24 hours

One day from now I sign on the dotted line, it's not the first time I've purchased a home, but it's the first time I've spent this much dough by far. Cold sweat expected to start any time. I do a walk-through tonight and as long as they haven't kicked holes in the walls Thunderbirds are go.

The cable won't be installed til Monday, so no Six feet under for me on Sunday.

Watched disc one of the SCTV set last night, and though some of it is dated the good stuff is really good. Love the Bob Hope & Woody Allen bit, and some of the commercials are still funny. The lounge singer's version of Turning Japanese and Do do do da da da are still great as well.

Could the headlines be a little more depressing from Iraq? I was hoping the power handover would help with the suicide attacks but no such luck. Didn't we say something about quagmire when this started?

Music for today is a few things my brother burned for me;
Big in Japan
Brother Ali
Doug Marsch

R

I'd rather be in Tokyo, I'd rather listen to Thin lazyio

This job is getting silly, the President just confirmed that I have to use one of my best guys to drop off our recycling every week. Last trip they gave us $ 2.10 total, there must be a better way. It costs us so much to send him out to do that, it just doesn't make sense. I need him here.

Loco!

The new Thrills single is called 'Whatever Happened To Corey Haim?'
R

Old School

At lunch I saw this 60's bus, not like free love hippie 60's, but a city bus. It was in perfect like new shape just driving down the highway, I expected to see Katharine Ross, and Dustin Hoffman in the rear window.

'Won't be home' is my favorite Old 97's song in a long time.


R

Hullo 

Porter's Hot 100

I'm so in over my head in this group I thought about buying a one way ticket to Asia, and announcing my retirement.

Once again I've been outdone before I begin. My list will not have this caliber of liner notes and detail I can tell you right now. Mine will be more like Elliot Gould's line in the Oceans remake " I still owe you for the thing with the guy in the place, and I'll never forget it"

In a perfect world I would be able to sit down with my cds and revisit a good portion of this list and come up with a few fresh comments. My world, perfect or otherwise is all stacked neatly in boxes in my living room. I will have to rely on memory which is always unwieldy for me. I will say that I enjoy reading Pat's comments because they seem to come from such a genuine love for the music, it's refreshing. I'm still trying to figure out how to get to 100 and feel sure about it. I'm still stuck on 5 and they keep changing.

It's looking more and more like some pretty important artists are going to be left off of my list, and I suppose I feel better seeing them represented in this little exercise. I certainly acknowledge the genius of Chuck Berry, and the huge influence of Little Richard, it seems unlikely that they will make my cut. Not sure when I turned my back on Creedence, but I suspect it was around the 100th time I had to sit through 'Centerfield' in a ballpark. My love for songs like 'Desafinado' and ' My favorite things' always makes me feel like a bit of poseur or tourist in the world of jazz, so it's good to know they rank so high.

'Into the mystic' is golden, as are the Beatles and Hendrix selections. I'm now secretly rooting against the appearance of any songs I'm considering for my own list.


My musical evolution would've been sped up quite a bit if someone had told me in tenth grade that the Allman Brothers are actually good, and should not be assumed to sound like Molly Hatchet. This is a lesson I had to find out on my own some years later. My hatred of 38 Special and the like caused me to ignore some bands that I assumed because they were southern and rock therefore they must be southern rock.

Right there with ya on Gladys' version of grapevine. I'll take you there is a stone cold jam that never gets old to me. I'm not ashamed to say I still love Led Zeppelin either.

I didn't find 'All the way to Memphis' through Scorsese, but through the band Big Dipper covering it, but I'll take the original thanks very much.

The disc is really good, and will likely stay in my rotation beyond this little exercise. Pat was wise to stick with Jazz on the disc and not try and mix it up too much, something about grape and grain comes to mind but slips away.

Overall a solid play list. Rockford IL to Green Bay WI was nothing, with these tunes we could roll to SBC.

Stressed out

I look like death warmed over as my mom used to say, which is about how I feel. The stress of the house deal, and my awful job is really getting to me. Even little things are eating away at me. I'm supposed to take Duncan to the Circus Thursday night, and I feel like screaming "circus, we don't have time for a fucking circus" but if I take a deep breath I can see the end of the tunnel. I guess spending so much money would make anyone crazy.

Listening to Pat's cd again real quick before I have to write about it. Hoping to settle down a bit, right now I'm feeling a bit postal in truth.


Liverpool 5 Celtic 1

Brilliant play, but to be fair Celtic were rubbish last night.

R

Mark

Heard from Mark Crowder today for the first time in a while. He recommended the Gilles Petereson Comps, which I own one of, but I will order the others.

Always good to hear from Mark, he still loves SF, and has no regrets. I admire the spirit that sent him out there, and I'm glad it's worked out so well for him. It must be nice to go to Giant games where you actually need to take a jacket all summer. Down here you sweat, and that's about it.

He'll be watching LFC tonight too. I'll be watching with friends even though one is in St. Louis and the other is in SF. Together in spirit.


R

Lunch

What a difference a day makes. Friday we went to lunch as a big group and had drinks, got back way late and had a good time. Today I'm on my own, just reading the paper and trying to stay awake.

I owe Michael comments on Pat's 100 favorite song list, and I haven't started. Pat's list is strong and his comments are solid and well written, I feel like I'm playing above my head in this game.

I noticed yet another version of Clerks is coming out on dvd, WTF? Don't get me wrong I loved this film in college, and I still like it, but what's with all this re-releasing of titles? By my count this is the third version of this dvd to be released. It's a nice little indie film that struck a chord for me cause I worked at a shitty little indie record store and we hated everyone, but it's no Citizen Kane. I would say that with dvds two versions should be the max, a regular version, and the expanded version. Anything more than two is milking the fans a bit too much me thinks.

R

music trouble

I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that the new Van Halen song is the worst thing every recorded.


Why did I leave my case logic at home? oh why?

Wait what's this.. The Killers are in the bottom of my purse*...ahhh yes well at least one CD made the trip today.


* messenger bag

(I prefer to say purse so others can't say it an an insult)

My high school accessories

The subject of what we were like in high school came up, and I cannot emphasize enough how uncool I was. My parents thought the best thing they could do for us was put us in the richest, whitest school they could squeeze us into. Never thinking that my 68 Buick and later the 78 Cougar might stand out parked next to the brand new cars and trucks that all the rich kids drove. Some of those kids drove much nicer cars than my parents had. Liking the Specials in a Phil Collins world does not make one part of the in crowd at all.

I did have all the essentials though;

1 Ea. White members only jacket
1 Ea. pair black sunglasses
1 Ea. sony cassette walkman
5 Ea. assorted new wave tapes (the Alarm, Duran Duran, Heaven 17, Cure, the beat, Devo)
7 Ea. Duran Duran buttons on jacket
0 Ea. Friends
0 Ea. Dates

R

Monday

Liverpool V. Celtic is on TV tonight! this is the sort of news I needed on this drab Monday.

In no mood to be here today at all. The recruiter called back saying my outrageous salary demand was 'in range' and she wanted to proceed. I guess this is good news, but I still want to see about that other one before I pull the trigger.

I think what's so sad about Leshia leaving is it really drives home the reality that things here have changed for good. She had been here for over five years and was happy until recently. I knew we'd all been looking and even interviewing, but now the ice is broken and someone has actually jumped. I feel like this will only be the begining of an exodous. For me it was just one of those moments when you know things will never be the same again.

My brother burned me the SCTV discs which was very nice of him, since there is no way I can afford it right now with the move and all.

Forgot my cds today. : (

R

pack pack pack goes the pack rat

I've packed and packed, and time is now running out. I can already tell I'm going to do that thing where you throw away a bunch of stuff as you unpack at the new place. Do I really need five years worth of Q, Mojo, and Uncut magazines in my files? Have I ever had occasion to look back at some old issues of Select? Not in my current house, and it's been six years, but I will move them again if only to save me going through them all again.

One way or another the deal goes down on Thursday and the movers come on Saturday, in the mean time I need to keep working on it.


R

Six Flags

I can honestly say little has changed at Six Flags in the last 20 years. You still stand in line for 45-55 minutes for a 2 minute ride, you still sweat your ass off, and you still pay through the nose for food and drink. They've added some rides, and changed the name of some others. The Fraggle Rock ride is now Spongebob, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ride is now the erm Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ride.

It's always fun to check out all the fashions on parade, the basketball jersey worn as a dress is still common, and t-shirts with silly slogans remain popular. Maybe the Bikini Inspector and the Beaver Patrol guys should get together and compare notes, what a great meeting of the minds that would be.

There sure are a lot of rednecks round here, though I suspect a good portion of them were bussed in from Oklahoma.

R

Sad goodbye

A bunch of us took Leshia to lunch today for her last day. It's so sad to see her go, and to watch the number of cool people continue to fall around here. She won't be far, and she can meet for lunch once in a while but it won't likely be the same. This place sure used to be lots more fun.

I'll play Pet 'time to leave' for her. The best song I can think of right now is Sophia "holidays are nice' but it's a bit sad for the moment.

I get back to an email about a job, but it's not the one I'm after. I responded with a huge salary request, I'm sure I'll never hear from them again.

Looking forward to the weekend, and closing on the new house next week.


Friday is way too quiet on the internet, all my friends are busy. I love reading Megan's blog, she is super cool. I just hope I don't give her some stalker vibe. I can be a bit clingy I realise, but I just don't know many people who share my interests.

Next week Fredrik returns from France, and Tennis must be a priority for us.

R

Mr. Brightside

Left the house early today, got here by 7:15. Driving in was a breeze, listened to the Mull historical society, and the killers.

I'm here just awake, and tons to do today.

Hope the airport went ok last night, and you pull off your surprise this weekend K.

I keep seeing these Bush stickers with the big W on them. What has he done that's so great? Why all the blind loyalty? Are you that happy about the $300 you got back? You know you're children will pay that back ten fold right? Maybe I'd better not get started on this on a Friday. There are just a few things I'd like to have answers for. The fact that he's from Texas isn't enough for me.

R

Walking with a man called sun

Time to head out into the heat and traffic again.

I hope my mail is sorted out by now. I dream of everything going to the correct address.

At lunch I heard Caetano Veloso's version of Nirvana's 'Come as you are' and I thought I was going to throw up. Veloso just sucks the blood right out of the song and turns it into mush. Somewhere Kurt is reloading the shotgun.

Gotta finish my Netlix, so I can get more on the way.

R

Back to work

Lunch was great, several of us went to Pei Wei. (one of my favorites) I really didn't want to come back to this mountain of work on my desk. I found an old freebie cd I have from Mojo magazine with tons of old school punk on it, and this is helping me get going.

I wonder if my coworkers down the hall like Chinese rocks? I'm about to find out.

I'm supposed to be making a list of my 100 favorite songs for Michael, trouble is everyone else on the list is a real live writer. It can be a bit intimidating. So far I have about five songs I think. Maybe the single version of the Strokes' Modern Age will make it.

Why are my favorite people so far away? I'd like to cross the path of the black cat once in a while, or swing by Blueberry hill just for fun.

Gone

Just found out another person is leaving this company. It's sad because the last five have not been replaced, and this is a person from my inner circle. My posse is falling apart, and I'm only bitter cause I'm still here.

I tried to be real sly when I mailed the resume out. The woman who runs the postage meter is super cool, and would keep it quiet, but she's out today. So the accountant who is not only the nosiest person here, but quite possibly the nosiest person I've ever known ran it through. And what's worse is he came to me for more money since it was too heavy for .37 Errrrr! I should just pick up the phone and hit all page 'attention as you know it sucks here and by God I'm doing something about'

Time to do a bit of work sadly.
R

Hue and Cry

I haven't coloured my hair all year, and it still looks a fright. I need a stylist with lots of erm...style.


So I left a bit late this morning, I was digging for a letter of ref I have from a previous employer. So I got stuck in the traffic jam hell. Ironically I'm thinking of making a change to reduce this very commute. Lot's of time to listen to music at least. I was a bit hyper today spinning tracks from a bunch of cds Franz, Walkmen, Sophia, Veils (thanks Kelly) Keane, St. Germain, Razorlight, Pet. Even so I'm still behind on my music, left some at home I wished I had with me, the killers, dogs die in hot cars, and several others would've come in handy during my hour on the road. The good news is I was not involved in any of the accidents, and for once I didn't have to pee the whole time. Finally I arrived, mailed the resume with letter of ref, and quality cover letter. Keep your fingers crossed for me, I could use more money less drive time, and less in my gas budget.

I worked out hard last night, can't say who I'm trying to get all toned for at this point. I guess the answer should be for myself, but that's not really working for me at the moment.

Received my first Netflix mail yesterday, Bergman's scenes from a marriage, and the Lady Eve. It's been a good week for movies, watched Husbands and wives, and Rear Window already this week, and now I got my Netflix on.

'And will all float on ok'-MM
R

kicked caffiene

Tired of being strung out on the stuff, I'm cold turkey. I've got a real splitter to show for it. Badhead!

I shall overcome.

Megan is the greatest, I only know about this site because of her. I must remember to thank her.

Today's selections;
Dogs die in hot cars
Wilco
Mull historical society
Charlatans