Listening

Nick Drake

Pink Moon

I've recently gotten re-addicted to this album. Out of 11 songs, 10 are the kind of songs that I can't quit. "From the Morning" "Pink Moon" and "Horn" are my favorites.

Why does no one listen?

Seriously, guys. Read that Michael Ian Black essay. I know none of you has read it because no one has commented. If you had read it, you would be commenting right now.

I think I may have made a mistake by not putting a picture or anything to catch the eye. It looks like a pretty forgettable link. So I'm going to correct that now.

Please C L I C K (click) on the following picture of me, Austin, Timmy, and Morgan from Austin's birthday party to read an unrelated and hilarious article by Michael Ian Black (It discusses both baby eating and Trisha Yearwood. Now tell me that doesn't sound fun!)

<--- Click on that or this text! Choose. It's so easy!

Essay

Michael Ian Black is a celebrity. He wrote a funny essay. Here's the link:

Click Here


Don't click here. Nothing will happen.

Country Music

So a friend proposed the following question: who are the best country artists?

Country music is a genre often dismissed as redneck, sexist, racist, and dumb (thank you, Toby Keith). However, there was a time (and if you don't listen to radio, there still is. Stupid Clear Channel).

So here are my top 5:

1) Johnny Cash - sure this is the popular choice, but he simply amazing.

2) Emmylou Harris - incredibly talented and knows how to make some great music.

3) Gram Parsons - a lot of people don't consider him country, but listening to his music I don't know how you couldn't. He really was one of the best songwriters I've ever heard and so distinctly American. (See "In My Hour of Darkness" or "Luxury Liner" or "Streets of Baltimore")

4) Willie Nelson - seriously, do I need to explain?

5) Loretta Lynn - she just doesn't get enough respect. She wrote some amazing and progressive songs.

All of these artists are talented and intellegent and represent the best of what an artist can do with country music. How the genre went from such compassionate and well written fare as "The Man in Black" to the post 9/11 "Nuke the World" crapfest of "Angry American" I don't know.

Project II

So I spent way too much time on these mixed CD's. I even made CD covers with artwork. (I used the album covers from various people on the CD's. I'll post them later. It's totally ghetto!)

I am pretty proud of these, and now comes the sad part where I must let my musical baby birds fly. I only hope they find a good home.Just because I'm proud of my selections, the artists on the discs are as follows:

Classic Disc: Nick Drake, Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, David Bowie, Al Green, Jesus and Mary Chain, Simon and Garfunkel, and The Ramones.

Current Disc: Patty Griffin, Todd Snider, Wilco, Josh Rouse, Xavier Rudd, Spoon, Sondre Lerche, Death Cab for Cutie, the Black Keys, My Morning Jacket, and Wheat.

Listening

Josh Rouse

Nashville

Project

I can talk for days, which my friend Chase unfortunately found out last night. One question about a musician or song, and I won't shut up. To be honest, I don't want to talk about it as long or as strongly as I do. My brain is saying "shut up, you sound stupid. You sound stuck up. You're a jerk! God, what are you saying?! Stop it," but my mouth just keeps going, as though it has its own independent mind. (A mind with a lot of strong opinions)

So if you want to make my day, ask me to make you a mixed tape (or more accurately a mixed CD, but that just doesn't have the same ring to it.) So my project for the next couple of days (you know, besides working and studying for that midterm on thursday) is to make 2, count 'em 2, CD's for Chase. This is what I live for. I really think there should be a job just making CD's.

The first will be classic, influential kinds of artists. Right now, I'm thinking Dylan, Elvis Costello, Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, Joni Mitchell and Al Green. The second will be more recent artists, including Patty Griffin, Josh Rouse, Bright Eyes and possibly Ben Kweller or someone like that.

Seriously, why isn't this a job?

Valentine's Day Oversight

Just wanted to say, I got a total of one valentine's day card, but it rocked!

My friend and song illustrator Christi sent me a heck of a valentine, and this is my official thank you to her.

It was definitely one of the most creative cards I've ever gotten... good times.

Sweet Release

I had my first Spanish test this morning. The teacher has been preparing us (and by "preparing" i mean "scaring the crap out of") for the last month. Well, today was the day. I was expecting a nuclear weapon of a test, but instead we had a pellet gun test.

I honestly think I got an A. The only mistakes I may have made are in the writing section, but I feel pretty well about that.

Stupid test. Don't mess with me.

Listening

International Submarine Band

Safe at Home

(This was Gram Parson's band before he joined up with the Byrds and then the Flying Burrito Brothers. Good Stuff. Real Country Music.)

Day After (V-Day): Goodbye, Ruth

My friends: Ruth, Abbie and Hakeem

Well, I have to make this fast, as I have a test tomorrow as well as a paper. And I still haven't watched Lost (which is clearly the most important [actually that would be sleep {because i'm so far behind}]).

Tomorrow Ruth leaves for Italy. Actually, she leaves for San Antonio to see her brother, but doesn't Italy sound so much more dramatic? She really does go to Italy after that.

We'll all miss her a lot around here, and I hate saying goodbye, because they're akward and sad. But we still sent her off in style, eating at the Cypress Inn. (It's always fun with this crowd, because there were there 7 Americans, 4 Chileans, and 1 Nigerian. How cool are we? Our Valentine's day party actually seemed to be more foreigners than Americans!)

Now, I'm very sleepy from all the food, and I have yet to study! Ack! Have to get on that now. holla.

V-Day

Can You Tell It's Valentine's Day

Rundown of Valentine's Day:

The good: Stopped a credit card theif at work; ate lunch with hottie mcfine Ruth Hampton; played games; finished my spanish homework; got my digital camera to upload pictures; won at charades; broke 200 friends on the facebook.com

The bad: had to deal with an idiot credit card theif at lunch; didn't write my paper for English; didn't get enough sleep and won't get enough tonight; lost at 4 men on a couch and even had to play on the girl's team

The ugly: Did I mention not sleeping?

HOTT - too bad she's skipping town (and state.. and country, continent, and hemisphere.) (Hi Ruth - do you even read this?)

Dig this, Diane Keaton!

My paper for my American fiction class (cleverly entitled "Diane Keaton Would Have Dug Ben Franklin: Benjamin Franklin as an 18th Century Woody Allen") got an A!

Not only that, but the teacher talked about my paper to the class as an example.

So I realize this sounds totally snotty and teacher's pet-ish, but I don't care.

I'm going to expand this paper and develop the idea for a longer paper due later in the semester. After I finish that, I may, just maybe if you're lucky, post the paper here so you can read it. I may funny it up a bit before I post it on the web for general consumption.

Surreality

So, personally, I think it's great the Vice President shot someone. I'm sure I wouldn't be glad if he had gotten seriously injured or I knew him. (or if he shot me!) I think it's hilarious anyone gets shot a Vice President (talk about an unbeatable bar story), it's especially funny that it's Cheney.

So here are a sampling of the best headlines I've read so far:

Duck, It's Dick

Vice Presidents Don't Shoot People

Cheney Victim Blamed

Vice President Shoots Man, Hilarity Ensues

#2 With a Bullet (Daily Show!)

Arms Bearing Americans Are Rarely Wrong

Cheney's Got a Gun

Cheney Under the Gun

Hit Me With Your Best (buck) Shot

Shoots, Hides, and Leaves

Dick Cheney Finally Takes a Stand Against Trial Lawyers

So He Shot a Man...

Listening

The Flying Burrito Brothers

20th Century Masters

What I said today:

secrets are safe with me... unless you get me drunk and on CNN, but that's a story for another time...

Reading

The Best American Nonrequired Reading

As usual, this collection is a little hit or miss, but hey, i had a gift card. (Thanks to aunt and uncle)

So far, my favorite selections are:

"My Little Brother Ruined My Life" by Stephen Elliott

"Bohemians" and "Manifesto" by George Saunders

"The Joke" by J. David Stevens

Diane Keaton Would Have Dug Ben Franklin

Believe it or not, that is the title of a paper I turned in this week.

The profesor said to make the paper fun and interesting, so that's what I went for.

The paper is actually about the commonalities between Ben Franklin and Woody Allen. I know I know, it sounds crazy, but think about it:

*Both are brilliant and creative

*Both at the top of their fields (film making, creating governments)

*Both very well respected

*Both northeastern

*Finally, both had(have) dangerous obsessions with women that they used their art to dismiss.

So there you go. Woody Allen - Camera + Nation Founding = Ben Franklin

World Record

First off the rules: no major tradgedies or deaths or calamities... only disappointment.

So, I think I set a world record for having a perfect day turn into a crappy day (remember the rules. It doesn't count if you beat me because of something major [death in the family, firings, or national tradgedies {esp ones that happened in your own city or state}]).

Today was going to be a lazy lazy day. I was going to study, get some coffee, hang out on the quad and hopefully meet up with my friends Chase and/or Nathan... no such luck.

WorkBridgid called in and needed me to work for her. Not so bad, but there goes studying and coffee and quad. Immediately after I talk to her, I get another call and I need to write an article by 6:00 tonight. I'm supposed to work until 5.

So BAM. My beautiful lazy day (I even had perfect weather [which hasn't happened a lot lately {even though I'm in Alabama }]) turned into a stress filled stress day of stress.

However, God musta been pulling some strings for me beacuse it was a really good day and work, and then I did get the article written. It's far from my best work. To be honest, I even find the article dry, but i wrote in an hour and 15. That's what's gonna happen.

New iPod top 10 (subtitle: rip me to shreds, Michael King)

Ok. Just for fun, here's the new top ten most played songs on my iPod:

1) "Return of Grievous Angel" by Gram Parsons (last time: #1)

2) "Conversation" by Joni Mitchell (last time: #2)

3) "Sad Eyes" by Josh Rouse (purchased since last list)

4) "Useless Desires" by Patty Griffin (last time: #4)

5) "California Cottonfields" by Gram Parsons (with Emmylou Harris) (purchased since last list)

6) "Kathleen" by Josh Ritter (not on previous list)

7) "In This Home on Ice" by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (last time: #5)

8) "Rise" by Josh Rouse (last time: #8)

9) "From the Morning" by Nick Drake (last time: #6)

10) "Down to Zero" by Bettey LaVette (purchased since last list)

Death Cab for Cutie, Johnny Cash, and My Morning Jacket all fell off the top ten list. Sorry guys.

So go ahead, Michael, you know you want to rip this list too. However, it's what i've spent the most time listening too. Can't help it. Sorry.

Recent purchases

My spending has been cut back. Way back. So this is relatively short:

1) Nashville by Josh Rouse * * * *

- amazing album. Even better than 1972. The best tracks are "Sad Eyes" "Carolina" "It's the Nightime" and "Middle School Frown" - I can't wait for this guy's next album!

2) T- shirt from Express. * * * * *

As soon as I can figure out how to post pictures, I'll put it up. It's make me feel punkishcool.

3) Grasshoppers * * *

They're from Keebler and are exactly like thin mints. They lose points for lack of creativity, but hey, it's like you can get thin mints any time of the year! It's heaven on earth!

Rap Album Covers + My New Job

I've noticed something whilst working a record store. Rap music (read: Gansta rap music) has no creativity left. None. Zip. Zilch. Nada, and however else you want to say NOTHING.

So, I'm officially against stereotyping. I mean, I don't assume all middle easterners are terrorists, that all women are illogical, or that Sandra Bullock movies suck. (OK, I do assume the last one.)

However, gansta rap CD's are all the freaking same. (I do note that not all rap music is gansta rap. I submit that Common, Kanye West, Outkast, the Roots, and older acts like Grandmaster Flash, Fab Five Freddie, Run DMC or even Public Enemy are/were creative and important. 50 Cent, Lil' anybody, and Foxxy Brown however can all take their mysogenistic lyrics and shove them.) To make the album cover, follow these simple steps:

1) Gothic lettering. Make sure it's old English lettering and difficult to read. I suppose they think this adds a air of legitimacy, however, I doubt anyone is going to confuse Lil' Wayne with Shakespeare. (Unless that person is stupid. Or crazy. Gotta love the crazy!)

2) Precious metals and stones. The tackier the better! Be sure to flash that bling (don't you love the slightly outdated slang?) But seriously, nearly every rap CD has gold chains and/or diamond teeth and/or diamond jewerly and/or crowns or some other piece of crap. (Note: should you forget to add tacky jewelry, make up for it with violent images: guns, knives, guns that shoot knives)

3) Man scowling/woman whoring. Be sure, if you are a man, to look pissed. Because you're serious and angry! This will give you the gravitas to pull off a masterpiece like "Candy Shop" or "Shake it Like a Salt Shaker" However, if you are a woman, in the world of gansta rap, you are good for one thing: sex. Be sure to sell that. Look at Lil' Kim, Foxy Brown, and Trina. They all know what they're doing. After all, 50 is not interested in your mind! (unless the "candy shop" is referring to intellectual stimulation... with Candy being critical analysis of Shelley or Keaths... I'm pretty sure it's not.) And for God's sakes, please remember to shake that laffy taffy. What else can you do?


So there you go. 3 simple steps to designing your gansta rap cover: gothic lettering, tacky jewerly, and scowling and/or whoring.