic and act indie rock cool when you shop at the abercrombie and fitch."
i fucking love that man. in a non-sexual, 'praise the jesus of rock', 'let's sing some more whitesnake' and 'the shirt is a lying asshole' sort of way.
ok, bye.
...
status check - eh.
background ambiance - printer
came across an amusing list today and thought, since i'm in a lousy mood, i'd come up with my own version to amuse you and brighten my day. some of these are original, some shared with the original author.
that said, i present "if you haven't done these things, your life may be a meaningless void":
*complimented a stranger
*laughed at conductor's comments on the subway
*been to a baseball game
*buried your toes in beach sand within the last month
*heard a live cover of "hallelujah"
*listened to jeff buckley's grace with headphones on
*driven/ridden in a car with the top down
*kissed in the rain
*enjoyed time in a dive bar
*tried to pass off an artificial accent while talking to a stranger
*gazed at the boston skyline from prospect hill
*eaten at a vegetarian restaurant
*walked up 18th street in adams morgan on a weekend night
*craned your neck back to see the top of the us capitol's rotunda
*enjoyed a meal with someone you've just met
*danced on stage
*attended a shakespearean play
*had a fling
*had a muddy's shake
*seen a cagney film
*read nick hornby
*heard "this liminal life" live
*seen the howie head toss
*slept a day away
*scored a goal
*dreamed big
*walked through the kennedy center
*done something really, really risky
*stayed up all night talking
*thanked the people who have changed your life
*volunteered
*had a theme song
*met up with someone you knew as a lifetime ago
*kept a real, offline journal
*crossed time zones
*made friends thousands of miles away
*had your heart broken
*participated in an audience singalong
*attended a play that makes you cry
among others.
now i turn it over to you. comment and add yours.
background ambiance - printer
came across an amusing list today and thought, since i'm in a lousy mood, i'd come up with my own version to amuse you and brighten my day. some of these are original, some shared with the original author.
that said, i present "if you haven't done these things, your life may be a meaningless void":
*complimented a stranger
*laughed at conductor's comments on the subway
*been to a baseball game
*buried your toes in beach sand within the last month
*heard a live cover of "hallelujah"
*listened to jeff buckley's grace with headphones on
*driven/ridden in a car with the top down
*kissed in the rain
*enjoyed time in a dive bar
*tried to pass off an artificial accent while talking to a stranger
*gazed at the boston skyline from prospect hill
*eaten at a vegetarian restaurant
*walked up 18th street in adams morgan on a weekend night
*craned your neck back to see the top of the us capitol's rotunda
*enjoyed a meal with someone you've just met
*danced on stage
*attended a shakespearean play
*had a fling
*had a muddy's shake
*seen a cagney film
*read nick hornby
*heard "this liminal life" live
*seen the howie head toss
*slept a day away
*scored a goal
*dreamed big
*walked through the kennedy center
*done something really, really risky
*stayed up all night talking
*thanked the people who have changed your life
*volunteered
*had a theme song
*met up with someone you knew as a lifetime ago
*kept a real, offline journal
*crossed time zones
*made friends thousands of miles away
*had your heart broken
*participated in an audience singalong
*attended a play that makes you cry
among others.
now i turn it over to you. comment and add yours.
tip to newbie reporters
status check - annoyed
background ambiance - keane, "we might as well be strangers"
cannot stress it enough - always trust your gut instincts.
always always always always always.
had i trusted my insticts, i would have had at least something for the story that needed to be included in tomorrow's paper. instead, i tried to quiet the nagging in the pit of my stomach and wound up sticking around until midnight, with nothing to show for it other than the fact that the other night owls present knew how pissed off i was. am, actually.
i just thought i didn't know the right thing to do because i hadn't yet handled a situation like that. turns out i knew exactly what the right thing to do was and i wound up getting screwed.
i've never doubted my instincts as a reporter before - and i sure as hell won't doubt them again. i'm a good reporter and i know what to do - even if i am still green.
fuckedy fuck fuck fuck (or should i say cheney-edy cheney cheney cheney?)
in good news, found a new band i'm enjoying. keane. kind of a coldplay vibe, only a bit more electronica (but in a good way). i've heard comparisons to something corporate, which i don't necessarily see - i'd almost go more in the direction of the postal service. but regardless, good stuff. check them out.
background ambiance - keane, "we might as well be strangers"
cannot stress it enough - always trust your gut instincts.
always always always always always.
had i trusted my insticts, i would have had at least something for the story that needed to be included in tomorrow's paper. instead, i tried to quiet the nagging in the pit of my stomach and wound up sticking around until midnight, with nothing to show for it other than the fact that the other night owls present knew how pissed off i was. am, actually.
i just thought i didn't know the right thing to do because i hadn't yet handled a situation like that. turns out i knew exactly what the right thing to do was and i wound up getting screwed.
i've never doubted my instincts as a reporter before - and i sure as hell won't doubt them again. i'm a good reporter and i know what to do - even if i am still green.
fuckedy fuck fuck fuck (or should i say cheney-edy cheney cheney cheney?)
in good news, found a new band i'm enjoying. keane. kind of a coldplay vibe, only a bit more electronica (but in a good way). i've heard comparisons to something corporate, which i don't necessarily see - i'd almost go more in the direction of the postal service. but regardless, good stuff. check them out.
7.20.2004
hanging up the rance
status check - surprised
background ambiance - scanner
so rance, the blogger claiming to be a hollywood name/kid in a basement/machine appears to be signing off - for at least a bit. while it's a pity to not be able to look forward to his quips, i've got to say he/she/it is ending at a good time.
after all, far too many of the posts lately have just been guest bloggers ... he's mellowed. and why do it if you're not going to do it well?*
i hope he comes back at some point with more bits to share, but for now, thanks for the amusement, george/owen/jim/ben/etc.
*as far as this blog goes, i never claimed to do it well. but i just set this up to ramble. rance set it up to bitch about hollywood. rance hasn't been bitching - so stop. i just keep on rambling - i'm good to go.
background ambiance - scanner
so rance, the blogger claiming to be a hollywood name/kid in a basement/machine appears to be signing off - for at least a bit. while it's a pity to not be able to look forward to his quips, i've got to say he/she/it is ending at a good time.
after all, far too many of the posts lately have just been guest bloggers ... he's mellowed. and why do it if you're not going to do it well?*
i hope he comes back at some point with more bits to share, but for now, thanks for the amusement, george/owen/jim/ben/etc.
*as far as this blog goes, i never claimed to do it well. but i just set this up to ramble. rance set it up to bitch about hollywood. rance hasn't been bitching - so stop. i just keep on rambling - i'm good to go.
woke up today to everything gray
status check - eh
background ambiance - scanner
i knew it would be one of those days when i woke up to the sound of a downpour. squashed my bike ride and/or run plans (for yet another day) and set the tone for the day.
it was to be expected, after having two quite stellar work days in a row. the subsequent "neah" day. i haven't quite felt comfortable in my own skin all day - antsy, discontented, out of sorts. and the day hasn't made up its mind as to what it wants to be - warm, cool, sun, rain. just a whole lot of whatever thrown in together.
in addition to that, i'm having the hardest time keeping track of what day it is. since i worked sunday, it's really ... wed - no, tuesday. but it feels like wednesday because it's my third workday.
who knows - it might as well be august 17. i wouldn't know the difference.
so what do you do in screwy days like this? you get through the day, unwind, then sleep it off and prepare for the upswing tomorrow.
background ambiance - scanner
i knew it would be one of those days when i woke up to the sound of a downpour. squashed my bike ride and/or run plans (for yet another day) and set the tone for the day.
it was to be expected, after having two quite stellar work days in a row. the subsequent "neah" day. i haven't quite felt comfortable in my own skin all day - antsy, discontented, out of sorts. and the day hasn't made up its mind as to what it wants to be - warm, cool, sun, rain. just a whole lot of whatever thrown in together.
in addition to that, i'm having the hardest time keeping track of what day it is. since i worked sunday, it's really ... wed - no, tuesday. but it feels like wednesday because it's my third workday.
who knows - it might as well be august 17. i wouldn't know the difference.
so what do you do in screwy days like this? you get through the day, unwind, then sleep it off and prepare for the upswing tomorrow.
if this isn't meant for chad ...
hmm
contest for the "best guitar face."
hmm. who's going to send chad the link?
photos taken by the fabulous and otherwise delightful dennis b - from the averi website
i'll try not to sing out of key
status check - content
background ambiance - late-night silence
sometimes all you need is a late-night conversation to realize that 1) you're pretty ok and 2) the people you know and love are pretty spectacular.
background ambiance - late-night silence
sometimes all you need is a late-night conversation to realize that 1) you're pretty ok and 2) the people you know and love are pretty spectacular.
7.19.2004
it's just too easy
status check - evil
background ambiance - a lawn mower somewhere
after much deliberation, i am not going to make much reference to the hilarity we discovered last night. all i will say is that i think it's funny (in a sad way) that there can be people out there who are countless times more outwardly enthusiastic about it. so why the hell do i feel the least bit badly? and why do i care?
forget that.
in a similar vein, came across a quote i found interesting ... michael decided to quote albert pike.
"There are but two things worth living for: to do what is worthy of being written; and to write what is worthy of being read; and greater of these is the doing."
but if there's no one to write what is worthy of being read, no one down the road is going to know that you did anything worthy of being written, bucko. so don't piss off the journalists.
background ambiance - a lawn mower somewhere
after much deliberation, i am not going to make much reference to the hilarity we discovered last night. all i will say is that i think it's funny (in a sad way) that there can be people out there who are countless times more outwardly enthusiastic about it. so why the hell do i feel the least bit badly? and why do i care?
forget that.
in a similar vein, came across a quote i found interesting ... michael decided to quote albert pike.
"There are but two things worth living for: to do what is worthy of being written; and to write what is worthy of being read; and greater of these is the doing."
but if there's no one to write what is worthy of being read, no one down the road is going to know that you did anything worthy of being written, bucko. so don't piss off the journalists.
7.18.2004
guess you had to be there
status check - slightly tired
background ambiance - silence, actually
tried explaining a vivid dream to beth this morning. unfortunately, my attempts at description failed me miserably.
"i dreamt X was giving me a business card as i was lying in bed and said he'd love to spend time with me."
i'd try to explain how the dream really was, but it doesn't work. any way i try describing it makes me sound like a strumpet. whoops.
in other news - brewfest saturday turned into a college reunion, as we all trickled into the same nightspots after leaving the waterfront. start off with drinks, finish up with dancing.
after a five-minute professional massage at brewfest, i urge anyone and everyone to get one. heavenly.
background ambiance - silence, actually
tried explaining a vivid dream to beth this morning. unfortunately, my attempts at description failed me miserably.
"i dreamt X was giving me a business card as i was lying in bed and said he'd love to spend time with me."
i'd try to explain how the dream really was, but it doesn't work. any way i try describing it makes me sound like a strumpet. whoops.
in other news - brewfest saturday turned into a college reunion, as we all trickled into the same nightspots after leaving the waterfront. start off with drinks, finish up with dancing.
after a five-minute professional massage at brewfest, i urge anyone and everyone to get one. heavenly.
7.15.2004
caffeine, pronto.
status check - zzzz.
yawn.
this whole waking up early thing. i don't get it. i'm going on day four of regularly early rising and find myself feeling LESS aclimated to it the more i do it. i had intended to be bright-eyed and ready to rock a parental visit this morning, as my mother would be spending my pre-work hours with me and arriving at the ungodly hour of 8 a.m.
i remember waking up (to guster's "what you wish for" - thought it would be a particularly appropriate wakeup song) around 7:20. i'm next jolting awake at the sound of my mother's knock on my bedroom window.
bright-eyed: no. amusing: so i'm told. such is life.
i now have a snazzy red bike helmet and bike lock necessary for zooming around the area. i've decided to run more, but also bike as frequently as possible. i want to hit up portions of the island line - the causeway in particular. people say you travel down the trail and feel like you're on a boat. i say bring it.
one story written, one more to do. yet my sleepy brain is focusing more on what movie i want to see next: farenheit 9/11, anchorman, shrek 2 or coffee & cigarettes?
p.s. the boston band is returning to hobbit haven in august.
p.p.s. more of my friends need to go on myspace. hint. hint.
yawn.
this whole waking up early thing. i don't get it. i'm going on day four of regularly early rising and find myself feeling LESS aclimated to it the more i do it. i had intended to be bright-eyed and ready to rock a parental visit this morning, as my mother would be spending my pre-work hours with me and arriving at the ungodly hour of 8 a.m.
i remember waking up (to guster's "what you wish for" - thought it would be a particularly appropriate wakeup song) around 7:20. i'm next jolting awake at the sound of my mother's knock on my bedroom window.
bright-eyed: no. amusing: so i'm told. such is life.
i now have a snazzy red bike helmet and bike lock necessary for zooming around the area. i've decided to run more, but also bike as frequently as possible. i want to hit up portions of the island line - the causeway in particular. people say you travel down the trail and feel like you're on a boat. i say bring it.
one story written, one more to do. yet my sleepy brain is focusing more on what movie i want to see next: farenheit 9/11, anchorman, shrek 2 or coffee & cigarettes?
p.s. the boston band is returning to hobbit haven in august.
p.p.s. more of my friends need to go on myspace. hint. hint.
7.14.2004
er ...
status check - tired
background ambiance - singing "center of attention" to myself
there's something alternately funny and depressing about realizing the hardest music you have accessible in your car is radiohead or jeff buckley's "sketches for my sweetheart the drunk."
makes it tricky when you want to scream along with loud music to clear your mind.
never had that problem when i listened to korn and limp bizkit.
background ambiance - singing "center of attention" to myself
there's something alternately funny and depressing about realizing the hardest music you have accessible in your car is radiohead or jeff buckley's "sketches for my sweetheart the drunk."
makes it tricky when you want to scream along with loud music to clear your mind.
never had that problem when i listened to korn and limp bizkit.
excuse me, i believe you have my stapler
status check - disgruntled
background ambiance - same old, same old
people who don't even work here get to hear about staff changes before i do. rock.
for someone who spends her days (well, more like afternoons and evenings) working to learn about what's going on in the area, i obviously don't know shit about what goes on in my own office building.
feeling grumpy. send email while i pretend to be interested in a meeting i must now attend.
background ambiance - same old, same old
people who don't even work here get to hear about staff changes before i do. rock.
for someone who spends her days (well, more like afternoons and evenings) working to learn about what's going on in the area, i obviously don't know shit about what goes on in my own office building.
feeling grumpy. send email while i pretend to be interested in a meeting i must now attend.
7.13.2004
life is a highway and i'm cutting in front of the band
status check - feisty
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
i'm in a fine mood today - good-humored and feeling productive - but i've discovered that i have a shorter fuse today than normal. i just don't feel like putting up with anyone's shit when i haven't done anything wrong.
it explains why i finished a terse conversation with a policeman today with a request that he simply answer the two small questions i have about a release i received. i was curt after he claimed i was trying to make more of a situation than was necessary. i wasn't trying to make more of anything - i was trying to get the answer to two important questions, simple as that.
other than this feistiness, i'm doing well. tired, though. woke up early to greet an electrician and probably should have gotten another hour's sleep. but i'm surprisingly alert and ready to get some things done. i just need people to cooperate, dammit.
but the important bit, the information you're all looking for (riiiiight) - the weekend recap.
a grand weekend spent mostly out-of-doors. shockingly, the days were comfortably warm without being overbearing and i tanned more than i burned. i looked over the city from a train bridge spanning the charles, getting a new glimpse at my beloved skyline. i managed to walk my feet raw (damn soccer sandals and kendall square wandering), but scored josh clayton-felt's "inarticulate nature boy" for $1 at the garmet district before watching the best benedick performance of the three i've seen onstage.
our normally deft boston driver finally pulled a dumb driver move while making her way to fleet boston pavillion sunday. because the fates love me, the car i had to politely and apologetically cut in front of was the averi-mobile. i hope neither driver stu nor anyone else who may have been in the car noticed who the dumbass with vermont plates was.
when rufus sat at the piano, i leaned forward in my seat, a grin spreading across my face without even realizing it. his vocal timbre, so unique and gorgeous, didn't always get along with the sound system, but overanxious and somewhat rude guster fans also made it tricky to hear clearly at times (i love guster. i love guster fans - i consider myself one. but don't mess with rufus). but i soaked it up. i wanted "cigarettes & chocolate milk," "april fools," and/or his "hallelujah" cover. got all three (with guster backing "april fools"*), as well as "dinner at 8," "california" and "grey gardens." life was grand.
he provided a delightfully memorable quote, after playing a guster-backed "one man guy."
"the song was intended to be ironic. but, uh ... well, we're sluts. i am, at least."
guster rocked, per usual. strong set with good energy, although there was less interaction than i'd expected, particularly considering there was a hometown crowd. but i sang along anyway, loving the setlist and thanking them for playing "come downstairs & say hello." realized i'd forgotten how much i loved "so long." was happy to be reminded.
and then there was ben, who further raised the energy level. mostly songs i knew, a few i didn't (and have since found) and a crazy intensity throughout. he grabs your attention by the little things - the blur of fingers over the piano keys, rising off the stool a few inches when pounding out a chorus. songs alternately funny, insightful and sweet (gracie's song). and then, just when you're ready to sign up for anything he wants to do, he plays "steven's last night in town" and follows with a percussion duel with brian. then you realize that he possesses more musical know-how and skill in a single hair on his head than you possess in your entire body.**
he also resembled the choral teacher i'd always wanted. with mad kung fu skills, no less.
so now, with a ticket to add to my collection of favorites, a guster road journal book to read and laugh at and a rufus tour poster to hang (numbered 373 of 1000, no less), i can say that everyone was right - fantastic show. and kindly request that all three acts get back to the area soon so i can see them again.
but seeing stu and matt sign autographs for fans who recognized them (well, one of them) felt more than a little odd.
speaking of seeing people - i've requested off august 5 and 6. as long as they're not already sold out, i'm buying at least one ticket for nathanson/day/o.a.r. who else is in?
* in response to paul's inquiry - i have witnesses who can attest to the fact that i was elated upon realizing rufus was peforming "april fools." it's been one of my favorite rufus songs for years and i'd always imagined that seeing him live would include that song. and i'd heard rufus had been joining ben for "careless whisper" - was slightly disappointed that he didn't for this show, but such is life. rufus played his set and then was done for the night.
** unless you are in the band present in the audience. in that case, ben folds possesses more musical know-how and skill in his right arm than you possess in your entire body. sorry, fellas, but you know i'm right. xoxoxo.
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
i'm in a fine mood today - good-humored and feeling productive - but i've discovered that i have a shorter fuse today than normal. i just don't feel like putting up with anyone's shit when i haven't done anything wrong.
it explains why i finished a terse conversation with a policeman today with a request that he simply answer the two small questions i have about a release i received. i was curt after he claimed i was trying to make more of a situation than was necessary. i wasn't trying to make more of anything - i was trying to get the answer to two important questions, simple as that.
other than this feistiness, i'm doing well. tired, though. woke up early to greet an electrician and probably should have gotten another hour's sleep. but i'm surprisingly alert and ready to get some things done. i just need people to cooperate, dammit.
but the important bit, the information you're all looking for (riiiiight) - the weekend recap.
a grand weekend spent mostly out-of-doors. shockingly, the days were comfortably warm without being overbearing and i tanned more than i burned. i looked over the city from a train bridge spanning the charles, getting a new glimpse at my beloved skyline. i managed to walk my feet raw (damn soccer sandals and kendall square wandering), but scored josh clayton-felt's "inarticulate nature boy" for $1 at the garmet district before watching the best benedick performance of the three i've seen onstage.
our normally deft boston driver finally pulled a dumb driver move while making her way to fleet boston pavillion sunday. because the fates love me, the car i had to politely and apologetically cut in front of was the averi-mobile. i hope neither driver stu nor anyone else who may have been in the car noticed who the dumbass with vermont plates was.
when rufus sat at the piano, i leaned forward in my seat, a grin spreading across my face without even realizing it. his vocal timbre, so unique and gorgeous, didn't always get along with the sound system, but overanxious and somewhat rude guster fans also made it tricky to hear clearly at times (i love guster. i love guster fans - i consider myself one. but don't mess with rufus). but i soaked it up. i wanted "cigarettes & chocolate milk," "april fools," and/or his "hallelujah" cover. got all three (with guster backing "april fools"*), as well as "dinner at 8," "california" and "grey gardens." life was grand.
he provided a delightfully memorable quote, after playing a guster-backed "one man guy."
"the song was intended to be ironic. but, uh ... well, we're sluts. i am, at least."
guster rocked, per usual. strong set with good energy, although there was less interaction than i'd expected, particularly considering there was a hometown crowd. but i sang along anyway, loving the setlist and thanking them for playing "come downstairs & say hello." realized i'd forgotten how much i loved "so long." was happy to be reminded.
and then there was ben, who further raised the energy level. mostly songs i knew, a few i didn't (and have since found) and a crazy intensity throughout. he grabs your attention by the little things - the blur of fingers over the piano keys, rising off the stool a few inches when pounding out a chorus. songs alternately funny, insightful and sweet (gracie's song). and then, just when you're ready to sign up for anything he wants to do, he plays "steven's last night in town" and follows with a percussion duel with brian. then you realize that he possesses more musical know-how and skill in a single hair on his head than you possess in your entire body.**
he also resembled the choral teacher i'd always wanted. with mad kung fu skills, no less.
so now, with a ticket to add to my collection of favorites, a guster road journal book to read and laugh at and a rufus tour poster to hang (numbered 373 of 1000, no less), i can say that everyone was right - fantastic show. and kindly request that all three acts get back to the area soon so i can see them again.
but seeing stu and matt sign autographs for fans who recognized them (well, one of them) felt more than a little odd.
speaking of seeing people - i've requested off august 5 and 6. as long as they're not already sold out, i'm buying at least one ticket for nathanson/day/o.a.r. who else is in?
* in response to paul's inquiry - i have witnesses who can attest to the fact that i was elated upon realizing rufus was peforming "april fools." it's been one of my favorite rufus songs for years and i'd always imagined that seeing him live would include that song. and i'd heard rufus had been joining ben for "careless whisper" - was slightly disappointed that he didn't for this show, but such is life. rufus played his set and then was done for the night.
** unless you are in the band present in the audience. in that case, ben folds possesses more musical know-how and skill in his right arm than you possess in your entire body. sorry, fellas, but you know i'm right. xoxoxo.
7.12.2004
"the 80s were good for kung fu"*
status check - lovely
background ambiance - ben folds, not the same (live)
rufus:**
Agnus Dei
Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk
California
Grey Gardens
La Complainte De La Butte
Hallelujah
One Man Guy (w/Guster)
April Fools
Beauty Mark
Gay Messiah
Pretty Things
Vibrate
Want (prefaced by "This song is called Want. ...and all I want is George Bush to lose the election.")
11:11
Dinner at Eight
guster:
What You Wish For
Ramona
Airport Song
Happier
Red Oyster Cult (w/ Chris and Dan on sax and trumpet)
So Long
Barrel of a Gun
Come Downstairs & Say Hello
Demons
Amsterdam
Fa Fa (w/ Chris and Dan on sax and trumpet)
=========================
Boy With the Arab Strap (w/ Chris and Dan on sax and trumpet AND w/ Ben Folds on piano)
All the Way Up to Heaven (w/ Ben Folds on piano)
ben:
Fred Jones part 2
Zak and sara
there's always someone cooler than you
Eddie walker
Gracie
Annie Waites
Tease of Oaisis 'Champagne Supernova'
Philosophy
chopsticks (liz phair cover)
selfless, cold and composed
The last polka
Army
Kate
Steven's last night in town (w/brian)
tease of Air supply's 'all out of love'
Fair (w/guster)
Not the same (w/guster)
Encore:
evaporated
one angry dwarf and 200 solemn faces
*quote courtesy of chuck during ben's "kung fu fighting" vamp
**setlists found online - while the songs were right, the order for rufus is incorrect. will amend later.
background ambiance - ben folds, not the same (live)
rufus:**
Agnus Dei
Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk
California
Grey Gardens
La Complainte De La Butte
Hallelujah
One Man Guy (w/Guster)
April Fools
Beauty Mark
Gay Messiah
Pretty Things
Vibrate
Want (prefaced by "This song is called Want. ...and all I want is George Bush to lose the election.")
11:11
Dinner at Eight
guster:
What You Wish For
Ramona
Airport Song
Happier
Red Oyster Cult (w/ Chris and Dan on sax and trumpet)
So Long
Barrel of a Gun
Come Downstairs & Say Hello
Demons
Amsterdam
Fa Fa (w/ Chris and Dan on sax and trumpet)
=========================
Boy With the Arab Strap (w/ Chris and Dan on sax and trumpet AND w/ Ben Folds on piano)
All the Way Up to Heaven (w/ Ben Folds on piano)
ben:
Fred Jones part 2
Zak and sara
there's always someone cooler than you
Eddie walker
Gracie
Annie Waites
Tease of Oaisis 'Champagne Supernova'
Philosophy
chopsticks (liz phair cover)
selfless, cold and composed
The last polka
Army
Kate
Steven's last night in town (w/brian)
tease of Air supply's 'all out of love'
Fair (w/guster)
Not the same (w/guster)
Encore:
evaporated
one angry dwarf and 200 solemn faces
*quote courtesy of chuck during ben's "kung fu fighting" vamp
**setlists found online - while the songs were right, the order for rufus is incorrect. will amend later.
7.09.2004
thank f*#$&!($ god it's friday
status check - worn out!
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
i know this was an abbreviated week, with the holiday and all, but i'm exhausted. while a shorter week generally winds up feeling longer anyway, there was something about the past four days that have drained me of what little energy i had to begin with.
i regressed into my sleepless ways for much of it, a condition with which i place most of the blame. i would fall into restless half-sleep each night, sleep in too late in the morning, then go through a monotonous workday without much excitement (the dog days of summer indeed). then i'd return home and, upon trying to fall asleep at a decent hour, would spend most of the late-night hours staring at the walls or listening to a thunderstorm. finally fall asleep around 5 or 6 a.m. to start the cycle all over again.
i finally got a good night's sleep last night, but because my body was drained, still managed to rise a couple of hours after i'd intended. bleargh. i'm getting plenty of sleep tonight and then, riding the a coffee- and excitment-created wave of (hopeful) energy, will make my semi-regular excursion to boston.
(please note: while i love going to boston, i never entended to make it my every-other-week recreation destination. it's proved quite amusing as of late, particularly when co-workers regularly ask, "how was the weekend? did you go to boston?" but boston has proved to hold too many events i've been excited about lately - between concerts and my vacation, everything just happens to happen there. get higher ground back up here and i'll only go down there once a month. well, every three weeks.)
i have a surprise waiting for me in the city - all i know is that tom thinks i'll love it and i need to bring my camera. somehow, i think the skyline is involved. i also have a date with the garmet district (finally) as well as my first experience with free shakespeare on the common tomorrow night. "much ado about nothing" - a play?! a shakespearean play?!? a shakespearean play in boston?!?! for FREE? revelrevel, baby ... i've been wanting to go to see an on-the-common show for ages now.
and then sunday. enough said. it's going to rock.
but before that, i have the rest of my workday - all 52 minutes of it. just need to focus on the work and let the minutes tick by before i get to play.
well, sleep.
then play.
have a good weekend, meine damen und herren ...
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
i know this was an abbreviated week, with the holiday and all, but i'm exhausted. while a shorter week generally winds up feeling longer anyway, there was something about the past four days that have drained me of what little energy i had to begin with.
i regressed into my sleepless ways for much of it, a condition with which i place most of the blame. i would fall into restless half-sleep each night, sleep in too late in the morning, then go through a monotonous workday without much excitement (the dog days of summer indeed). then i'd return home and, upon trying to fall asleep at a decent hour, would spend most of the late-night hours staring at the walls or listening to a thunderstorm. finally fall asleep around 5 or 6 a.m. to start the cycle all over again.
i finally got a good night's sleep last night, but because my body was drained, still managed to rise a couple of hours after i'd intended. bleargh. i'm getting plenty of sleep tonight and then, riding the a coffee- and excitment-created wave of (hopeful) energy, will make my semi-regular excursion to boston.
(please note: while i love going to boston, i never entended to make it my every-other-week recreation destination. it's proved quite amusing as of late, particularly when co-workers regularly ask, "how was the weekend? did you go to boston?" but boston has proved to hold too many events i've been excited about lately - between concerts and my vacation, everything just happens to happen there. get higher ground back up here and i'll only go down there once a month. well, every three weeks.)
i have a surprise waiting for me in the city - all i know is that tom thinks i'll love it and i need to bring my camera. somehow, i think the skyline is involved. i also have a date with the garmet district (finally) as well as my first experience with free shakespeare on the common tomorrow night. "much ado about nothing" - a play?! a shakespearean play?!? a shakespearean play in boston?!?! for FREE? revelrevel, baby ... i've been wanting to go to see an on-the-common show for ages now.
and then sunday. enough said. it's going to rock.
but before that, i have the rest of my workday - all 52 minutes of it. just need to focus on the work and let the minutes tick by before i get to play.
well, sleep.
then play.
have a good weekend, meine damen und herren ...
why it's good to be an a&e reporter ...
status check - impressed
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
... or so it appears. i wouldn't know, as i'm ... well ... not.
*brief temper tantrum*
anyway. take a look at this interview and understand why i would kill to be sarah.
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
... or so it appears. i wouldn't know, as i'm ... well ... not.
*brief temper tantrum*
anyway. take a look at this interview and understand why i would kill to be sarah.
aw shucks
status check - pleased
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
globe-hopping guitar guy done good.
i knew there was a reason i liked that fellow.
so here we are. early friday afternoon. and i have to wonder which is better - an event or the anticipation of it? i've been looking forward to sunday for weeks, and now i'm only a few days from it. but once it arrives, it'll be over so quickly that i won't even be able to look forward to it anymore.
hmm. but i'll be too busy basking in post-concert goodness to really notice for a few days, which is a bonus.
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
globe-hopping guitar guy done good.
i knew there was a reason i liked that fellow.
so here we are. early friday afternoon. and i have to wonder which is better - an event or the anticipation of it? i've been looking forward to sunday for weeks, and now i'm only a few days from it. but once it arrives, it'll be over so quickly that i won't even be able to look forward to it anymore.
hmm. but i'll be too busy basking in post-concert goodness to really notice for a few days, which is a bonus.
7.08.2004
shame
status check - angered
background ambiance - c-span
while appalled by the actions seen on the house floor today, i need to say one thing.
i'm incredibly proud to have bernie representing me.
background ambiance - c-span
while appalled by the actions seen on the house floor today, i need to say one thing.
i'm incredibly proud to have bernie representing me.
true. true.
status check - amused
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
from cnn.com
Brodsky himself, despite a demonstrated commitment to the Republican Party through his work for a Republican state senator in Pittsburgh, does not intend to vote for Bush -- even though Bush is the only candidate to whom he'd offer a bid to join Pi Kappa Alpha.
"Nader wouldn't have a chance," Brodsky explained. "Kerry is cool because he has morals, something G.W. and Nader do not, but George Bush is the only one that I can see playing Beirut [aka Beer Pong] while shot-gunning a Natty Ice. So I guess I'd have to pick Bush."
i'll just let that stand for itself.
in other news, an illustrated example of how i will be on sunday.
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
from cnn.com
Brodsky himself, despite a demonstrated commitment to the Republican Party through his work for a Republican state senator in Pittsburgh, does not intend to vote for Bush -- even though Bush is the only candidate to whom he'd offer a bid to join Pi Kappa Alpha.
"Nader wouldn't have a chance," Brodsky explained. "Kerry is cool because he has morals, something G.W. and Nader do not, but George Bush is the only one that I can see playing Beirut [aka Beer Pong] while shot-gunning a Natty Ice. So I guess I'd have to pick Bush."
i'll just let that stand for itself.
in other news, an illustrated example of how i will be on sunday.
oh. my. god.
status check - incensed
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
i feel a little badly in saying this, but i'm a bitch - so i'm over it.
that is one of the worst reviews i've read. not only does it mess things up, it's screaming of inexperience. which would make sense, if the critic hadn't been reviewing for awhile now ...
wow.
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
i feel a little badly in saying this, but i'm a bitch - so i'm over it.
that is one of the worst reviews i've read. not only does it mess things up, it's screaming of inexperience. which would make sense, if the critic hadn't been reviewing for awhile now ...
wow.
7.07.2004
equal opportunity music whore
status check - decent
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
i have decided that i definitely need to catch a tides show. i recieved a copy of "keep it a secret" yesterday and have enjoyed it throughout my travels today - pleased to not only find some impressive new music, but also to appreciate music performed by an andrew band.
yesterday's arrival marked the unofficial start to a stretch of somewhat-new-to-me music. i should receive bushwalla's "sessions" within the next couple of days, hopefully before i embark on the musical revelry that this weekend will hold. a new venue, two sets of musicians i've never seen live, my first guster hometown set - i'm greatly looking forward to things.
but i'm temporarily out of new rufus wisdom to share - thus breaking my streak of wainwright wonder week. it works in my favor, however, as i was told today that i'm holding rw in higher regard than the other two acts on sunday's bill. have i been discriminating against guster and ben folds?
it was hardly my intention, as all three acts are high on my list of favorite musical types. so i'll attempt to remedy the situation.
to guster, i offer these bits from my archives. first, april of 2001:
at about 4 this afternoon, michelle called me up and asked if i wanted to go to see guster at the flynn. i had forgotten they were playing tonight, so i was psyched.
yet another reason why the best plans are those that just sort of appear...the show rocked. theatre techie that i am, i found myself amazed by the light show presented...they had seven or eight of the moving lights we used for midsummer. i can only imagine how much they cost...and the cues were right on. so damn good. highlights of the evening were "demons" (during the opening strains of which i squealed like a teenybopper--not one of my finer moments), "barrel of a gun", and "parachute". during one of the songs, they created a whole night atmosphere--stars, cresent moons (a fabulous manner of utlizing those moving lights), and all.
i need more guster in my life. i very much enjoyed myself. great show, great times.
and yes, i was dopey, bought a tshirt ("and it was all yellow..."), and a poster for my evergrowing "wall of theatre and music stuffs".
and from september 2003:
the wigs were everywhere - unfortunately my 'fro was at the groomer's. or maybe i just hadn't checked the website to discover that it was a wig-encouraged show. if i had known, yeah, i would have picked one up and gone along with the wig-friendly vibe. it would have amused me.
the show was amazing. it amazes me how warm and comfortable guster makes me feel - not to mention that brian absolutely amazed me. that man can pound on the bongo like it's nobody's business - good lord. he's my favorite guster man - i love how he commands attention without saying a damn thing during the shows. he just rocks out and kicks arse.
as was to be expected, i grinned like a fool and felt all warm & fuzzy-like when "parachute" was performed. i loved the expected songs and sang along at the top of my lungs, but the selection of "come downstairs and say hello" as the final encore song was probably the highlight. it's a song that i have really connected with since the album was released and i couldn't believe they chose to end with that - i took it as a sign and, coupled with the sightings of two monarch butterflies within 24 hours, i have to assume that something great is on the horizon.
as for ben folds - the man just rocks. and i cannot wait to (FINALLY) see him live.
ok, fine. the lack of rufus info? i lied. here's the daily dose (haha, you fools!):
Transcription of a conversation between Brian Rosenworcel and Rufus Wainwright backstage in Gilford NH on July 1st:
RW: Did you see that there's a chiropractor here?
BR: Yeah, I think I'll skip it. Did you set that up?
RW: I don't think so. I think she's from the venue. Did you know chiropractics are illegal in France?
BR: No .... what else is illegal in France?
RW: I don't know. Murder?**
** courtesy of guster's road journal.
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
i have decided that i definitely need to catch a tides show. i recieved a copy of "keep it a secret" yesterday and have enjoyed it throughout my travels today - pleased to not only find some impressive new music, but also to appreciate music performed by an andrew band.
yesterday's arrival marked the unofficial start to a stretch of somewhat-new-to-me music. i should receive bushwalla's "sessions" within the next couple of days, hopefully before i embark on the musical revelry that this weekend will hold. a new venue, two sets of musicians i've never seen live, my first guster hometown set - i'm greatly looking forward to things.
but i'm temporarily out of new rufus wisdom to share - thus breaking my streak of wainwright wonder week. it works in my favor, however, as i was told today that i'm holding rw in higher regard than the other two acts on sunday's bill. have i been discriminating against guster and ben folds?
it was hardly my intention, as all three acts are high on my list of favorite musical types. so i'll attempt to remedy the situation.
to guster, i offer these bits from my archives. first, april of 2001:
at about 4 this afternoon, michelle called me up and asked if i wanted to go to see guster at the flynn. i had forgotten they were playing tonight, so i was psyched.
yet another reason why the best plans are those that just sort of appear...the show rocked. theatre techie that i am, i found myself amazed by the light show presented...they had seven or eight of the moving lights we used for midsummer. i can only imagine how much they cost...and the cues were right on. so damn good. highlights of the evening were "demons" (during the opening strains of which i squealed like a teenybopper--not one of my finer moments), "barrel of a gun", and "parachute". during one of the songs, they created a whole night atmosphere--stars, cresent moons (a fabulous manner of utlizing those moving lights), and all.
i need more guster in my life. i very much enjoyed myself. great show, great times.
and yes, i was dopey, bought a tshirt ("and it was all yellow..."), and a poster for my evergrowing "wall of theatre and music stuffs".
and from september 2003:
the wigs were everywhere - unfortunately my 'fro was at the groomer's. or maybe i just hadn't checked the website to discover that it was a wig-encouraged show. if i had known, yeah, i would have picked one up and gone along with the wig-friendly vibe. it would have amused me.
the show was amazing. it amazes me how warm and comfortable guster makes me feel - not to mention that brian absolutely amazed me. that man can pound on the bongo like it's nobody's business - good lord. he's my favorite guster man - i love how he commands attention without saying a damn thing during the shows. he just rocks out and kicks arse.
as was to be expected, i grinned like a fool and felt all warm & fuzzy-like when "parachute" was performed. i loved the expected songs and sang along at the top of my lungs, but the selection of "come downstairs and say hello" as the final encore song was probably the highlight. it's a song that i have really connected with since the album was released and i couldn't believe they chose to end with that - i took it as a sign and, coupled with the sightings of two monarch butterflies within 24 hours, i have to assume that something great is on the horizon.
as for ben folds - the man just rocks. and i cannot wait to (FINALLY) see him live.
ok, fine. the lack of rufus info? i lied. here's the daily dose (haha, you fools!):
Transcription of a conversation between Brian Rosenworcel and Rufus Wainwright backstage in Gilford NH on July 1st:
RW: Did you see that there's a chiropractor here?
BR: Yeah, I think I'll skip it. Did you set that up?
RW: I don't think so. I think she's from the venue. Did you know chiropractics are illegal in France?
BR: No .... what else is illegal in France?
RW: I don't know. Murder?**
** courtesy of guster's road journal.
wednesday ...
status check - peachy
background ambiance - tori
nothing here to fear
i'm just sitting around
being foolish when
there is work to be done
just a hang-up call
and the quiet breathing
of our persian we call
cajun on a wednesday
so we go from year to year
with secrets we've been keeping
though you say you're not a templar man
seems as if we're circling
for very different reasons
but one day the eagle has to land
out past the fountain
a left by the station
i start the day in the usual way
then think -- well why not --
and stop for a coffee
then begin to recall
things that you say
no one's at the door
you suggest a ghost
perhaps a phantom
i agree with this in part
something is with us
i can't put my finger on --
is thumbelina size 10
on a wednesday --
so we go from year to year
with secrets we've been keeping
though you say you're not a templar man
you tell me to cheer up
you suspect we're oddly even
even still the eagle has to land
out past the fountain
a left by the station
i start the day in the usual way
then think -- well why not --
and stop for a coffee
then begin to recall
things that you say
pluck up the courage
and snap
it's gone again
i start humming "when doves cry"
can someone help me
i think that i'm lost here
lost in a place called america
background ambiance - tori
nothing here to fear
i'm just sitting around
being foolish when
there is work to be done
just a hang-up call
and the quiet breathing
of our persian we call
cajun on a wednesday
so we go from year to year
with secrets we've been keeping
though you say you're not a templar man
seems as if we're circling
for very different reasons
but one day the eagle has to land
out past the fountain
a left by the station
i start the day in the usual way
then think -- well why not --
and stop for a coffee
then begin to recall
things that you say
no one's at the door
you suggest a ghost
perhaps a phantom
i agree with this in part
something is with us
i can't put my finger on --
is thumbelina size 10
on a wednesday --
so we go from year to year
with secrets we've been keeping
though you say you're not a templar man
you tell me to cheer up
you suspect we're oddly even
even still the eagle has to land
out past the fountain
a left by the station
i start the day in the usual way
then think -- well why not --
and stop for a coffee
then begin to recall
things that you say
pluck up the courage
and snap
it's gone again
i start humming "when doves cry"
can someone help me
i think that i'm lost here
lost in a place called america
7.06.2004
i don't know what it is
status check - rambling
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
i'm never opposed to an increase in writing, particuarly when the writing is presented as well as has become customary with the sedaris-worshipping one. i enjoy being able to read someone else's rants and rambles, especially since they provide some form of insight into the mind of someone i respect. and considering that i'm dwelling in my relatively confined corner of the world (i enjoy making new england my playground, but would love to extend beyond its borders every now and again), it's nice to be able to look out onto another part of the world (a globe-hopping look, no less).
but when i'm through with being selfish, i focus more on what's being said and what i read between the lines. and lately, i've been feeling for the author. much as i can feel for someone i've never spoken to before (thanks to the wonders in technology, i have to change the standard "someone i've never met" - as i now know some smashing people that i've never had the chance to meet face to face - part of that whole confined new england bit).
i'm constantly writing. the same goes for him. but my output increases exponentially with my boredom/loneliness/frustration. even more so when i don't feel like i have an emotional outlet or - worse - a reason to be upset. my notebook or (lately) my keyboard becomes my punching bag.
he seems to be punching much more the past couple of weeks.
he needs some time off. but i get the sense that, like me, he's one of those wanderlusty types. he had the potential to take time off earlier this summer and instead goes on this crazy (but delightful) tour across the country. he says he'd like to spend time in his apartment doing nothing, but i say the same thing. and when a couple of free days come 'round, i'm off on a roadtrip somewhere.
i don't know what he needs, but it seems like he's certainly in need of something.
***overanalysis and intruding into a stranger's life concluded, we now return to your business day***
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
i'm never opposed to an increase in writing, particuarly when the writing is presented as well as has become customary with the sedaris-worshipping one. i enjoy being able to read someone else's rants and rambles, especially since they provide some form of insight into the mind of someone i respect. and considering that i'm dwelling in my relatively confined corner of the world (i enjoy making new england my playground, but would love to extend beyond its borders every now and again), it's nice to be able to look out onto another part of the world (a globe-hopping look, no less).
but when i'm through with being selfish, i focus more on what's being said and what i read between the lines. and lately, i've been feeling for the author. much as i can feel for someone i've never spoken to before (thanks to the wonders in technology, i have to change the standard "someone i've never met" - as i now know some smashing people that i've never had the chance to meet face to face - part of that whole confined new england bit).
i'm constantly writing. the same goes for him. but my output increases exponentially with my boredom/loneliness/frustration. even more so when i don't feel like i have an emotional outlet or - worse - a reason to be upset. my notebook or (lately) my keyboard becomes my punching bag.
he seems to be punching much more the past couple of weeks.
he needs some time off. but i get the sense that, like me, he's one of those wanderlusty types. he had the potential to take time off earlier this summer and instead goes on this crazy (but delightful) tour across the country. he says he'd like to spend time in his apartment doing nothing, but i say the same thing. and when a couple of free days come 'round, i'm off on a roadtrip somewhere.
i don't know what he needs, but it seems like he's certainly in need of something.
***overanalysis and intruding into a stranger's life concluded, we now return to your business day***
then and now
status check - reflective
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
during our pre-sellout (his, not mine) interview, john mayer discussed concert taping and distribution. he was all for it as a manner of being able to introduce people to his music, but said that a recording never captures the true essence of being at the performance.
"you can burn a show," he said, "but you can't burn the experience of being there."
he was right, but he didn't get into the sensation of listening to a show you attended years ago. and how it takes all the details that have rubbed away over time and makes them nice and fresh again.
almost three years ago (two years, eleven months, three weeks exactly - not that i can remember dates or anything), i made my first musical trip to northampton. i stood in line for hours (as the start time was delayed) to enter the iron horse music hall for my first howie day headlining show outside of college coffeehouse performances (not that i've ever attached too much significance to a concert or anything).
while i've been able to get copies of every other non-smc hd performance i've attended, the iron horse show would never wind up in my collection. according to the rumor moving down the waiting line before the show began, howie's set was being professionally recorded so the management (this was way pre-epic, after all) could release it as hd's much-clamored-for first live album. unofficial recording was strictly verboten.
after just a couple of songs, though, i knew i wouldn't even be able to buy a copy, as hd wasn't producing a release-calibar performance. it was fun and good, but he messed up a couple of notes and lyrics, goofed around and was otherwise focused on having fun with it. and he turned "lover, you should've come over" - the one cover i desperately wanted to hear - into a peppy ditty.
anyway. pretty much resigned myself to remembering the show - never hearing it again. that is, until last night, when i found it in the live archives.
!!!!!
i didn't realize how much about it i'd forgotten - and what a great show it really was. even the "lover" cover - which pissed me off at the time - comes off as fun. the older songs i've missed were in fine form - crazy how i was never enthusiastic about "slow down" but would love to hear it now - and the other ones now considered old - madrigals, after you, etc. - were brand new.
a listener who wasn't at the show might not be ridiculously impressed by the recording, but for those of us who stood for six hours straight, knees buckling by the end - this is a fantastic surprise.
makes me remember being able to go to a small club to see him perform, back when a band was the farthest thing from everyone's minds. and makes me want to see his solo set in boston in august (performing with oar and matty nay).
and i should note, in order of bringing this portion of the post full-circle, howie's opener that night, rebecca lord, had recently broken up with a musician ... one mr. john mayer.
-----------
in our rufus celebratory portion of the post, i downloaded "waiting for a want" from itunes - while not an itunes enthusiast whatsoever, i decided it was worth it to get to hear the latest ("the art teacher," "gay messiah," "this love affair," "waiting for a dream").
download them. fantastic. almost as brilliant as the video for "april fools," which i'd never seen before.
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
during our pre-sellout (his, not mine) interview, john mayer discussed concert taping and distribution. he was all for it as a manner of being able to introduce people to his music, but said that a recording never captures the true essence of being at the performance.
"you can burn a show," he said, "but you can't burn the experience of being there."
he was right, but he didn't get into the sensation of listening to a show you attended years ago. and how it takes all the details that have rubbed away over time and makes them nice and fresh again.
almost three years ago (two years, eleven months, three weeks exactly - not that i can remember dates or anything), i made my first musical trip to northampton. i stood in line for hours (as the start time was delayed) to enter the iron horse music hall for my first howie day headlining show outside of college coffeehouse performances (not that i've ever attached too much significance to a concert or anything).
while i've been able to get copies of every other non-smc hd performance i've attended, the iron horse show would never wind up in my collection. according to the rumor moving down the waiting line before the show began, howie's set was being professionally recorded so the management (this was way pre-epic, after all) could release it as hd's much-clamored-for first live album. unofficial recording was strictly verboten.
after just a couple of songs, though, i knew i wouldn't even be able to buy a copy, as hd wasn't producing a release-calibar performance. it was fun and good, but he messed up a couple of notes and lyrics, goofed around and was otherwise focused on having fun with it. and he turned "lover, you should've come over" - the one cover i desperately wanted to hear - into a peppy ditty.
anyway. pretty much resigned myself to remembering the show - never hearing it again. that is, until last night, when i found it in the live archives.
!!!!!
i didn't realize how much about it i'd forgotten - and what a great show it really was. even the "lover" cover - which pissed me off at the time - comes off as fun. the older songs i've missed were in fine form - crazy how i was never enthusiastic about "slow down" but would love to hear it now - and the other ones now considered old - madrigals, after you, etc. - were brand new.
a listener who wasn't at the show might not be ridiculously impressed by the recording, but for those of us who stood for six hours straight, knees buckling by the end - this is a fantastic surprise.
makes me remember being able to go to a small club to see him perform, back when a band was the farthest thing from everyone's minds. and makes me want to see his solo set in boston in august (performing with oar and matty nay).
and i should note, in order of bringing this portion of the post full-circle, howie's opener that night, rebecca lord, had recently broken up with a musician ... one mr. john mayer.
-----------
in our rufus celebratory portion of the post, i downloaded "waiting for a want" from itunes - while not an itunes enthusiast whatsoever, i decided it was worth it to get to hear the latest ("the art teacher," "gay messiah," "this love affair," "waiting for a dream").
download them. fantastic. almost as brilliant as the video for "april fools," which i'd never seen before.
7.05.2004
look ahead list
status check - decent
background ambiance - bushwalla, "jesusbobezus"
let's be realistic here - since we all know i'm going to be giddy waiting for sunday's show, i might as well officially announce that i'll be likely making reference to it all week.
so here's today's contribution, found in my archives from two years ago.
7.1.02
found a mayer interview.
I tend to think that, after hearing Room for Squares, that just me and acoustic guitar is a little boring sometimes.
if that's boring, i'll take boring any day.
check out the interview...he talks about rufus (*sigh*), and provides the funniest, somewhat disturbing mayer quote i've ever seen or heard.
Interviewer: And Rufus is someone else you want more people to listen to?
John: Yes, but then also at the same time, I'm like…
Matt [Johnson, drummer]: Don't listen to…if you're only going to buy one record, I mean, you've gotta buy John Mayer's record, not Rufus's record.
John: If you like ejaculating into books, then I guess Rufus Wainwright is a little more [for your taste] and if you like, kind of ejaculating on yourself…
Matt: Your record.
John: Right.
Interviewer: That's going to be the big quote in like, 14 font.
John: 'I'm going to ejaculate…' 14? 72, motherfucker! (Menacing voice) 'I ejaculate into books and return them late. John Mayer.'
Interviewer: Something new to ponder.
John: That's a lyric. That's a lyric. I'm going to make that a lyric.
-------
that said, i'm also looking forward to a couple of deliveries at my flat ... i should be receiving the tides cd any day now, and i'm also looking forward to some west coast musical goodness. bushwalla. "sessions." yippee!
it's one less socal cd i need to buy. still on the list: j.turtle, tristan prettyman, aspasia aid benefit cd ... what else? comment, give me suggestions.
background ambiance - bushwalla, "jesusbobezus"
let's be realistic here - since we all know i'm going to be giddy waiting for sunday's show, i might as well officially announce that i'll be likely making reference to it all week.
so here's today's contribution, found in my archives from two years ago.
7.1.02
found a mayer interview.
I tend to think that, after hearing Room for Squares, that just me and acoustic guitar is a little boring sometimes.
if that's boring, i'll take boring any day.
check out the interview...he talks about rufus (*sigh*), and provides the funniest, somewhat disturbing mayer quote i've ever seen or heard.
Interviewer: And Rufus is someone else you want more people to listen to?
John: Yes, but then also at the same time, I'm like…
Matt [Johnson, drummer]: Don't listen to…if you're only going to buy one record, I mean, you've gotta buy John Mayer's record, not Rufus's record.
John: If you like ejaculating into books, then I guess Rufus Wainwright is a little more [for your taste] and if you like, kind of ejaculating on yourself…
Matt: Your record.
John: Right.
Interviewer: That's going to be the big quote in like, 14 font.
John: 'I'm going to ejaculate…' 14? 72, motherfucker! (Menacing voice) 'I ejaculate into books and return them late. John Mayer.'
Interviewer: Something new to ponder.
John: That's a lyric. That's a lyric. I'm going to make that a lyric.
-------
that said, i'm also looking forward to a couple of deliveries at my flat ... i should be receiving the tides cd any day now, and i'm also looking forward to some west coast musical goodness. bushwalla. "sessions." yippee!
it's one less socal cd i need to buy. still on the list: j.turtle, tristan prettyman, aspasia aid benefit cd ... what else? comment, give me suggestions.
7.04.2004
anticipation
status check - a little better
background ambiance - rufus wainwright, complainte de la butte
as she listens to her rufus wainwright collection, she realizes that exactly a week from this moment, she will be listening with amazement to the same voice in boston. but on that sunday evening, she will be able to look upon him as he performs in front of her.
background ambiance - rufus wainwright, complainte de la butte
as she listens to her rufus wainwright collection, she realizes that exactly a week from this moment, she will be listening with amazement to the same voice in boston. but on that sunday evening, she will be able to look upon him as he performs in front of her.
odd timing
status check - lethargic
background ambiance - "the fellowship of the ring" - tv
like countless others, i found myself celebrating the birth of the country during yesterday's festivities. sure, the reveling came a day early, but we didn't care. the fireworks were popping, grills were blazing away and i wasn't going to let a little thing like timing bring me down.
i experienced burlington's celebration for the first time, spread out on a blanket with my two flatmates/partners in crime. before the firework display began, we demonstrated the picnic savvy we picked up from last year's festivities in boston, armed with french bread, fruit and cheese and crackers. our neighboring waterfront gatherers must have been as envious as we were from that position a year ago, as we nibbled crackers while they went to stand in line for pizza.
once the display began, we embraced our inner children, oohing and aahing with the best of them (although i should humbily admit that the young boy behind us provided color commentary that would impress anyone). the fireworks were great - felt for the first time in years as if the sparkles would rain down on me. a new, frost-like firework has replaced the weeping willow as my favorite.
the lake was gorgeous when the fireworks were over and people were scurrying away. the boat lights lit up the water and made it appear that there was a small city just beyond the breakwater. we could see another firework display on the shore north of us, and music pulsed through the air.
i've never seen the lake look so festive.
now, however, i note the birth of the nation by relaxing in my flat. my cold, which has come in waves over the past several days, continues to aggravate me, so i'll take it easy today, perhaps get out into the sunshine briefly later.
for now, however, i mustprepare to give this computer an electronic labotomy. it has been overtaken by viruses and, in order to restore it, must bid goodbye to all on it i hold dear. well, almost all of it. some key documents, such as my o'neil journal, resumes and other writing - that's being saved to disk. but all of my music - it'll all need to be refound, much as i can. some of the stuff will be easy - pete, jason and bushwalla music and the like - but i know some will go for good.
a moment, if you will ...
***EDIT: lost all the music, but the computer is again operational. while i work on building my collection, i encourage you to download tristan prettyman's "shy that way" collaboration with mraz. while i've had it for ages, i just redownloaded it and realized what a mesmerizing track it is. it's off tristan's website.
background ambiance - "the fellowship of the ring" - tv
like countless others, i found myself celebrating the birth of the country during yesterday's festivities. sure, the reveling came a day early, but we didn't care. the fireworks were popping, grills were blazing away and i wasn't going to let a little thing like timing bring me down.
i experienced burlington's celebration for the first time, spread out on a blanket with my two flatmates/partners in crime. before the firework display began, we demonstrated the picnic savvy we picked up from last year's festivities in boston, armed with french bread, fruit and cheese and crackers. our neighboring waterfront gatherers must have been as envious as we were from that position a year ago, as we nibbled crackers while they went to stand in line for pizza.
once the display began, we embraced our inner children, oohing and aahing with the best of them (although i should humbily admit that the young boy behind us provided color commentary that would impress anyone). the fireworks were great - felt for the first time in years as if the sparkles would rain down on me. a new, frost-like firework has replaced the weeping willow as my favorite.
the lake was gorgeous when the fireworks were over and people were scurrying away. the boat lights lit up the water and made it appear that there was a small city just beyond the breakwater. we could see another firework display on the shore north of us, and music pulsed through the air.
i've never seen the lake look so festive.
now, however, i note the birth of the nation by relaxing in my flat. my cold, which has come in waves over the past several days, continues to aggravate me, so i'll take it easy today, perhaps get out into the sunshine briefly later.
for now, however, i mustprepare to give this computer an electronic labotomy. it has been overtaken by viruses and, in order to restore it, must bid goodbye to all on it i hold dear. well, almost all of it. some key documents, such as my o'neil journal, resumes and other writing - that's being saved to disk. but all of my music - it'll all need to be refound, much as i can. some of the stuff will be easy - pete, jason and bushwalla music and the like - but i know some will go for good.
a moment, if you will ...
***EDIT: lost all the music, but the computer is again operational. while i work on building my collection, i encourage you to download tristan prettyman's "shy that way" collaboration with mraz. while i've had it for ages, i just redownloaded it and realized what a mesmerizing track it is. it's off tristan's website.
7.03.2004
bollocks
status check - annoyed
background ambiance - air conditioning (ahh ...)
thank you, job, for screwing up all of my festivity plans.
background ambiance - air conditioning (ahh ...)
thank you, job, for screwing up all of my festivity plans.
7.02.2004
jitters
status check - annoyingly nervous
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
i'm going to soon see at least one person i haven't seen since my darkest days last june. and i'm ridiculously nervous about it.
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
i'm going to soon see at least one person i haven't seen since my darkest days last june. and i'm ridiculously nervous about it.
"too nice"
status check - amused
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
when did we get so jaded and cynical? when did we start to doubt someone simply because he's earnest? when did we begin to playfully roll our eyes afterwards as we commented on how against type a person can be?
indeed, ignorance can be bliss. an ignorant version of myself would believe everyone would step back from the mic after a show and talk to the audience. an ignorant version of myself wouldn't be surprised that he remembered my face from over a half year ago. an ignorant version of myself certainly wouldn't have been shocked that he engaged in lengthy conversation with everyone interested in buying a cd or saying hello.
at least my present self can be pleasantly surprised by what i saw and heard last night. perhaps all the more so because i'm aware of how atypical such a person can really be in the sea of guys with guitars.
-----
caught syd last night at radio bean. got there late, but enjoyed the portion of the set i caught. for whatever reason, i always look forward to hearing "just getting started." something about the "got the people on the left, got the guitar on the right, we got ourselves a party," i think. it's a cool hook.
he's a very nice guy - sounds like things are going well for him, which makes me happy. picked up the new album ("fault lines," plug plug) and got to chat with him - good times. check him out.
it's friday, although technically my thursday, as i work tomorrow. it's always wacky to work a friday-but-not-really shift. hmm.
background ambiance - s.o., s.o.
when did we get so jaded and cynical? when did we start to doubt someone simply because he's earnest? when did we begin to playfully roll our eyes afterwards as we commented on how against type a person can be?
indeed, ignorance can be bliss. an ignorant version of myself would believe everyone would step back from the mic after a show and talk to the audience. an ignorant version of myself wouldn't be surprised that he remembered my face from over a half year ago. an ignorant version of myself certainly wouldn't have been shocked that he engaged in lengthy conversation with everyone interested in buying a cd or saying hello.
at least my present self can be pleasantly surprised by what i saw and heard last night. perhaps all the more so because i'm aware of how atypical such a person can really be in the sea of guys with guitars.
-----
caught syd last night at radio bean. got there late, but enjoyed the portion of the set i caught. for whatever reason, i always look forward to hearing "just getting started." something about the "got the people on the left, got the guitar on the right, we got ourselves a party," i think. it's a cool hook.
he's a very nice guy - sounds like things are going well for him, which makes me happy. picked up the new album ("fault lines," plug plug) and got to chat with him - good times. check him out.
it's friday, although technically my thursday, as i work tomorrow. it's always wacky to work a friday-but-not-really shift. hmm.
7.01.2004
yeah, baby
status check - alright (cold still present)
background ambiance - tides, "i wait"
although i still have the lingering traces of this damn cold, i'm feeling much better. how can you not be in a good mood when you hear a new band that impresses you? well, it works for me, anyway.
andrew was right about his new band. he told me awhile ago that i would like it - checked out the website today and, sure enough, i am liking what i'm hearing. placed my order for "keep it a secret" and am looking forward to receiving it so i can hear more.
it's nice to have another boston-area band to check out - now they just have to post some shows so i can make a trip down and catch them live (hint, hint). it will be great to be able to follow another local band - while averi's at the top of my list of favorite bands, local or otherwise, it will be nice to be able to spice things up.
so yeah. good call, andreas.
speaking of nice things and groovy people, it's wonderful to look ahead to potential california plans and have someone out there encouraging a victoria visit. while i'm getting over the whole bitterness thing from last weekend, i can't help but compare the two. one obviously not in favor of seeing me at all, the other asking me when i'm going to make a trip.
i know some fantabulous people.
***EDIT***
p.s. forgot the link to tides. click on me and buy a cd. merci.
p.p.s. happy july.
p.p.s.s. ok, bye.
background ambiance - tides, "i wait"
although i still have the lingering traces of this damn cold, i'm feeling much better. how can you not be in a good mood when you hear a new band that impresses you? well, it works for me, anyway.
andrew was right about his new band. he told me awhile ago that i would like it - checked out the website today and, sure enough, i am liking what i'm hearing. placed my order for "keep it a secret" and am looking forward to receiving it so i can hear more.
it's nice to have another boston-area band to check out - now they just have to post some shows so i can make a trip down and catch them live (hint, hint). it will be great to be able to follow another local band - while averi's at the top of my list of favorite bands, local or otherwise, it will be nice to be able to spice things up.
so yeah. good call, andreas.
speaking of nice things and groovy people, it's wonderful to look ahead to potential california plans and have someone out there encouraging a victoria visit. while i'm getting over the whole bitterness thing from last weekend, i can't help but compare the two. one obviously not in favor of seeing me at all, the other asking me when i'm going to make a trip.
i know some fantabulous people.
***EDIT***
p.s. forgot the link to tides. click on me and buy a cd. merci.
p.p.s. happy july.
p.p.s.s. ok, bye.
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