Reminder: Tonight

Tonight is the annual "Let's all clap for the stupid, borderline fascist things that come out of the President's mouth" speech in primetime.

I find it much more palatable after a few Gin and Tonics.

I Don't Believe the Rumors

I love Cat Power. I think her new album, The Greatest, is one of the best I've heard so far this year. But, she is one of the worst live acts I've ever seen. I use the term "seen" loosely because most of the concert experience involved her freaking out on stage about the brightness of the lights or how much she was sucking that night.

People are saying she's through with that now. And, if the show from Paris circulating the mp3 blogs is evidence, then maybe that's true. But, I'm not buying it. I think it's all a set-up to get us to fork over another 15 bucks for her show and then stand there wishing we were at home listening to her beautiful, haunting cd's instead of staying awake past 1am on a weeknight.

So, here's my prediction of the Cat Power performance at this year's Coachella Festival:

(Cat Power walks on stage, sits at piano. An air conditioner is situated near the piano. It is 106 degrees outside. There are 3,000 people in the crowd, waiting for her to begin)
Can you pull the stage shade down a little? It's too bright up here.
Can you guys please be quiet? I'm about to play
(plays 3 notes on the piano)
I'm sorry guys, I'm really sucking today.
Can you turn the air conditioning vent a little more towards me? Thanks.
And Pull that shade down a little more? Thanks.
(plays 7 notes on the piano. Sings 10 words)
Sorry guys, I'm really playing badly. It must be all this heat and sunlight and fans watching me play.
(Puts personal cooler suit on complete with helmet and runs through the crowd to get a taco, never again to return)

Lame-o-chella

I really don't have the energy to post about what a waste I think the Alito confirmation to the Supreme Court is and how I think it's really going to hurt America, so I will complain about the so-so lineup of this year's Coachella Festival.

For those of you not familiar with Coachella, it is a 2 day festival in the middle of the desert in Southern California. I had the pleasure of attending in 2004 when the line-up included such acts as The Pixies, Radiohead, The Cure, Air, Belle and Sebastian, Death Cab for Cutie, The (International) Noise Conspiracy, Broken Social Scene, Cursive, Beck, and many many others. Wilco was supposed to play this year, but had to cancel due to Jeff Tweedy's stint in the "hospital".

This year, I think the lineup is really weak. It features some good bands. But, you can also catch most of these bands on tour in your hometown. Now, I know some people will say that the point of Coachella is also to go for the atmosphere and to experience the environment that is the most relaxed group of 50,000 people you'll ever see. But, this year, it's not worth my 500 bucks to go. So, here's the lineup, judge what you will.

SAT APRIL 29
Depeche Mode
Franz Ferdinand
Sigur Ros
Common
Damien Marley
Atmosphere
Carl Cox
My Morning Jacket
Ladytron
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!
Posca
Cat Power
Animal Collective
Hard-Fi
Devendra Banhart
She Wants Revenge
The Walkmen
The Juan Maclean
Audio Bullys
Lady Sovereign
Deerhoof
The Duke Spirit
Editors
Stellastarr
Lyrics Born
The Zutons
White Rose Movement
Colette
Wolf Mother
The Living Things
Nine Black Alps
Youth Group
SUN APRIL 30
Tool
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Bloc Party
Paul Oakenfold
Scissor Sisters
Matias Yahu
James Blunt
Mogwai
TV On The Radio
Sleater Kinney
Gnarls Barkley (Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo)
Coldcut
Digable Planets
Amadou Mariam
Little Louie Vega
Mylo
Seu Jorge
Phoenix
Wolf Parade
The Go! Team
Metric
Imogene Heap
Art Brut
Dungen
The Dears
Jamie Liddell
The Magic Numbers
Los Amigos Invisibles
Jazzanova
Michael Mayer
Mates of State
Gilles Peterson
Gabriel & Dresden
The Subways
Minus the Bear
Be Your Own Pet
Giant Drag

Childhood Dream #26...Fulfilled

I was recently informed by my lovely internet friend, Shea, that a new product called Zubbles was about to be introduced to the American consumer. What are Zubbles, you ask? Remember when you were a kid, blowing bubbles on your front porch, straining your eyes in the sun to view the different colors in the bubbles as they floated away? Well hurt your eyes in the sun no more because....

Zubbles are COLORED BUBBLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the neatest invention since Spin Art. I cannot wait until these are available in stores.

I should also add these are being distributed by the same company who also makes ghost bubbles, which also look like alot of fun.

Another Knitted Project...finished!

My friend Jody is having a baby girl sometime in the next few months (actually, she's due in 8 weeks!). So, I made her a little blanket and baby hat. I'm excited about the hat because it was my first lace project ever. And I didn't mess it up too much! So, here are some pics of my achomplishments. Enjoy. (p.s. I had to model the hat on my cat b/c there are no babies in my house)

Top 10 List (a little late)

I know December is gone and forgotten, but I feel the need to post my favorite albums and shows attended in the year 2005. So, here they are, in no particular order:

1. Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene
I love all the layers of sound on this album. It's just gorgeous. It's also the show I am the most sad that I missed.

2. Wolf Parade - Apologies to the Queen Mary
Some rockin' songs on this one. That's all you need to know

3. M.I.A. - Arular
Sure I feel like that white guy in Office Space when I've got this album cranked in my car and I'm doing my white girl dance, but who cares?

4. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
Yummy yummy yummy. The music on this album makes me smile.

5. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - also self titled
I'm so glad these guys sold so many copies of this record with the help of the internet and word of mouth. I also love that the lead singer's voice is slightly annoying.

6. Sleater Kinney - The Woods
Another gem from the rockinest of the all girl rock bands still around today.

7. The Decemberists - Picaresque
Yes, my almost cousin is in the band, but I love this record! Especially the Mariner's Revenge Song

8. Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine
I've heard that this version is not as good as the one leaked on the internet. But, I haven't heard that one and think this one sounds mighty fine. "Extraordinary Machine" is one of the cutest songs I've ever heard and makes me want to listen to it while wearing smocked dresses and patent leather Mary Janes, skipping down the sidewalk.

9. The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
The first four songs are just fantastic. The rest of them are pretty good too.

10. Iron and Wine/Calexico - In the Reins
really nice. better than I thought it would be. also a show I'm sorry I missed.

Honorable Mentions:

Bloc Party - Silent Alarm and Animal Collective - Feels

Album I wish I heard in 2005:
Stars - Set Yourself on Fire

Top 10 Concerts of 2005:

1. Paul McCartney at the MCI Center - My Mom cried, I cried, my cousin cried, my Aunt cried. There's just something about Sir McCartney. I really didn't think he was going to get me, but then he sang "I Will" and I lost it.

2. Nine Inch Nails at the MCI Center - Yes I was moving closer and closer to the stage like a teenybopper. Yes, I'm almost 30 years old. But, Trent Reznor looks much better in person than I ever thought he could. And the music was good too.

3. Arcade Fire at the 930 Club - Anytime more than 5 people get on stage and can pull off a good show is a favorite in my book. They were awesome and I'm glad I bought into the hype surrounding them. It was also fun running into them before the show even though I acted like an idiot in front of the lead singer.

4. Sigur Ros at the Strathmore Center for the Arts - I have no idea what this guy is saying, but he has one of the most hauntingly beautiful voices I've ever heard. Thanks Steve and Taryn for this ticket!!!!!!!!!!!

5. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah at the 8x10 - My favorite song from this show was "Satan Said Dance", which unfortunately, is not on the album. Yes, I jumped on this bandwagon too, but it was before npr did a story about them. The crowd at this show was really nice and fun also, which was a bonus.

6. Magnolia Electric Company/Grand Buffett at the Ottobar - Grand Buffett was one of the best opening bands I've seen in a while. The encore with both bands singing "Running with the Devil" was worth staying up until 3am on a weeknight.

7. Slint at the 930 - I was really tired the night of this show and didn't really like it that much after it was over, but liked it alot in retrospect.

8. Decemberists at the 930 - You can listen to this concert at www.npr.org (click on all songs considered). Again, the Mariner's Revenge song was my favorite.

Disappointing shows of 2005:

1. Wrens at the Black Cat - I think they were too drunk, or too nervous, or the crowd would just not SHUT UP, but the sound sucked and the songs didn't sound as good as their last show here.

2. Bloc Party at the 930 - Not worth staying up until 2am on a weeknight. But, "Helicopter" sounded good.

3. Tori Amos at Pier Six Concert Pavillion - I was super excited to meet her before this concert, and super happy I had 4th row seats, but this was not a very good Tori show. I'm sure I'll go again though.

Shows I'm sorry I missed:

1. Broken Social Scene at the 930
2. Calexico/Iron and Wine at the 930
3. Sleater Kinney at the 930
4. Coachella
5. Tuscadero at the Black Cat
6. Wolf Parade opening up for Arcade Fire

Lost

I have to admit, I am a huge fan of the television show, Lost. Not since Twin Peaks have I looked forward to turning on the old "tube" every Wednesday night to see the latest installment of those stranded on mystery island. (Actually, Twin Peaks came on Thursday night, if I recall correctly)

Now I know that most of these questions are currently being discussed on various message boards, and my observations seem elementary to those who read these boards frequently. But, I just need to get these out of my head and onto paper (or computer screen, as the case may be).

Here are some of my questions about the show. I am trying to keep a running list:

1. How is Locke able to walk? Is he being controlled by the "others" on the island?
2. Why was Rose's husband in the bathroom and found in a tree buckled into a seat?
3. What happened to Desmond's partner? In fact, where is Desmond?
4. Why was Ethan Rom so freaky looking?
5. Was there even a plane crash? Or were they all programmed into thinking there was a crash?
6. How did the French Woman's boat crash on shore, and yet is currently located about 2 miles inland?
7. Is Walt being kept in an underwater tank?
8. How did Michael gain so much weight by eating fruit and fish for two months?
9. Will Charlie use Heroin again?
10. What's the deal with the computers?
11. Why does the scientist guy look so angry in the sections of spliced film in the "Orientation" video?
12. Were the man and woman on the boat the same people pictured as the scientists in the Orientation video?
13. What is the black smoke security system thing and how does it read people's memories? (i.e. the faces in it)
14. Are the French Woman and Desmond merely people planted there by the "others"?
15. When did Jack get all the tattoos? In the flashback in the episode aired 1/18, he did not have them.
16. Does this show take place in the future?

Other Observations:

1. Everyone on the show has a history of some sort of broken relationship. Everyone except Bernard and Rose (that we know of anyway).
2. Both the hatch and the place where the tailies' were hanging out read "Quarantine" on the door.
3. Many things have crashed on this island. I'm guessing more than your regular run-of-the-mill island.
4. The "others" like to steal children.
5. A crapload of people survived this "crash" without much injury.
6. The "others" seem to have constructed defenses on the island like the "security system" and some invisible force field as seen in last night's episode.
7. Locke seems to have insight to the island that most people don't have (Re: vision about Boone's death, and subsequent ability to walk again)
8. There is a huge electromagnetic force around the hatch.
9. Those damn numbers are seen everywhere.
10. In Season 1, there was alot of running through the jungle by the characters. This season, there hasn't been as much running.
11. The date on the xray shown in the episode aired 1/18 read November 16, 2005.

Too Old for School?

Like most people who have a blog, I spend alot of time trying to decide a topic to discuss with myself on this forum. It seems like as I'm driving around in my car, I can think of all these things to talk about, but then I sit here...and nothing.

So, I figure I'll address something that's beginning to bother me. I'm getting old. Not old in the sense of "it's really difficult for me to get up from my chair now" old, but old as in I'm "that old girl" at concerts.

I've been going to concerts since I was 18. Had my parents let me go to concerts sooner, I'd surely have more under my belt. (Including some of those bands I missed because they broke up before I was 18...like Pavement....thanks Mom.) But, lately, I've been noticing that I'm one of the more senior people in the room.

I guess I should be glad that I have a group of friends who go to shows with me. So, maybe we can all huddle together as the years go by. That would be nice.

Almost Dessert, But Not Quite

Review of Pete's Tofu-To-Go (originally partially consumed on January 10, 2006)

On Monday, I was at the grocery store, and happened upon what I thought would be an unusual treat, Pete's Tofu-To-Go caramel flavored tofu desserts. I was a vegetarian for 12 years and reverted back to "the dark side" of meat two years ago. So, tofu in general, doesn't frighten me. Like many other Americans after January 1st, I am trying to eat better and was looking for some sweet things at the store that wouldn't break the calorie bank. Plus, spoon was included, which I considered a bonus. Also, they were only a dollar, so I thought there was nothing to lose. Here's a picture of the packaging:

and a close up of the fabulous spoon promise:

And here is an image of said dessert and it's cute little spoon:

I was surprised by the size of the spoon, the handle is just large enough to hold in my hand, but pretty much vanishes upon stirring up the tofu treat. I say "treat", because that is how I thought I'd view this food, until I tasted it.

The first bite filled my tastebuds with an interesting more butterscotch flavor rather than caramel. (Think Wherther's Original) This first bite was immediately followed by the most revolting aftertaste I've ever experienced in my entire life. It was part Splenda, part artificial flavoring, part petroleum product. And it created a film throughout my mouth that stayed until I promptly erased it with multiple gulps of water.

And then, I stirred it. The texture turned from a flan-like light pudding to a half water, half slightly tofu, but clearly something else substance. It created puddles of artificial caramel, but more like butterscotch flavor puddles.

Further stirring reduced the semi-solid consistency to nothing but what I refer to as "tofu turds".

This was possibly the worst food I've ever consumed. I don't know who "Pete" is, but I'm guessing he didn't go to culinary college. Maybe his entire tofu treat was developed by the meat industry to permanently erase the craving for tofu by vegetarians, thus turning everyone back into meat eaters again. Needless to say, I now understand why these were available for "only one dollar!" at my local grocery store.

Elvis and I are Finally Friends

A few years ago, my little sister rescued this dalmation from a life of abuse. He wasn't the nicest dog because of his past and would usually bite me when I walked in the door. But, this Christmas, he finally figured out that I wasn't going to hurt him and posed for this picture with me. It made my Christmas. 

IZZE Drinks. My new best friend.

Last week, I drove to the grocery store to pick up a bottle of sparkling water. As this is the new year, I'm trying not to drink beer during the week and sparkling water tricks my mind into thinking I'm drinking something alcoholic. There, on the top shelf sat some new bottles, Izze Drinks. Like something out of Willy Wonka and the Choclate Factory, there they were smiling at me. Their cute little pieces of fruit graphic in the center with the information below reading, "Fruit Juice and Sparkling water". What? No sugar added? I figured I could throw away the liquid and use the bottle as a vase if the drink inside was not as appealing as the packaging.

Not so.

The drink not only tasted like a burst of pop rocks fruit juice entering my mouth, it energized me. Now I understand what the "fruit buzz" McDonalds is always talking about. I bought the grapefruit, and then the pear. Pomegranate, you wil be next.

I think this is the beginning of a long friendship.

An Open Letter To Whomever Broke Into My Car

Dear Sir, Madam, Crack whore, Juvenile, Soccermom:

Thank you for ending my year with a bang. Bang, I open my door on New Year's Eve to discover my car stereo has been lifted out of my car. That was a really great ending to a year. It made me feel special.

Thanks also for passing over (like God did to those who spread lambs' blood on their door) my knitting needles in my vintage Shirt Tales lunch box, my 20 dollar colored pencils, my 1/2 used bottle of gesso, and my favorite sandals. I'm sure you could've jammed a few more locks with those knitting needles.

I really hope that you got your drug fix or the new Mariah Carey cd used from Soundgarden with the money you collected from my 5 year old stereo. It must've made a nice end of the year present to whomever bought it. Don't forget to tell them that they have to take the cd out and put it back in if it's mid way through playing a cd when it's cold outside. And, try and explain how to get it from stop displaying "Kate's" whenever it's turned on. I'm sure you can say it came like that from the factory. I hope it's broken now.

It's alright. I really wanted to spend the first 500 dollars I earned in 2006 fixing my lock you jammed and buying a stereo for my car that plays mp3's. instead of my old fashioned one that just plays cd's. So, thanks for that. It was an awesome experience.

Sincerely,

Your bitch