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Wednesday, December 31, 2003
Back in New York
Back in sunny New York City. It sure doesn't feel like the end of December around here. I rode my bike all the way to band practice in Dumbo and back yesterday. It wasn't really that cold at all.
On the plane yesterday I finished Al Franken's Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them. That book had me laughing out loud throughout. Franken is a fun and clear writer, making cogent arguments against the right that just drip with satire. If you're like me and you 1) are a fuming liberal, 2) have a salient interest in politics after the last election fiasco, 3) have a short attention span, and 4) would like to punch Rush Limbaugh in the teeth, then you should definitely check out the book.
Last night Jackie and I went to CBGB's for a band contest. A boyfriend of one of Jackie's friends from work plays guitar for a band called Scout. They played a great set. I definitely can't wait for the Hello Nurse who on the 5th.
Our New Years plans have actually solidified. Jon Yang has organized a group of friends roughly the size of a limousine. So, we're getting one of those disgusting 24-person Excursion stretch jobs. We will be cruising around to different bars and parties all night. It sounds like a good time. I just hope no one gets carsick.
11:17 AM
Monday, December 29, 2003
scamming Northwest and LOTR
I went to my flight today at Traverse City Airport, and the flight was booked up and they offered flight vouchers. I ran up to the desk, since my travel plans were flexible. In fact, I was planning on leaving Tuesday until I looked at my flight info and realized it was for Monday. So, the lady at the gate gave me a $300 voucher. Woohoo! I then went downstairs to retrieve my luggage. When I got to the counter I told the man that the black duffle bag was mine and I was taking a voucher. He proceeds to give me ANOTHER $300 voucher. Woo-f'ing-Hoo! I didn't say a word.
I'm riding high thinking I just pulled a fast one on Northwest with $600 in flight vouchers. How man dollars have I given Northwest over the years? How many Northwest flights have been delayed or cancelled? So many! I did not feel very guilty.
Wouldn't you know it, 2 hours later at home I get a call from Northwest. "Oh, I thought the slips you gave me were for the $300 voucher. Two vouchers? No, I have two documents but I thought that was for the same voucher..." I tried, but in the end I have to give one back. I can't complain - the original $300 is good enough.
Staying an extra night was great. I got to see the new Lord of the Rings movie at the Bay Theater, a quaint little single-screen movie place in town. I loved the movie. I had a great time watching it. I have to watch it again since I had to take a few bathroom breaks during the three hour timespan. Lynne joked that "The End" should have been replaced with "The Endless."
8am flight tomorrow. I can't wait to get back to New York. Michigan is great, but I miss home.
9:09 PM
Sunday, December 28, 2003
Happy Anniversary to Tim & Lynne
Today was my dad & Lynne's 4th wedding anniversary. We had a fun afternoon celebrating. First we went to an art museum in Traverse City. We saw two exhibits. One was pictures taken by the Hubble telescope. It was pretty cool, and would have been much better under certain conditions. The second exhibit was a series of photographs taken by a photographer who hung out with The Who and other fabulous rockers of the late 60's/ early 70's. The pictures were enlarged to enormous proportions, and they really made me wish the guys in Hello Nurse partied a bit harder sometimes. (I can't really complain - they are great musicians to whom I tip my hat every practice.)
After our trip to the museum we went to a french restaurant in town. The food was fantastic. I really have been eating well since I've been home. Steak two nights in a row! Since I eat steak probably 5-7 times a year, I try to get the good stuff whenever possible [someone else is paying].
Our plan was to watch the new Lord of the Rings movie at a local Suttons Bay theatre, but the 9pm show we planned on seeing doesn't happen on Sundays. Oh well. My dad and I watched the Ravens beat the Steelers in overtime - too bad Jamal Lewis couldn't break the single season rushing record. He was damn close!
This afternoon I showed Lynne how to use the double space function on a word document. I feel so sorry for her. She has been working so hard on essays for a Disney sponsored teaching award she has been nominated for. She didn't know about the double-space function, so she has been manually entering all the spaces by hand with returns. Every time she would edit a word, she would have to go back through the entire document and redo the spacing. No wonder it's been taking so long!
I'm flying back to New York tomorrow. I should be back in town around 6pm. If anyone wants to grab a drink tomorrow night let me know.
9:14 PM
Saturday, December 27, 2003
Christmas, Family, Driving
I hope if you are reading this blog, and celebrate Christmas, that you had a wonderful day filled with family and love. I hope if you are reading this blog, and you do not celebrate Christmas, that all of the hassle created around the holiday season hasn't disrupted your routine too bad. And if you were smart enought NOT to take any vacation days around Christmas time you probably had an empty office with plenty of butt xeroxes, paper airplanes, and no work to go around. And if you are not reading this blog, I hope that your holiday was awful and a bat got stuck in your attic.
My Christmas day was spent at my grandmother's house in Dearborn, MI. My aunt Julie flew into town from San Francisco, and my parents drove down from up-north. We had a lazy morning and made it to the tree around 1pm. We each had bought small fun presents for each other, and it made the time around the tree festive and cheerful. For dinner we went to the Dearborn Inn, an ultra-conservative establishment that I had thought served decent food. The staff definitely wasn't fond of working on Christmas night, and we tried to be as nice as possible to our server. The food was awful all around, and due to some archaic law that didn't need to follow any separation of church and state nonsense, we weren't allowed to order alcohol during our Christmas meal. It's times like this when I remember why I moved out of Michigan.
Christmas night grandma uncovered a board game in her closet called Rummicube. This game is somewhat like gin-rummy, but it is played with colored number tiles (like scrabble, but with numbers) and players try to make strings of runs (numbers of the same color in numerical order) or groups (tiles of the same numerical value with different colors). We had a blast downing wine, talking trash, and playing Rummicube until midnight.
Our family usually downplays Christmas day because our entire extended family gets together for a new tradition - Boxing Day! Everyone from my dad's side of the family (everyone!) came to my aunt Sue's house in Saline, MI for Boxing Day. We had a gigantic meal, and afterwards the adults took their turns on cousin Jane's new electric scooter doing laps in the basement. So much fun! There was an ocean of presents under the tree since so many people came, so the present opening extravaganza took at least a few hours. Afterwards we gathered on the steps for a family picture. This was the first time since probably my parents' wedding that everyone came together in one place.
After all the Boxing Day fun, I got on the road around 8pm to drive up-north (as we Michiganders call anything above Midland, MI) to my parents' place. My uncle Jim gave me directions, and I traced out my route on my atlas. Of course, this atlas is severely outdated, because I was looking for M-27, which no longer exists. I drove right past M-127, it's new name. After a detour through Ionia, MI (a place you will probably never have ANY reason to visit) and 45 minutes out of my way, I made it back to M-127, which proceeded to immediately change speed limits to 50mph from 70. [Insert image of Christian howling curse words above an already blasting Ok Computer.]
I made it up to Suttons Bay, MI around 1:45am so wired on coffee that I proceeded to stay up for an extra hour watching infomercials. Yes, I guess I really don't need cable afterall. Then I climbed into bed and read another half hour of Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them by Al Franken. I bought this book during Christmas shopping, and it's been hard to put it down. Al Franken is absolutely hilarious.
Tonight my uncle Bob is driving up to help my dad with some business. We might see the new Lord of the Rings movie tonight or tomorrow. A trip to the Traverse City Art Museum may also be sprinkled into the schedule. Right now, I'm going to go snowshoeing. Yeah, you heard me. When you're up-north you can do things like that.
11:42 AM
Monday, December 22, 2003
back in d-town
Today I served the craigslist community well by offering a rideshare to someone back to Detroit. Turns out she lives across the street from me in Brooklyn. We met up around 2:30 pm and started the long drive back to the midwest. Fortunately, she and I have very similar music tastes, so we had the stero cranked for the whole ride. She had a bad fever all day, so I felt bac for her. By the time we reached the Denny's in Novi, MI where I dropped her off for her mom to pick her up she had the chills and was shaking. All in all, it was a decent experience. I really can't complain since she paid for half the gas, all the tolls and she drove for about 3 hours while I slept.
Right now I'm at my friend Dan's place in Auburn Hills, MI. His mom's office supply chain is closing down since it's so hard to compete with the big box stores like OfficeMax and Staples. Dan's house is like an office supply graveyard. All of his computers are networked, even to a print server, and there are printers all over the place. His girlfriend is happy with some of the loot, but after a while it's gets to be a bit much. It's great to see him, and he's living large in his subsidized HOUSE that they pay $602/month for. It's an awesome place.
Ok, I'm so happy that I'm out of the car! I'm going to bed now.
11:55 PM
Sunday, December 21, 2003
ipod & rideshare - I can't believe it
Jackie got me an iPod for Christmas. An f'ing iPod! I really can't believe it. It's such a cool toy, I can't stop playing with it. Thanks Jackie!
Of course, I don't end up playing with it for very long because my computer is too ancient to handle it. I've been fighting with it all day trying to load XP so I can then crack it open and add a firewire card I bought today. I unistalled just about every program on my computer trying to make room for the xp install files. Unfortunately, it just won't do it. I guess I'm going to have to do a clean wipe of this machine, which is always scary. Last time I did that was a total nightmare. Drew can attest to that.
It looks like for Christmas I'm going to be harassing my dad to help me get a new computer. The one I have now has served me (sometimes well) for 5 1/2 years. I think it's time to get a new machine. Considering how much time I spend on this thing, it would be a great investment. Of course, the one problem with intestments are that first you need the investmentation, and there's not a lot of investmentation blowing around here these days.
In other good news, I found a rideshare for my trip back to Detroit tomorrow. I looked in the craigslist rideshare section and e-mailed a few people looking for rides to Michigan. A girl named Kelly called me back. Turns out, she lives ACROSS THE STREET. What a weird coincidence! She has to go to Hoboken or something for a meeting tomorrow, so we're leaving later in the day than I had anticipated. But, since she's paying for gas, tolls, and lunch - no complaints here! She's from Howell; I hope she's not racist.
For all you Detroit folks, I'll be in town late tomorrow evening. I'll be looking to go out Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Let's get together! 917-952-380
7:48 PM
Saturday, December 20, 2003
worn out
I'm on vacation! But I'm completely worn out already. We stayed in the studio until 2:30am last night.
Today I slept in, I went shopping for Jackie's gifts, and now I'm trying to teach myself to make nice bows. At the moment, these bows are ug-ly. Clumsy fingers.
4:53 PM
Thursday, December 18, 2003
office party
This morning is not peachy. In fact, it's a little bit painful. Luckily, most other people in the office are feeling the same way, including my boss. The office party started in the 7th floor conference room at 6pm. The marketing team decorated the bejesus out of that little room. It was actually very nice in there. We had drinks, hors d'ouevres, and it was a pleasant time.
Around 8 everyone came back to the 6th floor, shut off the computers, and went to a bar in Times Square. We had a room reserved at the bar, and people kept on-a'drinkin' throughout the evening. I thought it would be a nice gesture to buy my manager and I a round of tequilla shots. As the bartender handed me the shots I looked to the other end of the bar where my manager, Pat, had also bought a round of tequilla shots. Uh oh! We dutifully drank two each. The rest of the people in my position (recruitment fellow) eventually left. All the young bucks had gone to bed, leaving the old folks to keep on partying.
One girl in our office, Jackie, told us about a party she was going to afterwards. Most people thought it would be best to just go home, but a few brave [irresponsible] folks decided to check it out. We rounded up a group of die-hards, including Pat, Amy Christie, and 3 others. We didn't exactly know the address of the party because Jackie had gone earlier and she wasn't answering her phone, but we knew it was on 37th btw 8th & 9th ave. When we got to the block I just started trying to get into different buildings to explore. I rang all the buzzers on one building [asshole!] until someone buzzed me in. I walked all the way up to the roof, but I didn't hear any parties. I went out on the roof and looked down to rest of our group on the street. "Hey guys, no party in here! I think there's one next door!" For some reason that story has been going around the office all day today. "...And then Christian appeared on the roof!.."
As I was trying to get into a few more buildings the girls ran into some guy on the street that was going to a party on the block. We figured we'd follow along. At least it was some kind of party, whether it was Jackie's party or not. The elevator opened onto a full-floor loft party, sponsored by a group of software companies including Limewire. There was hardly anyone there (1am on a Wednesday), but we found Jackie and she was amazed that we actually showed up, considering we didn't know the address. There was a DJ playing house music, small groups of metros talking software, and two bars. Two FREE bars. I ordered us all vodka tonics, but we didn't even bother drinking them when we found out there was champagne. We drank champagne, and I sat on the couch with some TFA folks and watched my supervisor and another girl flirt with the guys. We practiced our gaydar and repeated, "Wow, everyone else is missing out!" to each other.
At the end of the night I stumbled home, listening to Jet on the subway to keep myself up. Today I feel kind of foggy, but luckily the day is full of lecture-type meetings where I don't really have to think. Plus, since this is the last official day of an office conference, we get 10-minute chair massages and free messenger bags!
Tonight I'm all about making dinner, plunking down on the couch and watching either Copland or Dirty Harry. I'm totally into cop movies these days after watching the French Connection and Bullit in the past few weeks. And now I must work [zone out].
7:44 AM
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
work, wrok, krow
work: Work is very busy this week. Boss is in town. Intense days will very little down time. Vacation will be nice.
wrok: Spent the entire evening in the studio tonight. We have a few samples ready - rough mixes. Stuff is starting to sound good. Studio nights until 12:30am don't make the next morning very peachy, however.
krow: Good thing there was no old crow at the recording session tonight. The fuzz have a "check for drunk driving" road block [excuse for racial profiling] set up on Bushwick & Varet.
Last night I went to Bowery Ballroom with Jon Yang and Georgia to see Women of Rock courtesy of Rolling Stone, Budweiser, and our good friend Ed Gross. Free beer, free rock - and Ed came around later in the night with free drink tickets for free tequilla! Free hangover.
The opening acts were decent - Lucky Town and Leona Naess. Leona Naess was fantastic. She was completely drunk and still nailing all her notes. Impressive voice. Then Liz Phair came on and we left. Her act has always been 10% music and 90% sex. Unfortunately, she's getting old and her music is tired. She was wearing a clip on mic, and her band was a murder [krows] of hasbeens from whoknowswheres.
I just downloaded Modest Mouse - Moon and Antarctica, highly recommended by Dan Nieman. This stuff is fantastic! Thanks Dan.
Tentative New Years plans: riding around in a 24 person Excursion Limo. What has become of us?
10:01 PM
Monday, December 15, 2003
away all weekend
I left for work Friday morning and didn't get back home until Sunday [Monday] after midnight. By then, my sneakers were completely soaked due to the rain/slush mix. But, cold feet didn't really bother me because I had such a great weekend.
On Friday night I went to a company dinner for Jackie's school. It was interesting to finally meet all these people Jackie's has talked about. After dinner we went to a bar in the West Village called Tindersticks. I guess it was some kind of Irish pub, because some Irishman was giving me shit about wearing a pink tie. I told him he was Colorist. Unfortunately, a couple of Jackie's friends had a bit much to drink. Jackie and I loaded them into a cab and made sure they got home safely.
One guy at Jackie's school is seriously disliked by EVERYONE else. When we got to Tindersticks it became a no-holds-barred gripe session about how awful this guy is. Of course, he eventually showed up, and all of a sudden there was nothing left to talk about. This guy and his girlfriend actually lived in the same building as one of the girls who was sick, but they refused to help her get home. The excuse - the guy has friends from Atlanta in town that night. What friends?? It was after 2am and I didn't see any Atlanta friends. Total Lie. So, after hearing all these negative things and then hearing the guy lie on my first conversation with him, I wasn't a big fan myself. I complained to him that he was being a bit of a jerk, and we had the following conversation. For our purposes, we'll call him E.
C: I don't understand how you can live in the same building as someone and not help take her home when she's sick. I'm happy to help her get home, but you already know how to get there, how to get her to the right apartment.
E: Did you ever see the movie Friday?
C: Uh, yeah.
E: Do you remember what Smokey's license plate said?
C: No, what did it say?
E: It said, "Fuck it." And that's what you need to do, man. Just say, "Fuck it" and help this girl get home.
C: Oh, now I remember that part of the movie. Oh wait, do you remember the part about the dad?
E: Yeah, he was hilarious!
C: Do you remember the part about how he was totally incompetent at his job and all of his coworkers hated him?
E: Yeah, that was awesome.
Some people just have a way of inserting their foot into their mouth. There was no part in Friday about the dad's coworkers hating him. I was refering to E himself. What a tool.
We got Jackie's friends home safely. Then we went home and crashed. Saturday I woke up early and went to the Big Brother Big Sister of New York office for an interview. The social worker had an extensive interview form to fill out. She asked me questions about EVERYTHING - family history, employment history, education, friends, relationships, experiences with diversity, biases, substance use history, sex history, knowledge of AIDS... I think this social worker knows more about me than most of my friends! I should hear in within a month if I've been accepted. I'm hopeful and confident - can't wait to start giving Nuggies to my new lil' bro!
After the interrogation I went to DUMBO for a full day of recording with Joe and Ed. We completely rearranged the practice space to make a sound barrier out of a couch flipped on its side and metal shelves with carpet draped over. I spent a good hour trying to tune my kit, and Joe had to run around adjusting mic's and figuring out his recording gear. All in all the drum sound turned out solid. After the drum recording we packed up all the gear and headed over to Joe's office - also in DUMBO. We recorded bass and guitar tracks while munching on Grimaldi's pizza. That pie is so good! The guitar and bass sound good, and we'll be recording vocals sometime this week.
Saturday night Jackie and I went to a TFA coworker's party at her apartment on 83rd street. It was a fun party with great food and not enough liquor. Well, I guess there WAS enough liquor considering that the super called the police and one of the partygoers (not from work) broke the front door of the building. Otherwise, it was cool.
Sunday Jackie and I lounged around all day because the weather was annoying. We avoided the rain+snow=slush be watching old episodes of 24 that we had not yet watched. That evening I picked up Salty, Emily, Lightshow and a friend of Emily's at Columbia and we drove down to the Bowery Ballroom to see Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. This was my second time seeing Ted Leo perform, and omg he is amazing. I had a great time, as did most everyone around me at the show. People were either dancing wildly or staring with their mouths agape. It would have been perfect, except I didn't get home until 1am and waking up this morning was a terrible process.
This week: more recording, tons of real work because my boss is in town, TFA holiday parties, free Liz Phair show tonight w/ free beer, Lord of the Rings on Tuesday night, and in general these days - no sleep.
10:24 AM
Friday, December 12, 2003
best behavior
I'm heading uptown this evening for an after-work party for teachers at Jackie's school. This is my first time meeting all these coworkers I hear so much about. I want to make a good impression so people don't think Jackie is dating some bum. Unfortunately, I'm having a bad hair day. I tried to make up for it by wearing a tie. A pink tie. We'll see.
Today I walked out to park my car for alternate side, and there was a green scrape on the side. Right behind my car was a green dumpster on wheels. The garbage men were a little careless last night. There are going to get an unpleasant call from me.
Tomorrow I have an interview for Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC. I can't wait!
Then, after the meeting I'm going to Dumbo for a full day of recording.
That's what's going on.
1:44 PM
Thursday, December 11, 2003
study break!
I love that I don't have to study anymore but I still get to go to study breaks. Tonight I will be attending a Teach For America Study Break up at Columbia in the Hogan/Broadway First Floor lounge. I'll be hanging out, passing out brochures, and answering questions about the organization as well as talking about my experiences as a teacher in the South Bronx.
I know some of you Columbia folks read my blog every once in a while, so please stop by the Hogan/Broadway lounge tonight between 8:30-9:30pm. If you are an Uptown Local freshman, you should come by and meet this mythical figure you've probably heard so much about! (Haha, I wish, now I'm just an old man.) Please remember, however, that people who do not know me think I am somewhat of a respectable person for doing TFA, so please don't come by and start bringing up any of those stories some of you love to tell.
"And then one time, after doing donuts in the parking lot coming home from that rave in Atlanta..."
"And then one time, after that beer run, we decided to go swimming at HoJos..."
"And then one time, the night before Barnard girls moved in we went up on the roof of Sulzburger..."
I'll stop now.
We're back on top, baby!
12:41 PM
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Six Reasons
Some of you have read entries on this blog where I trash the major labels of the music industry. Our friends at Downhillbattle.org have published a brief synopsis of why it is so important to boycott major label releases. Check out Six Reasons and let me know what you think. I know boycotting music sounds like a radical idea, but I'm starting to believe in the movement these guys are starting. ARoss's friend Will and I are going to help out with the sticker campaign sometime next week. I just received a batch of stickers in the mail from Nick. One has already found a home on my skateboard. The other hundred or so will be finding their new homes on the shrinkwrap of Big 5 CDs in franchise music stores in NYC.
In other news, Hellonurserock.com is up and running. Thanks to Joe for making us look so pretty! We began doing some rough recording last night and will continue all weekend. Look for some new tracks to be released after the New Year.
8:38 AM
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
what I learned while borrowing a projector:
I learned one thing for sure: I want a projector! Haha, those things are expensive for a reason - they are some awesome. I borrowed a projector from a kind soul on the 4th floor of my building on Friday evening. He lent us the projector, cables, and a nice fold-out projection screen. Over the weekend we put it to use: we watched Finding Nemo, Bruce Almighty, Uncovered: The Truth About the Iraq War, and I showed Eric Lane's film Fists of the Saugatuck about 7 times to groups of people who would stop by for Open Studios.
Friday night Jackie and I saw Elf which is an instant classic, soon to be overplayed on TNT and TBS for the next 15 years. We then went to a bar near Jackie's apartment where we each had a glass of wine and a DYNAMITE martini that floored us. Saturday morning I woke up groggy and stomped through the snow to the subway and back to my place.
Saturday morning, my place was a disaster. I had tons of cleaning to do, not to mention setting up the projector, creating a CD cover for Hello Nurse discs, and printing the covers to Kinkos. Eric came by around 1pm. Alex Chung called. Apparently it snowed in his neighborhood over the weekend (did it snow anywhere else?), and he wasn't able to make it up to my place with his film. Also, on Sunday he went to a Giants game that had completely forgotten about. Sorry Alex - sorry for spending my week hunting down a projector and for busting my ass working on your film this summer. I apologize that I couldn't be there to shovel you out and hold your hand as you walked to the subway.
Ok, enough of that rant. It was great having Eric around on Saturday. We ate lunch at Life Cafe and then dug out my minivan for a trip to Dumbo. I was going there to pick up band equipment for the Hello Nurse show, and Eric came along in case the van got stuck and we had to push our way out. No such troubles.
Hello Nurse played a show that night at a loft across the street from mine. It was a great party! About 6 bands played, and our set was split in thirds thanks to a broken PA system and a fashion show. The fashion show was hot - it involved electical-tape nipple pasties and lots of vinyl. Hello Nurse rocked out, and Nathaniel's energy was right on. Thanks to Jess, Lightshow, Vanessa, Brad, and of course Jackie & Molly for coming out. Some dorkus at the party was trying to charge people $3 for cans of Coors light. I rocked the Olde English. I set my empty bottle in the troff of beer cans, and he ran up like I was trying to take his beer. Kid needed to loosen up a bit.
Anyway, after the show we had to leave our equipment there because other bands were borrowing my drumset and PA system, which we had to haul over from my place mid-set when the house PA died. We came back to my place, watched Bruce Almighty, and ordered delivery.
Around 3:30 in the morning Ed and I went over to the party to break up the 7th Level of Hell band of jammers that had accumulated on our instruments. They sounded absolutely awful - we had no qualms about shutting the party down. Unfortunately, the elevator in the building wasn't working. Ed and I had to carry down my drumset (all drums, hardware, and cymbals), Ed's guitar amp, and the PA system. It was a crummy job to do at 4am when you're absolutely wasted, tired, and cold. Thank goodness the freight in my building was working. We were spared from extenuated agony.
Sunday I continued showing Eric's film all day, and then I had to get the loft ready for the screening of Uncovered. A few accupuncture students from New Jersey showed up 45 minutes early, so I let them hang out while I ran to the bodega to get drinks & munchies. You can read about the screening in my previous blog entry. I think it was a success, especially considering the weather.
After the screening Jackie and I watched Finding Nemo, and by then it was just way too late. Last night we were up late again trying to make online Christmas cards for family & friends. Can I get some sleep? Please? No way! Band practice tonight.
And in my continuing awe and love of craigslist: I found a running partner today on the Activity Partners section. Hopefully this will get me off my butt and on the blacktop [icetop]. In even better news!!!! - I found someone on Missed Connections who knows Chris Campos. I have been looking for him for years! Will I finally get my tent back??? Stay tuned as the saga continues.
And now it is time to feel ashamed for laughing. (Wear headphones if you're at work.)
11:12 AM
Sunday, December 07, 2003
A weekend of LIVING!
There's so much to be said of what went on this weekend. I really do feel very alive, despite the fact that I am extremely exhausted. I will write more about Open Studios, the Hello Nurse loft party, the Uncovered screening, and how Alex Chung can kiss my butt another time in the near future.
For now, I urge you to check out the following link:
http://action.moveon.org/uncoveredusa/index_flash.html I can't believe how many screening parties took place across the country. Go to the New York City area. The pictures from my party are labeled E. Williamsburg Loft Screening of Uncovered. There are 4 pictures.
Here is the write-up of a survey I just finished for MoveOn.org.
Approximately how many people were at this party?
15
In a couple of sentences, can you describe your event?
Despite a snowy nor'easter weekend, 15 brave souls found their way to a converted industrial loft in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn for a screening of Uncovered. We enjoyed drinks and pizza beforehand, and watched the film using an LCD projector and a PA system for sound.
What was the best moment?
The best moment of our House Party was when we took a moment before the film for individuals to introduce themselves. Attendees included acupuncture students from New Jersey, an artist from Philadelphia, a rickshaw driver from the Upper West Side, a start-up mapmaker from BedStuy, a graduate student from Columbia University, computer programmers from the East Village and Queens, a teacher for children with autism, an education non-profit worker, and a mother from Memphis with her daughter from Brooklyn. The party planner also passed out bumper stickers that say, "I can't trust our President: Soc. Security-Taxes-Medicare."
If we do this again, what should we change about the party process?
It would be great if you could find a magical meteorologist to help avoid scheduling parties the weekend of a blizzard!
Should we hold another round of house parties?
Yes.
If yes, why do you think we should?
These parties are a great way for strangers with similar political views to meet in a low-key, social setting. Informal gatherings like these are the first step in turning political thinkers into political activists. Furthermore, these house parties enable grassroots networking - a few people at our party tonight were able to recruit others to help with local political action campaigns. I would be more than happy to host another house party at my loft.
9:45 PM
Friday, December 05, 2003
Open Studios Schedule for Saturday & Sunday
Short Films by Eric Lane and Alex Chung
Saturday @ 3pm, 4pm, 5pm
Sunday @ 2pm, 3:30pm, 5pm
Fists of the Saugatuck
written and directed by by Eric Lane
"David Scher graduated high school a semester early. It was the greatest accomplishment of his life. Seven years have passed. His parents still want him to get a job. David would rather take the road less traveled by, which leads, of course, to an elite martial arts training facility in Ojai, California."
11mins.
The Test
written and directed by Alex Chung
248 McKibbin Street, apt. 3M (use middle stairwell of building)
Hello Nurse
Open Studios Afterparty - 6 bands, keg, drunk artists loft party
Starts around 7pm, Hello Nurse @10pm
265 McKibbin St, apt. 306 (3rd floor)
Uncovered: The Truth About the Iraq War
Party: 7pm, Screening: 8pm
33 participants registered. Please bring a portable chair if possible. I will have some drinks provided, otherwise you are welcome to BYOB.
248 McKibbin St, apt. 3M (please go to buzzer at middle of building)
Please visit fifthstop.info for directions and descriptions of other art showcases taking place during the Open Studios weekend.
I hope to see some friends at each of these events. Spread the word and bring your friends! Open Studios will be going on from noon-6pm Saturday & Sunday. Please stop by and show your support for local artists.
12:06 PM
Thursday, December 04, 2003
AWOL - not just a catchy Beastie Boys rhyme
Another alarming uncorroborated issue about Bush I had not known: he went AWOL.
Check out www.awolbush.com
I just read that he didn't show up because the base he was assigned to didn't have the type of plane he flew. I'm curious to find out the truth - whether he actually went AWOL and the press has avoided this topic of if this is just muckraking.
This jackass pisses me off more everyday. Wouldn't it be great to have a leader that we could actually be proud of? "Gee, did you hear what President Palmer did today? Yeah, it's about time we started moving in the right direction!"
12:59 PM
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
I love nice people, like Jeff in 4H.
I have been looking all over the place for a projector. I searched craigslist and lootusa a few times a day. I've called most of the A/V rental places [ripoffs] in the city. I found people who are selling their projectors on craigslist and asked [begged] them to let us rent for cheap if they haven't sold by Friday. The lowest quote I could find is $150 for the weekend or $125 + $1000deposit [ridic]. Finally, when I thought all hopes were lost [desperate], I put up flyers on my buidling asking if any kind soul had a projector for us to borrow. And thanks to the love that surrounds McKibbin Street [not just litter], Jeff in 4H has agreed to let us use his projector & projection screen all weekend!
That really made my day. Of course, if anything happens to his projector I think he gets to slaughter me and keep the credit cards [debt].
Bill Bert came over tonight. We were waiting for someone from Craigslist to call us about a laptop she is selling for $20. It's an old crappy mac that doesn't even have a modem or ethernet card. It's also covered in stickers. Anyway, we're going to use it to make a graphics-software art installation. Bill is going to write a program that draws art on the screen. I am going to take apart the screen and mount the thing in some cool artistic way. Digital wall art! It's an idea we saw at a Dorkbot meeting and want to copy.
Unfortunately, the girl never called. We cooked quesadillas, and then we hopped in the van for some Deep Brooklyn Exploration. We followed the L train to Broadway Junction, then followed the AC back to downtown Brooklyn, and then took Bedford back to the L train to drop Bill off at the station. It was a pretty cool ride - everything from seriously rough neighborhoods, quaint brownstones, to a Hassidic Jewish neighborhood.
Now I have to read this dull book called Good To Great [boring to boringest]- a business book about how some corporations become enormously successful while others remain mediocre. We're having a book discussion about organization development at work on Friday. I guess I should read some of it - they did give me the book for free [raising my salary to a whopping $20,014.99]. Unfortunately the book is very dry and academic [w/o the college girls].
33 people are signed up for Uncovered. It's going to be a great time - especially since we now have a projector!
8:07 PM
I couldn't resist posting this.
The one fun thing about work - you get EVERY email forward sent to ANYONE at work.
11:02 AM
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
Google: miserable failure
Googe search "miserable failure" and check out the first link. Hilarious.
First of all, I'd like to give a huge thanks to Amy who signed up for the Uncovered screening and offered to bring her projector. Thanks Amy! So far 21 people have signed up. I put the cap at around 24 or 25, so be sure to sign up if you think you might come. Of course, I'm sure many people will forget to show up, so if you decide on Sunday afternoon that you want to come there will be room for you.
We still need a projector for the short films on Saturday & Sunday, so keep spreading the word and asking around.
I registered hellonurserock.com last night. It isn't up and running yet, so I didn't bother linking it. I'll be sure to let you all know when we have it up. In performance news, Hello Nurse will be playing in loft #306 at 265 McKibbin Street this Saturday night. We'll probably go on around 9:30, but that's up in the air at the moment. There will be a keg and a number of bands, so put on your party shoes and come on over! You will hear 2 new songs from Hello Nurse, and we're not going to play soft. Get yourself some earplugs and be kind to your eardrums, because I certainly won't be kind to my drums.
Some people shopped the day after Thanksgiving. I did, and I got a pair of Tiimberland boots for $35! Finally, no more harsh & slushy winters spent in soggy sneakers. The guys at Downhillbattle.org did not shop, however. Instead, they woke up early for a delightful day of guerilla protest. Click here to check out their exploits. I love how they bought a digital camera at Wallmart, put stickers on all the CDs, took pictures of what they were doing, saved the pictures, then returned the camera at the end of the day. Nick and Holmes, you guys rock.
R.I.P. MP3.com. [sniffle, tear, wipes eyes]
11:57 AM
Monday, December 01, 2003
Projector Needed!
This weekend's festivities are entirely dependent on having a projector, but I have no idea where to rent one. I've looked up some prices online, but they are very high because they are commercial rentals. Companies can expense this stuff, but C-Sparls is working on a very tight budget. If anyone has any friends who might have an LCD projector, please ask them if I can rent it for the weekend. Also, an LCD Projector Panel would work. These are the old lcd panels placed on top of overhead projectors. I have an overhead, so a panel would work, too. If you work at a place that uses projectors, see if they have any LCD panels from the old days. I don't have too much in the way of $$, but watching films on my tiny TV would just be pathetic.
Also, A-Ross burned me a rough copy of his album Quit Your Day Job last night. So good.
Projectors, anyone??
8:13 AM
Saturday, November 29, 2003
Uncovered: at first glance
Last night Jackie's father and I watched Uncovered: The Whole Truth About the Iraq War. The documentary opened my eyes to some of the few things the current administration had convinced me of being true. I remember listening to Powell's speech to the U.N. where he explicitly described the evidence showing Iraq's weapons of mass destruction capabilities. I remember believing Colin Powell's argument (I mean, it's Colin Powell!) and for the first time acknowledging that maybe the Bush administration did have a case for going to war.
This documentary closely examines the claims made in this speech and in other statements released by the White House. So many of the messages spoonfed to the American public by White House PR are absolutely false, appallingly false - not to mention downright illegal. I may have disliked the Bush administration before, but now I view these individuals with contempt and disgust.
Are you interested in viewing this documentary? I'm having a free screening at my loft next Sunday. We will have a projector and a full PA system. I have opened this event to the public, and I hope to have an audience of diverse political viewpoints and beliefs present to screen the documentary. I'm sure this event will attract a number of Bush haters, but please do not feel this is for the far left alone. If you are curious about the upcoming election, politics in general, or you are just curious about the kinds of people who seek out public political functions then click here and sign up for the event. I would love to have about 20 people present for this event. I will provide chairs and A/V equipment.
I hope to have a decent audience, so pass the word to your politically active friends.
7:01 PM
Friday, November 28, 2003
mmm, free-range vegetarian raised Turkey
I spent Thanksgiving day with Jackie's family in Kennebunkport, Maine. I met members of her extended family, and we had a fantastic meal. Fearing severe bloating, I avoided overeating for the first Thanksgiving ever. Also, since the O'Neills cooked all the food, I knew we would have tons of leftovers all weekend. At Sparling Thanksgivings, there usually isn't much leftover food to take home for the weekend so I have to gorge myself to make the meal memorable. I think I might even be bringing home some stuffing at the end of our trip, the leftovers are so bountiful.
The best part of the meal was watching Jackie eat turkey! She has been a vegetarian for more years than she ate meat as a child. Her dad was nice enough to get a free-range vegetarian raised turkey in case she wanted to try some. Turkey was one of her favorite meats, and since the bird was raised in the Orange County of farm environments (minus all the teenie-social politics, divorces parents, and hot moms of the OC) Jackie felt it was ok to try a few pieces. I took pictures. Ten minutes later she was lifting weights in the garage.
After the meal all of the kids gathered to play a rowdy game of Pictionary. Pictionary is a great game, but it really frustrates me playing with a teammate who sits there and complains, "I can't think of anything to draw!" I showed great patience encouraging my teammate (one of Jackie's cousin's), but on the inside I just wanted to scream, "Draw something, damn it! The 8-year olds are beating us!"
The O'Neills new house here in Kennebunkport is beautiful. Everything is brand new (except for the house, which is quite old), and Eloise is having a fantastic time running around and exploring so many new rooms. She was awake all weekend when she visited my loft a few days ago. This house is above and beyond my loft, and she has been having a great time. We're still waiting for her to show her first mouse. C'mon cat, get to work!
Today Jackie and I are heading to the outlet stores in Freeport, Maine. What would the day after Thanksgiving be without a trip to a crowded mall? I'll tell you what it would be: a day of watching football on the new big screen and eating leftovers! But apparently, that is NOT what today will be. Time to bust out the plastic and buy some clothes.
If you are reading this, I hope you had a warm and joyous day yesterday.
10:31 AM
Wednesday, November 26, 2003
10:10 AM
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
I change cell phones like Hello Nurse changes bassists
UPDATE YOUR RECORDS
My new cell number is: 917-952-3805
I actually found this phone on Craigslist. The woman was moving to Canada in two days, so she wants to give away the phone to avoid the early termination fee. We went to the Verizon store (after talking with many stores & customer service people by phone and getting the runaround) and they switched it over. I took her phone & cord, got a new phone number, and a new plan. I now have 400peak/ 1000 Verizon-to-Verizon minutes/ unlimited nights & weekends for $39.99. It's a decent plan, especially since Jackie also has Verizon and her phone would be the main phone gobbling up my minutes. The only downside is I had to sign on for 2 years. But, that's just about how every wireless company is these days, and Verizon is the best for NYC that I've researched.
Here is the phone I got: Kyocera QCP 3035
This thing has so many features! It's not a color screen or a camera phone or anything, but it is a lot better than my previous phone. It has speaker phone, voice dialing (not through verizon, the phone actually does this), tip finder, stopwatch, scheduler, alarm, and time travel. I wish.
So, please take 30 seconds to update YOUR cell phone with my new number. And as soon as it's 9:00pm, CALL ME!
Talk to you soon.
1:05 PM
the weekend, etc.
Sorry for taking so long to post. I've been pretty exhausted after a busy weekend of party, driving, band-practicing and not-sleeping.
NYC Decom was so much fun! Just as last year, the party was a people watching extravaganza. Every weirdo, creative, hippie wackjob in the tri-state area showed up. The costumes were unbelievable. Some people dressed as mascots, many people had light-up/glow suits, some had S&M/bondage gear, and lots of near-nakedness.
Jackie and I wore jumpsuits with paint-markers velcroed to our belts. We let people draw on our suits all night, and by the end we were covered in graffiti scrawl. I asked each of my friends that came to draw a picture of a time we shared together. Our suits were fun to wear, and I'll post the AFTER pictures sometime after Thanksgiving break when I have time to catch my breath. We forgot to take BEFORE pictures, unfortunately.
Before the party I drove into Manhattan to pick up Jon, Jess, Salty, Eytan, Lightshow, and Jackie. I shuttled everyone into Brooklyn, and we partied in my loft for a while. Steve showed up, and we all dressed ourselves for the party. After a few mapquest-related wrong turns, we ended up at the party - we couldn't miss it. There was a line of costumed freaks standing in a line going down the block. That must be it!
The party site spanned 2 parking lots, 2 tents, and a cavernous building (used to be an old gym) with 2 DJ areas, 1 rock area, and multiple chill-out rooms and visual art booths. We spent the majority of the party walking around, browsing the art, scoping people's costumes, watching fire twirlers, dancing, chilling by a fountain, and letting people draw all over us.
Some highlights include:
Slow Motion Tennis - Two people with tennis rackets and one person with a long pole w/ tennis ball attached to the end. Tennis played in extreme sloooooow motion.
Inflatable Pool full of Rose Petals
Procession of Dionysus (Bacchus) - Outside by the fire pits a loud drum drone approached. A line of people dancing wildly swirled by - each person wore a white tunic and some wore olive branch crowns. The drums beat incessantly, and the dancers were wild and unabashed. From the distance, Dionysus rode in on a thrown carried on the shoulders of servants. As Dionysus reached the circle of dancers, the dancers threw themselves wildly toward the throne. As the drum volume climaxed, Dionysus stood and poured red wine over the dancers. The dancers dug into baskets of grapes and fed them to each other and the crowd. So that's what an ancient Greek ritual was like....
Orgazmatron Room - There was lots of moaning coming out of that place. I figured I'd let them have their privacy.
Art installations everywhere. I couldn't even count all the paintings, light displays, murals, diaramas, and sculptures that were on display. Whoever organized the party certainly connected to a vibrant and strong art community.
At the end of the night Jackie and I went back to the van and the rest took the subway home. Apparently Lightshow got lost from the rest of the group the first time they tried to cross a street. He made it home safe.
Sunday we had ourselves a Hello Nurse practice sans Nathaniel. We wrote another new song. It is fantastic - a little bit of a green day meets the strokes feel.
Sunday evening Jackie and I drove Drew & Amanda to Ikea in Elizabeth, NJ. It was a fun trip, and amazingly I held myself to under $15 in spending. Jackie spent less than $10! Of course, everything Drew & Amanda wanted was out of stock, so they left only with a rug.
Tomorrow Jackie and I are driving to Maine for Thanksgiving with her family in Kennebunkport. I'm looking forward to it!
Oh, and right now I'm leaving to go get a cell phone from someone who is moving to Canada. I'm going to take over her contract so she can avoid the termination fee - and I can avoid buying a phone and all those initiation fee. I'll post my new number if everything works out.
9:15 AM
Saturday, November 22, 2003
a good jumpsuit is hard to find
I went around all day today looking for canvas painter's jumpsuits. I went to every hardware store in Williamsburg! Where did I end up finding jumpsuits? The thriftstore down the street. More jumpsuits than I could shake a stick at. What are these jumpsuits for? I'll try and post some pictures tomorrow.
Right now Jon, Jess, Lightshow, Eytan, Salty, and Jackie are meeting at Essex & Delancey so I can shuttle them over the bridge in the van. That van still needs a nickname - get on it people! We will preparty with Steve Duncan at my place, and then head to Decom. Can't wait!!
5:39 PM
Friday, November 21, 2003
MP3.com to become a ghostsite
I'm pissed about mp3.com disappearing. That site has been around forever. I have spent countless sleepless hours surfing that site listening to the worst music the web had to offer. But then I discovered mp3.com radio stations, made by other surfers who actually found stuff worth listening to.
I downloaded stuff by such awesome bands as Ozma, Adventures of Jet, Boy Wonder, Brownie Points, Buzz Poets, Chocolate Sunday, CrashVinyl, DePop, Earwig, Favorite Atomic Hero, Fern, Flickerstick, Go Real Slow, Lovehogs, Oxygen, Prize Money, Scroat Belly, Special Patrol, Student Rick, The Argument, the Setzers, Unsung Heroes, and the A-Ross Experience. Yeah, you've never heard of any of these crapsters, and neither had I. But now, I have their mp3s and I love their music and if they ever come to New York I will definitely see their shows.
Mp3.com has been around for years. It has so much content it's ridiculous. It should definitely remain up as an archive. Some genious out there must be able to design a business model to support the infrastructure that's already there. Oh no, wait, I forgot. CNET wants to be the OCD cockblock of the web and delete the content entirely. (Thanks to Austin for the link.)
In brighter news, I went to Fordham today to give two class presentations about Teach For America. I found out about this last night at around midnight. I dug up a shirt & tie, took a long ride on the L-4-D trains, and strolled around sunny Fordham University all morning. I had to memorize a 3-minute presentation, which kept me busy and nervous on the train. For the most part, the students in the classes to which I presented had eyes glazed with the expression "Is it Thanksgiving Break yet??". It was nice not to have to sit in front of a computer all day though.
Oh, and I'm going here after Happy Hour today to LOOT!
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/zip/19692277.html
Who's watching Michigan kick the crap out of Ohio State tomorrow?
1:11 PM
Thursday, November 20, 2003
Uncovered: The Whole Truth About the Iraq War
I'm hosting a documentary screening at my loft on December 7th at 7pm. That weekend my loft will already be set up to show short films. Hopefully I'll have some kind of projector set up and a full sound system. I decided to host this screening after receiving the following email from the MoveOn.org mailing list:
With your help, on Sunday, December 7th, we'll hold thousands of house parties across the country to screen the new documentary Uncovered: The Whole Truth about the Iraq War. The documentary clearly describes, in the words of experts and former intelligence officials, how President Bush and his administration manipulated evidence to take our country to war. We've been to a few screenings, and it's a perfect centerpiece for a gathering. At 56 minutes, it's short yet substantial, and it brings up a lot of questions that make for good discussion.
The parties will be brought together through a huge cross-country conference call. At 5:30p PST / 8:30p EST, party attendees will be able to dial in to a call featuring director Robert Greenwald, the MoveOn team, and guests from parties all over the country. You'll also be able to submit questions for Mr. Greenwald and the team online.
This'll be fun, but it's also strategic. Coming together, we'll strengthen the MoveOn community. This is also a great way to get the word out – you can invite friends and co-workers who aren’t yet part of MoveOn.
MoveOn.org doesn't usually sponsor documentary films, but this movie is a really important one. It's built around interviews with over 20 intelligence and military experts, many of whom are speaking out for the first time. True to the MoveOn ethic, director Robert Greenwald lets the facts speak for themselves. And the results are pretty shocking.
Uncovered combines expert interviews with extensive research to go behind the walls of government. Interviewees include:
Joe Wilson, the former Ambassador to Iraq who exposed that the famous "16 words" in Bush's State of the Union address about uranium in Niger were false. In retaliation, senior White House officials appear to have blown the cover of Wilson's wife, an undercover CIA agent.
John Dean, White House lawyer for President Nixon during the Watergate scandal.
Rand Beers, former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for combating terrorism.
David Albright, a physicist, nuclear weapons expert, and former weapons inspector with the IAEA Action team.
Rt. Hon. Clare Short, the British Member of Parliament who recently resigned her position as Tony Blair's secretary for international development because Blair did not support a UN coalition to rebuild Iraq.
I think this will be an interesting evening of political debate, exchange of ideas, meeting new people, and probably a fair amount of Bush-Bashing. I should definitely get ARoss to stock me up with "President Bush Is A Liar" bumper stickers.
If you would like to attend, sign up here. I put the max audience at 25, but my place can hold a few more people than that. So, if you decide the night of that you want to trek to Williamsburg to watch a documentary then just come on by. Bring a pole chair!
Either way, I know I will see most people at some point that weekend. That is the weekend of Open Studios, and Hello Nurse is rocking a loft party across the street on the night of the 6th.
From Matt D's IM profile:
Unbelievable levels of bullshit (scroll down and read the part about Bush stealing a judge-ordered settlement for tortured POWs from the 1991 Gulf War):
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/11/20031106-5.html
9:12 AM
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
looking ahead
Lots of things on the horizon, and NO energy to sit here and write about it.
Saturday a bunch of people are going to NYC Decom. It's going to be an amazing time. I can't wait.
Tomorrow night I have an orientation with Big Brother Big Sister. I'm going to be a Big Brother! I'm really looking forward to it. Ever since I stopped teaching I've missed working with kids. This should be a chance to form a strong bond with a kid and help motivate him to succeed. A friend of mine in middle school had a Big Brother. Henry was raised by a single mother and she busted her ass to make sure he grew up right. His Big Brother reinforced that, and Henry is now traveling the world and has a degree in archicture and a killer portfolio. I'd like to try and help motivate someone else to achieve the best that they can. Plus, I just want someone to play basketball with me! Haha - that's not the only reason, but I'm already getting ready for some fun times at the park. Yes, and the museum, library, movies, book store, play, and auditorium.
I don't have a sibling, so I guess this kind of relationship is something I've always been curious about. I'm looking forward to it.
8:50 PM
Monday, November 17, 2003
Michigan
What a whirlwind weekend! Preview: grading a gravel driveway, 12 story indoor fountain, 15 hours of driving, Pit Bull Mania, a bald eagle, rocking out with T-Sparls.
My flight was cancelled Friday evening due to high winds, so I caught a flight Saturday morning at 6am. I woke up at 3:30am, called a car service and made it to La Guardia way too early. I played it safe because I had never traveled to the airport from the loft. I played it too safe - I was at the airport by 4:10am for a 6:05am flight. I had to spend an hour and a half sitting in airport chairs scientifically designed to prevent sleeping. Luckily, I had plenty of new music to listen to [the exploding hearts, fountains of wayne, helio sequence, OKGo, Decemberists, broken social scene].
I arrived in Traverse City, Dad and I ate delicious breakfast burritos and browsed a 3,000sf showroom of 50's-70's vintage furniture. The place was amazing, but a bit expensive for my budget. On the way home my dad slammed on the brakes. We got out, and up in a tree was a bald eagle. We couldn't believe it! I took out my camera and we crept close to get a picture. I snapped a shot, and then a car drove by. The eagle took off, soaring directly over us. It flew by us a couple times, and I took some pictures of its enormous wingspan. Truly a magnificent sight.
We got back in the car when the eagle was out of sight and drove up to my parents' place in Sutton's Bay. We went running around in the woods for a while. There are woods, why not run around? Then we got the huge orange tractor running. This thing is a real tractor, not some crap riding mower. I 4-wheeled around in the woods for about 15 minutes, and then it was work time. My dad attached a plow to the back of the tractor. I drove it up and down the gravel driveway a few times with my dad standing on the back of the plow. We were grading the driveway to fill in all the little holes and hills that develop after a while. It was good fun, and we were completely unsafe. How my dad avoided getting run over by the plow the numerous times I almost killed him, I have no idea. He's invinceable.
We then retreated to the garage to jam for a while. My dad has a great Premier drumset (sounds a lot better than my Pearl) and we played for a while. He has a nice little setup in the garage, complete with a Mackie PA system, accoustic & electronic drum sets, keyboards, and guitars.
After a quick lunch we got the van ready to go. I vacuumed out the half inch of dirt and gravel on the carpet, and he searched high and low for the registration and insurance. I scored a space heater for the loft, which will help keep the icicles off my nose as I sleep.
On The Road
I climbed into my captains chair in the Mystery Machine and drove to Detroit Saturday afternoon. The weather was awful for driving - misting and sprinkling with a flat grey sky. I made it to Grosse Pointe to Joe Bracken's place. All I can say is WOW! Joe and Kate have a beautiful place, complete with fireplace, candles, art, cleanliness, and the 2 wildest & loveable pitt bulls I've ever met. Joe and I took Pablo and Sofia for a walk and then rushed out to meet Dan & Monica for dinner at the Detroit Brewing Company, a new brewpub downtown. We drank Detroit Red and I chomped on a half-slab of ribs. I hadn't had ribs since I was probably 12yrs old except for a few regretable all-u-can-eat fiascos at Brother Jimmy's. Great food, great beer... on to many more bars that night.
We then went to Center Street, a place that used to be a pub and has transformed itself into a wannabe-New York-style lounge. It was the kind of place to go if you wanted to take someone out and show them how much money you could spend. Ok, so I bought everyone shots of Patron. So what!? Unfortunately, I showed everyone just how well I could spend all the money I had. Pabst for the rest of the night after that!
Next we visited the new Compuware Building. The put in a new Hardrock Detroit cafe in the building. I never would have imagined a Hardrock Detroit. Times are a'changin'. But besides being the location of Hardrock Detroit, the architecture of the Compuware Building made my jaw drop... drop to the floor. The building is shaped like a pentagon, with a hollow atrium space in the middle. It reminds me of a hotel, actually. In the middle of the atrium space is a fountain - a fountain that is as tall as the building (12, 13 stores?). Check out a pic here:
A single stream of water pours from the ceiling of the building into each of the suspended colored trays you see in the picture. Each tray is on the same plane as a floor of the building. Water collects in the trays, which have drains in them. The drains turn the water into a sprinkle, resembling a very large shower head. When you look at the fountain as a whole, there are streams of water pouring into trays which then sprinkle the water down to the pool at floor level. Each stream is a different length, depending on the height of the tray. I could have looked at that fountain all night.
Next we went to Bookies, a club that some of Dan's friends operated. It was ok, a bit more of an older crowd actually.
Of course, no night would be complete without a stop at the Majestic, Magic Stick, Garden Bowl complex! We had some cheap beers and hung out for a couple minutes. I snuck upstairs to the Magic Stick without paying and saw Guided By Voices performing. The place was packed, and the band was on fire (and piss drunk, as they usually are).
I said goodbye to Dan & Monica, and Joe drove Kate and I home. I made Joe drive by all my old houses in Detroit, which was nice. When we got home we took the dogs for another walk. Then I showed Joe the beauty of SoulSeek (p2p filesharing program) and played him some new music. He has been itching for some new music, and I have shown him a veritable Goldbond warehouse to soothe the itch.
Joe and Kate were gracious hosts. Kate cooked up a delicious breakfast in the morning, and Joe even gave me a small houseplant to keep in my loft. Thanks, Joe! I even had my own room to sleep in with an air mattress. Joe also bestowed upon me a very precious gift for my trip home: some ritalin.
About 3/4 of the way through Ohio I knew it was going to be a long drive to get back to New York. I hadn't slept much, and after 5 hours of driving on Saturday I wasn't looking forward to the 10+ hours of driving on Sunday. At a gas station in Ohio I enjoyed nice lunch of Lunchables, Chocolate Milk, and ritalin. I turned the radio to NPR, cranked Car Talk , and listened to Click & Clack diagnose car problems. I listened to All Things Considered and then to some albums I downloaded. Before I knew it I had driven through the entire state of Pennsylvania, used an entire tank of gas, and I wasn't hungry or fatigued. I wanted to finish the trip without stopping, but my gas tank suggested otherwise.
I pulled into Brooklyn at about 10pm. I unloaded the van, and checked the messages on my machine. Steve Duncan was in the neighborhood with an old friend of ours, Kari Wilson. They stopped by for a beer before heading out to some Williamsburg bars and a night of shooting pool.
I crashed, completely worn out. This was a long, long weekend. And I am exhausted. But I sure can't say I didn't do anything. Being busy is the best.
8:33 AM
Thursday, November 13, 2003
wind + loft = AHHH!!
The wind is out of control right now. An entire wall of our loft is factory windows. The windows that open work on a swivel, where the top of the window pulls in and the bottom pushes out pivoting on a horizontal bar across the middle. The latches that hold the window closed are very loose. When the wind blows the windows whack against their frames. It sounds like we're in the middle of a tornado, even though the winds are only about 30mph. For all the space you get with these lofts, a lack of comfort definitely follows. Don't even let me get started how fucking freezing it is in here when I wake up to take a shower. Luckily my bed is lofted (high against the warm ceiling) at the opposite end of the loft as the windows. I have the warmest spot in the place. Poor Nathaniel....
Jackie and I went out to dinner tonight at SEA (South East Asia), a Thai place in the East Village. When Dan & Amy McDuffee were in town we went there. We had some great food and split a fairly cheap but yummy bottle of wine. Next we went to the Library, a favorite hangout on Ave. A. The jukebox there is great, and since the place was empty we heard 9 tunes on the jukebox that we played. It was pretty cool. I played some MC5, Hives, Elvis Costello, Clash, Less Than Jake, and something else I can't remember.
Now I have to pack and get ready for my brief trip home to Michigan tomorrow. This blog may lay dormant for a couple days. Have no fear - I'm sure this weekend will supply many stories to keep me avoiding work and blogging away come Monday!
8:01 PM
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
Open Studios Postponed
I have told some of you about Open Studios, an event happening on my block next weekend (Nov. 22/23). People who live in my building and the warehouse across the street are opening up their lofts to show their art, perform music, show films, etc. I was planning on showing short films by Alex Chung and Eric Lane in my place. Hello Nurse was going to play as well.
Unfortunately, our good friends at the MTA have decided there will be no L train service that weekend. No shuttle bus - nothing. Instead of making people take the m-14 or J train, the organizers of Open Studios have postponed the event until the weekend after Thanksgiving (Dec. 6/7). Keep some time available that weekend to come out to Bushburg and check out the happenings. I have a feeling this is going to be a great event.
If you're still looking for something to do on the 22nd, have no fear. This looks to be the best party of the year: NYC Burning Man Decompression 2003 - Boundless. The party is a costume event. Last year Jackie and I went as Mr. & Mrs. Winter. I have an idea for this year for my costume, but I'll have to see if it works. I have already ordered 4 tickets for this party online. If you think you might want to come, I strongly suggest buying your tickets soon. They are $30 at the door, but I got mine for $10 online. The party will be taking place in the space of what was once Twilo. I'm sure it will be amazing.
Ok, back to work :(
7:42 AM
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
happy birthday david
Last night was David Greczek's birthday. He was one of my roommates back at 150th & Broadway. He had a small party at Mannahatta, a trendy new bar on Bowery & Bleeker in the space of the old Astor Lounge. It's right across from CBGB's. A bunch of Dave's friends showed up. I chatted mostly with one of his current roommates who is a saxophonist/composer from Julliard. David seemed to be doing well and he was certainly having a good time. Anyway, after a couple $12 drinks and a shot of Patron (I don't even want to know how much that cost) I had to call it a night.
Tonight we have band practice in Dumbo - but this time we're actually paying to use the room for the month, so I'm going to move my drum set into the space. I can't wait to actually play my own kit again. It's been so long!
9:47 AM
Sunday, November 09, 2003
so proud [sniffle]
Congrats to Uptown Local for winning an ultimate tournament at University of Delaware. They went 7-0 and put a hurtin' on their Metro East competitors. You guys have been working so hard for so long, and now it is starting to pay off. I hope this victory makes you hungrier and more confident than ever.
8:16 PM
Saturday, November 08, 2003
empty acme
NO ONE showed up tonight for the Hello Nurse show at Acme. Jackie showed up, but I guess she is kind of obligated. Other than that, not a single person I invited showed up. I won't hold it against anyone, because there have been many Hello Nurse shows and there will be many more. There was also an eclipse which happened 15 minutes into our set, so that was bad timing. In fact, there was a room full of people already in the venue for the previous band who ALL left to see the eclipse. We played to a huge room filled with 7 gracious bodies who clapped between each number. The silence after the sparse applause was painful.
So, I'm in a pretty shitty mood I guess. Were people busy, or is C-Sparls just a tired subject these days? It just makes you feel really lonely when you advertise at work, on the blog, by email, and with phone calls and no one shows up. I guess I must ask too much of my friends, between Halloween parties and multiple gigs and such. It is a lonely feeling, though.
School of Rock almost cheered me up. It is now my new favorite movie. I'll have to buy that one when it comes out... and memorize it. It rocks so much harder than I ever thought it would.
11:21 PM
hello nurse tonight!
Hello Nurse is performing tonight at Acme Underground. Hopefully our crowd will consist of more people than Jackie, Drew, and Molly. Hint, Hint.
We go on at 8pm sharp, 21+, and I think there might be a cover (sorry:<).
Here are directions to Acme:
Acme Underground is located directly below the Acme
Bar & Grill at 9 Great Jones Street between Broadway
and Lafayette.
The club is just blocks away from the following subway
stops:
B,D,F,Q - Broadway-Lafayette stop
6 - Bleecker Street stop
N, R - 8th Street stop
Hope to see you there!
1:08 PM
Friday, November 07, 2003
rough edit Hello Nurse CD inserts
I stayed up way too late last night working on a cover for the Hello Nurse EP. We have a show Saturday, and we're going to want to sell some discs. We had to change the cover because now we have Joe in the band, and the phone number on the old cover for booking no longer exists.
These are all rough edits, with much to be done in terms of color adjustments and shape trimming. In terms of composition, I'm wondering which is most appealing? Basically, which one of these should I spend my time on? Please comment below and let me know which image you prefer. Thanks!
redbodies
colorbodies
bodies
Also, here is one Joe (bass) made
6:40 AM
Thursday, November 06, 2003
dorkbot!
Last night Bill took me to check out a monthly dorkbot meeting at the computer music center on 125th st. west of Broadway.
From the Dorkbot website: Dorkbot-nyc is a monthly meeting of artists (sound/image/movement/whatever), designers, engineers, students and other interested parties from the new york area who are involved in the creation of electronic art (in the broadest sense of the term.)
Please check out the link for more information. I would love to write up a summary of each presentation, but I really don't have the time. Apparently this was the meeting that Brian House (old Hello Nurse bassist) kept having to miss band practice for once a month. Now I can finally understand why he was so fond of this meeting group. If your name is Drew Faehlne, Jon Yang, Jess Kaneshiro, or Austin Frank, or if you find you have similar interests to the people mentioned above, then you absolutely must check out the next meeting on December 3.
Afterwards, Bill and I met up with Dan Karlin for some drinks at Toast, a bar on Broadway @ 124th street. The bartender apparently thought I was tipping him 50 cents/beer. So, to teach me a lesson he gave Bill and Dan free drinks and said to me, "YOU don't get one because YOU don't tip well." I was floored - being a bad tipper is something I never want to be accused of, unless the service is absolutely horrific. Next time the guy came around I flagged him because I had to set the record straight.
"I just want to set the record straight, because I never want to be accused of being a bad tipper. I gave you $11 and asked for $5 back - so that means I gave you $6 for a $4.50 beer. That's a 33% tip!"
The bartender felt awful for accusing me of being a bad tipper when in fact I was tipping well, so he kept slamming down fresh (free!) pints in front of me until I finally told him I had enough. I thought it was around 11pm, but it was already well after midnight. I ended up crashing at Dan's place because taking the train home would have taken forever. I slept well, and today I get to wear Dan's shirt to work! (Unfortunately, I also had to use Dan's 2-1 shampoo, which feels awful. Sleeping with my contacts in isn't the best feeling either.)
6:12 AM
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
sprint can go to Hell, MI.
As you might have noticed if you were trying to call me, Sprint has shut off my phone. I have an outstanding balance of $1700 because either Sprint is billing me for someone else's calls or someone cloned my phone. Despite repeated calls to Customer "Service" they seem unable to address my concerns. I got so aggravated on the phone today that my blood pressure must have went sky high -- I was lightheaded for an hour afterwards. I ended up paying them $150, and they STILL didn't turn my phone on.
Even though I just changed my phone number, I am going to go to a Verizon store tomorrow and sign up for Verizon service. Sprint doesn't deserve a cent of my money. I have wasted so much of my time on the phone with them, they should owe me money. I can't even begin to say how dissatisfied I am with their service. I don't have enough money now to buy a new phone AND cancel my Sprint service, but I need a cell phone and I am not going to pay Sprint the money necessary to have my current phone reactivated.
Hey Sprint, do you want my money? Then solve my problem that I alerted you to back in early SEPTEMBER. Otherwise, you can try to take me to court. And if you send a collection agency after me, I'll take YOU to court.
In other news, I voted today. It felt good to vote. I bet the CEO of Sprint doesn't vote. I bet he's a total wad of unDemocratic poo-poo-stained evil.
4:15 PM
Monday, November 03, 2003
political discourse between friends
p0pcult: yo
CMinusRocks: hey]
p0pcult: you get my comment on your blog?
CMinusRocks: yeah, I'm reading some things - trying to figure out how I feel
CMinusRocks: fairly unbiased: http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/feature-commentary/20031020/202/575
CMinusRocks: totally biased: http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/feature-commentary/20030616/202/423
p0pcult: i think party primaries are a bad thing
CMinusRocks: as ideas, I agree
CMinusRocks: however, the way new york politics operates now I think they are necessary
p0pcult: why?
CMinusRocks: just because parties are gone doesn't necessarily mean voters are going to educate themselves anymore
p0pcult: i agree wholly with that statement
CMinusRocks: a democratic primary allows voters to pick among candidates who are at least similar in some ways
p0pcult: most people who vote (which is always less than 50%) are self-educated anyway
p0pcult: the people who aren't educated are generally the ones who also don't vote
CMinusRocks: if a politically uneducated voter had to pick between a whole multitude of candidates, things get messy - and what the voter knows about a candidate comes from what they see (ads by the candidate)
p0pcult: furthermore
p0pcult: the people who end up in the final november election should be the two who earned the most votes
CMinusRocks: yes, that's what I'm having difficulty with
CMinusRocks: I agree with that last thing you said
p0pcult: and also most people who vote are educated
CMinusRocks: but I think non-partisan politics at the moment would give the upperhand to republican candidates, such as bloomberg, which I don't want
p0pcult: and also the fact that campaing finance is screwed up shouldn't affect this vote
CMinusRocks: I also think there are more democrats who vote party-line than republicans
p0pcult: i think it would increse the number of votes republicans earned, but not by enough to affect the outcome of races
CMinusRocks: and I think without a party line to vote on, there would be no ONE DEMOCRATIC candidate, and instead 2 or 3 strong ones factioned off by race or neighborhood
p0pcult: yes
CMinusRocks: you would have a strong latino candidate, a strong black candidate, and a strong liberal-white candidate
p0pcult: and if they earned fewer votes than their republican counterparts, then the people have voted republican
CMinusRocks: yes, and this is where my personal politics come into play - I DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN!
p0pcult: i don't either
CMinusRocks: I'm voting more on my personal politics, than what I think is best for NYC democracy
p0pcult: but i think that good democracy is more important than my personal politics
CMinusRocks: I guess that's where I'm different
CMinusRocks: good democracy is a noble thing, but damn it if we have more republicans running things this country will continue going to hell
CMinusRocks: not that I necessarily think a democrat would do that much better
CMinusRocks: I just fear those repubs
p0pcult: so you don't believe in democracy if it allows republicans to get elected?
CMinusRocks: that's where spending limits come into play
CMinusRocks: I WOULD vote for question 3 if there were spending limits, which there are not
CMinusRocks: there are only fundraising limits
CMinusRocks: so a rich candidate has a natural advantage
p0pcult: but you're still ignoring that demographics of voters
p0pcult: especially in nyc
p0pcult: they tend to be educated
p0pcult: and vote as educated people
CMinusRocks: but I think there are a lot of fairly non-educated democratic poor who vote party line
p0pcult: how many poor people vote?
CMinusRocks: I guess we would somehow need to see a statistic on this
p0pcult: yea
CMinusRocks: uh, at my schools in the bronx there were always people there voting - and they weren't exactly very wealthy
CMinusRocks: I think you and I conflict on what we think the 'average new york voter' is
CMinusRocks: and that's a really difficult thing to guage
p0pcult: sure, but what percentage of the district population did they represent?
p0pcult: it is a densely populated area
CMinusRocks: ok
p0pcult: parties are a huge problem in american politics
CMinusRocks: oh I agree
p0pcult: by saying no to 3 you reinforce the two-party system
CMinusRocks: but they've been around so long it becomes problematic just to get rid of them
CMinusRocks: it's true
p0pcult: no to 3 mans no to 3rd party candidates
p0pcult: *means
CMinusRocks: but I think allowing non-partisan elections is just going to keep getting more bloombergs elected - people who basically buy their way into office
CMinusRocks: that's why I'm torn on this issue
p0pcult: see
p0pcult: i think that once the field to entry is leveled, then people with non-party-line ideas can come in and i think that this will revitalize the electorate
p0pcult: give politics fresh ideas
p0pcult: force candidates to evolve
CMinusRocks: you certainly look optimistically upon politicians and politics!
p0pcult: no i don't
CMinusRocks: I guess I'm a bit more pessimistic about how things would actually play out
p0pcult: not at all
p0pcult: in fact what i am saying is that if someone comes along with a good idea, the other candidates will have to copy it
p0pcult: it's like evolutionary adaptation
p0pcult: they will mimic to survive
CMinusRocks: I think parties also hold candidates acccountable to their peers within the party, to some degree
CMinusRocks: no matter what, affiliations will form, and you might get 3 or 4 alliances (parties without the party-ness), kind of like in European elections - and I think that is good
CMinusRocks: but I think finance reform needs to happen first in order for the goodness of non-partisan elections to shine through
p0pcult: finance reform will never happen
p0pcult: until
p0pcult: someone gets elected without being beholden to moneyed interests
CMinusRocks: I disagree - I think it might happen to a small degree
CMinusRocks: and it can definitely happen more easily on a local level (as opposed to a national level)
.....
CMinusRocks: I'll talk to you later man
CMinusRocks: this was a fun discussion
p0pcult: but you are the second person i have failed to convince to vote yes on 3
p0pcult: and i enjoyed the attempt and rebuttal
p0pcult: and it's fun to have a different political opinion than my friends
p0pcult: and i must say that no matter what you vote, it's good that we're all participating
p0pcult: (i tried to change Matt's mind too)
CMinusRocks: agreed
9:09 PM
vote!
Tomorrow is election day! Don't forget, there's a reason why alternate side parking is suspended tomorrow. Get out and vote. Even though there aren't many major positions up for election, there are some important proposals to be decided. I received a number of phone calls this weekend from community action groups concerning Question #3. I haven't researched it enough (on my agenda for tonight's in-front-of-computer time), but from what I've read so far I will be voting NO. Most likely, if you are reading this blog you will want to vote NO as well. I don't really know many right-wingers these days. And as ARoss says, Yankees=Republicans. So, if you hate the Yankees you have yet one more reason to vote. If you like the Yankees, well, you still better vote NO on Question #3.
Here is Question #3 explained through the biased lens of Eli Pariser from MoveOn.org:
Tomorrow, November 4th, is Election Day. As a New York resident, I'm writing to urge you to go to the polls and vote NO on Question 3. Since this is an off-year election, we'll need every last vote to make sure that Mayor Bloomberg and wealthy Republicans don't eliminate party primaries in New York. If Bloomberg's proposal goes through, minority voters would lose influence in city elections, the city's landmark campaign finance program would be hamstrung, and voters would lose the opportunity to pick their own party's candidates for the general election. In practice, this system will mean a shift in power to the wealthy and the Republican party. It's not often that we agree with the New York Post editorial pages, but the Post is just one of a number of newspapers who oppose the initiative. The New York Times, Newsday, The New York Sun, and The New York Amsterdam Sun also have written editorials opposing it. As the New York Times editorial observed, "it is telling that the mayor has not been able to garner much support for this proposal and has found himself opposed by every major good-government group." (Editorial, 10/29/03) Those good-government groups include the League of Women Voters, Common Cause NY, and NYPIRG. Despite this strong opposition, the fate of ballot Question 3 will be determined by a few votes. That's because Mayor Bloomberg is bankrolling a massive mail blitz to get this ballot measure adopted. Last week The Amsterdam News called a brochure mailed by the Mayor's campaign committee deceptive, because it featured misleading quotes that suggested the paper supports non-partisan elections, when in fact it does not.
Because turnout is going to be low for this election, your vote matters so much more! (Not that your vote is ever worthless, but I know how some of you wacky pessimists think sometimes.) I haven't been the most committed voter throughout my years, but I am changing my habits for the better. I mean, look at the jackass in power right now. If I really want to feel valid every time I criticize that Alfred E. Newman then I better have the voting record to back it up. [For the record, I DID vote in the 2000 Presidential Election, and I voted for Gore under Michigan voter registration.]
I moved at the end of August, so this morning I had no idea where to find my voting location for tomorrow. I called the helpful folks at 311 and they hooked me up.
If you have questions concerning your voter registration status, you can call the Board of Elections at 866-868-3692. I called them today because I was wondering if I still had to vote up in Washington Heights at 3681 Broadway. Apparently, I can go to my new voting location at 50 Humbolt St. in Brooklyn and fill out a paper ballot. They will have forms available for me to change my registration address.
So, I'm voting tomorrow. Are you voting? Please comment and say, "Yes, I'm voting" and hopefully we can guilt trip all those other blog surfers out there to get on the phone, find their voting locations, get to the polls before or after work and vote! Don't let these Yankees, er, REPUBLICANS ruin our country anymore than they already have.
10:53 AM
Sunday in the Burg
ARoss and I had a great time Sunday in the Burg. We went to a nearby park and threw around a disc and a football. The trees were changing colors and shedding leaves. Unfortunately, leaves changing colors in East Williamsburg show a narrow spectrum of dark green to light brown - not really any yellows, oranges, or reds. I'm going back to Michigan in two weekends so hopefully I'll be able to see some REAL autumn.
After a brief stop at White Castle for some indigestion Andy and I went to the Shack for a little rock action. We practiced some songs of his that I have listened to on mp3. Surprisingly, I could make it through the songs without too much difficulty. Then we laid down some scream tracks on a song. We also recorded a vocal harmony track on a chorus, but we later changed the harmony to a keyboard line - the moog sounded much better than our voices.
Nathaniel should be back in town today for Hello Nurse practice at the Shack. Professional Recording Studio, doo dah doo dee dah!
I've been listening to WBAR online all morning. I need to go get lunch, because Far Too Canadian is on at 2pm! Yay Canadian Rock!
9:01 AM
Saturday, November 01, 2003
without a hitch
click here for pictures
Thanks to everyone who came by last night! Jackie and I had a wonderful time and it was so nice to see your faces. People wore some amazing costumes - a lobster, a gruesome doctor with a brain-in-a-bag, a Phillies Blunt, a street in Washington Heights, Punky Brewster, a pirate (complete with I-Pod, subpoena, and "share music" t-shirt), some devils & angels, Supergirl, Salt, Pepper, Miss New Jersey, a zombie, a German Oktoberfest Madchen, a viking, Marie Antoinette/Rapunzel, a character from Mortal Kombat, Walter Sobchek - John Goodman's character in the Big Lebowski, a tourist, a cowgirl, the Verizon "Can you hear me now?" guy, Don Zimmer, and of course a handsome pilot and gorgeous stewardess. (Sorry if I left anyone's great costume out - I'm feeling a little foggy this morning.)
I'd also like to give a huge thanks to DJ Skeet (Matt Pilger) for his spinning all night. He hopped on the decks around 12:30 and kept the party jumpin' for at least 2 hours. He played exactly the kind of music I was looking for, and personally I loved every minute of it. At the end of the night I sent around a collection bag, and we gathered up some money for him. I didn't get a chance to see how much money was in the bag (I hope it wasn't some insulting low amount), but I think some folks were generous. Either way, Matt was a great guy to have spin for us, and we own a great thanks to the glory and spirit of Craigslist.
Amazingly, we suffered very little damage to the loft. At a quick glance I don't see anything that's broken. I think we may have broken more things cleaning the place than we did partying.
My next door neighbor (one of the guys involved in the perfume factory) stopped by last night. He even brought over Heidi, his rottweiler. Heidi is a super-friendly beast, and she had a great time getting pet by different strangers in costume and snatching candy corn and cookies off the low tables. It didn't take her long to find the flying bat, and she started barking and jumping at it. Once her paws went up on the DJ coffin I had to get a stool and take the bat down. There would be no dogs jumping on my turntables!
We made a little chill-out room underneath my bedroom in the storage crawlspace, and it turned out to be a big hit. I think I'm going to keep it like it is, because it's a nice place to sit around and chat.
If you have a story from the party, please post it in the comments section. And if you attended a different party last night, please tell us about that as well. With Halloween on a Friday, I'm sure people have some great stories to tell from all over the city.
11:20 AM
Friday, October 31, 2003
HOLLA! ween
I thought everyone else in my office was going to dress up today. Apparently very few people remembered to actually make a costume. That's ok though, because there is a constant line of people waiting at my cube to see my costume. It's fun, and it's keeping me from getting a work done, which is nice.
Jackie and I pretty much finished getting the place ready for tonight. We have a few more little touches to finish, but for the most part the place is ready to rock.
The best part of the evening was carrying the keg up 3 flights of stairs. The keg delivery people delivered the thing, but our elevator was broken. Jackie was kind enough to rush over after work to meet them. If I were her (which I'm not) I would have flirted them into carrying it up to the loft. Instead, Jackie and I had to do it ourselves. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't any walk in the park. People better polish it off tonight, because I do NOT want to carry that thing back down with any leftover beer in it.
Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat.
If you don't, I don't care, I'll pull down your underwear!
6:33 AM
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
moving furniture in my sleep
Jon Yang and I worked our behinds off last night getting the loft ready. We were hanging fabric, testing lights, moving furniture, hanging art, cleaning, vacuuming... the works. Of course, I still have plent of work left ahead of me. But I would undoubtedly be way behind if it weren't for Jon.
Alex Chung also came over to deliver his technics 1200 turntable, so the DJ setup is going to work! Thanks again, Alex.
Thanks to Bill for the kinds words in his blog. I'm glad he appreciates the parties we throw - because I often work way too hard just to have a few people over to my place for some fun-time. Do not fret this time - this one is going to be a dousy.
9:19 AM
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
gettin' the joint ready
Jon Yang is on his way over to help me set the loft up. It's coming along, but we have a long way to go before Friday's throw-down. Luckily my costume is all finished so I don't have to worry about that anymore.
I've been reading applications all week at work. It's been very interesting. I can't help but be impressed by some of the people applying. Of course there have also been a few gems written by people who probably won't make it. This one girl wrote her essay about her breasts! That one made it's way around the office. She wrote an essay about how an obstacle she has tried to overcome is being objectified because of her figure. According to her essay - Yes, they're real. (I joke, but her point was well argued and her writing was strong.... like her back.) Sorry, I couldn't resist.
If you haven't replied to my evite yet you suck.
4:18 PM
Sunday, October 26, 2003
thank you, D-S-T!
Oh my goodness, if there was any weekend in which I need an extra hour of free sleep, it is this weekend. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Daylight Savings Time. However, DST changes in the spring and we lose an hour - and for that I'd like to give a preemptive F U!
Friday night was fantastic. Went to the Brooklyn Brewery (home of Brooklyn Lager, etc) in Williamsburg with some folks from work. Beers were 2 for $5, we ordered a pizza, sat on picnic tables, and the crowd was a mix of tragic hipsters and young families. 5 year old kids running around next to people who spent the past 5 years perfecting their bedhead - it was an odd combination.
Later that night Jackie and I went to Bowery Ballroom to see Radio 4. The crowd there was even hipper - avg hair perfection time = 6 years. We were originally trying to see Ted Leo and the Pharmacists at CBGB's, but that place was so sold out that all access CMJ badges couldn't even get you in. I was excited to see Radio 4, so it wasn't the end of the world that we missed Ted Leo.
The opening band for Radio 4 was Elephant, and the first half of their set was good enough to make me start thinking of downloading it when I got home. Then the end of their set came, and they played their popular songs. Ugh. Nevermind. The lead singer thought he was the best thing since the revival of trucker hats. The drummer was an animal though, and I spent most of the set studying and admiring him.
Radio 4 came on and blew the roof off the place. I had to be at work at 8:30am Saturday, so we were originally only going to stay for the first few songs of the set. Now way. We didn't leave until the last song. Radio 4 is definitely one of my new favorite bands. If the Clash were still around and like to play dance rock - then they would be Radio 4. Their album Gotham is safe according to RIAARadar.com, so go pick it up!
Saturday I went into work to start reading Teach For America applications. The application deadline was Friday at midnight, so we started right away with a training to learn how to score apps on Saturday morning. I spent all day reading 24 applications yesterday, and I have 24 more to read before tomorrow morning. This is going to take most of the week to finish. It's very interesting reading applications from so many bright and capable people. We have a very specific rubric for scoring applications, and an applicant must earn 8 points on the scale to be passed on for a potential interview. It breaks my heart to read an application from someone who obviously wants to commit their next two years to TFA and then reject them because their application was lacking in one specific area. For all of you out there who receive a rejection letter, please realize that this does not necessarily speak of you as a person, but more the extreme specificity of applicant the organization is looking for.
On a bright note, some amazing amazing people are applying to Teach For America this year. The first application I read was from the Student Body President of Georgetown.
And HUGE thanks to Alex Chung who may be letting me borrow his turntable this weekend. Thanks Alex!
7:48 AM
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