I have just finished winter quarter and I'm already a little stressed about spring. What? I am looking forward to a spring break with literally nothing planned. Enough on school though...
I have way to much music at my fingertips. In the past couple weeks I've gotten about 4 albums and a bunch of EPs. One of my favorite songs is this one by a group called The Wrong Trousers. Not a huge fan of the album but there's a couple gems and I admire their instrument choices.
I know these past few posts are a bit boring, but I've been having some weird bouts of insomnia this past week and writing seems to help a bit. That and learning more Ben Harper songs. I was convinced that I would never be able to sing and play guitar at the same time; that it was just something I could not do, but it turns out I'm just not very patient - Walk Away is almost perfect now.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
All I Wanna Do Is BANG BANG BANG BANG...
I started writing about my weekend but it sounded boring so I'm boiling it down to the basics. Enjoy!
Blue Moon, Q:Score? A:"Sevedge-Elevedge", Tambourine, Lauren(s), Kinky Reggae, No couscous?!, Joel (E?)'s panini, It is written, Sitting on trains, Surreal but nice, Balconies, Goodbyes are never fun anyways, Ginger Beer and cashmere.
That was my weekend. I may or may not elaborate on some of these stories in future posts. My insomnia just quit working - goodnight.
Blue Moon, Q:Score? A:"Sevedge-Elevedge", Tambourine, Lauren(s), Kinky Reggae, No couscous?!, Joel (E?)'s panini, It is written, Sitting on trains, Surreal but nice, Balconies, Goodbyes are never fun anyways, Ginger Beer and cashmere.
That was my weekend. I may or may not elaborate on some of these stories in future posts. My insomnia just quit working - goodnight.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Great Ad
I know, another video. Trust me, this one is worth it. Kudos to Amnesty International for getting the word out.
Currently Listening To:
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. An up and coming indie pop/rock band with Neutral Milk Hotelesque distortion laid in the background and lyrics that don't shy away from teenage angst that I can't help but feel at times. Here's my favorite song and a quality lo-fi music video.
Also listing to: Obadiah Parker's acoustic remake of "Hey Ya" by Outcast. As the Guinness brothers would say, "BRILLIANT!"
Also listing to: Obadiah Parker's acoustic remake of "Hey Ya" by Outcast. As the Guinness brothers would say, "BRILLIANT!"
Sunday, February 15, 2009
What I got today.
Black pinstripe vest. LIFE photography book. British driving cap. Green plaid belt. Brown plaid scarf. Tan Member's Only jacket.
In other news, operation give out pokemon valentines to as many friends as possible was a success.
In other news, operation give out pokemon valentines to as many friends as possible was a success.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
This thing? I wipe my nose with this!
Last Friday I went to some gallery showings. This was at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center. There was a lot of good photography there but what I really noticed was this man making the rounds and chatting it up. I especially liked the colors in his tie and the way they contrasted with his shirt. I pried the "D9" camera from Kirsten's hands and approached him when we were about to leave. The conversation went much like this:
Me: Would you mind if I take your picture?
Man: Eh?
Me: I really like your tie and I wanted to take a picture.
Man: This thing? I wipe my nose with this! (proceeds to do just that)
Me: (Click)
Gotta admit that I did not plan the picture turning out so well. I think that there is definitely more character than the plain photo I had planned and I'm glad that my photo (and the only one I took at that) turned out well.
P.S. Also at ROCO, a photographer took my picture and complimented my orange flight jacket/blue flannel/blue trucker's cap outfit. It (plus the free mini eggrolls) made me happy.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Broken Glasses, Bruised Shins and Pickpocketing; All in All a Good Concert.
If you don't want a detailed account of the concert then skip to the second section where I've listed my favorite moments.
===================The Concert===================
The night opened with the spotlight dimly highlighting a guy with Buddy Holly glasses and a pork pie hat jamming out on his electric guitar. After a song or two and joking with the crowd the drummer and bassist came out - equally honoring Buddy with matching thick black glasses and some sweaters normally reserved for parties on Cape Cod. This was perhaps the best dancing moment of the night for me. Sure, The Stitch Up was the first of three openers, but they had some good beats and people were not so crazy at the beginning - we actually had a circle pit going with only a dash of moshing thrown in. It was good old skank, and I loved it. The best part of this act was definitely when they asked if anyone could play electric guitar and in a minute we were all rocking out to a simple song played by a guy named Dennis (and let me tell you, for a packed crowd and about 30 seconds of practice, Dennis KILLED it).
The next band was a skate punk band named The Swellers. They got the crowd pumped with music fast and loud - perfect for moshing, and mosh we did. I was not aware of how much Matt likes the pit; he handled it like a pro and managed not to be a douche (the same cannot be said for all those in the circle - I had to avoid a few random haymakers). I did, however, take the opportunity to jump in and throw some elbows at Matt, Eric and Moses. At this point the pit was kinda half mosh/half skank whirlpool, so I had some fun throwing them into the whirlpool, where the only choice they had was to dance around at least once. Unfortunately, during this most beautiful and sweaty of whirlpools my glasses fly off my face. I immediately lost hope of finding them and just got out of the circle to cool off. Fortunately, others didn't give up as easily, and after a couple minutes of searching a kid near me found them - a bit bent, but the lenses were good, so I was happy. I settled down after that, but with my glasses in pocket I decided there wasn't much to lose now.
I saw a guy that I recognized from my floor freshman year at the concert. I never really knew him - he was a tool and (judging from his actions at the concert) he hasn't changed much. He was dressed in full Red Sox garb, and the next band, The Wilhelm Scream (who are from New Bedford, MA), got him excited. I think if they started playing polka he would've been OK with it - he was really just looking for an excuse to yell "Yankees Suck!" and a band from around Beantown is reason enough. They were good - as the other guys said, "real punk", which I wouldn't know because I'm not that kind of connoisseur. Lots of yelling, more moshing (at this point I was done with moshing - there's only so many elbows I want to throw and/or take) and a much more packed crowd towards the front. Unfortunately I got pickpocketed somewhere around this time. I was a little pissed so I went to cool off with some water and the snow. When I came back I stayed more towards the back and after a few minutes Moses and Eric decided that I should crowd surf (it had been going on for at least the 2nd and 3rd acts, so people were cool with it). It was an interesting experience and I'd probably do it again, but I wouldn't say I am going to actively seek out the opportunity at concerts from now on.
When Streetlight Manifesto came out we were at full capacity, except that everyone was in the front half of the bar, so a little wave thing started happening where everyone has nowhere to go, so a couple people start swaying and soon everyone is leaning back and forth with about 0 inches of room between you and the people on all four sides of you. Not really painful, just annoying. I got pushed back a bit and soon found myself in a smaller version of the circle pit we had going way back when. It was good; cramped, but I was actually dancing with, as opposed to getting to intimately know, the people on all sides. I appreciated Streetlight the most, as I at least knew the words to some of the songs and I could a lot more freely dance. Soon I started feeling a low blood sugar come on, so I headed out to the bar next door to get something with sugar (with some money borrowed from Moses). After entering the lobby to the bar and laughing at some actual skanks I got my Jack & Coke (sadly Jack was missing) and downed it. With that I was good and after heading back, I was back in a circle and letting loose. Soon the final songs came, so I jumped up, looked for the guy with dreads, and headed over to mosh.
After the event closed I started looking for my wallet with no luck initially. Soon a security guy that had been talking with Eric or one of those guys told me he had found it (sans cash) and I had it back. Hooray lazy pickpocketers! I am glad that they didn't have the effort to steal my credit cards or anything else and I'm only out 15 bucks. With that we headed out and got some delicious BK. OK, now for my...
============Favorite Moments/Things/People============
The suits. I mentioned above that there was a decent circle pit that started for the very first opener. It was good but how it started is even better. There was a little moshing, but that died down after a little bit and then there was this open circle left in its wake. It was sad and unnecessary, but before anyone knew what to do, they came to the rescue. Two guys walk into the circle dressed in full suits and ties. And I'm not talking like, your dad's old suit that makes you look fat. I'm talking well tailored suits with skinny black ties and shoes to boot. After a few seconds they just start skanking like no one's business and 30 seconds later, the circle is spinning. And like that, they are gone. *Poof* I don't know where they went or how they snuck out so easily, but they are my heroes. It wasn't even just that one time. I was in a couple other dance sections that were briefly graced by the presence of these classy guys. I'd like to imagine they do the same thing at small concerts everywhere, setting by example the proper way to dance.
The bouncers up front. There was a bit of crowdsurfing and by the time Streetlight came up, there were security up front. So what did these guys do when a guy came slowly came riding the waves towards them? Did they grab them roughly and send em outside? No, they helped get 'em on stage and then politely directed them to a staircase to get back into the crowd. Props to those guys.
Circle pits. It's a human whirlpool of hopping and swinging. You can throw yourself out when you want and then jump right back in when you want some more. Greatest invention ever? (Probably not, considering it's not even technically an invention, but still worthy of praise.)
Watching a fat guy attempt to crowdsurf. He was running and jumping, but I think he was only fooling himself.
Moshing with the guys. When else do I get to punch them with no real repercussions?
Buddy Holly glasses. The first band had 'em and I want 'em.
The water in the bathroom. It was crystal clear and cold as ice (willing to sacficice my loo... oh right). In a bar! And it tasted better the thirstier I was.
Brendan. The other Brendan at the concert who was in the middle of the circle at some points with a camera that I assume is worth at least $1000. Good for you, man.
Dancing to punk and ska. I can do this because when you look retarded, you are doing it right (slight exaggeration). Everything else I get confused about but this, this is good.
Not-Jon. I lied. This was an unfavorite thing. Jon, you shouldn't have bailed and hopefully you regret it.
===================The Concert===================
The night opened with the spotlight dimly highlighting a guy with Buddy Holly glasses and a pork pie hat jamming out on his electric guitar. After a song or two and joking with the crowd the drummer and bassist came out - equally honoring Buddy with matching thick black glasses and some sweaters normally reserved for parties on Cape Cod. This was perhaps the best dancing moment of the night for me. Sure, The Stitch Up was the first of three openers, but they had some good beats and people were not so crazy at the beginning - we actually had a circle pit going with only a dash of moshing thrown in. It was good old skank, and I loved it. The best part of this act was definitely when they asked if anyone could play electric guitar and in a minute we were all rocking out to a simple song played by a guy named Dennis (and let me tell you, for a packed crowd and about 30 seconds of practice, Dennis KILLED it).
The next band was a skate punk band named The Swellers. They got the crowd pumped with music fast and loud - perfect for moshing, and mosh we did. I was not aware of how much Matt likes the pit; he handled it like a pro and managed not to be a douche (the same cannot be said for all those in the circle - I had to avoid a few random haymakers). I did, however, take the opportunity to jump in and throw some elbows at Matt, Eric and Moses. At this point the pit was kinda half mosh/half skank whirlpool, so I had some fun throwing them into the whirlpool, where the only choice they had was to dance around at least once. Unfortunately, during this most beautiful and sweaty of whirlpools my glasses fly off my face. I immediately lost hope of finding them and just got out of the circle to cool off. Fortunately, others didn't give up as easily, and after a couple minutes of searching a kid near me found them - a bit bent, but the lenses were good, so I was happy. I settled down after that, but with my glasses in pocket I decided there wasn't much to lose now.
I saw a guy that I recognized from my floor freshman year at the concert. I never really knew him - he was a tool and (judging from his actions at the concert) he hasn't changed much. He was dressed in full Red Sox garb, and the next band, The Wilhelm Scream (who are from New Bedford, MA), got him excited. I think if they started playing polka he would've been OK with it - he was really just looking for an excuse to yell "Yankees Suck!" and a band from around Beantown is reason enough. They were good - as the other guys said, "real punk", which I wouldn't know because I'm not that kind of connoisseur. Lots of yelling, more moshing (at this point I was done with moshing - there's only so many elbows I want to throw and/or take) and a much more packed crowd towards the front. Unfortunately I got pickpocketed somewhere around this time. I was a little pissed so I went to cool off with some water and the snow. When I came back I stayed more towards the back and after a few minutes Moses and Eric decided that I should crowd surf (it had been going on for at least the 2nd and 3rd acts, so people were cool with it). It was an interesting experience and I'd probably do it again, but I wouldn't say I am going to actively seek out the opportunity at concerts from now on.
When Streetlight Manifesto came out we were at full capacity, except that everyone was in the front half of the bar, so a little wave thing started happening where everyone has nowhere to go, so a couple people start swaying and soon everyone is leaning back and forth with about 0 inches of room between you and the people on all four sides of you. Not really painful, just annoying. I got pushed back a bit and soon found myself in a smaller version of the circle pit we had going way back when. It was good; cramped, but I was actually dancing with, as opposed to getting to intimately know, the people on all sides. I appreciated Streetlight the most, as I at least knew the words to some of the songs and I could a lot more freely dance. Soon I started feeling a low blood sugar come on, so I headed out to the bar next door to get something with sugar (with some money borrowed from Moses). After entering the lobby to the bar and laughing at some actual skanks I got my Jack & Coke (sadly Jack was missing) and downed it. With that I was good and after heading back, I was back in a circle and letting loose. Soon the final songs came, so I jumped up, looked for the guy with dreads, and headed over to mosh.
After the event closed I started looking for my wallet with no luck initially. Soon a security guy that had been talking with Eric or one of those guys told me he had found it (sans cash) and I had it back. Hooray lazy pickpocketers! I am glad that they didn't have the effort to steal my credit cards or anything else and I'm only out 15 bucks. With that we headed out and got some delicious BK. OK, now for my...
============Favorite Moments/Things/People============
The suits. I mentioned above that there was a decent circle pit that started for the very first opener. It was good but how it started is even better. There was a little moshing, but that died down after a little bit and then there was this open circle left in its wake. It was sad and unnecessary, but before anyone knew what to do, they came to the rescue. Two guys walk into the circle dressed in full suits and ties. And I'm not talking like, your dad's old suit that makes you look fat. I'm talking well tailored suits with skinny black ties and shoes to boot. After a few seconds they just start skanking like no one's business and 30 seconds later, the circle is spinning. And like that, they are gone. *Poof* I don't know where they went or how they snuck out so easily, but they are my heroes. It wasn't even just that one time. I was in a couple other dance sections that were briefly graced by the presence of these classy guys. I'd like to imagine they do the same thing at small concerts everywhere, setting by example the proper way to dance.
The bouncers up front. There was a bit of crowdsurfing and by the time Streetlight came up, there were security up front. So what did these guys do when a guy came slowly came riding the waves towards them? Did they grab them roughly and send em outside? No, they helped get 'em on stage and then politely directed them to a staircase to get back into the crowd. Props to those guys.
Circle pits. It's a human whirlpool of hopping and swinging. You can throw yourself out when you want and then jump right back in when you want some more. Greatest invention ever? (Probably not, considering it's not even technically an invention, but still worthy of praise.)
Watching a fat guy attempt to crowdsurf. He was running and jumping, but I think he was only fooling himself.
Moshing with the guys. When else do I get to punch them with no real repercussions?
Buddy Holly glasses. The first band had 'em and I want 'em.
The water in the bathroom. It was crystal clear and cold as ice (willing to sacficice my loo... oh right). In a bar! And it tasted better the thirstier I was.
Brendan. The other Brendan at the concert who was in the middle of the circle at some points with a camera that I assume is worth at least $1000. Good for you, man.
Dancing to punk and ska. I can do this because when you look retarded, you are doing it right (slight exaggeration). Everything else I get confused about but this, this is good.
Not-Jon. I lied. This was an unfavorite thing. Jon, you shouldn't have bailed and hopefully you regret it.
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