tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26481835867325520062024-03-13T12:52:38.317-07:00Golden Pigeondj . vegan . craftess . daughter . gardener . word nerd . cinephile . audiophile . life partner . beer lover . lapsed yoger . record collector . art appreciator . aspiring runner . marketing geek . owner of special dog . recent transplant . professional studentUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-54241022891401676272012-02-19T13:24:00.000-08:002012-02-19T13:24:16.594-08:00The Rest of the Best (of 2011)So this is lame BUT...<br />
I had a baby before I could finish this list! I will be posting more about her soon, but in the spirit of "clearing the deck" (this is what I call it when I justify doing little, unimportant things first, before the big ones - usually for work/school projects) I am finishing the list with very little commentary... because I am busy now - for real. All those other times I said that, I had no idea.<br />
<br />
Without further ado<br />
#5<br />
Ryan Adams - Ashes and Fire <br />
<br />
#4<br />
Megafaun - Self-Titled Full Length<br />
<br />
#3<br />
Head and the Heart - Self-Titled Full Length<br />
<br />
#2<br />
Blitzen Trapper - American Goldwing<br />
<br />
#1 (BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR!)<br />
Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues<br />
I love me a concept album! Especially a concept that resonates so well for me (and I suspect would for all young Gen Xers and old Gen Yers). The album is a soul search... <br />
Starts with:<br />
So now I am older, <br />
Than my mother and father, <br />
When they had their daughter, <br />
Now what does that say about me.<br />
Oh how could I dream of, <br />
Such a selfless and true love, <br />
Could I wash my hands of?<br />
Just lookin out for me... <br />
<br />
The rest of the songs continue on this third-life crisis tone, Helplessness Blues... the reaction to being a kid who is told you can do anything you want to in life. You are the best. Follow your passion! etc. Great.... but what do I want to do? What is my passion?.... <br />
but this concluding sound just KILLS it. I love that it ends on such an uplifting and postive/hopeful note.<br />
I think I shared this video before but I don't care. <br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Pgv6dKV03dA" width="560"></iframe><br />
In that dream I could hardly contain it<br />
All my life I will wait to attain it<br />
<br />
Should I become a mommy blogger now? Just kidding! Maren has her own blog! Email me for the password (cause she's just a baby you all). www.marenrocks.wordpress.com!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-82432092086185721822012-01-31T17:49:00.000-08:002012-01-31T17:49:38.066-08:00So Much Good in Every Word: 2011 Best Album(s) #8,7,6<span style="font-size: large;">Ah! I get one more post in during the first month of 2012!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I think I'll take us down, down, down to #5....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">#8</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Starfucker - Reptilians</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The band the FCC loves to hate! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The band that is responsible for me being *thisclose* to losing my radio show on more than one occasion! It just rolls off the tongue...</span> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NTuygg7TD6U?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Reptilians is a treasure of dancy goodness. Semi-locals (from Portland). Again, not a typical pick for me, it's ok folks who are waiting for the folky, alty singer songwriter stuff - it's coming it's just closer to the top of the list. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I'm giving it a second award as well... #1 Best Album Art of 2011.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p9uYPvidXtY/TyiQuQnCk1I/AAAAAAAAAu0/9S2S_cEy-z8/s1600/starfucker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p9uYPvidXtY/TyiQuQnCk1I/AAAAAAAAAu0/9S2S_cEy-z8/s320/starfucker.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">The vinyl came with a black and white poster of this image as well. Rad! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sidenote: I heard someone really dorky say "rad" the other day. Whaaa? You gotta be RAD to use the word rad, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I may have mentioned on this blog before that I love colored vinyl. What a lovely surprise when you open that sleeve, right? Well, Reptilians is one of two CLEAR records that I now own. Really awesome looking - until you are in a dark radio studio trying to cue up a specific track - sorry to all the listeners who heard the second half of the song before the one I meant to play first... who cares, right? It's not like we're getting paid.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">#7</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Cotton Jones - Sit Beside Your Vegetables EP</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i>If you read my last blog, you know that Cotton Jones was one of my very very favorite live acts of 2011. The show was so good we saw them two nights in a row. The only reason this isn't even higher is because there are only 4 four songs, and even though they are all excellent, it felt like a tease. The EP really gives Whitney a chance to shine as well, Egg on the Sea is a tasty (ewww eggs) track that reminds you that Michael isn't the only stellar vocalist in the band. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/b2Yntt98ya0?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This isn't the absolute best video, but it's from the show we were at (Portland's Doug Fir) and this tune brought a tear to my eye. The lyrics omg (see post title). The wife was about as pregnant as I am now (which is REALLY pregnant) and so adorable. They are the (second) cutest couple ever. I passed Michael Nau in the hall before the show and (not recognizing him) thought his sweater was dorky. And it was pretty hot in there for a sweater... anyway. I changed my mind because he is the coolest. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Most of the show there were a lot more folks on stage (accordion! hello! The accordion player told me afterwards that he really liked Sam Bond's in Eugene because it smelled like his grandmothers' house. True story).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I SUPER HEART COTTON JONES. Seriously. If you don't know this band, do yourself a favor and please, please check it out. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">#6</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Tom Waits - Bad As Me</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You know what your gonna get. And the getting is GOOD. It's really hard to go wrong with Tom Waits IMO. I just keep loving him more and more. And the more I listen to Bad as Me, the more I love it. Which means if I had postponed this post even longer, it probably would have moved up my chart even higher. Bone Machine is my favorite Waits album, but this one is creepin....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Congrats to Mr. Waits for his 2011 induction to the R n R Hall of Fame. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xHn_Kb4Dz40?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I love a renaissance man. One of my favorite quotes about Tom Waits, read on my film teacher's office door on a poster explaining the difference between a "movie" and a "film":</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Tom Hanks will never star in a film. Tom Waits will never star in a movie. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_JOa75_5KtQ/TyiTT7aDepI/AAAAAAAAAu8/rGU_zLUKQmQ/s1600/imaginarium-of-dr-parnassus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_JOa75_5KtQ/TyiTT7aDepI/AAAAAAAAAu8/rGU_zLUKQmQ/s320/imaginarium-of-dr-parnassus.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Don't even get me started on my love of Christopher Plummer. Or my love hate of Terry Gilliam. That's for another day.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Stay tuned for the top 5! </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-3989773803318464812012-01-30T11:35:00.000-08:002012-01-30T11:35:04.334-08:00So Much Good in Every Word: 2011 Best Album(s) #9Desperately trying to get this list out before people don't care about 2011 music anymore! (too late?)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#9</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Stepkids - Self-Titled Full Length Debut! </i></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: small;">For your listening pleasure:</span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VLtt5Fi4Gbs?rel=0" width="560">&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;One reason I love thi s &amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;</iframe><br />
<br />
One reason I think that I love this album so much is that I don't listen to anything else like it. Most bands I can describe like - they are kind of like ______ but add a little ______ and a little less ______. Maybe I can't do that with Stepkids because I don't really know R & B (And I only know this music is considered R & B because it made <a href="http://www.spin.com/articles/spins-top-20-rb-albums-2011" target="_blank">Spin's Best of R & B list</a>.... who would have thought? Sidenote: I have never heard of any other musicians on their list other than the aforementioned <a href="http://soulecat.blogspot.com/2012/01/so-much-good-in-every-word-part-i.html" target="_blank">Charles Bradley</a>). But, maybe it's because they are a really original group of dudes putting out some ubercool music. I also like a little funny in my music - and they got it. Check em out! <br />
<br />
Our vinyl just arrived special order the other day = heavy rotation over here.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-29817742125438496752012-01-27T16:14:00.000-08:002012-01-27T16:14:03.495-08:00So Much Good in Every Word: 2011 Best Album(s) #10Here is the heart of the matter.<br />
<br />
I decided to do one/or a few at a time.... keep coming back!<br />
I ' m g o i n g t o s t r e t c h i t o u t.<br />
<br />
Much like "encouraging" my man to take down the Christmas lights, this post <i>had to happen</i> before it is February. Please see last week's post to see some of my other top contenders.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T8Qn4y5gj8g/TyMsKpxe7oI/AAAAAAAAAt8/SBvuEnZwkpc/s1600/marlon-brando-contender-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T8Qn4y5gj8g/TyMsKpxe7oI/AAAAAAAAAt8/SBvuEnZwkpc/s320/marlon-brando-contender-007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you haven't seen it - do. swoon. He even raises pigeons.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sidenote: One time I was buying a postcard of Marlon from Street Car Named Desire and the girl at the register was all "swoon" and I was like "yeah - no kidding." Then she said she was in love with Marlon and qualified it with "Well - back then, not now. Wait, I mean, I know he is dead now, but you know, before.... when he was... well you know..." and I was like, "no, I don't know" because I was messing with her, I totally knew! And she was just like "nevermind." </div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm pretty sure she was referring to this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8HoPYyTB_0/TyMtOZNO5mI/AAAAAAAAAuE/QiOkr_RvEoQ/s1600/islandofdrmoreau2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8HoPYyTB_0/TyMtOZNO5mI/AAAAAAAAAuE/QiOkr_RvEoQ/s320/islandofdrmoreau2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Poor guy - sometimes it's better to burn out than to fade away. And, yes, I am making a sarcastic reference here as well, because I don't like Neil Young. There, I said it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wd_7Bx-HLQM/TyMt3j_wHXI/AAAAAAAAAuM/5YPtIcbv418/s1600/neil-young-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wd_7Bx-HLQM/TyMt3j_wHXI/AAAAAAAAAuM/5YPtIcbv418/s320/neil-young-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XuEC6tu_lG8/TyMt9HxC1rI/AAAAAAAAAuc/3yW9Wuj6LEA/s1600/250px-Neil_Young_-_Per_Ole_Hagen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XuEC6tu_lG8/TyMt9HxC1rI/AAAAAAAAAuc/3yW9Wuj6LEA/s320/250px-Neil_Young_-_Per_Ole_Hagen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Hmmm</div><i> ~And~</i><br />
<i>~Without further ado~</i><br />
<b>My pics of the BEST of 2011 Album releases:</b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#10 (TIE)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Wilco - The Whole Love</i> </span><br />
It's kind of hard for me to not get excited about Wilco. We went to the "release" party at our local record store for this album and dropped the $20+ on the vinyl. It's a quality album. I like it better than Wilco the Album, but not as much as, oh say, all the other Wilco albums. But here's something I do like:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gbHTaPk8Qmk?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
AND, I won the signed Wilco poster! Here is what Tweedy's sig looks like.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ei8y3ECjV2o/TyMvkGDM7dI/AAAAAAAAAuk/HWjbxEcZqz0/s1600/2669351e4a3ba1701970206a8db7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="87" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ei8y3ECjV2o/TyMvkGDM7dI/AAAAAAAAAuk/HWjbxEcZqz0/s320/2669351e4a3ba1701970206a8db7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>But it was still exciting. Plus they were giving out free Pabst! <br />
We are going to see Wilco in one week. The first Wilco show I saw they ran out of beer. I hope that happens again! Because, I can't drink it, see?<br />
What do you think my chances are of an A.M. tune? Slim to none? oh well, I would settle for some YHF - and I know that I'll get it! Actually, <b style="color: #741b47;">She's a Jar</b> would be a dream come true.<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">How about making a request in my honor?</span> <b style="color: #741b47;">She's a Jar </b><b style="color: #741b47;">She's a Jar </b><b style="color: #741b47;">She's a Jar</b><br />
Seriously, how cool is this - <a href="http://wilcoworld.net/#%21/shows/" target="_blank">click me! </a>- the band takes requests..... you could even mention that this could be my LAST show before the baby bird arrives. And look what they tell you after you submit:<i> Thanks, Wilco loves YOU!</i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> White Denim is opening (and I have to say... D was another contender for a spot on this list... great album). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#10 (TIE)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Alabama Shakes - Self-Titled EP</i> </span><i> </i><br />
I hope there are no sticklers who have problems with EPs being on this list. I did it last year, so, what you gonna do? The full length comes out in April, so maybe they'll be back here again next year. <br />
So I first heard of this band from Paste, but it was reconfirmed when David Byrne recommended it to me. <a href="http://www.studio360.org/blogs/studio-360-blog/2011/dec/21/david-byrne-music-picks/" target="_blank">Personally</a>. Do you think that he found Lissie's Pursuit of Happiness through this blog? I sure like to think so.<br />
This isn't my absolute favorite song on the EP, but seeing as there are only 4 to pick from it's right up there. I wanted to include this one because the filming is great. I can't wait to hear about 8 more on the full length. <br />
I went to high school in Chattanooga which means that I know a sizable number of people in their early 30's who are starting to run things around there. The club (?) where this was filmed owners are about a 1/2 degree separation from me... or is it a degree and 1/2? Anyway, the place is called Track29.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0HxNtWEIKhQ?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
If you can't wait til April, you can download the EP on their facebook. It's throwback and Motown feel (obvs) but there is some real soul in there IMO (see Hold On: "Bless my heart, bless my soul, didn't think I'd make it to 22 years old - Saying come on Brittany - ya got ta come on UP!"). These guys are pretty awesome and seem to totally be enjoying their rapid success... They sold out the Doug Fir!<br />
Mark my words, they gonna be big! <br />
<br />
Stay tuned for #9 coming soon....<br />
HINT:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5rUaMhY9n6M/TyM7X1DKJbI/AAAAAAAAAus/08uHqqQJQsk/s1600/13ad2034d93d9e5d2cb2137b09c0e4cb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5rUaMhY9n6M/TyM7X1DKJbI/AAAAAAAAAus/08uHqqQJQsk/s1600/13ad2034d93d9e5d2cb2137b09c0e4cb.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-42281732583778356172012-01-21T17:30:00.000-08:002012-01-21T17:30:51.808-08:00So Much Good in Every Word: Part IBecause I am still a *little* bit bitter about last year's Best Albums of 2010 blog post's lack of accolades, new fans and excitement, I was hesitant to do this years... but.. I couldn't resist!<br />
I'd love to know if you like the list, discovered something new, or just listened to any of the tunes! Please communicate with me - that's what the comments are for - or do it over on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/GoldenPigeon" target="_blank">old social network</a> whichever.<br />
First of all, I tried to think about the shows we went to this year to name a Best Live act, and I think that we may have topped our record for last year. My mantra since, oh, about August, has been<br />
"Babe, this could be the last chance we have to see (FILL IN THE BLANK WITH RANDOM BAND)!" <br />
Ween (x2)<br />
Head and the Heart (x2)<br />
Iron and Wine<br />
Thao and the Get Down Stay Down<br />
Cold War Kids (wait, was that this year?)<br />
Ryan Bingham and Dead Horse (with Silent Comedy who were awesome)<br />
We Were Promised Jetpacks<br />
Bear Hands<br />
Bon Iver<br />
Megafaun<br />
Blitzen Trapper (with Dawes)<br />
Warpaint<br />
Langhorne Slim (I just told you about that one!)<br />
Ryan Adams<br />
Cotton Jones (x2)<br />
Devil Makes Three <br />
<br />
Lest this just seems like bragging, I am sharing that my top live act of 2011 was...<br />
A tie between Cotton Jones and Megafaun! Does this have to do with that both were at Doug Fir? Perhaps! But the Cotton Jones show at Sam Bonds was pretty special too. <br />
And Ween wins for biggest BLAST (both). Probably part of that is that I wasn't pregnant yet then. <br />
<br />
Now for the major releases<br />
Drumroll please.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NNaZedAWmlE?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br />
Honorable mentions:<br />
If I had twelve spots I would have given the last two to Yacht and Bon Iver. <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lF7pJ6S1nQo?rel=0" width="560">&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;This &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;</iframe><br />
Love these two.<br />
Bon Iver, Bon Iver, Bon Iver. Now, I know I am going to get some serious pushback here. But I really liked the album LESS after the show we went to at Edgefield. Super venue though by the way. I think maybe my hopes were too high? People were telling me it was going to BLOW MY MIND. And it didn't. It may have had something to do with the fact that right before he walked off stage at the very end of the show, he said, <i>and I quote</i>, "Thanks for the support and shit." AND SHIT. Just. no. <br />
But the album still is a piece of quality work. Since it's been all over everyone's lists like a CHEAP FUNNY SUIT (get the Can't Buy Me Love ref there?), I'm not going to bother posting a video. Just watch the Grammys.<br />
<br />
Late comers - meaning that if I had more time with them, they would be creepin up the list, I'm pretty sure.<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puu3IvKnSb4&ob=av2e" target="_blank"><b>Destroyer - Kaputt</b></a>. Even though this came out in January, I didn't listen to it until December. I have no idea how this happened. I love New Pornographers and I love Myriad Harbor the most of all, which means I (unknowingly until the other day) love Dan Bejar, who I have very briefly met, incidentally. If you like SAX SOLOs (and who doesn't) you need to hear this album!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xoz525YijNw/TxtiHCBui8I/AAAAAAAAAts/82wrJx6iRLg/s1600/The+New+Pornographers+-+Myriad+Harbour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xoz525YijNw/TxtiHCBui8I/AAAAAAAAAts/82wrJx6iRLg/s640/The+New+Pornographers+-+Myriad+Harbour.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLFuAUF_2_g" target="_blank">he loves Screamadelica</a>! YEAH. </div> Charles Bradley: No Time For Dreaming. The "Screaming Eagle of Soul"? I heard Heartaches and Pain on KWVA the other day and just like a good little listener I went right to Spinitron and discovered a new love.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/F63vjGlJvO8?rel=0" width="560"></iframe> <br />
Sidenote: Charles is having a contest where he will call the winner's sweetheart on Valentine's Day and "serenade" them. My man is VERY emphatic that I should NOT enter. At first he thought Charles was going to make a housecall. I really hope F enters though - how cool would that be? It would be even better than that time 50 Cent called me and told me to drink more Vitamin Water!<br />
Black Keys: El Camino. Haven't listened to the whole album yet. This is due to the fact that it is languishing un-reviewed in the KWVA mgmt office, I'm too cheap to buy the MP3 and the vinyl is "sold out." I am on the list, but seeing as my local store got a measly 12 copies that sold the first day, I may be waiting awhile.<br />
The opening riff on Lonely Boy (not to mention the dancing) is enough to be sure it earned a spot on this list, I am just not sure where....<br />
<br />
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<br />
My man just got home from work and I am going to do the REAL list later.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned.......... for the main event!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-75295617757211421122012-01-06T18:56:00.000-08:002012-01-06T19:06:36.534-08:00All I Wanted Was a Good Song and a Fair FriendHappy New Year Friends.<br />
I really hope everyone had a wonderful celebration and end/beginning.<br />
Here's what me and my man where up to<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BzAfojWE_vQ/TwepdJmZacI/AAAAAAAAAsY/KrHUjZ3pKWU/s1600/IMG_1253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BzAfojWE_vQ/TwepdJmZacI/AAAAAAAAAsY/KrHUjZ3pKWU/s400/IMG_1253.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can only say I love Portland. I love Hawthorne. And I love Langhorne. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The show was <span style="font-size: large;"><i>exuberant</i></span>. My man deemed it "one of" the best of the year for him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For your opinion...</div><br />
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While nosing around at the merch table in between the opener and the main act, I had the pleasure of literally bumping into my new, close friend Langhorne. What a nice and genuine guy. He says they'd like to come back to Eugene soon - I told him we'd promote it on the show, so guys, pressure's on.<br />
<br />
It was a great show, but there is nothing like being dead sober on the (<span style="font-size: x-small;">second?</span>) biggest drinking holiday of the year. It's been more years than I care to declare in the name of self-incrimination that I haven't done some boozing myself on this eve. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tnvzvu-fO38/TwepntzTZYI/AAAAAAAAAsg/tzp0uZTKn2A/s1600/IMG_1262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tnvzvu-fO38/TwepntzTZYI/AAAAAAAAAsg/tzp0uZTKn2A/s320/IMG_1262.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>I have to say, I felt like maybe I am ready to do this parenting thing, because I started to feel very concerned about the well being of those drunken slobs around me. "How is she going to get home?" I kept asking my man. "Does he even know that girl?!" and the best was the girl who was literally HEADBANGING as well as the circular hair twirl during the first song. At a show for a band whose music can legitimately be defined as "folk." It was shocking to me that she maintained for at least 30 minutes after that which enabled her to throw multiple drinks into the crowd of people dancing. She was escorted out. I hope she got home ok.<br />
<br />
I'm only being nice because no drinks got on me so it was kind of funny.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bmgcl7_lNx8/Twepx3gOYnI/AAAAAAAAAso/3_LeLURYbww/s1600/IMG_1284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bmgcl7_lNx8/Twepx3gOYnI/AAAAAAAAAso/3_LeLURYbww/s640/IMG_1284.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Here's what it looked like to everyone but me.<br />
ps - thanks to momma bird for the replacement lens. Who knew how critical auto-focus is?<br />
<br />
<br />
Speaking of being grownups now, we put up some lights on the house for the first time ever!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X_KkDXuTMeE/TweuR7qC3GI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/M5tqQox6JvE/s1600/IMG_1089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X_KkDXuTMeE/TweuR7qC3GI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/M5tqQox6JvE/s320/IMG_1089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And when I say "we," I really mean "he."</div><div style="text-align: left;">All I could think about was Clark Griswald and the staples and the sleeves and the falls... (same method "we" used... is there a better way? Is it ok to base your knowledge of how to do stuff from Chevy Chase vacation movies? Anyway. ) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What do you think? Did we go overboard?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WKtvR4zMmWQ/TwepPTzlcOI/AAAAAAAAAsI/3n3Qw12E81I/s1600/IMG_1231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WKtvR4zMmWQ/TwepPTzlcOI/AAAAAAAAAsI/3n3Qw12E81I/s320/IMG_1231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm just kidding of course. But this is a real place here in Eug. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(BTW that rhymes with Huge).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MwTIu7iMtc0/Tweuav6o2xI/AAAAAAAAAtY/kDnHrIPH5-g/s1600/IMG_1094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MwTIu7iMtc0/Tweuav6o2xI/AAAAAAAAAtY/kDnHrIPH5-g/s320/IMG_1094.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Ah, that's more like it. I can't tell you the joy those lights brought me. I am going seriously soft over here. I even listened to Christmas music. For the WHOLE month.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YbbtN-ZU6PI/TwewcJCwtKI/AAAAAAAAAtg/7BeRVvOdsuo/s1600/IMG_1112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YbbtN-ZU6PI/TwewcJCwtKI/AAAAAAAAAtg/7BeRVvOdsuo/s320/IMG_1112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and, yeah. Phil Spector was always a freak. Why didn't we see it coming?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aw. Xmas is fun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AHCdYrz-pjw/TwepCliN5WI/AAAAAAAAAsA/_Oov8Yl4ZS4/s1600/IMG_1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AHCdYrz-pjw/TwepCliN5WI/AAAAAAAAAsA/_Oov8Yl4ZS4/s320/IMG_1219.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Even Fdog got a homemade gift.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xmgioIQLIXA/TwepTP1vksI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/T2AxjbiVqJQ/s1600/IMG_0221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xmgioIQLIXA/TwepTP1vksI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/T2AxjbiVqJQ/s320/IMG_0221.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tgaEm-wehTc/Twetx1erc6I/AAAAAAAAAs4/QAkkFhtU6LQ/s1600/IMG_1060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the spirit of working backwards, and not<i> totally</i> abandoning my month old promise for a thanksgiving post. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The dog likes to look his best for what he considers Dog Show Day (also known as Thanksgiving). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hj1t54EeW2M/Twet-s2H_4I/AAAAAAAAAtA/VpME1v3zGnc/s1600/IMG_1070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hj1t54EeW2M/Twet-s2H_4I/AAAAAAAAAtA/VpME1v3zGnc/s320/IMG_1070.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tgaEm-wehTc/Twetx1erc6I/AAAAAAAAAs4/QAkkFhtU6LQ/s1600/IMG_1060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tgaEm-wehTc/Twetx1erc6I/AAAAAAAAAs4/QAkkFhtU6LQ/s320/IMG_1060.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll skip the obligatory tofurky pictures, but I WILL say that it was delicious. My parents even claim to have enjoyed it on Christmas Eve. Having it twice in a couple weeks was divine. I have another one in the fridge now! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That about wraps up the holidays, readers. Hope 2012 brings you everything your little heart desires. And, remember, be excellent to each other. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stay tuned... I WILL be attempting a Best of 2011 music post. But it is so time consuming... give me a couple more days. And a couple more listens to Kaputt. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Love, pigeon xo</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-80880458632685072832011-11-22T13:26:00.000-08:002011-11-22T13:31:26.254-08:00My Furr Has Turned to Skin [percolator]...but I still dream of running careless through the snow...<br />
In honor of a fantastic show in Eugene last weekend. Thank you Blitzen Trapper.<br />
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<br />
And in the animal spirit of a vegan Thanksgiving. Can't wait for our Tofurky. Green bean casserole and chocolate banana cake! Mashed potatoes..... Did I tell you guys that my man asked for Tofurky last year for his birthday dinner? Laugh all you want. It's that good.<br />
Oh, and mom and dad - laugh even harder, but you will be enjoying a Tofurky at our Christmas visit!<br />
I am starting a new "feature" on this blog.<br />
Pigeon's Percolator - my "i'm kind of obsessed with" column was getting long and I was afraid that no one was reading it - oh the shame.<br />
I really want to post one every Tuesday, so it's just going to be something that I came across that I wanted to share (movies, music, products...). And short. For the inaugural percolator, I must highly recommend: <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>THE LAST CIRCUS </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>(Or, as I prefer to translate it: The Ballad of the Sad Clown)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NBvsRn88wfo/TswOEuXiSvI/AAAAAAAAArk/X5M5Tua0vxs/s1600/the_last_circus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NBvsRn88wfo/TswOEuXiSvI/AAAAAAAAArk/X5M5Tua0vxs/s400/the_last_circus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Warning - MOM - don't watch this trailer, but everyone else - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8sEZAB13_o" target="_blank">check it out</a>! Actually, watching the trailer again just now, it really tones it down compared to the full movie (you have been warned).<br />
<br />
I have a friend who <i>for some reason</i> thinks that I like this type of movie... probably because I usually do. Past selections have included Hobo with a Shotgun (just...no),<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--1hiRyHSBZw/TswQjVPhjCI/AAAAAAAAArs/0Lja6e67Eig/s1600/hobo_PosterFINAL_1295062831-000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--1hiRyHSBZw/TswQjVPhjCI/AAAAAAAAArs/0Lja6e67Eig/s320/hobo_PosterFINAL_1295062831-000.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The Oregonian (meh... kind of a POOR man's David Lynch rip) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7XfNlBzLlig/TswRuDUuOvI/AAAAAAAAAr0/CIk_f02V-NQ/s1600/oregon" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7XfNlBzLlig/TswRuDUuOvI/AAAAAAAAAr0/CIk_f02V-NQ/s320/oregon" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This picture kind of makes it look more interesting than the movie actually is.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Save yourself the 90 minutes. Don't bother.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></div>and next on the agenda is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G5pyFhmAqE" target="_blank">Rubber</a> (will let you know. And yes, it is about a killer tire).<br />
Anyway - I suggested this one and I wish it was still at the Bijou so all you Eugenians could go see it. We saw the last showing.<br />
I decided not to tell my man it was going to be subtitled... mean trick, or just a forgivable slip? After the first 5 minutes and the intro credits he whispered "Is the whole thing going to be in Spanish?"<br />
"Um, I think so..."<br />
"<span style="font-size: xx-small;">EHRGH</span>" whispered emphatically.<br />
But it was totally worth it. Beautiful cinematography (made for the big screen), love triangles, human hunting dogs, Spanish history and vengeful clowns. <br />
I mean - if you only see one circus movie this year, don't let it be Water For Elephants. <br />
Call to action - I loved The Last Circus. It's streaming on Netflix RIGHT NOW. <br />
<br />
Feast post to come.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-29279843291213485732011-11-04T18:12:00.000-07:002011-11-04T18:22:11.263-07:00To Be Young (Is to Be Sad)Hello Friends.<br />
As confusing as I found the recent Ryan Adams concert to be - I still can't help being massively in love with the new album... Here is the title track for your listening pleasure. WARNING - there is an alarm clock sound at the beginning. PLEASE forgive the annoying host and the alarm clock. It's totally worth it.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VBWAYnRN6dM?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
Ryan Adams - Ashes and Fire<br />
<br />
I wish MY eyes were indigo! And I want my man to tell me that my skin smells like black cherries! But, alas, my man "does NOT write happy love songs." He has to remind me of this rule often.<br />
<br />
Sidenote: I was talking to (a Canadian) person that I had just met about music and mentioned that I was going to a Ryan Adams concert the next week and he got really excited. Then I realized he thought I said <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGoWtY_h4xo">BRYAN ADAMS</a>. Whoa.<br />
<br />
ps - you might not want to click that link...<br />
<br />
Anyway, I picked this version because he opened the Eugene show with it. And I love his America (or is it Rasta?) guitar and black binder of tunes. He referred often to it during the performance. <br />
The man played solo for THREE FULL HOURS. Just one pee break.<br />
If you listen to our radio show, you have heard enough about the show. But just in case you missed the show last week - for shame - The music and the voice were IMO incredible. Incredible.<br />
<br />
But - friends - the audience.<br />
<br />
So this was my first time to the Shedd, which I like to think of as the "grown up" venue in Eugene. Not only is there no beer served and the shows start at 7pm, rather than sometime after 10pm whenever the third opener feels like jumping up on stage and starting, and it is "sit down." Meaning - there were assigned seats. And the tickets cost $39 rather than $8 advance, $9 at the door. Also, KWVA doesn't score free tickets. Anyway, this show was announced and promptly sold out when I was in FL visiting the parents this summer.<br />
<br />
But I just couldn't pass it up. Have any of you EVER got a ticket on Stub Hub for 50% of face value?! Not double - but half! Friends, it's never happened to me before either - but I didn't ask questions! <br />
<br />
So I'm thinking - Awesome. <br />
<br />
Because, as rarely as I imagine myself to be a "grown up," I also often don't enjoy the moshing and the spilled beer and the earaches that come after the "kid" shows. I don't like when people are talking during the shows or singing at full volume along with the songs (I am looking at you, 16 year old girl who RUINED Head and the Heart's encore of Rivers and Roads for me last month. Or you - middle age fat man who ruined AN ENTIRE John Prine show in Missoula a couple years back by singing every word quietly but audibly. Yes, I am still mad about that). What I am saying is that I am cranky and old - without being grown up enough to know better and not actually attend these shows. Never! <br />
<br />
So - I'm thinking that people at the Shedd are going to be quiet and respectful. People who paid the big bucks to have a "real" seat. Before the show there were ads running for all kinds of adulty events upcoming like jazz trios and theatrical performances called things like "The Laugh Heard 'Round the World" and "Yule Be Swinging" (I am not kidding).<br />
<br />
So - I'm thinking this will be a nice adult evening. <br />
<br />
Friends - apparently grown up audiences have their own issues. Especially Ryan Adams fans.<br />
At first it began with about 3~4 minutes of full blown applause when he came out. Then the yelling out "I love you Ryan!" over and over, in between every song. This was seemed to be several different folks each time - and all men - not that there's anything wrong with that - but what possesses you to yell something like that?<br />
This devolved into more creative (?) yells such as "Hi!," "Move to Eugene!," "Can I pick the next song?" and my personal favorite "I want you inside me" (this was a man also), followed by "SHUT THE FUCK UP."<br />
<br />
And this behavior really wasn't discouraged by Ryan. He kept saying "what?" And he really did leave to pee at one point. He claimed since "we" were treating him like we were all hanging out at his house, he would treat us that way too. He also talked about death metal and nosepicking. A lot.<br />
He said it was one of the weirdest concert experiences of his life. "No fourth wall!"<br />
Anyway, we went to some other concerts this month and we have a couple coming up - Blitzen Trapper, Dawes, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Bear Hands...<br />
<br />
We are also contemplating a Langhorne Slim New Years Eve show in Portland. I think we should do it. Who knows, it could be the last time we get to do something like that...<br />
<br />
we have to start being grown ups sometime. soon?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-41227044592024746012011-09-19T18:05:00.000-07:002011-09-20T09:33:48.466-07:00Talk To Me in SeptemberMy dad's infamous baseball quote is coming back to bite MY team this year! Yikes, the Sox might go down in flames. Every time some ignorant, casual, fair-weather fan would knock the Sox, my dad would respond "Talk to me in September." No baseball matters until then. Now I hope no one talks to me... about that at least. We are in the break between a double header and the Red Sox dropped the day game to the Orioles. The Baltimore Orioles. The team that is 29 games back, tied for the second worst record in the American League. This is after losing 3 of 4 to the RAYS. Because my parents now live in Florida, they like the Rays. And by association, and the fact that I have probably been to more Rays games than any other professional team, and the fact that the Rays are pretty spunky and defying odds to succeed this year, and the fact that the Dunkin Donuts in Sarasota gives my parents free donuts after a Ray's win, has made me a *kindof* Rays fan. But not when they are playing the Sox. <br />
<br />
My man (who is FROM Baltimore) has promised to cheer for the Sox since winning the game matters to them. And to me. <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EwbR8ubfHtY?rel=0" width="560">&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Step&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;</iframe><br />
<br />
Stepkids. They have an album coming out next week. Streaming at <a href="http://www.kcrw.com/music/programs/ap/ap110919the_stepkids_the_ste">KCRW.</a><br />
It's pretty funky. Hope you enjoy.<br />
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Since we might eat smart dogs tonight to get in the baseball mood, we'll postpone the fresh pesto and tomatoes from the garden-<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0M8xHVK5o4M/TnfKryLeG9I/AAAAAAAAApw/3X-2wDTs6xY/s1600/IMG_0958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0M8xHVK5o4M/TnfKryLeG9I/AAAAAAAAApw/3X-2wDTs6xY/s640/IMG_0958.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>OMB - I stopped writing to check the game and we are getting NATIONAL LEAGUE COVERAGE, WHAT??? I even tried to get it on my parents' slingbox. Boo. So no game. Pesto is back on. Oregon gardening has not been very kind to me, next year I need to plant Early Girls. But those sweet Toms are worth the wait.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aW8bMXIke0s/TnfL8pRBQyI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Fg9qXG0JXsM/s1600/IMG_0981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aW8bMXIke0s/TnfL8pRBQyI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Fg9qXG0JXsM/s320/IMG_0981.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Other produce. These blackberries that have taken over, with no assistance from me (actually in spite of resistance by me. They are thorny!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5KrPgiAmcE/TnfLWvPTtBI/AAAAAAAAAp8/HkhXrm3SK2o/s1600/IMG_0966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5KrPgiAmcE/TnfLWvPTtBI/AAAAAAAAAp8/HkhXrm3SK2o/s400/IMG_0966.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ITfQ1F_9hk/TnfLKZvNMEI/AAAAAAAAAp4/wo3RxaSiV5k/s1600/IMG_0963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ITfQ1F_9hk/TnfLKZvNMEI/AAAAAAAAAp4/wo3RxaSiV5k/s320/IMG_0963.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rIGNz5fC8g8/TnfK79yj5kI/AAAAAAAAAp0/VsuOcLmfues/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rIGNz5fC8g8/TnfK79yj5kI/AAAAAAAAAp0/VsuOcLmfues/s640/IMG_0959.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Isn't he a beautiful animal? </div><div style="text-align: center;">In his home habitat.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f2Xrp6i__b0/TnfQG3KpfUI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/ThvtlDVjHd8/s1600/IMG_0772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f2Xrp6i__b0/TnfQG3KpfUI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/ThvtlDVjHd8/s320/IMG_0772.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On vacation at Cannon Beach. Anywhere with his bed is home.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uadCY5r_aD0/TnfQ1I7hTFI/AAAAAAAAAqU/VVukVwJzhn0/s1600/IMG_0822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span id="goog_2146139442"></span><span id="goog_2146139443"></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GiyeUO24bGc/TnfRe2i9GtI/AAAAAAAAAqY/1bWkoRmN8-0/s1600/IMG_0786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GiyeUO24bGc/TnfRe2i9GtI/AAAAAAAAAqY/1bWkoRmN8-0/s320/IMG_0786.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">We went to Northern Coast of Oregon for our anniversary. My man got me a beautiful pair of sapphire earrings to match my wedding band. He did good. I got him a mandolin case. We had a wonderful time, but I honestly think Floyd might have enjoyed it even more than we did. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9F8czaC7deA/TnfRprYWd2I/AAAAAAAAAqc/-GHe53x4ZQY/s1600/IMG_0803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9F8czaC7deA/TnfRprYWd2I/AAAAAAAAAqc/-GHe53x4ZQY/s640/IMG_0803.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P_Y1bkM_cTk/TnfRx5KHuTI/AAAAAAAAAqg/d-OQ6aB9B9c/s1600/IMG_0831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P_Y1bkM_cTk/TnfRx5KHuTI/AAAAAAAAAqg/d-OQ6aB9B9c/s400/IMG_0831.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The escape...</div><div style="text-align: center;">(note the feet aren't even touching the ground)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">and the return. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lWRHtBqiYBI/TnfR_D8RkOI/AAAAAAAAAqk/6xKfYkDeL5U/s1600/IMG_0852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lWRHtBqiYBI/TnfR_D8RkOI/AAAAAAAAAqk/6xKfYkDeL5U/s400/IMG_0852.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I also made a beach blanket from <a href="http://soulemama.com/">Soulemama's</a> (no relation - actually we might be related. She has the same rare last name as I do and lives in Maine... I emailed her once to investigate but apparently she is too busy raising 4 (5?) kids and making her own everything to respond) book, The Handmade Home. I kind of hated to put it in the sandy sand. I wanted to make a little treasure that my man and I could look back, ok <span style="font-size: large;"><b>I</b></span> could look back, and say, I made this for our first anniversary trip to the beach. Here's to many, many more trips and beach blanket usage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZ9Uox27NUY/TnfSMed1JEI/AAAAAAAAAqo/DZuKHXgf6p4/s1600/IMG_0857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZ9Uox27NUY/TnfSMed1JEI/AAAAAAAAAqo/DZuKHXgf6p4/s320/IMG_0857.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course, I complicated her design. Why would you buy bias tape when you can make your own? HAHA. I used all scraps for this project, other than the backing, which was a heavy synthetic quilt I got at Salvation Army. That yellow is from my Grammie's rad 60's pillowcase and the blue is from a sheet set from high school that lost the fitted sheet somehow. Pieces leftover on the trim from too many projects to name. It made me think back on all the baby showers I have been to and all my lovely ladies that hopefully still have some homemade goodness from me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c58d7X7RANc/TnfSWFxIp1I/AAAAAAAAAqs/tMTFQvgAM4k/s1600/IMG_0890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c58d7X7RANc/TnfSWFxIp1I/AAAAAAAAAqs/tMTFQvgAM4k/s640/IMG_0890.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a good day. Good thing F.dog isn't a female (and human) or he might need a chin wax. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a--1linxoHQ/Tnff1n0uixI/AAAAAAAAAqw/JmNWzZtA0xs/s1600/IMG_0982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The next day we went to Astoria and saw all the Goonies related stuff we could handle. Pics to come? Interested? Wait I might as well while I'm at it, right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SanqgOPWVd0/TnfkNdPAgGI/AAAAAAAAAq0/ZExMzRDT6_g/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SanqgOPWVd0/TnfkNdPAgGI/AAAAAAAAAq0/ZExMzRDT6_g/s320/IMG_0902.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The unfortunately named Ecola Park held the key to the treasure map! That large one rock in the distance is Haystack rock, right near where we stayed in Cannon Beach.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nXcUbUoWQAA/TnfkdYnmztI/AAAAAAAAAq4/FF4ycwmHeiM/s1600/IMG_0921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nXcUbUoWQAA/TnfkdYnmztI/AAAAAAAAAq4/FF4ycwmHeiM/s320/IMG_0921.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Indian Beach, surfing mecca and home to Point Break's Bondi Beach scene.<br />
Can I just say that bragging about being at this venerated location opened some debate whether Point Break "sucked" or not. ARE you kidding? I really thought the person was kidding at first.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sDwbaRPLy6Q/Tnfkv1hRxwI/AAAAAAAAAq8/OReqTq34ots/s1600/IMG_0929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sDwbaRPLy6Q/Tnfkv1hRxwI/AAAAAAAAAq8/OReqTq34ots/s320/IMG_0929.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The future is bright with road trippers like these. Wait - maybe they are from the future, almost 20,000 years in the future.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZClU9rrPw2A/TnflC27tnaI/AAAAAAAAArA/2utOc-F7X-Q/s1600/IMG_0932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZClU9rrPw2A/TnflC27tnaI/AAAAAAAAArA/2utOc-F7X-Q/s320/IMG_0932.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Mikey's house.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vr5Wj8mNHuw/TnflOkvmfNI/AAAAAAAAArE/eh5rVyP8nc4/s1600/IMG_0940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vr5Wj8mNHuw/TnflOkvmfNI/AAAAAAAAArE/eh5rVyP8nc4/s320/IMG_0940.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Goondocks<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D7gRDb1rTcw/Tnflen1Y_RI/AAAAAAAAArI/9hrNc94M-nc/s1600/IMG_0945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D7gRDb1rTcw/Tnflen1Y_RI/AAAAAAAAArI/9hrNc94M-nc/s400/IMG_0945.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ehMEusNPbNk/TnflsbEZhDI/AAAAAAAAArM/AYYqqj7M9XM/s1600/IMG_0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ehMEusNPbNk/TnflsbEZhDI/AAAAAAAAArM/AYYqqj7M9XM/s320/IMG_0949.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Fratelli's Jail.<br />
(*Edited to fix - Thanks to a big Goonies fan!) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WPK8Jum93NQ/Tnfl2YbDA5I/AAAAAAAAArQ/-tN-ss5cF0E/s1600/IMG_0953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WPK8Jum93NQ/Tnfl2YbDA5I/AAAAAAAAArQ/-tN-ss5cF0E/s320/IMG_0953.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And Sloth. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Can I just close by saying I did the worst thing this week? Even though I knew FULL WELL that Missoni had a line at Target coming out and I even KNEW the date so I could go the first day, I forgot. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I was watching Project Runway on Thursday and saw the ad. I almost had a fit.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I knew it would all be gone - it had been on sale for three days already!!!</div><div style="text-align: left;">The next day I went to all my Targets of course starting with the ghetto one, hoping that people who live in Springfield couldn't possibly understand the signifigance of MISSONI BEING AT TARGET. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But they did. The customer service woman told me there were almost riots in the store and the parking lot. In Eugene, Oregon. My man said, "Why are you freaking out about this Massorini brand? I have never heard you mention it before." oh beiber. That might be because I can't afford a $900 sweater. But I can afford a $40 MISSONI sweater from Target. Anyway, mine only had underwear left in two sizes too small and a size too big. I happily grabbed the big ones, and sadly, they work just fine. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Then- </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Momma bird to the rescue! And she didn't even try to <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Missoni-Target-Venetian-Rainboots-Sz-10-Pay-Daughters-College-Tuition-/220855994760?pt=US_Women_s_Shoes&hash=item336c0b0988">sell them like this mom</a>! </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a--1linxoHQ/Tnff1n0uixI/AAAAAAAAAqw/JmNWzZtA0xs/s1600/IMG_0982.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a--1linxoHQ/Tnff1n0uixI/AAAAAAAAAqw/JmNWzZtA0xs/s640/IMG_0982.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">I almost can't wait for it to rain! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I can't believe I just wrote that. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But come on. Look at these boots. </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">They are Missoni. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-60276869884748704612011-08-23T15:29:00.000-07:002011-08-23T15:52:34.188-07:00Kick Drum, High HatHappy Summer guys! It's real summer for me now that my class is over, grades were submitted and I only had one student complain! That is easily the least complaining I have ever had. It was a fun class, I think that Marcom might be my favorite class to teach. <br />
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So I have already posted a video for this song here in the past. MUCH different version, but still completely radical.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lmsbHGEB6UU?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
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This was my introduction to Lissie, who sadly does not tend to live up to the bad-ass-ness displayed above. It's just such a great summer song I felt like giving you another version. If you like this one and you don't know the original, definitely <a href="http://soulecat.blogspot.com/2010/07/pursuit-of-happiness.html">check it out</a>. Interestingly - I looked at the old blog and the Kid Cudi version had been viewed 9 million times when I first linked it, now it's up to TWENTY NINE million... Are we here at Golden Pigeon at least partially responsible? I like to think so. Nice work guys!<br />
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Stay tuned for more music coming soon...<br />
We have one show a month coming up - Bon Iver in Sept (and maybe Pretty Lights if we can swing free tickets. Or is it worth it to pay, what do you guys think? I don't like to go to shows that make me feel at least a decade older than the normal attender), Head and the Heart and Thao and the Get Down Stay Down in October and We Were Promised Jetpacks and Bear Hands in November. <br />
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Be happy your freezer is working 'cause mine's not. I think my man really missed me when I was in FL last week because 1) our freezer broke 2) he forgot his dentist appt and 3) he got a ticket for talking on the cell phone while driving (and guess who he was talking to?). Normally, my man does not cook at all while I am away, but this time I encouraged him to try to eat what was in the freezer quickly so he was eating A LOT of vegan meatballs.<br />
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Maybe I will do a cooking post soon, yes? This week I will be making baked chimichangas (which I like to refer to as chimi-CHANGE-as from my days working at a Mexican restaurant in Tennessee. The Southern folks strangely do not have a grasp on Spanish pronunciations. I loved when people ordered Tecate - said Ta-KATE. Anyway that is a whole nother post), "chicken" piccata and "chicken" marsala. Is there any interest in veganized versions of these recipes? My dear parents are doing meatless Mondays and I *think* I convinced them to make it <b>vegan Mondays</b>. I challenge you lovely readers to do the same. The piccata is amazing. <br />
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Fdog was happy to see me too. We are taking a anniversary trip to Cannon Beach in a couple weeks. You all know how Floyd loves the beach.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eJH3nHLdPlc/TlQo-xEo6NI/AAAAAAAAApk/le5FKEODGA0/s1600/Fdog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eJH3nHLdPlc/TlQo-xEo6NI/AAAAAAAAApk/le5FKEODGA0/s320/Fdog2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I can't believe it's been a year already since the wedding. I am happy to report that contrary to our fears (due to the fact that we never received a copy of the marriage certificate), we are indeed officially married. I called the city and checked on it this morning. Apparently, they don't send out certificates unless you pay $7 for the "decorative" version. And, as you all know, I am cheap so I did not opt to pay for that when we picked up the license. So it turns out that our friend WAS certified to marry us! And the paperwork did reach the city! It's kind of too bad, because I was thinking about having you all come back out to have another party for us all over again!<br />
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Stay tuned and be excellent to each other.<br />
xo Pigeon<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-43032141210769282462011-07-31T14:22:00.000-07:002011-07-31T14:22:01.709-07:00Every Weekend, My Car Goes.... Something about the summer always makes me want to take road trips. <br />
And something about this song makes me feel like I'm on a road trip. Which is why I listen to it <i>almost</i> every day, much to my man's dismay. There are few bands we disagree on, but, unfortunately Felice Brothers are one of them - in the distinguished company of Thao and the Get Down, Stay Down, Cold War Kids, Ryan Bingham and the non-musical husband-torture of the RHONY and RHOBH - I refuse to expand those acronyms. Those of you who need to know already do. The reunion shows are particularly painful for him. He can't just leave the room, it must be the whole house. <br />
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There is some music he loves that I cannot abide as well. Rush. Frank Zappa (ok, I can tolerate small doses) and most all 70s-80s "butt-rock." When I got home from my trip to France, a mysterious Deep Purple LP had appeared in our collection.<br />
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Anyway, whenever I start gushing about a new band I have discovered, he asks "Is it a young guy trying to sound like an old guy?" UM, no... except maybe, yes. I am looking at you, Low Anthem. And Felice Brothers. Anyway, you can decide for yourself. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FcVku6bFe-U?rel=0" width="425">&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;I &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;</iframe><br />
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I mean, accordion? What's not to love. <br />
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Anyway, the road trips. I can't take one this year. And last year, no. Does driving 10 hours in separate cars to move across the PNW count as a road trip? No, it does not. I have had some epic road trips throughout the years. Some were horrible where I was trapped with maniac pseudo-hippies trying to touch my face with their dirty, disgusting pseudo-hippie feet and camping at sewage treatment plants (this is two separate trips). Some were wonderful filled with deserts and national parks and grilled cheese sandwiches and Wall Drug visits. Speeding tickets and snow camping in May.<br />
Tennessee to North Carolina<br />
TN to MT to TN not sure how many times, but once it took almost a month. Variously by way of Denver, Dayton OH, Chicago IL, literally every state and national park in Utah and some in Arizona.<br />
MT to Banff<br />
MT to Arcata, CA - through Eugene! <br />
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I want a road trip with <b>my man</b> down Highway 1 and next year, my friend moves to San Francisco and IT IS ON. I am already looking forward to it. Also, another friend has a quite significant milestone birthday, to which I have already RSVP'd. Don't know where it will be, but I am hoping we can drive there! Of course, because my car doesn't currently drive on the highway, or to South Eugene, because there are hills, so I may need to learn to drive my man's stick shift. I know. The other day I didn't fill my tank all the way, not because I am short on cash, but because why waste a full tank of gas in case my car breaks down?<br />
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Anyway, that was a tangent, but it's summertime! I have been neglecting the blog. I don't like to write too long at once, so the next time I will cover some recent developments such as:<br />
<span style="color: purple;">I passed my comprehensive exams!</span> - Do you really want to hear about this?<br />
<span style="color: purple;">I went to France</span> - I have to be brief here out of weak respect the people who I traveled with who I am unsure if read this blog. There is really no disguised identity around here. I will post some pics though. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T_9p8rSPOEs/TjXE_Nik0hI/AAAAAAAAApQ/T6w-RYrhtM0/s1600/IMG_0583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T_9p8rSPOEs/TjXE_Nik0hI/AAAAAAAAApQ/T6w-RYrhtM0/s640/IMG_0583.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Venus De Milo </div><div style="text-align: center;">I went to the Louvre. Some of you may know of the ill fated Paris trip of '02... Not a road trip but rather a train trip. Where my brother and I valiantly tolerated each others constant company for over a month before the eventual and inevitable blow up(s). Anyway, we left from France, leaving the only day to go to the Louvre A TUESDAY which EVERYONE KNOWS is the day all museums in France are closed. I finally got to go and although I went directly from the 10 hour flight and it was about 3am body time, it was worth the nine year wait. More later on this trip. The current one, not the brother one. Although, that trip is a goldmine... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: purple;">We went to Ween! </span>We got to sit in the disabled section! I met some people from the Ween Forum which I have "known" on the internet for almost a decade. Surprisingly nice. <br />
<span style="color: purple;">We went to the Country Fair </span>- I heard a bluegrass KIDS cover of NIN's Closer "I want to pet you like an animal. I want to feel you from the outside. You get me closer to dog."<br />
<span style="color: purple;">My garden is growing</span> - let me just say this now. Why can I only grow leaves and no vegetables? Lettuce is the only thing I like to grow in Oregon because everything else just makes leaves and flowers that never produce. Any tips?<br />
I have two weeks left of the <span style="color: purple;">last course</span> I am require to teach for the next two years. I have been loving the summer course and the students. Of course, this love will be gone when I get my evaluations. Two more weeks of love.<br />
<br />
Will write soon friends. Block Party next weekend VIVA Whiteaker! <br />
xo pigeon xoUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-35942307880665910282011-06-07T19:07:00.000-07:002011-06-28T22:24:16.395-07:00The Most Beautiful Girl in the Room (The Whole Wide Whit)Much anticipated Ms. Whiteaker post to follow:<br />
<br />
But first, a retraction. There is <b style="color: red;">NO EXCUSE</b> for not including the Black Key's album Brothers on my best of<a href="http://soulecat.blogspot.com/2011/01/i-wanna-start-doing-my-own-stunts.html"> 2010 post</a>. This humble apology is all I have to redeem myself. <br />
<br />
I guess I do have an excuse actually (albeit a lame one). This album never got on rotation and I kept waiting and waiting. Then my "best friend" kept telling me over and over that she would send it and I kept waiting and waiting. Finally my man bought it for me for Valentine's Day (2011 - two months after my best of post was written).<br />
<br />
So anyway, with deepest apologies to Dan, Patrick & all you readers, the album is amazing. Track after track: Everlasting Light, The Next Girl, Tighten Up, Howlin' For You, Ten Cent Pistol, Sinister Kid..... Just what you would expect, but better. <br />
<br />
Check out this video, this is one you are going to want to watch. My only complaint is that it isn't a real movie. <br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TLSpj7q6_mM" width="560"></iframe><br />
Black Keys - Howlin' For You<br />
Did you catch Shaun White in there? Love me some Shaun White. <br />
<br />
Also, if you haven't seen it check out The Next Girl video - features the same dinosaur puppet who is named Frank.<br />
<br />
I have a question. Why is the name Frank uncommon in the real world but the name of at least 10% of all fictional male characters?<br />
Case in point, how many Franks do you know personally?<br />
I know one - my husband. <br />
<br />
Conversation with my stepbrother circa 2008:<br />
Aloof relative: "I hear you have a new boyfriend." <br />
pigeon: "Yes, that is true."<br />
AR: "So who is this guy, what is his name?"<br />
pigeon: "His name is Frank."<br />
AR: "How old is he, like 60, 70?"<br />
pigeon: "No, he is 32. Why would you say that?"<br />
AR: "Just didn't know they still were naming people Frank."<br />
<br />
However, half the weird, evil or quirky characters have this name.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gsIzBsJBp9c/Te7Qzt2_seI/AAAAAAAAAoM/LMzVDG_hAzY/s1600/frank_costanza_yelling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gsIzBsJBp9c/Te7Qzt2_seI/AAAAAAAAAoM/LMzVDG_hAzY/s320/frank_costanza_yelling.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Pitch: Crotchety, crazy father for Larry David character... how about Frank? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iPwR4U9HCi8/Te7Q0Fd7gLI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/tQFNigajE6E/s1600/FrankTheTank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iPwR4U9HCi8/Te7Q0Fd7gLI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/tQFNigajE6E/s320/FrankTheTank.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"When it touches the lips, it tastes so good."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's go streaking. We're all streaking</div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's try the name Frank. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0r0VinNjuQw/Te7SEEdqBXI/AAAAAAAAAoY/eLEIyoLo4yQ/s1600/FrankRabbit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0r0VinNjuQw/Te7SEEdqBXI/AAAAAAAAAoY/eLEIyoLo4yQ/s320/FrankRabbit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fJrh4kjIpUU/Te7RLT4fHyI/AAAAAAAAAoU/KoIgVlEycdo/s1600/FrankBV.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Creepiest villain = Frank?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fJrh4kjIpUU/Te7RLT4fHyI/AAAAAAAAAoU/KoIgVlEycdo/s1600/FrankBV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fJrh4kjIpUU/Te7RLT4fHyI/AAAAAAAAAoU/KoIgVlEycdo/s1600/FrankBV.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Oh, wait there is creepier Frank.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GJl353dB5-E/Te7SO4xsz0I/AAAAAAAAAoc/Oqzh95wXyoU/s1600/FrankSUnny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GJl353dB5-E/Te7SO4xsz0I/AAAAAAAAAoc/Oqzh95wXyoU/s320/FrankSUnny.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Lizard, am I standing in poop?"</div><div style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite characters of all time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And last but not least:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUlhop2N34Y/Te7SRQ1fPqI/AAAAAAAAAog/Pl2v-eUGlVo/s1600/FrankTourist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUlhop2N34Y/Te7SRQ1fPqI/AAAAAAAAAog/Pl2v-eUGlVo/s320/FrankTourist.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Johnny Depp in the Tourist, introduces himself to Angelina's character:</div><div style="text-align: center;">"I'm Frank."</div><div style="text-align: center;">"That's a terrible name."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>WTB, Angie? </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I happen to think that Frank is a fantastic, sexy name. Case in point:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OWtzNqsqTHY/Te7Xr0AJ2JI/AAAAAAAAAok/WBgxCTDBI0Q/s1600/My+Frank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OWtzNqsqTHY/Te7Xr0AJ2JI/AAAAAAAAAok/WBgxCTDBI0Q/s400/My+Frank.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My Frank. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
So, I have more excuses. I haven't written my blog about the <span style="font-size: large;">Ms. Whiteaker pageant</span> yet for two reasons.<br />
<br />
1) We were really rushing to get over there after the radio show as it started at 9pm so we did NOT want to miss the talent portion. Because my husband's truck doors do not lock and we live in the Whit and were going deeper into our <a href="http://soulecat.blogspot.com/2010/04/its-beautiful-day-in-neighborhood.html">wonderful neighborhood</a>, we had to go home first to drop off our laptop and stack of records from that night's show. I asked him to grab my camera when he ran in and he forgot.<br />
<br />
So I have no pictures and I have been patiently waiting and checking flickr and the like for some gems to show up and I have finally found them, although they are copyrighted but check them out <a href="http://claireflint.zenfolio.com/p985573079">here</a>.<br />
<br />
2) Because I didn't have my camera and there were several drinks consumed, I took notes on my BlackBerry for my dear readers.<br />
<br />
2b) Said phone was LOST a few days later. That is a<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> WHOLE </span></span>nother story for another day. Happy ending = iPhone.<br />
<br />
So this pageant is like a display of neighborhood pride. You guys probably know I really love my neighborhood. To paraphrase a contestant asked what she loved most about living in Whiteaker, this neighborhood makes me feel normal (by comparison).<br />
<br />
We unfortunately did miss the talent portion but were in attendance for the "late" evening wear (think freakish lingerie) and the Q & A portion. There were about seven or eight lovely ladies with different levels of commitment to the competition. The place was packed. Sitting next to me was a paraplegic with quite an ingenious set up of carabiners and a Nalgene and heavy duty straws rigged up for his beers. The evening was hosted by the charming publisher of BoozeWeek, local celeb (Missoulians, think Nate Schweber status) Elliot Martinez. <br />
<br />
The ladies were wonderfully dressed - really, check out the pictures. One had a huge papermache vagina. One had the Ninkasi logo shaved and dyed into her hair. Lots of bustiers, tutus, mohawks (real, not faux), '80s prom, lots of skin (tattoo covered skin)... it was all there.<br />
<br />
Our mayor, Kitty Piercy, was there as a judge.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-959F0dJVo4A/Te7Y1gdGi6I/AAAAAAAAAoo/d9iVWaqEDvo/s1600/kitty-piercy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-959F0dJVo4A/Te7Y1gdGi6I/AAAAAAAAAoo/d9iVWaqEDvo/s200/kitty-piercy.jpg" width="159" /></a></div><br />
A sweet older lady asking questions like "If you could change one thing about the Whit, what would it be?"<br />
<br />
Some of my favorite answers -<br />
"Too much ribald activities during the day. Night is ok, but please, pants during the day."<br />
"People leaving stuff outside their cars. And meth."<br />
<br />
We figured that the complaint about the leaving stuff is referring to the frequent occurrence in these parts of people "cleaning" out their cars and leaving their junk on the side of the road (or in our yard as the case may be). Personally, I have never had a problem with this, since someone else always comes by and picks it up within the hour.<br />
<br />
Another contestant suggested as an improvement to have fountains filled with free Ninaski.<br />
<br />
After the winner was crowned, local punk band Soothsayers played and a friend of ours met us down at Sam Bond's Garage and we stayed up real late listening to records.<br />
<br />
I haven't had what I like to refer to as a "record party" in a LONG time. Record parties cannot start before midnight and/or at least three drinks.To give you some perspective, the two ladies I last had a record party now have children. One of them has two. And I am still having record parties. Sigh.<br />
<br />
It's my birthday today.<br />
<br />
xo pigeon xoUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-24059686066296098502011-05-27T11:05:00.000-07:002011-05-27T11:07:01.124-07:00I Saw You First, It Was in a Dream<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kaliméra</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"> </span>friends, happy long weekend.<br />
Here's what we were doing last year this time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DM5sHRLjkeU/Td_fR27fTMI/AAAAAAAAAoE/Yw4TP4YnOA0/s1600/IMG_5974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DM5sHRLjkeU/Td_fR27fTMI/AAAAAAAAAoE/Yw4TP4YnOA0/s640/IMG_5974.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sasquatch 2010</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>After a long, arduous debate, which btw is how I make the vast majority of all decisions, we opted to not go to Sasquatch this year. It is a little bit painful now that the time is upon us. Back in the fall, we were watching the streaming video and twitter obsessively to get the word on who would be <a href="http://sasquatchfestival.com/lineup">playing</a>.<br />
<br />
On the pro-side we had:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gAKO7S04yag?rel=0" width="425"></iframe><br />
GIVERS - I saw you first<br />
<br />
Sidenote: There was another version of this song on youtube, which was nausea-inducing and the sound was worse BUT it showed the band pulling balloons out of big trash bags. Priceless. It reminded me of poorman's this feat by AF @ Coachella.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWlWwAY2iy4/Td_gz2S9kjI/AAAAAAAAAoI/spPJscEewkQ/s1600/Arcade-Fire-Coachella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWlWwAY2iy4/Td_gz2S9kjI/AAAAAAAAAoI/spPJscEewkQ/s320/Arcade-Fire-Coachella.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We watched Arcade Fire's Coachella performance live on youtube - it was fantastic and to be honest, I *almost* felt like I was there. Actually, we got better views and closeups, with none of the portapotties and sweat. Kind of nice. Anyway - on the encore, these big balls dropped down, hundreds of them, and they were somehow synchronized and controlled to turn patterns of different colors. I love it. Chris Milk (of Wilderness Downtown video fame), fun stuff. So what I am saying is, GIVERS, hang in! Pretty soon you could go from 800 youtube views and filling up Glad bags with balloons you blew up yourselves, to multimedia art collaborations and headlining Coachella, it could happen! <br />
<br />
Back to the point: This band played at the WOW with Ra Ra Riot (also awesome and Sasquatch alums) and we didn't go because we are too tired and old. Big mistake.<br />
Other pluses of 2011 lineup: Wilco, Head and the Heart, Iron and Wine (although I don't think that a festival is ideal for this at all, hence we'll see him at Crystal on Tuesday instead), Yeasayer, Cold War Kids (although we just saw them, and one member of this unit (the male member) is not so interested), Beach House(!!!), Sharon Jones and Dap-Kings, Local Natives, Matt & Kim, Deerhunter, Sleigh Bells (who would be perfect at a festival I think), Cotton Jones... Plus the couple dozen I have never heard of that would probably go on to become next year's favorites.<br />
<br />
You'd think that would be enough to do the trick. But I am greedy. And unreasonable.<br />
<br />
I wanted Arcade Fire. I wanted Black Keys. I wanted Ween again.<br />
<br />
The first indication that we might not go this year came with the announcement of headliner Foo Fighters. Not really in the same class as Ween ('10) - for me anyway. Meh. Then the big names kept coming and and more meh.<br />
Death Cab. Decemberists. Bright Eyes. Modest mouse. These bands do not excite me.<br />
Then there was the portapotties, the trash, the lack of any vegan food, the field mice...<br />
<br />
Oh wait, then we thought about the fact that technically - I am a student. On the quarter system.<br />
<br />
That means next week is exam week.<br />
<br />
And how I have COMPREHENSIVE exams in two weeks. For the (blissfully) unaware, these are tests where you are expected to demonstrate everything that you learned in the first 2 years of your PhD education and you need to pass if you want to continue in the program. you have 96 hours to complete a set of four questions. You have 10 pages to answer each question. The dreaded comps are looming large.<br />
<br />
Then I need to get ready to teach a brand spanking new class.<br />
<br />
It's going to be intense.<br />
<br />
So, yeah, if you were wondering, we aren't going to the festival this year. Does this mean I am a (kind of) grown up?<br />
<br />
Probably not, since we decided to binge locally on the Sasquatch ripple effect. Cotton Jones tonight. Maybe Cotton Jones again Saturday. Back up to Portland for Head and the Heart and Iron & Wine (aforementioned).<br />
<br />
And stay tuned for another post this weekend about last weekend. We went to the Ms. Whiteaker pageant! And we played poker! We stayed up til 4am listening to records! Who says I am grown up?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-34323892738790070222011-05-14T11:53:00.000-07:002011-05-14T12:01:44.771-07:00There's No Darkness A LoominSo if you follow me on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Golden-Pigeon/106502992748208">radioshow page</a> or my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Golden-Pigeon/106502992748208">FB page</a>, you probably know that I was getting a little impatient about the sophomore release from Fleet Foxes.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>I personally apologize to Robin Pecknold for the doubt because these guys <i>killed it</i> with this album. Which is probably not a good description because what they did is more like these guys <i>met it at an art museum, took it out for coffee and ended up riding it on the handlebars of a cruiser bike while drinking red wine, eating strawberries and riding off into the sunset</i> with this album.<br />
<br />
It's pretty beibing good. And again I am in love. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I usually imagine my faithful readers clicking my intro videos and using them as a sort of soundtrack to my writing, but today, I hope that you just watch the video.<br />
<br />
</div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/21577557?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=ebe8cd" width="400"></iframe><br />
Fleet Foxes - Grown Ocean from Helplessness Blues<br />
<br />
Wasn't that incredible? </div><div><br />
<div>I may have mentioned this before, but Fleet Foxes were here in Portland a couple weeks ago. And as major fans, we knew about the presale and bought the tickets immediately... even though in the back of my mind I felt like "May 1st... isn't there something I am doing that day?" Then a couple days later I realized. My man is RUNNING THE MARATHON that day.<br />
<br />
We really like this band. We (he) seriously considered whether he could get up at 5:30am, run for 26.2 miles, get in the car, drive for 2 hrs and go to the show and stand up for 3 more hours, get back in the car and drive 2 hrs to get back around 24 hours after this day began. Wisely (or not) I talked him out of it.<br />
<br />
We sold the tickets (for face value which I am really kind of proud about because I saw them going for triple the price. I really hope my friend's research assistant had a fantastic time). Next time we are there.<br />
<br />
But instead it was <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the marathon</span>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8mopKgpjxxw/Tc7LLh1JwDI/AAAAAAAAAnw/4A54bovm35Y/s1600/IMG_9867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8mopKgpjxxw/Tc7LLh1JwDI/AAAAAAAAAnw/4A54bovm35Y/s640/IMG_9867.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dude in the orange ended up winning. Although I have to say </div><div style="text-align: center;">I think that if you finish the marathon, you won it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Eugene Marathon is really an incredible event and I am so proud that my man has been a part of it. He is incredible too. He had a PR and took over 15 minutes off his time from last year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3_eibripQoM/Tc7OWf1HC1I/AAAAAAAAAn0/hGMgvrvJ-Ew/s1600/IMG_9921_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3_eibripQoM/Tc7OWf1HC1I/AAAAAAAAAn0/hGMgvrvJ-Ew/s320/IMG_9921_2.JPG" width="315" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">There was a Will Ferrel impersonator among the spectators/supporters this year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uam_xxEJqAA/Tc7RF-sN44I/AAAAAAAAAn8/XjSopdC1tMM/s1600/IMG_9899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uam_xxEJqAA/Tc7RF-sN44I/AAAAAAAAAn8/XjSopdC1tMM/s320/IMG_9899.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>F said he saw this guy at four different spots along the course, which is more than I even made. The runners were (mainly) loving it. I heard one runner say "show off that gut!" I guess if you are running a marathon you are allowed to say things like that.<br />
<br />
It turns out May 1st is quite popular for events, because as well as Fleet Foxes and the Eugene Marathon, my man's sister also was going to get married that day. But she kindly moved it to the next weekend, which meant that we got to go to Baltimore for a long weekend. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And I got to wear a cute dress. And orange shoes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7PlH-8eY7Yo/Tc7O9Xa3s3I/AAAAAAAAAn4/6XLOVjE2OWk/s1600/IMG_9992_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7PlH-8eY7Yo/Tc7O9Xa3s3I/AAAAAAAAAn4/6XLOVjE2OWk/s400/IMG_9992_2.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Not to trivialize how hard it is on the feet to run a marathon, but I felt like my feet *might* have been as sore than my man's after 6 hours in those 5 1/2 inch heels. Totally worth it though.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>On another note, I am going to play poker this week. Last time I played it did not end well.<br />
<br />
I really don't like losing. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-77596669334149550802011-05-01T18:28:00.000-07:002011-05-01T18:32:13.043-07:00What is Golden Pigeon?<style>
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<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hey Guys.</span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So I was reading some other blogs today (mainly because I have 12 academic articles that I have to read and create discussion questions for that must be emailed tonight AND I have mentally committed to going for a run for the first time in a month at 3:30pm on the dot - so I am reading blogs) and I noticed that these bloggers have an information page about themselves. I thought I needed one of those <i>about me</i> pages. This is what came out and I thought I’d share it with you here as well as pasting it in there for your future reference: </span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I kind of figure you all know me pretty well already but...just in case you want to bone up on some pigeon trivia in case we ever get selected to go on a game show where they test your knowledge about your friend/family member/favorite blogger I have added <a href="http://soulecat.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html">this page</a> for you.</span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I wish there was a show like that - instead of the Newlywed Game it could The "whatever relationship you have to this person" Game. I would totally lose that game. Because:</span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(Fact #1) I am not very obse<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;">rvant. </span></span></b></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; font-size: 12pt;">I would need to really cram with you for us to be contenders in this game. Keep it in mind when applying to be a contestant and considering me for your partner. <span style="color: black;">I would be really good though, if you could just give me a little "about you" page so I can cram at the last minute because:</span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">I am really good at cramming (Fact #2). </span></b></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Speaking of applying for game shows – do you think that my man and I should apply for Amazing Race? I really, really think we’d have a chance. </span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">A chance of getting on the show, of not winning. We would never, ever be able to win that show, which is why I think it would be funny to be on it for one episode. Do you think my program would give me a leave of absence for that (I’m kidding, people who work at my job with me! Completely kidding. I haven’t even printed out the 11 page application). </span></div><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">I used to be obsessed with the Game Show Network, or GSN as I liked (please notice the PAST tense) to call it</span></b><b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; font-size: 12pt;">(Fact #3). </span></b></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; font-size: 12pt;">The</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">re was this game they used to play that looked like it was filmed in the '60s where they would test who knew the man better his wife or his secretary. That is some good programming right there. The secretaries always won. </span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
You really have everything that you need to know about me now. Recuperated game show addict. Well, since I am giving you "facts" here:</span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I should admit that I DVR Jeopardy and we watch it while we eat dinner on the regular (fact #4). </span></b></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Yes, we watch a show where you feel compelled to blurt out the answers while eating. I just realized this is weird and semi-disgusting. </span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There are some things I don't like about Jeopardy. For starters, Alex Trebek. </span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zy_T9OzEp1Q/Tb4H87xfF1I/AAAAAAAAAno/qcEt2r4dhiY/s1600/trebek-and-connery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zy_T9OzEp1Q/Tb4H87xfF1I/AAAAAAAAAno/qcEt2r4dhiY/s320/trebek-and-connery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Ahh, much better. I'll never forget the anal bum cover category.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I also have no patience for contestants who haven't learned the Jeopardy basics. First of all - you should be able to answer any question about the Big 5 Jeopardy categories. Why would you not study 1) the presidents 2) ballet, opera and/or classical music, 3) Shakespeare, 4) Geography and 5) the Bible? Now, I currently know next to nothing about all of these categories, but I sure as hell would be cramming for them before my appearance. YOU HAVE TO CRAM. </span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I think that if you are smart enough to be selected to be on Jeopardy, then you should be smart enough to know FOR A FACT there will be at least 3 of these categories, or some cute variation (The third thing I don't like about Jeopardy - categories like “CU” in the City – “<i>Notice the C U in quotations, we all know what that means</i>”) of them on any given night. Do you not know in advance that you have been selected as a contestant? </span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What does Alex come steal you out of your bed at 3am and then keep you sequestered with no materials that you could use to learn about the books in the Bible, because there really is no excuse (other than the kidnapping scenario) to defend you if you miss one of those questions.</span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And, please, before you go on Jeopardy, think about your chatting time story, ok? Because as I understand how the chatting portion of the show works, <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 242, 204);">YOU</span> SELF REPORT some things that you think are interesting about you and Alex picks one to ask about on air. No one is calling your enemy from high school or your ex-boyfriend to find out that you "once realized I had scurvy because my gums were bleeding" or that your engagement ring cost $11. Food for thought people. </span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And DO NOT get me started on Wheel of Fortune. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-56367296608074966682011-04-27T23:08:00.000-07:002011-04-27T23:34:11.359-07:00Everybody Wants To Be a DJ...Hey Guys.<br />
So first, I have a new <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><b>love</b></span>. You <i>need </i>to hear this band.<br />
Just like I <i>need</i> to listen to the album in its entirety at least 2x a day.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bUu0zsLIA9Q?rel=0" width="640"></iframe><br />
The Head and the Heart - Lost in My Mind<br />
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And, surprisingly, this is a good lead in to my post tonight. It's good to be a DJ. And it's even better to have friends that give you the hookup. Thanks to our great friend Tracy in Missoula, my man and I are going to see these guys next month at their sold out show in Portland opening for Iron & Wine. This deal had very little to do with DJ and a BIG bunch having a thoughtful and sweet friend calling in a favor.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZJ7pOxYgoc/Tbj6NjORc2I/AAAAAAAAAnk/PULHHss6Quk/s1600/TajMahalBlog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZJ7pOxYgoc/Tbj6NjORc2I/AAAAAAAAAnk/PULHHss6Quk/s320/TajMahalBlog.png" width="320" /></a></div>This is obviously not the first time this friend has done this sort of amazing and musically related type thing for me. Um, YEAH - that is Taj Mahal.<br />
My poor man got stopped at the door - apparently Taj only likes to meet the ladies.<br />
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Thank you Tracy.<br />
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The other night I really pulled the DJ card/street-team card. If any of you follow this blog on FB (which I wish you all would, because I am feeling a little lonely on there), then you know that Saturday was my man's birthday and we had a potential roadblock to our big celebration plans. I'll get to it.<br />
<br />
I got him a mandolin. He already learned to play Keep the Car Runnin'. I love my husband. Speaking of keeping the car running, the theme of the show this weekend is RUN. Because the marathon is next Sunday. Wish him luck!<br />
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So before I get to the weekend, I need to share that my ears have been ringing since Wednesday. We went to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjZwlCbUU8M&feature=related">Daedelus</a> show, who is a "steam punk DJ" that plays a "monome," a couple days earlier and it was LOUD. And visually loud. I recommend checking out the video - it's quite a show. (You know what though? If you are enjoying the Head and the Heart right now you should wait a few minutes and finish listening to it then wait a couple more - I don't want you to get too shaken up. Maybe grab a beer too). The light show was downright hypnotizing. And he's a nice guy too - manning the merch table when we came in, shaking our hands and introducing himself as Alfred. <br />
<br />
So moving on to the weekend - We had big plans to go see the Devil Makes Three after our radio show. Well, I went to get the tickets on Monday and they had sold out, which was quite upsetting. Seeing as I had been planning to take F to celebrate, PLUS I like the band so much I was on the street team, which means that I was hopping around town with a staple gun and a roll of tape putting up posters like a college freshman. Plus promoting the show every Better Than Sleep episode for the past two months.<br />
<br />
After trying to get the special treatment (to which I felt very entitled) from the station, the venue (WOW) and the actual band, no luck. I even tried to scalp some tickets, but they weren't even available that way.<br />
<br />
Anyway, at 10:05pm on F's bday we decided to push our luck and go over and plead our case in person. I promised him that I would not let it ruin my night when we ultimately got turned away, possibly even angrily. We played their version of Statesboro Blues during the "three show" and I got a little upset at the idea that they would be playing four blocks from our house and we weren't going to be there.<br />
<br />
But, guess what? Between the awesome merch guy for the band and the understanding people at WOW, we got in! And they were great. The band is always a blast, this is the third time we have seen them together and everytime the crowd seems more into it then the last. Also, the banjo man's beard is reaching full blown hillybilly length which made me feel like it had been way too long since we've seen them. <br />
<br />
Thanks DM3 and WOW, you made our night. And thanks to the guys from my journalism class for those Patron shots afterwards... it's so rare for us to see someone we know out and about in Eugene. I forget that Patron and tequila are really two different ballgames.<br />
<br />
And thanks KWVA and the universe for our show. Love the show.<br />
Tune in on Saturday!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-34825814787333287662011-04-23T15:54:00.000-07:002011-04-23T16:01:59.631-07:00Have you ever felt superior to those around you?<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: purple;">Are you guys interested in movies/music/website/TV/book reviews of a rambling type? Not necessarily new (or even new to me)?</i></span> Because today I think that I am introducing a new category for your reading pleasure. Pigeon Judges. And today my victim is Boys From Brazil. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OnCY7qe2peY/TbNXC_KjSeI/AAAAAAAAAnc/m7sLRE9kT_c/s1600/boysfrombrazil-125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OnCY7qe2peY/TbNXC_KjSeI/AAAAAAAAAnc/m7sLRE9kT_c/s200/boysfrombrazil-125.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">I met a professor at a conference who told me he was really into movies and I asked for a recommendation and this is what he gave me. I thought we might be on the same page because I asked him what his favorite movie of the year was and he said <span style="font-size: x-small;">AND I QUOTE</span> "Well - It wasn't the King's Speech." </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Although the recommender seemed to be offended when I said it was an old movie after he told me that it starred Gregory Peck. So it's from the 70s... is that really offensive?</span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">It had Steve Guttenberg in it. SPOILER ALERT - the good thing is he died 10 minutes in. Good, classic flick. Definitely a little slow at first, but well worth the investment. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">So the movie is about Dr. Mengele (nazi dr) who has well ... I don't think I should spoil it anymore than I did with the Guttenberg fate. </span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Let's just say that Archer episode made a lot more sense after this movie. </span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">I am working on a really nice rating system for you guys. Any suggestions? I am thinking maybe fries. Pigeons love french fries. Or am I thinking of seagulls?</span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Before I move on can I just comment on the "boy" from Brazil. Were they not able to find a child actor that really had blue eyes? Because if you have seen it you'll understand that was pretty integral to the plot and, really, this was a weird looking fellow. I wonder if he has done any other work. HOLD - checking IMDB... That would be a no. </span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Also - not worthy of its own post, but I MUST COMMENT on Love & Other Drugs. Worst. Movie. Ever. I suspected from the opening credit notes of Two Princes by the Spin Doctors (which I incidentally had hoped I would never hear again) that I would not make it through this movie. I lasted about 15 minutes until Ann showed her boob in the room then freaked out on Jake. I repeat - Worst. Movie. Ever. And I see a lot of movies. ZERO fries. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y5js4_ICPv8/TbNX7sTYkhI/AAAAAAAAAng/T1o_UZuDCeI/s1600/Love-And-Other-Drugs_jpg_627x325_crop_upscale_q85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y5js4_ICPv8/TbNX7sTYkhI/AAAAAAAAAng/T1o_UZuDCeI/s320/Love-And-Other-Drugs_jpg_627x325_crop_upscale_q85.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">Thank god I didn't make it to this part. I have been pretty tolerant with Jake up until now. Donnie Darko bought him a lot of leeway with me. I tried to forget that I saw Moonlight Mile and that Prince of Egypt trailer.</span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;"> But now it is OVER. </span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></u><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-15815426138289125262011-04-08T13:00:00.000-07:002011-04-10T23:48:11.576-07:00Gimme Little Drink...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This post is kind of about a drink. Well, it's gonna start out that way, who knows where it'll get to by the end, BUT that gives me a great excuse to share this treasure with you:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0Y4s1YIeWL8?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I absolutely love this video - it is so cool to see Jack White with that huge grin on his face, getting totally starstruck by the Stones. I don't think I've even seen him crack a hint of a smile before or since. It's a clip from Shine a Light, which is a great watch in its entirety, but this was really the highlight for me. Enjoy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How can it be, that at 31 years of age, I get the opportunity <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">TWICE</span> in one month for a fishbowl? For the uninitiated (and reading this blog that is probably only momma bird, though I may have told her already about at least one of these incidents), a fishbowl is a big bowl full of various liquors. If you actually see this being "mixed" it's even scarier. The Ritz used to put swedish fish in the bottom, quite a nice touch I think. Thanks Stacia). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have not even <i>seen</i> a fishbowl in about 10 years at least, but now, two times in row. In different states. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzgDQA0xGo8/TZ9VYNcJo4I/AAAAAAAAAnM/9eeaL3pW9zc/s1600/Fishbowls.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzgDQA0xGo8/TZ9VYNcJo4I/AAAAAAAAAnM/9eeaL3pW9zc/s320/Fishbowls.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This is what 20+ academics at marketing symposium in Nebraska do afterhours. Who would have thought it? Sorry for the poor photo quality, having only my Blackberry. I wasn't expecting such a photo op to present itself that night. I have never been to a marketing symposium/conference/consortium/etc and I may write more about it another time, but for today all I have to say is this was surprising.<br />
And I was there! But, my friends, this was the second time.<br />
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Sidetrack: The first was in Hood River on the previously mentioned ski trip. Somehow I forgot to tell you all that we went out *a bit* after skiing. There is a fantastic brewery there <a href="http://www.doublemountainbrewery.com/">Double Mountain</a>, but it closed pretty early. We went down to "Jack's" (I put this in quotes because there was no name on the outside and no one seemed sure that was the real name) - Chinese restaurant by day, club (?) by night. They had a variation of the fishbowl never before seen which was two size choices (what?! large and extra large) served in those huge chinese family style soup bowls. And they didn't call them fishbowls, they called them Scorpions. A stranger we met tried to get us to share one with him. We politely declined. Several times.<br />
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The symposium was a great experience, but the flight back was epic (bad way). We flew from Lincoln to CHICAGO to SAN FRANCISCO to EUGENE... We had been flying for about 5 hours already when I looked to that lovely little screen that must be meant for hypnosis only because who ever looks at the progress of the plane and thinks "wow, that's further than I thought!" and we were flying RIGHT OVER LINCOLN. Thanks travel agent. And I am serious, this flight had to be booked through a travel agent. It's shocking with the value that these people add that they are in obsolescence, isn't it? Oh, and the 5 hour layover in SF was a nice touch.<br />
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I also wanted to mention that spring is in the air back in Eugene.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9r85N99MUzo/TZ9Y9Y1Xf1I/AAAAAAAAAnY/W5Tprd2EUgQ/s1600/IMG_9802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9r85N99MUzo/TZ9Y9Y1Xf1I/AAAAAAAAAnY/W5Tprd2EUgQ/s640/IMG_9802.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My massive magnolia in FULL BLOOM. Missed it last year because I was in FL.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Spring means</div><div style="text-align: left;">1) Baseball.</div><div style="text-align: left;">For the first year in forever I get to PLAY softball. I used to love to play when I was in high school, but that was a while ago. Yeah. I'm a little nervous because it's been a long time and I am playing on an established team that is a group of people who passionately and intensely work out together so we'll see how I stack up. I did have the best batting average on my team. In 1995. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjY0jwrtf-A/TZ9Yr3F7w6I/AAAAAAAAAnU/3WfZlMXCam8/s1600/IMG_9799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjY0jwrtf-A/TZ9Yr3F7w6I/AAAAAAAAAnU/3WfZlMXCam8/s320/IMG_9799.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">My man and I got some gloves. I couldn't believe he found his (lefty) at Goodwill. I'm pretty sure that mine belonged to a young boy in its past life. </div><div style="text-align: left;">And just because I am talking about baseball does not mean I want to talk about the Sox and their 0-6 record. Or the Rays and their acquisition of Johnny Damon, Manny or even the returning, AK47-toting Longoria. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Now all I can think of is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWfbGGZE07M">It Was A Good Day by Ice Cube</a>. Let's hope Evan never has to use his A.K.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">2) Spring means winter quarter is over. The evaluations are in and I did not win any popularity contests. I don't want to go off on too much of a rant here, but can we just do away with student evaluations? In the words of a sage advisor, you can't let twenty year-olds affect your self-esteem. Evals really are just not helpful. Case in point (these are real word-for-word "feedback" I get from students):</div><div style="text-align: left;">Good: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">"I really enjoyed taking Cat's class. Her teaching style was really great for me. She is definitely very knowledgeable and passionate about the subject."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Or not so good: </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">"Her expectations were completely unachievable. Although Cat's in-class teaching was somewhat satisfactory, her out of class techniques and methods were completely unfair and unable to be met" </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(This student also called me "completely irrational" which I can almost take as that she learned something about consumer behavior since I show the Dan Ariely talk <a href="http://blog.ted.com/2009/05/19/are_we_in_contr/">Predictably Irrational</a>.<i> Great video, great book btw. If you have an extra 20, check it out. If not just finish up here.</i> In fact, if she had just said <b>predictably</b> rather than completely as her adverb here I would have been able to laugh about it sooner.) I would like to mention to the readers that the average final grade of the class was an 84, highest I've ever given and highest allowed by the business school grade scale guidelines. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">How about this?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Cat was awesome and fun, really enjoyed the class!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Counterpoint:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">She didn't seem very friendly either.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">These two comments are FROM THE SAME STUDENT:</div><div style="text-align: left;">"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Just an overall dissatisfaction with the professor" and "</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Good class and relevant material"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">S</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">o are these two (different student):</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">"lectures can get boring" and "</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">interesting material"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At least this quarter no one mentioned their wish that I brought donuts more often like a previous student had used his evaluation to let me know.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have never brought donuts. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Maybe I should?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-39137388511248906782011-03-24T17:59:00.000-07:002011-03-24T18:21:35.938-07:00Don't Forget, Sometimes It Goes The Other Way Too.Um, we just saw The Warriors (for the first time)...<br />
"WE got the streets, suckers! Can you DIG IT?"<br />
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I mean, if that doesn't make you want to check it out, I can't do anything for you. But, chances are, you have already seen it, as I've been feeling like the only (two) who missed this gem.<br />
Of course, I was very inspired by the dj/greek chorus. What a blast.<br />
Also, we saw a great documentary last night called Dust & Illusions about the Burning Man Festival. Very enlightening. I have to admit, I did not know there was such a focus on group art creation, which makes it a little cooler, a little more interesting, and not at all any more likely for me to attend. I once had a very heated "discussion" with a friend of my man's who was raving about the 'social experiment' aspect and the bartering society. I did feel bad after I found out he was a local (semi) celebrity who was a big contributer to the committee at the local art museum that my man and I belonged to, but hey, it's a little silly, right? How do you get all that stuff that you 'barter' with at Burning Man? Don't you BUY it with MONEY before you get there? And, you leave no trace right? But where does the trash go when you leave? It's still trash! My CB text book even talks about Burning Man and how it is an anti-consumerist movement.... and we all know - I like to consume. Plus, I thought camping out at Sasquatch for 3 days was roughing it. But it was a neat film and lots of characters and some <a href="http://galleries.burningman.com/photos/teatime/teatime.41594?b=true&year=2010#pastheader">mind-blowing art</a> (even in a sober movie theater experience that made us feel just a little squarer than usual).<br />
<br />
Anyway, here's a new tune for you to listen to while you read along. <br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/19735946" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/19735946">"Mach Bach" by Empress Hotel</a><br />
<br />
I am kinda geeken out about cameras today... I have unearthed my lomo after a conversation about art with my man and realizing how long it's been since I have done something creative.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vNT5qp2Aq34/TYvgJRFxorI/AAAAAAAAAmI/Uoy3e99Lb5Y/s1600/IMG_9782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vNT5qp2Aq34/TYvgJRFxorI/AAAAAAAAAmI/Uoy3e99Lb5Y/s320/IMG_9782.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My man is in-deep drawing a comic book for a friend who is writing the story. Am I super jealous and wishing that I was writing the story? No, of course not, why do you ask?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IE2grrAbGSA/TYvgzXVkz_I/AAAAAAAAAmY/i23nxcRLq4U/s1600/IMG_9726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IE2grrAbGSA/TYvgzXVkz_I/AAAAAAAAAmY/i23nxcRLq4U/s640/IMG_9726.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>My man has always been into comics, I so have I (to a lesser extent). I used to read all the Disney comics like Uncle Scrooge and all that. But now I have LOVE for Frank Miller and especially Charles Burns. Seriously, have you guys seen <a href="http://www.fantagraphics.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33&Itemid=82">Charles Burn's work</a>? We are watching an animated film tonight (?) that he contributed to. Gotta love Portland hipness. We were in the <i>Historical</i> Mississippi neighborhood, trying to buy a dunny (did not happen - man, that store is never open) and ended up at the comic book store (Bridge City, I believe) and then stopped for a coffee. The guy behind the counter saw our purchase and told us about the flick, and did mention three times that you could rent it from the library. Apparently renting movies from the library (can you do that?) is much hipper than, say, having Netflix?<br />
<br />
So next week I should have some lomo pics to show off, depending...<br />
Can I find a store to develop real film?<br />
Also, does 120 film that expired 4 years ago still work?<br />
Holga is all about "experimentation."<br />
<br />
When I unloaded my beloved, normal Canon EOS camera, I found that I never posted my pics from February on. Valentine's was very nice this year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--k0otvtZazw/TYvgmUWLGWI/AAAAAAAAAmU/wyfWnkOToFU/s1600/IMG_9719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--k0otvtZazw/TYvgmUWLGWI/AAAAAAAAAmU/wyfWnkOToFU/s320/IMG_9719.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We did *not* change our names to Matt and Anne. M & A have moved and this gift certificate has gotten passed around my man's place of work.<br />
His friend asked the group one night: "Does anyone ever go to that art film theater by campus?"<br />
Pigeon: "YES"<br />
Him: "Do you want a gift certific-"<br />
Pigeon: "YES"<br />
We used it to go see my favorite movie of all time, True Romance, the midnight show. I know, it's just too good, right? The big screen?! Did I talk about this already? If I did, I am sorry, but it was really cool.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0AIbZDBC8tk" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe><br />
I made <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>vegan</i></span> chocolate covered strawberries and <a href="http://www.chefchloe.com/blog/2-blog/45-thin-mints-girl-scout-cookies.html">Thin Mints</a> (yes, ripped off the Girl Scouts). They didn't turn out too photogenic, but they made up for it in delicious.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hsCPbKKS-FI/TYvgZCmf8wI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/Z68NdhidDAo/s1600/IMG_9696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hsCPbKKS-FI/TYvgZCmf8wI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/Z68NdhidDAo/s320/IMG_9696.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>You can kinda see the dough in there, chillin.<br />
<br />
You may be wondering, why so much time for cooking, cameras, movies, blogging and the like?<br />
<br />
I am on spring break. So glad to finished with the quarter and on the (short) countdown to my comprehensive exams, which strike in June. After that, I will no longer be taking courses, only working on papers and my dissertation. 11 weeks away. So this break, I decided to stay in Oregon to get some work done. It's Thursday and no work has been done.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FiIvbxp5KOE/TYvfy2KfYgI/AAAAAAAAAmA/uaLKeJ74Fos/s1600/IMG_5150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FiIvbxp5KOE/TYvfy2KfYgI/AAAAAAAAAmA/uaLKeJ74Fos/s320/IMG_5150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's where I was 1 year ago today. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vGFsZCGg_-4/TYvhR_sWvDI/AAAAAAAAAmk/7c8M49kGZLs/s1600/IMG_9742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vGFsZCGg_-4/TYvhR_sWvDI/AAAAAAAAAmk/7c8M49kGZLs/s640/IMG_9742.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Driving up to Mt Hood for our weak annual (one) day of snowboarding. It rained the whole way up, but thankfully became snow and pretty near perfect snow by the time we hit the lodge. I felt lucky, especially when F said, "Didn't I tell you last time I skiied at Mt. Hood it was raining?"<br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sR62UlJPJHA/TYvhbq5iU7I/AAAAAAAAAmo/us8mYKfdGAg/s1600/IMG_9744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sR62UlJPJHA/TYvhbq5iU7I/AAAAAAAAAmo/us8mYKfdGAg/s640/IMG_9744.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Frank never lets me eat here. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Doesn't it remind you of the Double R? Or is it the RR?<br />
<br />
</div>Now we are back and I wanted to give you some big news:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oZtr8MSut6w/TYvhKACF1BI/AAAAAAAAAmg/IRb6N2gmRp8/s1600/IMG_9734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oZtr8MSut6w/TYvhKACF1BI/AAAAAAAAAmg/IRb6N2gmRp8/s320/IMG_9734.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ninkasi is making 6 packs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9dWdGykFesU/TYvg-HhmtRI/AAAAAAAAAmc/vDdZM8gjbsY/s1600/IMG_9733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9dWdGykFesU/TYvg-HhmtRI/AAAAAAAAAmc/vDdZM8gjbsY/s320/IMG_9733.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now I am just bragging. I got this sucka in my hot little hands.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Clear vinyl is not as cool to play as it looks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Very difficult to see the tracks when you are trying to play something specific live on the radio in a dark studio. No one minds hearing the last 30 seconds of the previous song first, right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I felt like I had something else I wanted to write about, but maybe I should end here. On the bragging note. Did I mention only 200 of these beauts pressed?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See you next time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-8912022820794467062011-03-10T20:04:00.000-08:002011-03-12T09:43:50.014-08:00You Used to Be Alright, What Happened?Hello fellow Radiohead fans. Welcome King of Limbs, what a sweet surprise. It's been years since we got In Rainbows and I *think* I kind of might love that this little, electro gem came out allofthesudden with no warning. Now, I do like to anticipate my loves, but this one has been on the backburner of my mind for at least a year, thinking, isn't it about time? Hello Thom, I've missed you.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3WvNWz6GOGc?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
I happen to like King of Limbs. I have only given it a twice through, but so far so good. It is more electronic than some of my favorite stuff (I mean, my favorite Radiohead album is The Bends, so you know, I like the guitar stuff).<br />
This album has some detractors. There has been some biebertalk (bieber is my new multipurpose swear, it's great I can even say it on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/DJPJ-pigeon-on-KWVA-Eugene-881/119757774703664">radio</a>! And while you are on that link, check it, we have <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">1-0-0</span></span> fans!!!) out there about this album. Specifically, I am talking about the Gallagher brothers of Oasis fame. Those who 1) wrote the fabulously annoying Wonder Wall and I apologize to you all for immediately putting it in your head, hopefully you are being hypnotized by Thom Yorke's sweet, sweet dance moves and you didn't even think "MAAAAYbe, you're gonna be the one that saves MAAAAY." and 2) have said that they are "better than the Beatles" and that "Phil Collins is a disgrace." This may or may not be hearsay, but my man reported Oasis Bros. saying that "the new Radiohead album is crap." To this my man replies "I'd like to hear your new album Oasis." But not really, because I bet it's crap.<br />
Anyway, I haven't decided exactly what I think about King of Limbs yet, but it's big news. I do have to admit that on our iTunes, when the new album is done it goes straight into OK Computer, which is undeniably amazing. Here some (slightly) more professional people's opinions on it (great read) on the <a href="http://www.nerve.com/music/ranked-radiohead-albums-from-worst-to-best">Nerve.com</a>.<br />
On a related note, the local art cinema, <a href="http://www.bijou-cinemas.com/">Bijou</a>, has starting have me and DJPJ and DJ Floyd (JUST KIDDING) do midnight show giveaways and that is supercool. Last week it was True Stories, which is a fantastic picture IMO and I would have went to see it myself again, except that we had just seen it a few months ago randomly. Anyway, did you know that Radiohead is named after the Talking Head's song from that film? Pretty neat, huh? This is the type of nerdy stuff you are guaranteed when you read this blog. The week before we gave away tickets to the Neverending Story. OMB. This movie was my favorite, my mom and dad discussed sending 7 year old me to a psychiatrist because I wanted to watch Bastian and Atreyu everyday.<br />
Anyway, not much else has been going on that is relevant to write about. We went to see Ryan Bingham the day after he won the grammy, so that was pretty cool (for me. My man wasn't so much a fan. He made a comment on the way home about him only being popular because he is so attractive).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qacsRuHR31w/TXmbXX7iBnI/AAAAAAAAAl8/66-IN6h4bqY/s1600/Ryan%252BBingham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qacsRuHR31w/TXmbXX7iBnI/AAAAAAAAAl8/66-IN6h4bqY/s400/Ryan%252BBingham.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hmm he could be onto something. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We caught some of the opener, the Silent Comedy, what a show. Those guys are performers in every sense. Costumes and staches and all.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qkK28_23aVc?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;">We also went to see Yo La Tengo sort of cold. Neither of us were too familiar with their music, but I got a ticket from the station and my man got his ticket for $6 from a self proclaimed "drunk dude." They had a fan spin a wheel to determine what set they would play for the first half, and it was DUMP, a very unappeallingly-named side project of the bass player. After that they "went to lay down for a bit" and then came back as Yo La Tengo. The WOW has been getting some amazing acts, and I wanted to go see Portugal. The Man but my man complained he feels like he lives at WOW and I need to be selective about what I drag him to. Which leads me to Cold War Kids. Wow, that crowd was into the clap-along-sing-along vibe that night. But I thought it was a fun show. Apparently, my favorite song is everyone's favorite song as well, We Used to Vacation, as people were yelling it out all night and then they closed with it. Same thing happened to me at Spoon last year. Me "I hope they play that camera song..." Spoon: Encores with it to insane excitement. I guess I have the typical taste.<br />
I think we may go see Warpaint next week. I am a little disturbed though by their opening band stealing my fantasy band name that I want to form with my man and my best friend. It will consist of two dueling tambourine players and one skilled guitarist. Also, in my dreams I play drums.<br />
Apparently, "Family Band" has been taken. I knew we should have gotten on this quicker. I think it's ok though, we can always be the "<i>Original</i> Family Band."<br />
<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-3615658030091978122011-02-06T13:00:00.000-08:002011-02-06T22:59:38.407-08:00I Can Tell That We Are Gonna Be FriendsThis is a music post, but I have to share this gem with you first. I recently went to the Asian market to get some hijaki for (tunaless) tuna surprise and it was a feast for the eyes. I'll be back with my camera soon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TU8A72sorTI/AAAAAAAAAlU/TB_FOnW-4a0/s1600/IMG_9659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TU8A72sorTI/AAAAAAAAAlU/TB_FOnW-4a0/s320/IMG_9659.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Let's start with the bad news first.<br />
It might sound silly - for me to think childish thoughts like these....<br />
But I guess maybe I was the last to know (accept) that the <a href="http://www.whitestripes.com/">White Stripes are done</a>. In memoriam:<br />
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Loves you Jack.<br />
I was discussing this at a party a couple nights ago and everyone was saying yeah they'll get back together in a few years and be charging $100 a ticket for their reunion tour. I will be gladly paying it.<br />
Now on to cheerier subjects.<br />
The Ween Show was epic. I had gotten a message from a friend that morning who said something like "Hope it's not a repeat of Vancouver" which was puzzling at the time but I decided to ignore. My man picked me up as soon as my Econ class was out and we hightailed it up to Portland to try to eat at a <a href="http://portobellopdx.com/wordpress/">new place</a>, which was fantastic. I kinda felt like I was cheating on the Blossoming Lotus. And I hate to admit it, but it wasn't a one time thing that didn't mean anything to me. Full on affair. It was delicious. The bartender couldn't give us directions to the Crystal Ballroom because she doesn't drive.<br />
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"I don't have a driver's license - I don't need it!"<br />
My stepbrother is an avid Portland biker. He loves biking as his main transport, but he hates the hipsters who cruise down the middle of the street, no helmets, with their ipods and their hands crossed behind their heads.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TU8Ap1MKf2I/AAAAAAAAAlQ/vtYJWNmpjn0/s1600/Hipster-on-double-bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TU8Ap1MKf2I/AAAAAAAAAlQ/vtYJWNmpjn0/s320/Hipster-on-double-bike.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Not my pic)</div><div style="text-align: left;">How the french toast do you get on and off those bikes? For real. I bet you have to stand up on top of a car. I heart Portland.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Fortunately for us automobile drivers, there were some hipsters who admitted to car travel sitting next to us and I have to tell you, there was some serious jealousy when they realized we were on our way to the WEEN show. We were so lucky to get the tickets. I had an appointment the day the tickets went on sale and I had my dad order them for us. What a dad. I heard they sold out in 7 minutes. We did an <a href="http://www.spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=kwva&month=Jan&year=2011&playlist=3093">all Ween show</a> the Saturday before to get in the mood and never have we had so many calls and requests and just thanks from listeners it was a blast.<br />
So anyway, the show was amazing. Because I did some things that were very out of character, like not writing down the set list and not bringing my camera, I can't recap as throughly as usual....<br />
Golden Eel for the second song was BROWN.<br />
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(Not the best sound, but you get the idea)<br />
They played a bunch of covers. The previously enjoyed Let's Dance (Bowie), Old Man (Neil Young) of which I am not a fan. I couldn't see much at the Crystal and my man told me that Deaner left the stage for this one - can't say I blame him. Ha. They closed with Heart-Shaped Box.<br />
Also, there was some Stallion, lots of stuff from the Mollusk. The second encore was a super slowed down polka dot tale -> spinal meningitis... It was great. Of course, I told myself, as long as we go back to the hotel right after the show, I'll be fine to teach the next day. I completely lost my voice and there wasn't much arm twisting necessary (or actually I might have even been the twister) to grab another beer and play a game or two of pool.... Long, fun night. And I guess that the show in Vancouver two nights earlier was a "trainwreck" where Gener couldn't even handle the show and the rest of the band walked off after about an hour. People were apparently leaving, booing etc. I hate to say it, and I am TOTALLY glad that we saw the awesome show we did, but was this so-called meltdown kind of awesome in a sick, sad, strange way? You be the judge.<br />
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Also, the record convention was all I dreamed it would be. You know how I was afraid I would get overwhelmed and buy nothing? well - let's just say that didn't happen. And you know how I set a limit for myself. well - they had an atm so that didn't really happen either. My shoulder hurt after my THREE HOURS in there because my bag was so heavy. I didn't get much on my list - except for this one:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TU8CMB21qwI/AAAAAAAAAls/DAjErEUN9tI/s1600/IMG_9684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TU8CMB21qwI/AAAAAAAAAls/DAjErEUN9tI/s320/IMG_9684.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some of you might know that my first job was at a record shop and I got paid in store credit. It was the best job I have ever had. So it was kind of embarrassing that I didn't have this one in my collection yet. When I left for college my parents let me take their record player and whatever albums I wanted, except this one. I think mama bird was too attached to it and I totally understood. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TU8BGZ72g-I/AAAAAAAAAlY/aX85dFuBIO8/s1600/IMG_9661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TU8BGZ72g-I/AAAAAAAAAlY/aX85dFuBIO8/s320/IMG_9661.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Same record player I still have. It went down for the count last winter and I decided to have it repaired rather than replaced. For about six months the motor was so weak that we had to give the records a little spin by hand to get em going, but then finally that didn't even work. The guy who fixed it told me that I would be mortified to hear the sound on a new record player after having this one and I was making the right choice. That's his job I guess, but I believe him. Anyway - look at what was inside!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TU8CZrp0fLI/AAAAAAAAAlw/LI-1O4Ikxic/s1600/IMG_9685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TU8CZrp0fLI/AAAAAAAAAlw/LI-1O4Ikxic/s320/IMG_9685.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My man is going to frame em up for me. I need a new record storage area - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TU8BgPzCJXI/AAAAAAAAAlg/P1i3qVArlv8/s1600/IMG_9680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TU8BgPzCJXI/AAAAAAAAAlg/P1i3qVArlv8/s320/IMG_9680.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Check out these gems from the $1-$2 bins:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TU8BtrW0xzI/AAAAAAAAAlk/4pfkQWhElvI/s1600/IMG_9681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TU8BtrW0xzI/AAAAAAAAAlk/4pfkQWhElvI/s640/IMG_9681.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TU8BTfx3g3I/AAAAAAAAAlc/-9ea2vN0rSc/s1600/IMG_9678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TU8BTfx3g3I/AAAAAAAAAlc/-9ea2vN0rSc/s320/IMG_9678.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I got some old Van Morrison, Simon & G, Let the Circle be Unbroken (!), Woody Guthrie, some compilations. I even got my man, who sadly had to work and couldn't be there to reign me in, a Pink Floyd album (wish you were here - how perfect!).<br />
Also, been on the hunt for some Cramps vinyl since I heard how hard it is to get your hands on. Check it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TU8B9v_b3EI/AAAAAAAAAlo/fWoiO3d44-Q/s1600/IMG_9683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TU8B9v_b3EI/AAAAAAAAAlo/fWoiO3d44-Q/s640/IMG_9683.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>This one is a 45 and I just was listening to it on 33 and thinking, this sounds really weird and slow... but on the right speed it sounds fantastic. Do you think this is "ok to play" ?<br />
I didn't get my Townes Van Zandt. Who leaves 3+ hours at a record convention and goes straight to eBay? This girl. I'll keep you posted.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-19981774960483765372011-01-22T17:36:00.000-08:002011-01-22T17:36:41.293-08:00I'll Be Holding All the TicketsHey Guys. <br />
Little disheartened after my epic post about the music of the year... I hope that many of you silently appreciated it and maybe found some new stuff to check out. This week I thought I'd share a little gem. And a little knowledge. Apparently, it's pronounced Bon eevair - NOT Bon I-Vur like I've been saying (on the radio no less) for ever. This song might bring a tear to your eye.<br />
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<br />
Not much to say right now except there has been quite a bit of music binging going on around here. While some painful blisters (from flats, believe it or not. That'll teach me to try to wear shoes that are just simply not the correct size) are keeping me from my running, I am compensating with some brandspankingnew LPs. And while my marathon man is out running his 10 miler right now, I'll write you a blog abot it.<br />
My man got me this beaut for xmas, but it took its sweet time arriving. It just got here this week.<br />
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Well worth the wait. Matter of fact, this is what I am listening to right now, not my boneevair I also just purchased on vinyl.<br />
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Psst - I heard he's got a new one coming out very, very soon. Pass it on.<br />
Lastly, I finally purchased this album, which was on my best 2010 list. I feel that if I like it that much, it's crazy to keep listening to it on Grooveshark. Plus I really eat up these marketing gimmicks. IT COMES WITH STICKERS PEOPLE!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TTuAYejb9xI/AAAAAAAAAlA/QjCGOeCQLmg/s1600/IMG_9653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TTuAYejb9xI/AAAAAAAAAlA/QjCGOeCQLmg/s400/IMG_9653.JPG" width="265" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TTuALCMdaJI/AAAAAAAAAk8/U6ybGUvkz9M/s1600/IMG_9652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TTuALCMdaJI/AAAAAAAAAk8/U6ybGUvkz9M/s400/IMG_9652.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TTuALCMdaJI/AAAAAAAAAk8/U6ybGUvkz9M/s1600/IMG_9652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TTuAluEtl_I/AAAAAAAAAlE/gnTpbXVAeL8/s1600/IMG_9654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TTuAluEtl_I/AAAAAAAAAlE/gnTpbXVAeL8/s640/IMG_9654.JPG" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span><br />
<br />
And I even got some used records, which is not my forte, I have to admit. Some Rolling Stones and Beatles stuff. And, you guys, the Eugene Record Convention isn't even until NEXT week! Yikes. I was trying to figure out where all the money is going all time. It's records. Lunch and records. I am going to try to withdraw cash before the convention and set that as my limit (undecided amount right now). But, as my man says, what if you find a gem? Well, then I will get it, right? They take cards, I'm sure.<br />
<br />
BUT, back to the "tickets" referenced in the title - we are even more gluttonous with live music this month. WEEN is in 5 days. I have never been to the Crystal Ballroom. And we are staying at this cool (seeming) hotel the Mark Spencer, which let's you name your own price. I'll report back. I'm only slightly nervous. I'll be the crazy one yelling OOH LA VA!<br />
<br />
We are waiting on word if we win the lottery for free "dj" tickets for a plethora of WOW Hall shows coming up. Ra Ra Riot, Yo La Tengo, Asylum Street Spankers.....<br />
Others we couldn't leave to chance. So we have the tickets in our hot little hands for Cold War Kids and Ryan Bingham.<br />
<br />
On a related note. We will not be going to Coachella. Ally, I am sorry you had to hear the bad news like this. It's just crazy! The hotels around there are raising nightly prices to like $500 a night during the festival, it's even more insane than the actual lineup. After the "mice in the campground" incident of 2010, we have been a bit soured on the camping at festivals. My man said he would require the VIP package. Sweet, only $700 additional. Sasquatch isn't looking too likely either, with the Foo Fighters as headliners. We shall see. The lineup is released in early Feb. Maybe just 1 or 2 days?<br />
<br />
So, yeah, pretty much the excitement around here is musical. Stay tuned!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-51227399973261227492011-01-09T13:33:00.000-08:002011-01-09T21:19:39.872-08:00I Wanna Start Doing My Own Stunts...Hey Guys.<br />
Thank all you friends for reading my blog in 2010. I hope all my fellow music lovers, movie lovers, vegans, runners, Oregonians, displaced Montanans, recovered Southerners, New Englanders by birthright, lazy yoga wannabes, teachers, students, and dog lovers/haters have enjoyed it so far. Here's to 2011.<br />
Here's my New Year's Eve.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoaOeDn5wI/AAAAAAAAAkk/9t5M5iiwyMA/s1600/IMG_9620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoaOeDn5wI/AAAAAAAAAkk/9t5M5iiwyMA/s320/IMG_9620.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>And....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoadcf0qxI/AAAAAAAAAko/0ie6vIjgz_o/s1600/IMG_9630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoadcf0qxI/AAAAAAAAAko/0ie6vIjgz_o/s320/IMG_9630.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sunny: The sweet, sweet trash episode </div><div style="text-align: left;">My man and I talked about how the last year we were in Missoula for new years (2008-9), we went to three parties. Then headed downtown to hop around to see the rest of the folks.</div><div style="text-align: left;">This year we just saw each other. And it was nice too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoamLI0eqI/AAAAAAAAAks/GOSQN7HKRpY/s1600/IMG_9640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoamLI0eqI/AAAAAAAAAks/GOSQN7HKRpY/s320/IMG_9640.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>2010 was a lot of things for me:<br />
Finished my first year as PhD student. Only 4ish to go!<br />
First full calendar year as a vegan.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoaEEU2ZCI/AAAAAAAAAkg/dPeoB4LuVY0/s1600/IMG_9603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoaEEU2ZCI/AAAAAAAAAkg/dPeoB4LuVY0/s320/IMG_9603.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">What would I do without a binge from Cornbread Cafe?</div><div style="text-align: center;">My actual last meal of 2010. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoXaRfuNUI/AAAAAAAAAjs/MmIHZyNTKAs/s1600/IMG_4930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoXaRfuNUI/AAAAAAAAAjs/MmIHZyNTKAs/s320/IMG_4930.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoZSeiD6iI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/_CLw3dSyKxw/s1600/IMG_7017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoZSeiD6iI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/_CLw3dSyKxw/s320/IMG_7017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
First full year with Floyd dog.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoX6qAz-sI/AAAAAAAAAj4/0oxrqtGqt-k/s1600/IMG_5472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoX6qAz-sI/AAAAAAAAAj4/0oxrqtGqt-k/s320/IMG_5472.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Got my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/DJPJ-pigeon-on-KWVA-Eugene-881/119757774703664">radio show</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoYRawF-gI/AAAAAAAAAkA/8s4VkhcZOjI/s1600/IMG_6529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoYRawF-gI/AAAAAAAAAkA/8s4VkhcZOjI/s320/IMG_6529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's serious business in the studio. You know this. </div><br />
First calendar year in OR.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoXiImlFcI/AAAAAAAAAjw/jKWr3m6z8yY/s1600/IMG_4967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoXiImlFcI/AAAAAAAAAjw/jKWr3m6z8yY/s320/IMG_4967.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's all about the rainbows. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoZEvjdLUI/AAAAAAAAAkM/mvdPPwL1QoY/s1600/IMG_6853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoZEvjdLUI/AAAAAAAAAkM/mvdPPwL1QoY/s320/IMG_6853.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And the Fair.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoZdRJtDcI/AAAAAAAAAkU/x89ntfw6PvQ/s1600/IMG_7456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoZdRJtDcI/AAAAAAAAAkU/x89ntfw6PvQ/s320/IMG_7456.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And the Crater Lake.</div>I got married.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSodISmlNKI/AAAAAAAAAkw/5NXizsBWPfA/s1600/wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSodISmlNKI/AAAAAAAAAkw/5NXizsBWPfA/s640/wedding.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
Went to Greece.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoZqCf60tI/AAAAAAAAAkY/ZiAFI-xwp1g/s1600/IMG_8055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoZqCf60tI/AAAAAAAAAkY/ZiAFI-xwp1g/s320/IMG_8055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoZ2mUaDtI/AAAAAAAAAkc/QtPwTNRIQNY/s1600/IMG_8609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TSoZ2mUaDtI/AAAAAAAAAkc/QtPwTNRIQNY/s320/IMG_8609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We also went to some shows. I have never seen so much music in a 365 day period.<br />
Ween<br />
Dave Rawlings Machine<br />
Local Natives<br />
Dr. Dog<br />
Spoon<br />
New Pornographers<br />
Cracker<br />
Arcade Fire<br />
YACHT<br />
Vampire Weekend<br />
Band of Horses<br />
Kid Cudi<br />
Dirty Projectors<br />
Edward Sharpe & Magnetic Zeroes<br />
Tallest Man on Earth<br />
Mumford & Sons<br />
The National<br />
ps - those sasquatch tix were worth every penny and every foregone shower.<br />
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But you know all this - you read the blog! Or, more than likely, you know me personally.<br />
So this is going to be a year in music post. Probably there will be some sort of book and movie post forthcoming. Some of this music I have talked about already on here. And I plan to shamelessly promote this blog on the fan pages of these bands. And feel free to share with other music lovers. It would sure be cool for other people to read this.<br />
My own top ten list Best of 2010.<br />
First: Honorable mentions.<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTEkELB7mFk">Breathe Owl Breathe</a> - Magic Central. I love this guy's voice. A lot.<br />
The National - High Violet. I can't tell you why I don't put this on my list official. I think it has to do with the SLOW BURN that is the National. I simply haven't listened to it enough yet. I love Boxer with all my heart, and this album definitely has the same vibe, gloomy/lovely. I bet next year I'll love this one more than at least 6 of my top teners.<br />
Ryan Bingham & Dead Horses - Junky Star<br />
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This was probably my favorite song of the whole year. The only reason it didn't make the official list is because I just got the LP yesterday. I had been listening to it on Grooveshark only (we don't have this one at KWVA). On first listening straight through the whole album is fantastic. I read a review somewhere that Ryan Bingham sings like Steve Earle's dad. I wish I came up with that. But for real, how is this guy younger than me?! Old soul. "I'd rather lay down in a pine box..." We're going to see him next month at WOW (aforementioned bathroom-lacking-venue down the street). Really? The guy won a effing academy award last year for best song and he's playing a 300 capacity gymnasium? I'll take it!<br />
**EDIT when my man got home, he was trying to think up what my top ten list would be before he took a look at the blog. That reminded me to include another honorable mention, specifically Maps & Atlases - Perch Patchwork, who I have presented on here before. I heard this album playing at the coolest indie cd store in Florida on vacation and I was so excited that other people like M&A too. I might even give them the #11 slot (if there had been one).<br />
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Now for the countdown:<br />
10. The Books - The Way Out<br />
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"Collage music" I LOVED this album. It was on rotation and it just grew and grew on me until I was obsessed. There is a lot of different stuff on the album but it's all good. This song is the most "pleasing" to me, but some of the sampling stuff on there with dialog is really gorgeous too.<br />
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9. Budos Band - III<br />
Bring on the Funk!<br />
What's not to love about a gaggle of white dudes funking it up? Nothing. ps - let this one buffer up first.<br />
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8. New Pornographers - Together.<br />
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Happy album. I was waiting for this one. I love anticipating an album and having it LIVE UP TO IT. (see: Arcade Fire The Suburbs). I love NP because they don't seem to take themselves too seriously and just write some beautiful pop songs.<br />
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7. The Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt<br />
I thought I'd give you the title track. Even though the whole thing is just beautiful. When I play anything from this album I ALWAYS get at least one call asking about it.<br />
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And when I saw him this year he covered Graceland. Love.<br />
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6. Megafaun - Heretofore EP<br />
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/12622201?portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/12622201">Megafaun - "Bonnie's Song"</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/spencerwells">Spencer Wells</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Is it cheating to put an EP on your best of list? You tell me. My favorite is Volunteers from this album, but I have already posted in on here, so I thought I'd give you another taste. I love a trio of bearded Southerners.<br />
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5. Vampire Weekend - Contra<br />
I almost forgot them because this album came out in January.<br />
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One of the best shows I saw in a year chock full of great shows. Going to see a show and loving the band even more afterwards is just how it's supposed to work right? And it did.<br />
When it doesn't go that way, it's such a bummer. I am looking at you, Band of Horses.<br />
Why did I not like the BoH show? I don't know. It was awesome. But I had never seen a pic of the guys in the band before, and I think after seeing them and what <a href="http://www.rollogrady.com/band-of-horses-greek-theatre-92510/">they look like</a> it just kind of made the new album (infinite arms) sound a bit pusswua. Anyway, this is about VW putting on such a great show that it made me love Contra EVEN more. Thanks guys!<br />
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4. Cotton Jones - Tall Hours in the Glowstream<br />
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This married couple has had heavy rotation at home. Isn't that counter on iTunes startling sometimes? I'm like how could I have listened to this song 42 times?<br />
Love the guy singing. Related to Ryan Bingham, my man has a theory that the hippest thing of all is to try to sound like you are an old hobo while you are really just 30. I'm buying it. Cotton Jones to me is just old-timey enough. I don't care they are really as old as they sound. I love them.<br />
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3. Bear Hands - Burning Bush Supper Club<br />
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Not the best visuals at first on this video, but I promise it focuses eventually.<br />
Speaking of the iTunes counter... nonstop. I wake up thinking about this album sometimes. So catchy. So indie. So I hope the come here soon. I might start a facebook stalking campaign because that has been so effective for me in the past.<br />
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2. Local Natives - Gorilla Manor<br />
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I had the most trouble picking a song from this album because the WHOLE thing is amazing. There are two singers, both incredible imo. Plus it sure doesn't hurt that I can pretend that it is Billy Crudup and Charlie Day singing to me, right?<br />
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And no surprises here, my #1 is Arcade Fire The Suburbs.<br />
Easiest choice all year.<br />
Masterpiece.<br />
I'll post the Spike Jones short film because I think it's very interesting and I don't really get it. Comments?<br />
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Comments about any of these choices are appreciated!<br />
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So anyway, thanks for a fantastic year. Everyone.<br />
Much love.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-67914341040059887822010-12-26T17:00:00.000-08:002010-12-26T17:01:19.827-08:00The Rest of Our Lives Will Be Just Like ChristmasMerry, Merry my friends.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfVO7P7hwI/AAAAAAAAAh8/YiM2Si093G8/s1600/IMG_9531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfVO7P7hwI/AAAAAAAAAh8/YiM2Si093G8/s400/IMG_9531.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
Obligatory music video to follow. You guys all know that I l.o.v.e. Frightened Rabbit. What a special treat, I might even say a Christmas miracle, that he has this tune. We did a White Christmas themed radio show last night. Yep, we did our show on Christmas. It was really fun actually. Last year, we went skiing on Christmas. This year, KWVA. Next week, first show of 2011, I will be flying solo, as DJPJ will be setting up for the second annual New Year's Day Funk n' Balls performance. I'm pretty sure the radio show'll be themeless. So anyway, because just about everyone I know had a white christmas (some first the first times in their lives. Come on you weather controlling aliens, I know my Montanans and New England folks will make me jealous, but Tennessee, really?) I thought we could give ourselves one. Musically, anyway.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fYJKqaJLNzw?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fYJKqaJLNzw?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Frightened Rabbit - Best Christmas Song Of All Time</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>I hope all your Christmasses were as lovely as mine. I had the best of both worlds because I was lucky enough to go see momma, papa and brother bird and still get home in time for the actual day with my man.<br />
Check out what I got for Christmas...... drumroll... bbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrmmmmmm....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfTTGtxSKI/AAAAAAAAAhU/XC0VYoBf-ZU/s1600/IMG_9321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfTTGtxSKI/AAAAAAAAAhU/XC0VYoBf-ZU/s400/IMG_9321.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Look how fast my hands are moving... you can't even see the sticks!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Just call me Pigeon White. Maybe one day I'll be good enough to play with a pseudo-brother-guitar-god, creating one of the best rock combos of all time because I can play just as well as some sixth grader practicing in his garage. Just kidding, Meg, I think you're great. Really. And, while you're listening to me, how about getting over that stage fright and getting back on the road?<br />
How does someone get stage fright AFTER years of touring? I'm just sayin... <br />
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AND I'M JUST KIDDING about getting the drums. I don't get to keep them, but I did get to play them. These drums are on loan from Brad. The aforementioned FnBs have been practicing here and leaving their equipment much to my, and my dog's, delight. Actually, I am not sure if Floyd is delighted or absolutely terrified... you be the judge.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfTeTaBEHI/AAAAAAAAAhY/j54JEKHM2_A/s1600/IMG_9333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfTeTaBEHI/AAAAAAAAAhY/j54JEKHM2_A/s640/IMG_9333.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Goes berserk to the beat of the drum</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Back to the reality. As you may know, Florida is a great place for birdwatching. And, as you may also know, my relationship with birds is a complicated one. But I partook in: </div><div style="text-align: left;">Some owl stalking, although we were careful to not molest the birds in any way, in accordance with the posted warnings. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfT6AVAVII/AAAAAAAAAhg/MCMPBqO-l8w/s1600/IMG_9350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfT6AVAVII/AAAAAAAAAhg/MCMPBqO-l8w/s320/IMG_9350.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, that's my mom, but I was there too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfULDVOnEI/AAAAAAAAAhk/-8tX8uCNoQw/s1600/IMG_9358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfULDVOnEI/AAAAAAAAAhk/-8tX8uCNoQw/s320/IMG_9358.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a two hour drive to see this guy. Each way.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Totally worth it. I am being serious. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Plus, the route guidance took us through a Wal-Mart parking lot to get there. It doesn't get much better than that.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In bigger bird news, we went to Jungle Gardens.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Birds Galore.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfgylxyorI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/GPW6Y82exdE/s1600/blog1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfgylxyorI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/GPW6Y82exdE/s320/blog1.png" width="315" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfU2Chvc7I/AAAAAAAAAh0/z7ijQGofxyo/s1600/IMG_9505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfU2Chvc7I/AAAAAAAAAh0/z7ijQGofxyo/s640/IMG_9505.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I saw some flamingos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfUhj0qGQI/AAAAAAAAAhs/mbxn45-vLuw/s1600/IMG_9461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfUhj0qGQI/AAAAAAAAAhs/mbxn45-vLuw/s320/IMG_9461.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I fed a flamingo. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfUszGMkxI/AAAAAAAAAhw/dN0eOIoiim8/s1600/IMG_9481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfUszGMkxI/AAAAAAAAAhw/dN0eOIoiim8/s320/IMG_9481.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">OH EM GEE.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Scared for my life at this point. </div><div style="text-align: center;">As you can see, I was not able to look directly at the bird while feeding.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Mom (good job getting the shot while convulsing with laughter)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I actually was *ok* until a big duck snuck up behind me and pecked my leg. That was the end of that. In other animal encounter news, my parents' "foster dog" Ernesto bit me. I honestly don't think I have ever been bitten by a dog before. Ernie is a fiery one. I can't say I was too sad to see him go back to his original foster person due to repeated bitings. My parents are getting a new one in a couple weeks, Atari. I named it. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Just to finish up with the animal adventure section of this post, I met my brother's pride and joy, Winston Thelonious Monk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfhYKTYJjI/AAAAAAAAAiU/JmbDoY4ecX8/s1600/blog2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfhYKTYJjI/AAAAAAAAAiU/JmbDoY4ecX8/s320/blog2.png" width="220" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a real cat.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And this is after I cleaned the eyes. And check out my ring! Instant classic. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Brother (again, good job getting the shot while convulsing with laughter)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is what xmas trees look like down on the gulf coast. Beautiful. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfTpLNCO5I/AAAAAAAAAhc/jIWU01aYW3w/s1600/IMG_9346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfTpLNCO5I/AAAAAAAAAhc/jIWU01aYW3w/s320/IMG_9346.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">We went to several movies, tis the season (for Oscars, hello). </div><div style="text-align: left;">The Tourist: Great, fun little movie. Can you go wrong with Johnny Depp? No, you can't. Especially in cute cotton pjs. </div><div style="text-align: left;">The Social Network: I felt really excited to see this one, because I have been reading about Zuckerberg for years in Fast Co. and Business Week and such. Great movie, great dialog... I liked it a lot, but what are all these people saying it was the best movie of the year? </div><div style="text-align: left;">The Fighter: Great, intense movie. Can you go wrong with Marky Mark Wahlberg? Can you go wrong with Christian Bale? No, of course not. And, being born and partially raised in New England, I kind of don't believe that Bale isn't really from Lowell. My dad grew up in the next town over (from Lowell) and he was buying it too. If Bale doesn't get the Oscar, I'll eat my mittens. It was like Intervention, but even more real. And the mom deserves one, too. There are some early Oscar predictions, as you can imagine, I get into that kind of thing. This year will be the first one in a while that I have seen a lot of what I am sure will be contenders. My man and I are going to see Black Swan tonight, so I'm covering all the bases. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyway, I had a great time with the fam in Florida. Of course, I didn't get too much work done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfUXBJfyXI/AAAAAAAAAho/xzqOng4iuy0/s1600/IMG_9368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfUXBJfyXI/AAAAAAAAAho/xzqOng4iuy0/s320/IMG_9368.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the textbook I'll be teaching this quarter. I brought it all the way to FL.</div><div style="text-align: center;">What you can't see is that I am on page 3 or something like that.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Back in waterworld:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfS4Kj2paI/AAAAAAAAAhM/iQb1TCdWSPY/s1600/IMG_9305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfS4Kj2paI/AAAAAAAAAhM/iQb1TCdWSPY/s320/IMG_9305.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Xmas Eve</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfVCkx_zBI/AAAAAAAAAh4/Siz6N9zcmR4/s1600/IMG_9522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfVCkx_zBI/AAAAAAAAAh4/Siz6N9zcmR4/s320/IMG_9522.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Xmas AM</div><div style="text-align: left;">It's a good thing Floyd doesn't believe in Santa anymore, because how could we explain how he got a gift even though he has been bad all year?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I ordered my man the Keith Richards book for Christmas, delivered free with the wonderful student Prime account, and I told him to just put the Amazon package under the tree. But I forgot that I ordered something for myself as well. You can just imagine the excitement when he opened this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfgCUNtZbI/AAAAAAAAAiM/Mp9w0K_Y7bY/s1600/blog3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfgCUNtZbI/AAAAAAAAAiM/Mp9w0K_Y7bY/s320/blog3.png" width="281" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Even better: what you can't tell is that it's 1270 pages. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And for me.... I got totally spoiled, as usual. One of my favorites:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfVZ4mk_4I/AAAAAAAAAiA/M7Euj4e7vjY/s1600/IMG_9566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TRfVZ4mk_4I/AAAAAAAAAiA/M7Euj4e7vjY/s320/IMG_9566.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Is this gift as good as a drum set? I think, yes. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648183586732552006.post-13598696264080278052010-12-11T12:48:00.000-08:002010-12-11T12:48:06.098-08:00Choose whatever metaphor you likeHave you missed me?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TQPWaVGqjnI/AAAAAAAAAgU/nhesk9qizQ8/s1600/IMG_9232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TQPWaVGqjnI/AAAAAAAAAgU/nhesk9qizQ8/s640/IMG_9232.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Because I missed you.<br />
<br />
The good thing about not writing a blog for a while is that there is a lot of material.<br />
Right?<br />
Hmmm.<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XasypmjYIzU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XasypmjYIzU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> Look at those gd'ed hippies! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The big news around here is berrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr (that's my drumroll)........ I want to be a drummer.<br />
IT SNOWED! I take this to mean that all my complaining worked!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TQPWMwztNYI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/3pSX8uX7jcI/s1600/IMG_9276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TQPWMwztNYI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/3pSX8uX7jcI/s640/IMG_9276.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, this beautiful snow is long gone now and not to return.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I sure appreciated and enjoyed it while it lasted. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>So today is my first day of vacation. I am not doing anything school-related all day. All blog, reading (pleasure reading, NOT journal articles or text books), shopping, groceries, radio show, run. I better get this day going.<br />
<br />
Except I did have to email a student who had an 86.1 average why I couldn't give him an A-. Those crazy kids.<br />
So reading - I am reading The Help, partially on the recommendation of my <a href="http://www.digthischickmt.com/2010/11/hump-day-nuggets-art-of-domesticity.html">fellow blogger and friend</a>. It's a great book, I am plowing through it, happily, because I have a long plane ride to Florida coming up and I am hoping to bring The Girl Who Played With Fire.... Christmas Break is the time to reduce that stack of "to be reads" and add to it of course, what is a better Christmas gift than a book?<br />
<br />
So groceries - I don't think that a lot of vegans are reading this blog, but on the off chance that some other crazy vegan is googling around and finds me - we have been eating GOOD lately.<br />
I just found a recipe for <a href="http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/fettuccine-alfredo-with-shiitake-mushrooms-kale-and-sun-dried-tomatoes-recipe/index.html">VEGAN FETTUCCINE ALFREDO</a>! I have tried a lot of this lady's inventive recipes, all are delish. Dinner tomorrow. I wanted to make it tonight, but my man is getting together with his band this afternoon and then we have radio show at 8pm. He doesn't want me to get mad at him when he gets in the door at 7:35 and we have to eat in the studio. Again.<br />
<br />
You might think friends, that being a vegan is not fun on Thanksgiving. And you may have even teased me... one word - TOFURKEY. It's good. Believe it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TQPXgi_NwjI/AAAAAAAAAgk/goCUXHF9K5g/s1600/IMG_9280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TQPXgi_NwjI/AAAAAAAAAgk/goCUXHF9K5g/s320/IMG_9280.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Before our home meal we had a pre-Thanksgiving meal from <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Cornbread-Cafe/203429228737">Cornbread Cafe</a>, which was amazing. I love that place, but I have to admit, after every meal I feel like I need to sit on the couch for two hours and watch The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. It's all their fault I tell you.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TQPZL5SXDoI/AAAAAAAAAg8/QfuTzhSGbtY/s1600/Prethanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TQPZL5SXDoI/AAAAAAAAAg8/QfuTzhSGbtY/s320/Prethanksgiving.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My man and I have to split when we go there. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And, jumping ahead, we ate there again last night and had the Eugenewich. Unreal. Any food that causes spontaneous moaning is, embarrassing, yet wonderful. It is southern-fried tofu, barbecue sauce (what is BBQ sauce? Seriously, I want to know), fried onion rings and carrots, tomato, soy cheese... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>But for the "homemade" part.... <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Look at this dork!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TQPX2auxhMI/AAAAAAAAAgo/u8OjeyOc494/s1600/IMG_9291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TQPX2auxhMI/AAAAAAAAAgo/u8OjeyOc494/s320/IMG_9291.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I can't believe how predictable we are. But we had tofurkey for the first time and it was so good. So good.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TQPYMEo27AI/AAAAAAAAAgs/1uNt5wJ9E7o/s1600/IMG_9293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6YeCZnTV_EY/TQPYMEo27AI/AAAAAAAAAgs/1uNt5wJ9E7o/s400/IMG_9293.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Look at that Mound on the right! Momma bird loves </div><div style="text-align: center;">to tell me how my man is always hungry. He's fine! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We ate early and headed to good old KWVA. It was a nice way to celebrate. I am thankful for our radio show. Last week we did a 90s show that was FIERCE if I do say so myself. My man heard the "Best DJ in Eugene" (as voted by Weekly readers) say something about how 90s music sucks and the 90s were the worst decade musically. Well, we had been planning a 90s show for a while and that was all it took to challenge him to a music-awesome-off duel. It was really fun. Tonight we are doing "Some Like it Hot." We have been watching some classics lately and getting inspired. Last night it was Citizen Kane. What a fantastic movie, I forgot how great it is. Wow. Rewatch it if you haven't lately! Call to action alert!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tangent - in order to get really psyched (90s!) for the 90s show, we went to the midnight showing of Pump Up the Volume. My Christian Slater <i>Supercrush </i>returned in full force. Also, we were the ONLY ones in the theater. Afterwards (like around 1:30am) we decided to grab a beer and went to Max's. Didn't realize at the time that</div><div style="text-align: center;">1) super close to campus </div><div style="text-align: center;">PLUS</div><div style="text-align: center;">2) night before last Duck's football game </div><div style="text-align: center;"> EQUALS</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pigeon's students present. And wasted.</div><div style="text-align: left;">At least <span style="font-size: large;">I</span> was sober. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">See you soon guys. xo</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3