• THE UPPER FOREST •

AYYYYYYYYYYYYY

2008-04-05T23:34:00.001-04:00

I LIKE POO POO!

MY GIRLFRIEND LOVES BELLE & SEBASTIAN

2007-03-20T18:20:00.000-04:00

Quote: "Belle & Sebastian are the biggest pussies of indie rock, hands down. They would be cutters, but they're too scared. I've only heard 1 song, but that was plenty. It was PAINFUL! I almost changed the station temporarily. I want to look up people on myspace that have them listed as favorites, so we can mock them."

PRAISE J3SUS!

2007-03-19T18:30:00.000-04:00

For all of you God-fearing Christians who just feel like Satan is working his dirty business while you're using Windows or Mac OSX, Ubuntu has just the thing for you! Available for free download is their new open-source Christian operating system!

Apparently, this is much-needed relief for a terrified group of right-wing Christians who have had evangelical problems with current mainstream operating systems. Most of you probably already know the hilariously immature (or: hardcore Christian) accusations of Bill Gates and Microsoft being Satanic. Examples being:

Bill Gates and Microsoft: Proof that Bill Gates is the devil: The real name of Bill Gates is William Henry Gates III. Nowadays, he is known as Bill Gates (III), where III means order of the third (3rd). In converting the letters of his current name to ASCII- VALUES:

B - 66
I - 73
L - 76
L - 76
G - 71
A - 65
T - 84
E - 69
S - 83
I - 1
I - 1
I - 1
-------
666
-------
THE NUMBER OF THE DEVIL....

or another classic:

FOR THOSE FELLOWS WHO STILL HAVE THE OLD EXCEL '95 (NOT OFFICE '97) TRY THIS OUT:

1. Open a new file;
2. Scroll down until you see row 95;
3. Click on the Row 95 button, this will highlight the whole row;
4. Press tab to move to the second column;
5. Now, move your mouse and click on help THEN about microsoft excel;
6. press ctrl-alt-shift and click on the tech support button simultaneously;
7. A WINDOW WILL APPEAR WITH TITLE : THE HALL OF TORTURED SOULS... This is eerie ... it has doom style format and you can walk around the hall ... and on the sides of the walls are the names of the tortured souls...
8. NOW WALK UP THE STAIRS AND COME BACK DOWN, FACE THE BLANK WALL AND THEN TYPE EXCELKFA... this will open the blank wall to reveal another secret passage, walk through the passage and do not fall off... when you get to the end you will see something really eerie.. At this point in time, countless witnesses all over the world have verified this point... it's really an eye-opener. It could be a joke by MS Programmers or is it really? Wouldn't be surprised if Bill Gates is "The AntiChrist." After all, it was already foretold in the Bible that someone powerful would rise up and lead the world to destruction.

But I just came across this gem today, which made me almost fall out of my chair while laughing. Taken from the "Evolutionism Propoganda" section of Objective Ministries:

Take for example Apple Computers, makers of the popular Macintosh line of computers. The real operating system hiding under the newest version of the Macintosh operating system (MacOS X) is called... Darwin! That's right, new Macs are based on Darwinism! While they currently don't advertise this fact to consumers, it is well known among the computer elite, who are mostly Atheists and Pagans. Furthermore, the Darwin OS is released under an "Open Source" license, which is just another name for Communism. They try to hide all of this under a facade of shiny, "lickable" buttons, but the truth has finally come out: Apple Computers promote Godless Darwinism and Communism.

But is this really such a shock? Lets look for a moment at Apple Computers. Founded by long haired hippies, this company has consistently supported 60's counter-cultural "values". But there are even darker undertones to this company than most are aware of. Consider the name of the company and its logo: an apple with a bite taken out of it. This is clearly a reference to the Fall, when Adam and Eve were tempted with an apple by the serpent. It is now Apple Computers offering us temptation, thereby aligning themselves with the forces of darkness.

This company is well known for its cult-like following. It isn't much of a stretch to say that it is a cult. Consider co-founder and leader Steve Jobs' constant exhortation through advertising (i.e. mind control) that its followers should "think different". We have to ask ourselves: "think different than whom or what?" The disturbing answer is that they want us to think different than our Christian upbringing, to reject all the values that we have been taught and to heed not the message of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Given the now obvious anti-Christian and cultish nature of Apple Computers, is it any wonder that they have decided to base their newest operating system on Darwinism? This just reaffirms the position that Darwinism is an inherently anti-Christian philosophy spread through propaganda and subliminal trickery, not a science as its brainwashed followers would have us believe.

In other news, Mac keyboard buttons are lickable???!
Mine tastes like snozberries.

GIRL PARTS MOUSE PAD

2007-02-13T13:56:00.000-05:00

3rd base for us computer dorks.
////linked from gizmodo.com

MUSIC SURVEY

2006-12-04T16:19:00.000-05:00

i hate doing these things on MySpace, bc i really don't care about 95% of my friends list. the people i'd only want to see my answers are the people who come here. so, here we go...
---------------------------------------------------------

1. What was your favorite concert?
tough.. Modest Mouse/The Shins/Califone, Fall '98. Pearl Jam, Nashville '03. Radiohead, Atlanta '03. Sigur Ros puts on an incredible show too. Dismemberment Plan, because they rule. too many to remember, really.
2. What was the first concert you went to?
New Kids On The Block, in 4th grade
3. What was the longest concert you went to?
i guess one of those festivals. but an actual show? i guess pearl jam, around 2.5 hours.
4. Did you meet anybody amazing at a concert?
some good friends
5. Did you meet any of the bands?
yes. Isaac Brock from Modest Mouse. pissed and laughed in a public basin with Mark Arm and Matt Lukin from Mudhoney. several others, but those were the most memorable.
6. Have you been to 10+ concerts?
yes
7. Did you see a band you hated?
Widespread Panic (walked out after two songs). Dave Matthews Band.
8. What is the closest you stood for a concert?
on the stage having to hold Matt Lukin's amp on my thighs at a Mudhoney show in Memphis (the stage was extremely small, and the amp was falling). Or about 3 feet from Conor Oberst's face at a Bright Eyes' show in Memphis (about 15 people were at the show, at some crappy lounge). we almost kissed.
9. What is the furthest you stood for a concert?
as far away as i could at a 311 show. lawn seats at others
10. Did you ever mosh at a concert?
yes, unwillingly though. (brian, if you're reading this.... remember Gordon at the Mudhoney show? HA!)
11. Ever crowd surf?
yes
12. Do you think preps should attend concerts?
apparently some emo high school kid wrote this
13. Have you seen your favorite band live?
about 20 times
14. Have you ever lost something at a concert?
my hearing (thanks mogwai)
15. Did you ever get a pick or a drumstick at a concert?
nope
16. What do you do while waiting for the band to play?
drink beer, talk to friends
17. How hyper are you at concerts (1-10; 10 being craziest)?
depends on who's playing. i'm usually pretty subdued though, unless i'm wasted
18. Have you ever lost your voice at a concert?
yes
19. What is your next concert?
next planned one is Explosions In The Sky in February. i'm sure something before that will happen

LETTERMAN TOP 10 GEORGE W BUSH MOMENTS

2006-11-22T12:00:00.000-05:00

NEW FAVORITE BAND

2006-10-16T12:40:00.000-04:00

I particularly enjoy the electrical-taped microphone to the PVC pipe, and the Pikachu t-shirt. All other bands take heed, this is the real thing.
Click here to view more kick-ass videos that will melt your face and computer.

CRAPPY COSTUME

2006-10-14T23:22:00.000-04:00

I just found my Halloween costume for this year.

SOMEONE PLEASE DO IT

2006-10-03T17:45:00.000-04:00

LET'S ROLL

2006-09-30T23:42:00.000-04:00

LITTLE SUPERSTAR

2006-09-25T16:05:00.000-04:00

I CAN'T SEE SHIT!

2006-09-21T17:29:00.000-04:00

HA HA.

THE YOGI BERRA OF OUR ERA

2006-09-01T12:41:00.000-04:00

THE ADVERTISING AMERICAN WAY

2006-08-10T18:54:00.000-04:00

HEY LOOK, WE CAN'T SELL OUR OVERPRICED CRAP ON QUALITY ASSURANCE OR SHOPPING MORALISM, SO WE'LL RESORT TO THE AGE-OLD CHEAP ADVERTISING COP-OUT!!!! AND WE'LL ALSO MAKE YOU WONDER, "AM I ATTRACTED TO CHILDREN?"

YUMMY IN THE TUMMY

2006-08-09T10:20:00.000-04:00

Grilled cheeses are simply amazing. I prefer mine dipped in ketchup, which I guess means I'm Canadian. I don't have any problems with that.

(from Wiki)
A grilled cheese sandwich is a relatively simple sandwich, generally consisting of two pieces of sliced bread and at least one slice of cheese in between. Some methods call for buttering the outside of the bread first, while others melt the butter in the pan.

Traditionally, cheddar is used, although in the USA a processed cheese known as American cheese is also quite popular. In the Netherlands Gouda cheese is used most often and ham is added to it. Other kinds of cheese can be used, such as Swiss cheese, but these are mostly regional variants.

Meat or pickles and/or mustard added to the grilled cheese are other variations. It is also not unheard of for fresh sliced tomato to be added. There are also some who prefer a triple-decker grilled cheese sandwich, where the middle slice is put in a toaster before adding cheese and two other slices of bread, and cooking it like a normal grilled cheese sandwich.

In Britain, Ireland and Australia a similar dish is often referred to as "cheese on toast", "toasted cheese", Welsh rabbit or "roasted cheese", and is normally made with one slice of bread or toast (an open sandwich), topped with cheddar, and broiled (grilled) until the cheese has melted. (In South Africa "toasted cheese" refers to a toasted cheese sandwich while "cheese on toast" refers to unmelted cheese on a slice of toast.) Some people like to sprinkle condiments over the cheese; the possibilities are limited only by the imagination, but especially popular variations include Worcestershire sauce, powdered oregano, powdered paprika, or cayenne pepper.

It is often enjoyed as a side-dish to tomato soup, sometimes dunked. Others (mostly Canadian) prefer to dip their grilled cheese sandwiches into ketchup or apple sauce.

Also, there is some debate over what is the correct way to slice this type of sandwich. Some prefer horizontally along the middle, as with traditional sandwiches. Others prefer diagonally, from corner to corner, to make it easier to dip.

CRAZY FROG BROTHERS

2006-08-04T12:00:00.000-04:00

PLEASE TAKE THE SUNSHINE AWAY

2006-08-01T12:39:00.000-04:00

100 degrees in New York today, without the heat index. 101 tomorrow. This is making the South feel like San Diego. Not only is it unbearably hot, but to go anywhere (including work), you have to saturate yourself in it. Sure, the south is hot. But only as hot as you want it to be. As far "behind" people in the Northeast say the south is from the rest of the country, there is one thing that all these fancy Ivy League pretty boys have not discovered. CENTRAL AIR. Which the south lives in.

Back home, you are constantly in the air conditioning. Inside your house or apartment. You leave, you get in your air conditioned car. You go into an air conditioned store. I've seen golf carts with air conditioning. Sure, the heat can get hot, but it's only as hot as you want it to be. Because you know at any moment, you can jump into some nice 70 degree air and cool off.

Not here.

The only place you will find decent central air is in a store, like Bloomingdales. And i've walked into the women's department plenty of times when getting off the train at 59th just to cool off. But the thing is, nowhere else has central air, unless you go shopping. No apartment buildings have central air, unless it's a new building, AND you're purchasing your one-bedroom $1mil space. Otherwise, you're stuck with a window unit, and fans. When you're in your apartment, you're used to it, and you can be comfortable (if you shed all clothing). But once you go outside, you're fucked. Sure, the thermometer reads 100 degrees, but that isn't close to an accurate portrayal of the heat. You have to add in the other factors. First, New York is one huge concrete block. Every sidewalk, street, and building emits all the heat outward off the concrete, like a giant oven. Kind of like those reflective silver things people put under their face when sunbathing. Second, there are all the cars, trucks, 18-wheelers and buses. Each one spitting out heat and exhaust. If you walk near a bus or truck, you'll feel about a 20 degree difference (and hold your breath, diesel exhaust isn't too healthy i'd imagine). Third, all the buildings dump their heat out onto the sidewalks where everyone walks. Most of this heat comes from A/C exhaust ducts. Or exhaust fans from restaurant kitchens and ovens. That's more heat. Fourth and finally, there is all the heat rising out of the subway grills in all the sidewalks. So when you walk over or by one of these, you have heat coming up onto you, building blowing hot air or emitting heat from the side. A bus blowing exhaust from the other side, and the sun blazing down from above. It's like a spray-on tan with heat! And the best part? Wearing jeans to work bc of their 'no shorts' policy.

So, enjoy your air conditioned lives, all my non-NYC friends.
As for me, I'll be changing my underwear 3 times a day.

STEWART/COLBERT 2008

2006-08-01T12:20:00.000-04:00

Stephen Colbert DESTROYS Eleanor Holmes Norton, democratic representative from Washington DC.

JENGA

2006-07-18T17:04:00.000-04:00

PWNED!!!!!!! (click link.)

CRAP

2006-06-24T17:40:00.000-04:00

just spilled bleach on one of my favorite shirts. motherfuck me in the brain.

HORSE FACE

2006-05-23T12:27:00.001-04:00

If you know me, you know my extreme hatred for Madonna. I could care less for her music, it really has nothing to do with that. It's more so her self-importance, idiocy, self-righteous attitudes. Really, I wouldn't piss on her if she was on fire. But I have to give props to the Catholic League President, Bill Donohue, for his quote pertaining to Madonna's recent stage prop for her current tour. She opened the show wearing a crown of thorns, and being raised/crucified on a disco light cross (click). (I'm guessing the counting number above the stage is the profit she made off that one concert for her $350 tickets. Cunt.)

Bill Donohue: "I guess you really can't teach an old pop star new tricks. Poor Madonna keeps trying to shock. But all she succeeds in doing is coming across as a boring bigot."

HAIL HELL

2006-05-23T11:55:00.000-04:00

KUDZU

2006-05-23T10:39:00.000-04:00

I work with three co-workers in the same room, and all of them are from San Francisco. So, somehow, when kudzu was randomly brought up in conversation (by me) the other day, I was a little disturbed that none of them knew what kudzu was - and had never heard of it. Once I showed them pictures, they were utterly amazed. So for today's lesson, let's teach all of you non-Southerners about kudzu!

History of Kudzu

SUPERMAN: TRAILER 3

2006-05-23T00:37:00.000-04:00

The nerd that I am:
Third trailer for the upcoming Superman Returns film has been released. Could someone bring me some new underwear? Because I just shit my pants.

Kevin Spacey rules.

(click picture to go to trailer.)

LIFE WASTED

2006-05-22T22:48:00.000-04:00

Pearl Jam's first proper video in 8 years. First video they have appeared in in 14 years (previous video was animated). Really enjoy this new installment. The imagery is tremendous and extremely alluring. Really enjoy the dark, sadistic side.

To watch the video, click on the image below, or here --> Pearl Jam "Life Wasted

SUDDENLY EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED!

2006-05-22T22:21:00.000-04:00

Changed the look a bit around here. Just the top and some colors. The same old boring place, just like to swap it up a bit.

ALL YOU NEED IS BLOOD / BLOOD IS ALL YOU NEED

2006-05-21T02:02:00.000-04:00

Was in and out of the apartment building most of this afternoon. Mostly doing laundry. On my final trip back into the building from getting my clothes out of the dryer, I notice the ground at the foot of the stairs inside the doors of our building (i had left the building no more than 20-30 minutes prior to coming back, and this was not there). Don't know what happened, but we're wondering if it has anything to do with the drunk guy who lives in our building who last night we watched fall down the exact flight of stairs you see in the pictures. (he didn't bleed. but it's funny to think about, since he fell in the same spot.) Who knows what happened, we don't. We can't figure out if someone fell, or what. As you can see, there's a smear on the wall which is at the top of the flight of stairs you see in the other pictures. (click on thumbnails for bigger images.)

Oh well, just another day.

STORMY WEATHER

2006-05-15T10:14:00.000-04:00

One thing I really miss about the South are the incredible thunderstorms. Something soothing about the rain, the thunder/lightning, and being indoors. Today we have a bit of "stormy" weather, but still nothing even close to comparison to a real thunderstorm.

It's funny to see how people react to thunder up here, I guess because it's not all that common. After living here for over a year now, I've probably only knowingly heard thunder about 5-10 times. Which is weird.

But, I guess since I have to walk to get places instead of driving in a car, I'd be regretting a torrential downpour like I am now yearning. And then there are the times I remember such hard Southern thunderstorms that sucked. Like the time Ben and I drove from Memphis to St. Louis after work one Friday to see the White Stripes. Was supposed to be about a 4 hour drive, but took 7 because of the rain. Going 15mph on the interstate and not seeing ANYTHING in front of you. That was the last time I've been in Arkansas, and I don't have any problems with that.

YEAR OF THE DOG

2006-05-05T01:37:00.000-04:00

OF DREAMS

2006-03-19T01:02:00.001-05:00

Had to create a little flash ad banner for my company's website, like i do every week. This one in particular somewhat haunted me. Before starting on the project, and while sort of thinking/brainstorming about it, I had this dream/nightmare one night, and decided to make the banner be an ode to it. Since finishing the banner, I've dreamed about this guy twice more.

(The banner is for an interview and album of a great jazz/piano musician from the 1930's, named Hoagy Carmichael.)

Click here to view the banner / glimpse of my dreams

_

HAIR DUDE, YOU'RE STEPPING ON MY MYSTIQUE

2006-03-18T17:44:00.000-05:00

Went out today to get a haircut. Last few time I'd gotten it cut at a place close to hear, from a younger girl/woman who seems pretty cool. She was the cheapest I had found that wasn't a "Super Cuts" type place ($30 +tip), and really, that's a good price for around here for a men's cut. She did decent jobs usually. Last time I got it cut from here was about a month and a half ago? Well, it wasn't that great. And now that it had grown out, I looked like a fucking ass-clown. Worst hairstyle/grown-out haircut I'd ever had. So I declared out loud (since I was by myself) that I'd never get my hair cut from there again. And went down to the Astor Place Hair barber shop. That place is fun. Been there once before. Just a huge underground room filled with tons of barber chairs, with random guys just cutting away. Just walk in, tell the guy at the front you need a cut, and he points you to any open chair. Got it done by some guy named Josef who ate Cool Ranch Doritoes the entire time. In and out within 10 minutes, literally. $15. Fuck the nicer haircut places, it's all about the reject Super Cuts guys who have been in this place that's been around since the 1945. The barbers are fast. Try and get you in and out as fast as possible. So no stupid awkward small talk (which is one of the many things i love about New Yorkers. No one gives enough of a shit about you to have stupid meaningless chit-chat). Just sit there and let them go.

$30 for shitty haircut
$15 for good haircut

I NEVER MEANT TO BE SPOOKY!

2006-03-09T17:51:00.002-05:00

I WILL BE SEEING THIS. This looks so much better than than that Neil Young snoozefest.
The Devil And Daniel Johnston (film trailer)

punk rock / Puff Daddy / ANTICHRIST

2006-03-07T17:49:00.000-05:00

MOGWAI
March 6, 2006 - New York, NY, The Avalon

Setlist:
We're No Here
Hunted By a Freak
Friend of the Night
Take Me Somewhere Nice
Yes! I Am a Long Way From Home
Travel Is Dangerous
You Don't Know Jesus
Acid Food
Folk Death 95
Killing All The Flies
Stanley Kubrick
Xmas Steps
Glasgow Mega-Snake

Encore:
Mogwai Fear Satan

Notes: Incredible show. First time seeing Mogwai. I missed the on-sale date a couple of months ago, and my friend (thanks TylerDurden) came through with an extra ticket, as the person who was supposed to go with him dislocated her shoulder (reminder: send get well / thank you card). The band opened with "We're No Here", and it was quiet possibly the loudest thing I have ever heard. Literally, no exaggeration. Could feel every beat of the dream pulsing through my body. My ears were being raped with sound. And it ruled. Why didn't I take Tyler's advice and get some earplugs?
Got a good amount of Mr. Beast material. Would have liked to here "Auto Rock", but oh well. Every song killed. After a few songs, my ears adapted to the sound. I knew it would be a long night of post-concert ear ringing, but nothing would prepare me for what was to come: "Mogwai Fear Satan". The song hits a quiet point, just two guitars very gently strumming, very quietly. Then, suddenly, every instruments hits hard, with all its force, with the amps turned all the way up, all in one tremendous burst. And there goes my left ear. I knew it right when it happened. Today, it's still ringing, and sounds muffled. I'm sure it will be better within a day or two, at least I hope.

Fuck Satan, I fear Mogwai.

PASSING SECRETS THROUGH THE WINDOW

2006-03-07T12:14:00.000-05:00

Saturday afternoon, Kristie and I are sitting at our computers in the kitchen. The way our apartment building is built in a square shape. More like a hollow square. In the middle of the building is an open air concrete "courtyard" (only used by maintenance) that is surrounded by all four walls of the apartment building. So, when maintenance guys, or whoever, is down on the ground in the "courtyard", you can hear their voices echoing pretty well around the walls. Think of it as a giant chimney.

At our computers, we hear a man and woman arguing like mad. It's echoing fairly well, so we just assume they are on the ground in the concrete courtyard area. We don't think much of it, because you can hear arguing every so often from people's apartments. Just a nuisance of living compacted with people. We ignore it, plus the words were pretty inaudible, so we couldn't even tell what they were saying. About 10 minutes passes, and we notice they are still going at it, even louder. Out of curiosity, I walk over to the den to open the window really slightly so I can put my ear down to maybe make out a word or two (still thinking that the people are down on the ground level. We live on the 4th floor.) Suddenly, just after I open the shades and am opening the window, I hear something above me sliding/grinding -- like someone is shoving a heavy cardboard box through the window frame that is a little too small -- and instantly I see something fall right in front of me passed the window, in front of my face. It hit the ground, and it sounded like a shotgun going off. I kept telling myself it was a bag of garbage, or a box, or anything. I went back to the kitchen and I knew -- it was a person. The 5th floor above us is vacant, and this one one the 6th floor.

From the sound of the noise, Kristie thought there had been a gunshot, until I told her something fell in front of me, and I thought it was a body. I went and put my ear to the window to listen, and heard the man on the phone. Heard him say the word "suicide."

The cops were there within 10 minutes. I kept my ear to the window. The first guy there yelled up to the guy, who was apparently still in his window (he never even went down and checked on the person), "Who are you??! Who the fuck are you, and who is this??!" The guy, completely unemotional, responds, "She's my wife. I live in 6E. Is she alive or is she gone." Completely deadpanned. Completely cold. And completely fucked up sounding. Drunk or drugs, who knows, but definitely one of the two. Cops came very fast, swarmed the whole building. Eventually took the guy away. Heard one cop in the hallway say, "That guy was really fucked up."

Within 2 hours, the NY Post called, asking if we knew anything about a woman who "fell out or was pushed out of a window in your apartment building." We said no, and hung up.

After a while, with all the cops all over, we eventually got freaked and left the apartment to go get some food. Let the whole thing settle for a while. So we went to a mexican restaurant down the street, drank lots of tequila, and went to the strip club. The strip club was highly disappointing, and Kristie and I spent most of the time making fun of the strippers. With Kristie even giving them advice on how to make more money.

We still don't know if it was a suicide or homocide. Haven't heard anything, or seen anyone up and down the stairs. But then again, we had no idea who lived up there in the first place. Maybe have seen them before unknowingly, but who knows. We also made a conscious effort to not be seen in the windows (and I'm glad I didn't stick my head out of the window after the fall to see what happened) so that the neighbor did not see us and have a face of who lived under him.

So, that's my definitive New York story.... for now. For my first year of residence. Watching someone fall in front of my face. If I top that within my next year, I will be quite impressed.

At least the tequila and strippers were good.

LEGOS + VIDEO GAMES - SANITY

2006-02-21T14:25:00.000-05:00

Taken from TheNewGamer.com
Legos + Video Games - Sanity

IN THE FUCKING FACE!!

2006-02-14T15:42:00.000-05:00

Bang Bang, Dick shot me down.
Bang Bang, I hit the ground.
Bang Bang, that awful sound.
Bang Bang, Dick Cheney shot me down.

DESPERATE TENTACLES

2006-02-12T21:23:00.000-05:00

Went and saw a movie last night (The Matador). Was pretty good, but the main point of this entry is this:
One of the previews they showed beforehand was for Mission Impossible 3. The previews opened with a couple of quiet scenes, showing scenery, etc etc. Then it moves to Philip Seymore Hoffman talking, with a zoomed in angle in his face. He's talking about killing families, lovers, etc. At this point, we are about 15 seconds into the preview, and no one in the theater realized it was for Mission Impossible, as Hoffman usually tends to be in decent films as a decent character. As he talked, the intensity of his voice rose, and music to the preview rose. You could tell some climax for the preview was about to hit. The crowd was on the edge of their seats. Then, it showed a close up of Tom Cruises face. All intense. And at that very moment, the crowd of about 100 people let out this collective moan. "UUUgggggggggghhhhhhhhh (Ohhhhhhhhh), guuuhhhhhh...."

That reaction alone was worth the price of admission to the movie.

VON [HOPE]

2006-02-10T14:28:00.000-05:00

February 9, 2006 - New York, NY, Madison Square Garden Theater

Setlist:
Takk
Glosoli
Ny batteri
Saeglopur
Gong
Andvari
Hoppipolla
Med blodnasir
Se lest
Olsen Olsen
Vidrar
Svo Hljott
Heysatan

Encore 1:
Staralfur
Hafsol

Encore 2:
Popplagid

notes: Incredible show. Second time seeing them within the past 4 months. Completely different set and show than the first, so it was good to see a whole new batch of songs. Only one song from ( ). "Staralfur" makes a very rare setlist appearance, making the show more special. Unlike the first time I saw them, they had a brass section of about 10 people in the background that appeared on several songs, namely bringing "Olsen Olsen" to its signature ending crescendo. Sigur Ros is one of those bands that makes you believe in something. Whether it's the hope of music still living, or a higher being. But experiencing them live will make you realize there's more to it than "just music."

THE SIREN'S SONG / SHIPWRECKED

2006-02-09T13:03:00.000-05:00

I stomached as much as I could. To the point where the acids of my digestive tract started coming up into my throat, and I was getting that burning sensation near where my tonsils used to be. And that taste. Where you can still somewhat, somehow taste what you've eaten earlier that day, but you can taste the bile mixed in. So, I swallow it down with another swig of beer. Close my eyes tightly to try and ignore the taste of the acids going back down my throat. Clinch my fist against my head as it pounds with another headache. In the darkness I see behind my shut eyelids, I question my motivations — my values — my ideals — my existence. OUR existence. I wonder what has brought us to this lowly state. This act of celebration — celebrating the raping of people's individuality — celebrating successful marketing campaigns — celebrating the self-masturbating egos. For tonight is the night of all nights. The night we celebrate low-level mediocrity. Tonight is Grammy night.

Last night had to be the best argument I've seen in a while that explains the imploding condition of all major music markets. Which, to say the least, has been going on since the beginning of mass-marketed albums and record labels. It's just that right when you think it can't get any worse, it does. Actually, it's quite impressive, and very fun to witness.

I could not stomach more than 10 minutes at a time. With at least corresponding 10 minute breaks in between to offset the onslaught of brutal abuse towards my ears and eyes. U2, Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, Madonna, Green Day (how can you win two years in a row with the same album??). The one thing they all have in common? They're all shephards.

Kanye West has quite possibly got to be the single most overrated "artist" in the last 20 years. What is it that people see in this guy? "OHHHH he's SOOOOO controversial!!!!" Give me a fuckin' break. "OHHHH he does such different things than anyone else!" Give me a fuckin' break. OVERRATED. BORING. BLAND. Almost as much as Jay-Z. But, right when I thought Kanye West could not be any more annoying, he brings along Jamie Foxx onto his scene. Jesus Christ. Are people this fucking stupid??? I think I hate Jamie Foxx almost as much as Kanye West. I've never seen someone mooch off the success of a single movie ("Ray"), which sucked by the way, any more than this one guy has.

Even Paul McCartney entered into Rolling Stones Land and started killing his legacy. Somehow. I'm sure Lennon and Harrison are rolling in their graves - probably happy to not be around to witness it. I'm sorry Paul. Let it go. Sure, you're a Beatle. Sure sure, I understand. I love the Beatles too. But now, it's just getting sad to watch. It's ok. Really. The fact that you performed two Beatles' songs alone last night proves you are still holding onto what you once had, and that you're just not what you used to be without your supporting cast.

Tonight I'll be able to wash my soul clean from last night, as I will be entrenched in the sounds of Sigur Ros in concert.

With that said, I can't wait for the Oscars!

WEIRD BEARD

2006-02-06T01:19:00.000-05:00

I don't care who he is. But Stevie Wonder's facial hair looks like he's been drinking someone's dirty butt butter, and forgot to wipe off the chocolate milk moustache. Can i just shave this guy's mouth? Just for one day? I can't look at it anymore.

And the Stones are dead. I don't know what would hold my interest more: Keith Richards lickin' out "Start Me Up", or Steven Hawking playing a rousing game of ping pong. And, how the hell did Aaron Neville get famous?

Synopsis of the Super Bowl:
Game: D+
Halftime: D-
Commercials: B-
Food: C (A for ours, F for guest's)
Company: F

Overall: D+

IN WHICH OUR HERO FINDS A FAITHFUL SIDEKICK

2006-02-04T17:12:00.000-05:00

Says the Red Rider as he steps off his High Horse, "John doesn't know what to say or offer for his first BLOGGER entry, so he asked me to speak on his behalf. Right now, he's away unclogging a shower drain that was puking brown water and particles of shit out into the basin of the bathtub. His sister's 16th birthday is this week, and he wants to get her a present but is clueless on what to get a 16 year old girl ---- much less dumbfounded by the fact that she is turning sixteen. He hasn't bathed today, and his dirty laundry is reaching the point of no return. Still, he's going out to eat with his lady tonight at a new organic restaurant that sounds delicious. The city outside has been drenched in rain all day, and it's unusually dark for this hour. Soon he'll be leaving to drudge through the rain to catch the train - he doesn't mind not having a car, and wearing his shoe soles thin. For now, there's heat coming from the furnace underneath the window in the bedroom, and he still misses Kurt Cobain."