unexpected invitation

I got a call from my sister today. She invited me to come to San Francisco in a week, just in time to be a part of the Bay to Breakers marathon on May 18th. So I'm being spontaneous and going...well, if I can actually get through to the airline to redeem flight credit. Dealing with airlines makes me want to pull my hair out strand by individual strand.

The Bay to Breakers is a footrace about 7 1/2 miles long. It's more than a marathon, it's a big wild costume parade as well. There is this well known group of gentlemen, called BARE TO BREAKERS, that run the entire path completely naked (except for their footwear). I asked my sister how running naked through the streets was OK and she responded "well, it IS San Fransisco". Man, I miss the west coast.

My sister and her friends are dressing in their best 1980's day-glo, flashdance, MC Hammer parachute pants glory. I don't know what I'll be yet.


http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/main.html
(Bay to Breakers official site)

week in music (april 6-13)

Stats

# of CD's purchased: 2

# of albums on heavy rotation: 8

# of concerts attended (this week): 2

# of concerts attended (this year): 9

This past weekend included two more amazing but noticeably different Nada Surf shows. In total, I have seen them four times this year. This might seem like an excessive amount of times to see one band but I am a true fan (a little bit of a groupie) and believer of quality music.

The first show occurred on Friday night at Terminal 5. "5" is a relatively new venue and is not my favorite place to go to. The place is gigantic: 3 levels, 2 balconies, and a stage large enough to fit Earth, Wind, and Fire respectively.

Nada Surf shared equal stage time with their old friends Superdrag (it was a flashback circa 1996) and all I can say was Superdrag was a super...drag. Majority of the songs sounded the same and very dated. To say the least, I was bored. Luckily, Nada Surf saved the day. They played a variety of old and new but they were all whimsical, slightly melancholy, and generally full of weight.

Sunday involved a road trip to Philadelphia to see Nada Surf play again at the Trocadero. Illinois played an opening set (they previously opened for Nada back in Feb). I am becoming a bigger fan of Illinois everyday. They have a heavy drum/bass line accompanied with a switch up between a banjo and keyboard clad lead singer. Their lyrics are smart and fun.

Nada Surf's set list was nearly identical to a couple nights prior but their energy was so much more intense. The great thing about their concerts is the fans' dedication and love. 90% of the crowd knows all of the words and aren't afraid to sing passionately. An example of this was cheering for the encore. I have never heard an audience cheer longer or louder than Sunday night's performance. I was absolutely one of them. Highlights included "Hyperspace", "Blizzard of '77", and "Blankest Year".

Nada Surf's April 12th (full performance) in Washington D.C. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89498679

week in music (march 9-15)

Stats
# of CD's purchased: 1
# of albums on heavy rotation: 4
# of concerts attended (this week): 1
# of concerts attended (this year): 7

Friday night went to see What Made Milwaukee Famous open for Louis XIV at Irving Plaza. Irving is absolutely my favorite city venue to go to; perfect in size, not too big , not at all cramped...just right. In addition, the coat check situation is decent compared to other venues. It doesn't take me an hour after the show is over to get my coat and leave. Moreover, they were giving out free fresh apples. How often does that happen? I indulged in two.

What Made Milwaukee Famous (aka Milwaukee or wmmf, if you like) were ridiculously good. Lead singer Michael Kingcaid's voice blew me away. Some song highlights include "Sultan", "Self-Destruct", and a better-than-the-real-thing cover of Billy Joel's "You May Be Right".

Louis XIV was unexpectedly good live. I just saw them in January opening with Hot Hot Heat for Editors and I saw them in 2005 opening for The Killers. Both times their vocals and sound system in general were somewhat lacking, but I'm a big fan and went with few expectations, just trying to have a dance-filled weekend night. They played all of my favorite songs, even some of the less known ballads like "All The Little Pieces".

In other music news, my computer has contracted a virus and it has spread to my beloved source of music, my ipod. The ipod is ailing and the last 7 years of music collecting is gone. I should have invested in more cds over stuffing my computers with mp3 after mp3. Oh well, lesson sadly learned. Back to square one.


http://youtube.com/watch?v=5YjhoTDnxp0
(What Made Milwaukee Famous video "Sultan")


photo courtesy of Cambria Harkey

twilight

The car in front of us hit a deer tonight. It fell to the side of the road, convulsed, and died. After witnessing this event, I spiraled into a mini anxiety attack. It was the first time the world broke through my reclusive bubble. This got me thinking about how everything in this universe is or isn't connected. I'm still unsure about my personal stance. It changes as often as the wind blows. I'd like to think that everything and everyone is connected through energy. But on the other hand, maybe our energy rests only in our own body and that we are unable to fully connect with another being. What matters? What should matter?

Poor deer. I ended up getting home and cooking a big juicy burger. My empathy obviously lasts a good 10 minutes.

week in music (march 2-8)

Stats

# of CD's purchased: 0

# of albums on heavy rotation: 5

# of concerts attended (this week): 1

# of concerts attended (this year): 6

Saturday, Stephanie and I went to see an amazing performance by Sia. The show might have been the most fun out of any other show I've attended. Har Mar Superstar was the opener. His ultra sexual song and dance style really helped to pumped up the audience. Both Stephanie and myself were in a trance watching the bassist air-hump for 45 minutes. Even Sia mentioned how sexual the tour was becoming. I adore her childlike behavior. The stage was covered in toys and neon sitck figure drawings.

Sia has become my favorite female vocalist and additionally someone I'd befriend in real life. I am looking foward to upcomong albums, which will be more upbeat pop.

extra extra!

I've been doing some extra work lately on movie sets. It's always the same roller coaster of emotions. The day starts off with a rush of excitement: finding the location, signing in, and getting to know a comfy chair. The next 2-12 hours can be fun but generally tedious. Movie sets are rarely on schedule. Any nerves I once had were flushed away from the excessive wait times. By the time the extras actually do get on set, makeup and hair need to be retouched and our spirits have been beaten into submission. Overall, it's good to have the experience and learn to respect just how much time it takes to make a film.

The Oscars: quick critique

1. Jon Stewart was OK. Steve Carell would have been better.

2. The show only ran 17 minutes over time.

3. Who invited Jessica Alba? Was is the same person who invited Miley Cyrus? Probably.

4. Diablo Cody is irritating and awkward. I kept praying the huge slit in her dress would reveal some embarrasing pubic hair.

5. I am overjoyed that Dario Marianelli won for best original score (Atonement).

6. Best speech: Javier Bardem, who loves his mother and dedicates his Oscar to the entire country of Spain.

7. Daniel Day Lewis is far too talented. And Tilda Swinton. And Marion Cotillard (my little french underdog). Love all around.

8. I actually enjoyed the constant use of montages.

9. Lots of people were snubbed. (see 10)

10. I was crossing my fingers hoping James McAvoy and Josh Brolin would slip each other a little tongue while presenting.

11. Jack Nicholson has still got "it". Continues to wear sunglasses inside.

12. Was anyone else worried that someone was going to seriously slip on the slick spot right in front of the main microphone? (see no. 3)