Sounding Off

Sometimes people say things that are most curious. Here's this week's bits:

At Kroger, trying to get a carton cigarettes. Kroger gal leaves nine packs while she goes to look for the tenth. Parting she says,

"I trust you. (pointing) With that police officer right over there."

Actual email:

"I listened to your broadcast this evening, and I really enjoyed those tunes. Good Stuff.....and you actually sounded like you knew what you were doing...! "

Trusted friends department:

"He's not a man who's afraid of making fashion forward statements."

Further:

"Your website looks like cutting edge circa 1997."

"That's because we're the little station That Can't."

Gig

Thought I'd post this. Casi is a former student. She really was a joy to teach. She's a guitarist for reals. It's in her DNA.

Idols All

Cloverfield

There are no spoilers here, so read with confidence.

Plot: Manhattan's young hotties are getting their groovy party rained on big time.

Cloverfield is a great re-imagining of the old, old (and still great) story of something huge, mean and ugly is going ape shit on humankind.

Good stuff: great pacing, action-packed and the creature(s) are wicked. Intense-never lets up.

Bad stuff: Too short. 1:20? That's hardly an evening out, people.
If the fast, blurry hand-held camera work makes you motion sick, then this movies isn't for you.

Quotable quote from my movie buddie, Paul: "The difference between Charleston and Manhattan is that everyone in Manhattan is hot."

This is the kind of movie that works the best with the cinema experience. Go see it. Not for kids.

Heath Ledger

"He was one of those guys that had that weird light around him."
-from Apocalypse Now

I'm not gonna jump on the band wagon and pretend that I was a huge fan or I was closely following his career, but this 28 year old guy was just taking off with his acting chops. He was going to be like a darker (if that's possible)and edgier Johnny Depp, taking on oddball characters and roles that would keep him sharp, and always restless for more.

I didn't want to watch Brokeback Mountain because of all the hype, but the EclecTic Wife insisted. I have to say it was his performance that made that movie work. He carried it. Quite a thing to do at such an early age. Like Rod Steiger, he became the character-wearing their skin and with that, all the other complex vagaries of human fallibility.

In interviews, he seemed shy, always trying to articulate those artistic goals which are always so difficult to define, let alone accomplish. In short, he was the real deal. We'll never know what he could have brought to the screen as he matured.

He was one of those guys. Call it a light. With light though, sometimes darkness is a close companion. I suspect without knowing any details that this was the case. You could sense it in his work. He spoke about the trouble he was experiencing in his personal life while inhabiting the Joker's skin in the forthcoming Batman. That's art, baby.

But it comes with a cost.

Promote Thyself

I requested a CD from a UK band. This was their answer:

Hi
Thanks for email. Our last 2 albums are available on Amazon and itunes...we
are an independent band who do everything ourselves so don't normally send
out records but thanks for your kind words.
Best
****

So independent that they do not promote their music to radio stations? That's nothing short of crazy.

Sometimes the attitude is amazing, even hostile. One major jackass, who runs his own label, basically tried to make me feel like a thief. "You're just getting free CDs!" Oh yeah? Should I pay to play your music on my program? Really? (The guy is known as a jerk in the business, so no surprise.)

I haven't played music from that label for years.

Up Da Chim-min-nee

Chim-min-nee smock and a moondog (ring around the moon)

why are your pictures always blurry?

the quick answer: i am too lazy to set up (and freeze my arse off) the tripod. plus, my camera interprets the exposure. i have to use a tripod for night shots.

oh well. i like them.

On The Lam

Silent World

i am just a big kid for snow.

growing up in Pennsylvania, the winters always seemed to involve impassable snow. snow that covered the world, reducing it to a crawl. silencing it with its unstoppable force.

when we get some, out i go. freezing. trying to get a shot. one shot that can capture a feeling that i get.

Bad is not "Bad." It's Plain Awful.

Thanks to Paul for this link to awful album covers.

Worst band photos? Two places. The second is most cruel.

Isn't this the fear of all sensible musicians? To end up on this list? To be the cult classic album of the Saturday afternoon garage sale? Better to remain unknown than a clown.

Where is the music? I wish they would post the worst songs ever. Sometimes that is so much of a hoot. During Freaky Music Month, I have played Amanda Trees. If I can find it or post an MP3 I will for your delight. Or torture.

And, of course, there's always the asshole that hates everything. As I said, the internet is a sewer.

And how can you hate PG?

Romero is Back!

Only Dee Finest Beans Are Selected

Juan Valdez-still America's favorite barista.

I Can Relate

In The Know

This is just to rebuff those who say I live in my own little world and do not keep up with current events.

I am caught up. I am concerned. I am tuned in. So, there!

Hell to the Yeah

No Art, Just Snow