saw “Up in the Air” last night.  I like George Clooney.  He does this thing where he makes his romantic leads ‘Simple’.  They aren’t all fast talkers, many of them take a few beats to get the jokes, aren’t too cool to laugh when they get it, and are likely to explain it back to prove that they got it. They get momentarily confused not just as a way to make an endearing facial expression (see Hugh Grant) but because they were in fact momentarily confused.  Yes, this is an acting decision designed to ultimately make them appealing, same as grant, but it’s an effect that is affected through the character, not the actor (hugh again).  Anyhow, I saw the movie and was planning on writing a bit about it this morning, and maybe what I just wrote about George, but then I had a dream last night brought on in part by the movie so I have decided to write about that.

So, last night before I went to sleep  I got an email from the company’s heads inviting everyone who was ever a part of the company to come to party, where entertainment would be provided by a musician I recently wrote about.   The president of the company, I may have already noted, is pals (and was pals) with many of the singers I idolize.   I think that email, combined with the movie, which features a man who travels a lot, led me to this dream.  I write this seems less of clear of a proposition. 

Maybe if I describe the dream, it will make more sense to you and me.   Basically I was invited to a ‘jam session’ in a cozy warehouse (the build oxymorons) filled with old curios and ephemera. As the Musician/friends sat around a table they would write songs on a list, and then take turns playing/singing the songs that they wrote.   I am a compulsive doodler during meetings, a fact I had recently made light of at work, and  one that explains why while everyone was writing songs they were going to perform, I, who was only there to observe, was caught scribbling the line “Living on the road my friend”. (It’s  funny thing how writing never actually is legible in a dream, but my doodle almost was. It wasn’t, but almost). They guy sitting next to me read my line out loud, finishing it, and then wrote the song on the list , for me to sing.   Of course when it got to me, I was nervous and though I got to the cusp of actually singing, which felt quite like getting ready to jump out of an airplane,  I ultimately did not sing, instead explaining the people at the table that it my shame that I never have learned to sing or play, especially since the songs I would love to play are all so simple, and easily sung.  I cited Townes and John Prine.     For some reason this admission was very emotional, and the people at the table were emotional too, treating it as if I had shared some deep and personal secret to a support group.

Ok, so that’s the dream. Writing about it, I think revealed that it  has very little to do with the movie, except perhaps the line I scribbled down, though  I may have scribbled it anyway, since it’s one of my favorites.   No, I think the dream was probably brought on by the email, which reminded me that  Office in Austin was a tight community of like minded individuals, that I hate to see dissolved. No one at the table was familiar though, which was interesting.

But the movie was good, and relevant in some other ways .   It was overloaded with short meaningful moments, but saves itself from heavy handedness somehow.    The ‘twist’ was very real.  At least in my experience.  Though  to be clear here, I have never experienced anything similar to that myself, since Orlando circa 1999, a fact that only occurred to me a split second before I wrote it,  three seconds ago. 

 

 

 

 

Alex got me to pay an iota attention to this Massachusetts race, and I found myself clicking on sites I haven't visited in years:  Drudge, National Review, and Lileks.    The last was, of course, the most fun. What a stud



He seems to be back in bleating form.  

The Brown race has breathed life into my political heart, much like the Knowshon draft lured me into watching this Season's Broncos' collapse. Lets hope this story breaks better.

I was thinking today that I should mention that Lucky was put down last year.  That dog was amazing.  Super obedient without any training.  Loved attention but would not press this issue past one brushoff. Would, if allowed, start with her chin, then a paw, then three more, and before you knew it she was curled up in your lap and happy as a clam.  She was athletic too: It was only the  older Coco's superior route running that ever netted her a catch over the upstart Lucky. 

Well, not that I bring up Coco, I should mention that Coco was a better pure frisbee dog. You could n't trick her and she had great ups.  Ok, so they were both great dogs.

What else... I had something else.... Something runs through the music of  The Arcade Fire such that only their undeniably great songs  really do it for me, the rest is too.... something. Like an exotic sportscar that is too exotic.   I am tempted to say that they are too themed, but that would make me inconsistant.  Can't have that.

And as I found myself nitpicking yet another obviously talented band, I  realized I need to reaffirm that all this music is great.   I think a very mild ear issue has left me irritable these last two months.  I'm gonna get it checked out.

Who was that guy who had a railroad nail through his head and it changed his personality.  Gage, I think it was.  I think I have a mild case of that.  'Cept it's probably ear wax, not a railroad pin.....

Yum.  

The Avett Brothers are the Norah Jones of No Depression. And although that surely isn't a pure compliment, I have absolutely nothing negative to say about Norah and quite a lot of good things to say.  I have only listened to the Brothers' CD twice, so I am going to withhold any specific comments. I do think its safe to say that there are some very good songs on the album.

CNN guy speaking of Bush said , "Until now Bush has been laying low..." Isn't  that what ex-presidents are supposed to do?   nevermind that Obama  names checks Bush  whenever things don't go his way.     Clinton is completely responsible for this sullying of the presidency. He was a whore in so so many ways.  Do I obsess?  Well, no, I don't think of that man much at all,  but is it wrong to be upset about stuff like this? I'll point out one more time,  Bush never blames anybody, never called out the other side of the isle, nothing.  I love him for it.

Saw Asylum Street Spankers again last night. The first was at Galaxy something something in the mission many years ago.  They left me cold then and now. Talented but clever. Like watching an improv comedy troupe repeating their best scenes. Actually, that's my problem with clever music in general.  Rare are the acts who are so gifted at storytelling that you want to hear the same joke over and over.. I could listen to John Prine for days..  Ok, but I am confusing jokes and stories with something else.      the latter being the problem.

Two examples: James McMurty works Churchill's famous quip about being sober in the morning, whilst you'll still be ugly, into a song and I am sick of the joke before he finishes the first line.  Old Joke, and he takes to long to tell it. Especially since James spends way to print setting up one line with the other.    Later though, in the standout track, one of his characters speaks of his second cousins .. oh well. I can't actually write about it on a blog, but it's brilliantly done.

Prine telling the story about a Happy enchilada is an object lesson in story telling.

I really have no point this morning.

My Bar is well stocked again; I bought some more Applejack, bluecoat Gin, Creme de violette,  lemon and orange bitters,  and some rye whiskey. Oh, and some very expensive sheets and a Display Model Iron for 75% off.  That last one was a great deal. It's exactly like the regular model except it doesn't heat up.

WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING.......still...   a great deal.

I discovered a few new places this week.

Petite Maison is a little french restaurant just  south of Abernathy on Roswell Road. The staff is all French, the menu is diverse, the salad was terrific.. Small little bar... what can I say?

Also, and more typical for me, is the great little TopFlr, just off Ponce. This place's drink menu features a ton of house cocktails all named after classic country music stars and songs. They have a  drink called Poncho and Lefty, for instance.   Don't get confused by the Countryfried drink names though, the place is very modern inside, and perhaps a little...i don't know.. DIY?
Ironically I didn't check upstairs (not checking upstairs at a place called topFlr is irony in my book), so maybe there is something country up there.     Moreover the bartender lady seemed very knowledgeable.   Great liquor selection, lots of fresh ingredients.   I'm stoked that there is something in my neighborhood I can get behind.


The owner and the Host were both fun to talk to.Maybe because they are hi-falutn bigots.   I thought the host's  had a professional demeanor was a bit on airs, but I dug it. I thought he was very effective and personable.  If you like your service cloying, then don't go there.  Don't go to Petite Maison either, actually: There is no pretension THERE, but they aren't going to baby you either.


Speaking of cloying, it turns out TopFlr is following Ecco's lead , making house shots of Strega instead of GrandMa or Fernet.   File that under useless knowledge about  small trend in subculture.

It's hard to break new ground on comfort food but their Sweet Potato Succotash pretty much rules.      Cubed Sweet Potato, Pancetta, and some sort of corn based cream sauce.....  wow. Bravo guys.
  

Oh. hey. Last night I think I invented my first Cocktail.  I'm either calling it "Let the right one in", "Write One In", or "Right One In".   I need to tidy up one or two things about it, but I am very pleased with it.    Its a cold weather drink, of course.  I'll post it here soon, and be famous shortly after.


Just finished watching MOON, staring Sam Rockwell. Sam Rockwell is awesome.   I want him to star in a movie where he and  Ed Norton out connive each other. 

Also, and finally,  the Pisco Sour at Pura vida is the best I have ever had. Their house made bitter really tie the drink together.

Shit, one more thing.  Lebowski as a shakespearian Play.. JUST WHEN I THOUGHT THE INTERNET WAS FINALLY LOSING STEAM, IT TURNS AROUND AND  COMPLETELY REDEEMS ITSELF.

the money quote:

I have resumed BattleStar Galactica, after two false starts on the fourth Season.  Given that I had no such problems reading the stillborn  Sword OF Truth Series which required a great deal more investment,  that I was having such a hard time resuming the FINAL SEASON of a tv show seems damning, but it's something less, I assure you.


Yes, I have little good to say about the show, and feel that people who do are studiously obtuse: They are suffering the same  problem as a  geek who occasionally receives the attention of the cute girl who is really using him for answers to the math homework.

The attention is nice, but the relationship is pretty one sided.

It's the same kind of tension over and over again. Are you A cylon or arn't you. Should I obey the law or my conscious.  If it isn't one it's the other. If it isn't Tango, its Cash.   Oh, there is the meta conflict, about finding earth or surviving the cyclons, or whatever, but without any longstanding character development arch I really don't care.

So yeah, it has its weaknesses but....   

I don't know what the "but" is.  At least its Sci-fi?

And while I am 'catching up' I should also add that in addition to people listening to my dietary advice,
everyone is reading SOIAF now.  Weird.


I watched two good movies this weekend. In Bruges, and Let the Right one in.

"Let the right one in" is an afterschool special on Lonliness, abuse and eating disorders.
"In Bruges" is hard to describe so snarkily, and I am not up for a serious description.  
Think Snatch (Violence) and Lost in Translation (travelogue) plus a healthy dose of
that one movie where an elder hitman saves the soul of the younger one.

Well , that's not exactly right, but I didn't know anything about either of them before I watched them and you shouldn't either.    They are both good but not for the squeemish.

and don't even try to act like Dogs Eye View isn't a number band.

So I figure I missed some stuff on my recap for the last four months:

I so saw the broncos collapse coming.

For some reason people started listening to me about nutrition, and having great results.  Don't know what changed.     Basically, we arn't supposed to eat Grains. Our bodies are not designed to eat them.  Are bodies are designed to get fat when we eat sugar, so don't eat any carbs except the low sugar low starch ones and you will not gain weight. The whole notion that Dietary Fat causes Body Fat is on par with "Sleeping through my alarm" (Scroll  down a few posts for that reference). Every time you say something like "at least the dressing is low fat" imagine yourself saying "I don't eat white things because I am trying to tan" or "At least it carcinogenic" or "At least the game was in jacksonville".

And finally, exercise has so very little to do with it. I'm talking 5% . Maybe.  And it's maybe 5% in the direction you don't want to go (Clinicians back before the low-fat hypothesis started killing people recorded this fact time and time again.  Ever heard the expression "Working up an appetite"?).   Exercise to get fit.  Eat right to control your weight.   

That's it folks.


Lets see, I am sitting in "yoga chair" (google:  rocking balans kneeling chair), eating filet mignon roast, with a small walnut spinach cranbery asparagus salad and a sweet potato (trying to gain weight over here). When I am done I will probably drink some coconut milk for some extra fat and have some fish oil to balance out the o6 in the roast. Fairly typical meal.

OH so, I was going to have to forfeit 500 dollars  that I too well squirreled away in an FSA account, so instead I went to a general practitioner for a checkup, and hopefully a note telling the FSA bean counters that I needed the fish oil for medical reasons.  . He turned out to be out, and so became a She.  An attractive She.  Still, I declined the prostate exam, but insisted on the cough test.  As I remembered  it (Paraclete high-school 1989) an older guy sticks his hand down your pants (Catholic School).  Now days, SHE sits in a low stool right in front of you and you drop your pants and underwear. Fondling ensues.

Anyhow, all the tests came back very negative except high albumin  <sp?> which I am attributing to the 3 eggs I was averaging per day in the preceding weeks (I have since reduced to 1 on average, in anticipation of a retest.   High Albumin, due to Eggs, isn't bad if your sure its from the diet and not the liver failure.  Well, that's me talking, not the Doc). I also had high bilurubin <sp?> which is common amongst crossfitters.    Both levels were exactly on the cusp, so I don't think I am being obtuse here..  I'll get tested again early summer once my diet cleans up (no more sweet potatoes and slightly less booze)

ok , that's it.


Taking a little Anusara Yoga now an then. Learning a lot there.

Tara is engaged.

i'm out of stuff to talk about

Well, he was damn near supernatural.   Vic Chesnutt passed away. I've had it up to pretty high with musicians killing themselves,  but with Vic at least you got the sense he was doing his best.  This was no cry for help. Dude was sad, and in debt.

Thing is, he was friggen incredible.  I was hard on myself for nit picking Mcmurty, but there are numerous guys who put a higher bar on the quality of their work, and Vic's was the highest. Even the drunken "DRUNK!"s on Drunk were   purposeful. I suspect.  Damn his songs were so good every one who covered one of his songs sounded great (See sweet relief II). Even my boy Townes can't claim that.    Vic had number-bands sounding insightful.

Here is a dashed off playlist you have to listen to. It is no way definitive. In fact, it draws from far less than half of his catalog.

Supernatural 
When I Ran Off And Left Her  
Dodge
Naughty Fatalist 
Kick My Ass   
Onion Soup   
Guilty by Association   
Bug   
Florida    (And he hates florida too!)
Stupid Preoccupations 
Panic Pure  
West Of Rome
Flirted With You All My Life 
Giant Sands  
See You Around

So yeah.  Go  buy those tracks online somewhere and feast.

If I don't receive emails about his awesome enunciation, I know you haven't obeyed me. And I'll just say, as 'onion soup' just started playing over here,  that a lot of his songs are uplifing in their own way, and I am not just talking about the turn yourself inside out and so low that everything else is an improvement... no, sometimes he just nails quiet optimism.  Well, I won't call it optimism....

See you around Vic.

I spent Saturday and Sunday driving across the country in my new 08 mercury Mariner. In anticipation of the drive I bought 10 new Cds, 9 of which belonged to bands I had never heard. I listened to Each CD exactly twice. Oh, and in case you were wondering,  I picked 7 of these CD's by reading Pitchfork's top 50 for 2009.  This year I had only discovered 1 of the 50 on 'my own', I preserving  my indy credentials by a thread.

TV on the Radio. Dear Science.
This is the one CD by an artist I was familiar with, and it is clearly their best work. A perfect synthesis of the immediacy of Desperate Youth and the challenge of Cookie Mountain. This is the must have CD of the three for anyone with a modicum of patience (It won't take much, but some people with short attention spans may need a heady dose of Staring at the Sun, off their First CD before plunging into this)

the XX, eponymous
Not having the perfect sound system, and also due to the call and response duet format in a lot of the songs I questioned this bands depths after the first listen.  Oh, I enjoyed it, and I enjoyed it even more the second time around, but I was feeling a little guilty.    It's something like that Jesus and Mary Chain song that featuring Mazzy Star. Rememebr that song? Come on, I think it was called. It was good right?  This is like that but with sultry beats throughout.  I listen to this last night on my stereo and I can't imagine someone not liking this. Compared to almost everything else I bought for the trip its very simple and light, but that's everyone else's problem, not theirs.

Animal Collective. Merriweather Post Pavillion.
If it weren't pitchfork's album  of the year I'd call it Shins on Avery Island and move on. Oh, I'd keep listening to it, when noone was looking, in hopes all the flourish and layers might crystallize into something more triumphant, because as it stands now, it's giving me very little to get behind. (And you thought Shins + Neutral milk = good review?   I should clarify that I was referring to the bad parts of that band and that album). We'll see, it's probably a great album and this time next year I'll proclaim it the new OK Computer.

Grizzly Bear.  Veckatimest.
Like Animal Collective, this guys are a bit too precious. They are slightly more linear, especially when they get all pastoral, like on the opening track Southern Point. And were my last four years only ventures into indy music not Fleet Foxes, Midlake, and Tallest Man on Earth, I'd be more impressed with that song.  Still,  I'm looking at Grizzly Bear as the gateway band for Animal Collective, although I am convinced yet by neither.    Somewhere between Nashville and Chattanooga I worked on an analogy of using one beer bottle to open another but I couldn't make it work... you try

Mos Def. ecstatic.
His Quiet Dog bite Hard is my official theme song for this ski season.  It was the song of the drive. I don't listen to a lot of rap, so I can't relate this album to much... Slick Rick makes an appearance, which was cool.  Most rap albums seem uneven to me, and this is no exception, but I find Mighty Mos compelling.

Pains of Being Pure of Heart. Eponymous
You can taste the early nineties pop wafting off of the New Yorkers.... Once I tuned the stereo to balance out the washed out tinny production on my CD (It could be my ipod connection) I started to appreciate that these guys sounded like bands I knew, but whose names I probably never learned.  It's melodic pop...circa My Bloody valentine?  Yeah, you knew of them, but who can say what they sang?  Given the only vague familiarity I have with the source material (Ride?), these guys are are going to have lots of aural room to manuever.  I need to listen to it with headphones though.

Anthony and the Johnsons. The Crying Light.
The perfect album for environmentalists who like Buckley's Lilac Wine and his Edith Piaf impressions. That's not fair though, because as quick as I am to flush an artist  for purveying cheap environmental sentiment, these guys aren't cheap in any way. (The score now is 2.5 to 345,342 with bright eyes and cowboy junkies providing the other 1.5 points)). So yeah, it's chamber pop.  A guy in a gayed out falsetto singing over a spare orchestra about the environment. And you like it.  I did, anyhow, by the second listen. Well, it's good, else can I say.  I wish it weren't?

James Mcmutry. Life at the Aught/
I spent the 8 hours between listens coming up with a bunch of mean things to say about this album.  And then I realized I was doing what Rich always does with bands not Named Dave Mathews: making stoopid comparisons against my idol. So yeah, lyrically, he's not townes. He's not John Prine or Guy Clark, or Mike West either. That second list makes for better comparisons anyway since they all rely heavily on humor, as does James.  But James actually sounds more like Alejandro Escavedo, in that the music is at least as important as the lyrics as the mood, and it's made for the bar crowd.  And I'll go ahead and say that musically, this guy is more consistent than all those others.  The band kicks ass, and I wish I was at the show.    but yeah, he gets too complacent with the lyrics on some songs.... I had to say it.

Phoenix. WolfGang Amadeus Phoenix
Easily the most accessible of the bunch,save maybe The xx. I found myself clapping along, or thumping parts of the car on even the first listen. They're French, but what are you going to do. It's pop, it's catchy, its got a lot going on.  If the drive were a contest, these guys won it.

Yo-Yo Mah; Unaccompanied Bach Concertos
I dont' think I am in love with unaccompanied cello concertos, period.   The guys is good, and I listened to his Christmas album, and that little bit of familiarity was all it took to make me enjoy that album. But this album, in my situation, was suboptimal. I'll need to listen to it a few more times, in the background hopefully, before I can find something to latch on to.