Watch this space...

So after almost a year of disuse, I decided to pop open the hood, blow off the dust and fire this puppy back up. It is sad how bad I have been on the upkeep on this thing but that will be changing. So prepare to read more inane crap, peppered with useless minutae, obscure references and bizarre humour. I promise to blow your mind. Or at least breath on it heavily and make everyone involved feel very awkward. I bid you good day.

SummerFest Recap, Day 2

Well, only 22 days late. Ehh, deal with it. I've been distracted. Today's soundtrack while I write this is Seabird's "Til We See The Shore" (which honestly, reminds me a little of Augustana). Also enjoying Champion's "Chill Em All" (a nice little electronic thing).

On with the recap: nothing extracurricular here other than before we got to SummerFest, we stopped for lunch at Soma's. Soma's is a great sushi place on Washington where we proceeded to have some great sushi (which is saying a lot for me, since I typically don't like sushi) and quite a few "sake bombs". Nice experience, nice happy hour prices all day Sunday. I recommend it if you're in the area on a Sunday.

So we go from Soma's to Steven's apartment (who is just a few blocks from the park), have a drink or two and proceed to walk to the festival. We get there just in time to catch some of Yeasayer.

Yeasayer is a great band. My only regret was not getting to see more of them. The hazards of doing one of these with a group...oh well. But what I did see reminded me of what a great album "Odd Blood" is. Would love to see this experimental outfit again.

At this point, we had given up all of hope checking out any of the smaller acts...which brings me to my biggest complaint about this thing: scheduling the lineup. By putting the main acts back to back, they pretty much assured that most people were not gonna sample some of the smaller offerings. If you wanted to see Chromeo, followed by Cut Copy, you were not gonna have time to wander around and check out other smaller groups. Next time, maybe the organizers can stagger the big acts, either by putting a blank slot in the spot or a smaller act or acts between the bigger artists. Minor quibble but still, kinda limits your time. But I guess that's a testament to the strength of the lineup this year.

Moving on, next up was Chromeo. They were a huge hit with our group, even the peeps who had never heard them before. Strong show, really like their brand of electrofunk. Very cool show. The lead singer (David Macklovitch or "Dave 1") knew how to really get the crowd into it.

Next was a local rap/noise act called B L A C K I E. Was not a big fan of this so we took the opportunity to catch a respite from the heat. So, shade and cold drink was the name of the game. We chilled out for a little bit and then went back and got a good close seat for the next show.

The next to last show was Cut Copy. Next to Weezer, I was most excited about these guys. I had stumbled upon their stuff a couple of years and really dug their electropop/80's new wave/synth rock sound. And these boys from Melbourne, Australia did not disappoint. They put on a great energetic show that was easy to get involved in. In fact they had people on the side of the hillside jumping up and down. It was cool to turn around and see that. The only downside was the heat and stuffiness had been ramped up and I saw the first signs of genuine irritation from fellow attendees. Nothing major, just a little flair. People were pushing and trying to force their way to the front. But it disapated as quickly as it appeared.

And now we arrive at the highlight for me: Weezer. This show was just awesome, start to finish. Tired, exhausted, hot, knowing I still had a lot of steps to take before I ended up in my bed asleep and waking at 4:30 am, I did not want their set to stop. They were that good. They played their well known stuff (though they saved "Buddy Holly" for an encore), a lot of their album songs that I love, "Suzanne" a B-side from the mid-90's and a they covered Radiohead's "Paranoid Android" (freaking awesome and it blew my mind!). I was in heaven. My throat was sore from screaming along the lyrics to every song, I was hot, hungry and had a headache...but content in that moment. That's what is amazing about music and it's power over us. It can connect us to hundreds of thousands of our friends as we share a moment. Or it can connect us with the band and take us to a place where we are all alone in a moment where nothing but us and the music exist.

Cool moment: During one of the songs, Rivers Cuomo had moved on the stage to our side (I was real close). I yelled out and pointed at me, he smiled and pointed back at me. The only thing cooler would have been to get a high-five (which some lucky fan got later) but I was happy. It was a moment I will always treasure.

So, all in all, a good experience. I was exhausted and spent the next day recovering after I got home from work. But it was so worth it. Hopefully the lineup is good next year and I can afford it. And hopefully, I will have someone to go with and share the experience.

SummerFest Recap, Day 1

As I sit here today, music is on my mind. For a myriad of reasons, I suppose. One reason is I'm sitting here listening to The Farewell Drifters new album "Echo Boom" (which I am thoroughly enjoying...not at all what I was expecting and I am happily surprised). Another reason is decompressing from Free Press Summer Fest 2011. And that is the gist of today's entry.

I had the privilege of attending this event in the gloriously spectacular area of Eleanor Tinsley Park near downtown Houston. My sister-in-law joined me and she had a friend who was kind enough to open her apartment to us (which is great because I ended up leaving my truck parked there for the duration). Her friend even offered to drive us to the Fest and pick us up afterwards. We took her up on her offer. So we drive over to the park and just happen to see some of my sister-in-law's friends walking, so we get out and join them. I'm already enjoying the vibe being generated but the companionship and all the attendees in general. This was to be a theme for the weekend. This was about people having fun and not getting trashed and starting crap.

So after a slight speed bump getting in and waiting in a really, really long (but fast moving) line, we enter. We begin our walk to the Main Stage (which unbeknownst to me at the time, is where we would end up for the majority of the weekend) and as we walked, we looked at the various booths, stages and vendors. It was a cool scene (though sadly, not literally).

We get to the Main Stage and setup close to the middle, close to the stage. Not long after, we are rewarded to a great show by Big Boi (one half of OutKast). Wow, such a good unexpected show. Look, I don't know about you but I've witnessed a lot of Hip Hop/Rap shows and it's a mixed bag. Sometimes they're good shows but more often than not (and I mean 8 times out 10), they're nothing more than self celebratory circle jerks where the main act keeps pulling their posse into the show and letting them perform. Or the sound is so bad, it's like the subway automated voice yelling at you. Not fun. And even though Big Boi did pull some fellow performers on stage to perform with him or instead of him briefly, it didn't diminish the show but rather enhanced. And there were no sound issues (which was to be that way for the most part at the Main Stage for the weekend). Big Boi threw down some classic OutKast with "ATLiens", "Ms. Jackson" and "I Like The Way You Move" (though I've always considered it a Big Boi song more so than OutKast) and some new stuff off his solo effort. It was a nice mix and worked very well and the crowd really responded, despite the heat. Funny aside occurred here: about two songs in, I felt someone tapping my shoulder. I turned and saw an old friend that I went to High School with. I have seen and hung out with her many times since but just found it funny to run into her there (this would happen again 3 other times with her).

So after Big Boi, we went to procure refreshments. Long lines and crowds were to be a recurring theme but in 99% of these interactions, they were positive and everyone was polite and respectful. Which still amazes me with the heat that things didn't get ugly. Thank goodness for small miracles, I suppose. So drinks acquired, we moved back to the Main Stage (here on, know as "MS" for laziness sakes) to catch the always amazing Ms. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. This time, we just copped a squat on the hill rather than join the unwashed masses. The Dap-King's brand of updated soul/funk was refreshing to hear and Ms. Jones knew how to shake her "groove thang". It was a great show and I'm glad I got to see it.

Next, we walked around a bit, met up with more people (including one very hot chica...yow! Not that there weren't a ton of very attractive females there and more than a couple I talked to and maybe even got some numbers...well, never mind :P), had Meeting #2 with my friend and relaxed a little before the next show. And the next show was Beirut. Beirut, as I knew they would be was amazing. Such a distinct sound and any band that can play the instruments they do, and weave together such disparate sounds together will always interest me and get my respect.

And then we reach the final act of Day 1: Ween. Now, I'm not a big Ween fan. In fact, we had planned to leave early and get started on the rest of the evening early. Plus, I was getting hungry and I preferred not to buy food there, so I was ready to jet. But then Ween, took the stage and I actually found myself enjoying it. Ended up staying for most of the show when the group decided it was time to leave, so we left. There were some other events that occurred but I haven't received permission from the parties involved to relate them so for now, those stay private.

Lessons learned on Day 1:
- I need to not wait so long to eat, especially if "adult" beverages are involved (I know, I know!)
- Houston in June is extremely hot (okay, being a resident for my entire life, this is nothing unknown)
- Apparently, I am still attractive to the opposite sex and still have a little game
- Ween is much better live
- Big Boi can put on a good show and I would see him again
- My magic powers still work

Day 2 to be continued in the next installment....

Bah, bah...this is the sound of blogging...

So, I decided enough time had passed and it was time to post another entry. Since my last entry, life went a little haywire for me. I won't bore you with the details, but that said, it's been a life changing four months. Some bad, some good. Bad situation that I'm pulling positive from.

Unfortunately, my writing output has slowed a little. On here and other projects I was working on. But I hope to be coming out the other end of that. Wish me luck. So onward...

As I sit here writing this, I'm listening to the new Death Cab For Cutie album and digging it. More upbeat than their previous efforts. I like it. Of course for me, most Death Cab albums are like getting underneath a worn and comfortable blanket on a cold and rainy winter's day. There's just something familiar and comforting about them. This one is no different. From Ben Gibbard's vocals to Chris Walla's guitar, it just continues to work. Though I would still like to have another Postal Service album as well. Oh well, beggars and choosers blah blah blah.

So speaking of music, I will be attending Free Press Summer Fest this weekend and am incredibly excited. My first time to check out Weezer live. Lots of really cool bands. I can't wait. Just wish I could share it with my festival partner but that is not possible at this time. *sigh* Oh well, make the best of it, I always says....Felt like I was turning into some turn of the 19th century English scoundrel mentoring some Oliver Twist/Jim Hawkins type of street urchin for a second there. I'm too tired, methinks.

Alright, my brain is already tired from a lot of outside forces so we end it here for today. But I'll leave you with this thought: Lady Gaga scares me. Don't know what it is exactly about her looks but she reminds me of Marilyn Manson and it freaks me out a tad bit.

A weekend for choices and a project undertaken...what's not to like?

So, I finally sat down and began vigorously writing this past week. Don't want to say too much about it as it is still in the fetal stage at only about 10 pages. But it feels good to have the ideas flowing out of my brain onto the page. Usually they just flow out to nowhere. Yay for progress, I suppose. But I like how it feels. What I've written so far seems very organic, not forced. I've set for myself what I feel is a very easy-to-reach goal of writing two pages a day. So far, so good.

This weekend will involve a gathering of cousins for fun and frivolity. I'm excited as this is not something that happens very often and we're attempting to make it a more regular thing. It's retarded since we grew up together and now that we're all grown up, we all live no more than 10 miles from each other (some like 5 minutes away!). Every family gathering we talk about getting together but nothing happens, so here we go. Actions, not words! Huzzah!

Also happening this weekend, my wife said something to me yesterday about going out this weekend. As I have expressed on these very pages previously, I am total cinephile. Unfortunately, through a combination of kids, time and lack of funds, this happens so rarely it's more of an occurrence than a happening. But this weekend, we are gonna indulge that desire and do it. But now, the question becomes: what to see? There are three things up that I really want to see. It's hard to pick just one. My three choices are "Black Swan", "The King's Speech" or True Grit. Each has things pulling me to it but right now, I am leaning towards "The King's Speech". Every year, I bemoan the fact that when the Oscars arrive I haven't seen any of the nominated films. Not this year. This year...it's personal.
Those last few sentences you should imagine with the movie trailer guy's voice saying it; a close up of my face, eyes squinting with intensity; and ominous and cinematic music behind me.

So, if you were voting for a movie for me to see, what would it be? Give me your reasons. Next week sometime, I'll post what I went to see and my pitifully inadequate review. Good weekend to you all and to all, a good weekend.

Be a better lover and please her with your enormous foot...

Ha! I could hear you pondering, wondering "Will the infamous Robot Monkey post another blog before the year ends? Will he continue any of the supposed ongoing columns, like 'Date Night' or 'The Best of... List'? Is it true his tears will heal a unicorn of flatulence?"

First, the answer to your last query...yes, they do. Also, they act as a unicorn aphrodisiac, which yes, is slightly disturbing.

Second, to your next question...undecided. I honestly am just gonna play how I feel. So, maybe.

And thirdly...well, you have answer, don't you? Oh snap.

Now that we have the formalities out of the way, on to the hilarity. Or as I like to call it, the insomnia killer. Yes, it's true. My brand of humor has been know to induce vomiting or sleeping, varying from person to person. Enjoy!

Well, I have had an interesting week last week. And when I say interesting, I mean boring. One of the highlights that I feel compelled to share is clearing out my junk email inbox. Normally, this is done with the minimal of paying attention to subject lines. I usually just look at the addresses, looking for legitimate emails that slip through the cracks. This past week (for whatever reason) I paid closer attention than I normally would have to the subject lines listed herein. I was rewarded with a menagerie of bizarre subjects to emails that I would never have believed. So without further ado, here are some of the subject lines I actually had in my junk email. No addresses or anything though since I'm not gonna give them free advertising. They are presented here, unedited with all punctuation, grammar and spelling left as is.

(Note: Some of these are sexual in nature and contain some adult language. Reader discretion advised.)








"Engorge her with your mansword"
"Have a much huger erection than she wants"
"Ass rimming the easy way"
"No white rabbit but gold is coming your way"
"Caution! A money opportunity!"
"Someday your prince will come"
"Enlarge your bust 3 times!!!"
"Kan you helps a man fellow?"
"What keeps you young? luving rabbit style!!!!"

And the award for most bizarre goes to...

"Hot latinas banged by Germans"

I'm sure my junk mail is no different than yours but usually I just scan it and don't really read it. Wow.

If we don't talk again before the holidays, Happy Christmas and A Valid New Year!

Shalom!

Once again, sailing the Seas of Bloggery...

So, yeah....lameness.

Let's see: my last couple of blog entries have been posts have been about my lack of a new blog entry. And the last one was apparently last year.

Lame. I know.

So, no more promises. No more lame excuses. No more references to absences on the Seas of Bloggery. Just the blogs. Take 'em or leave 'em. Enjoy them or don't. Now, on with the show.

SO, my wife and I have been trying to find new ways to spend time together. But we're kinda poor and have three kids, so going out is not always an option. So I had an idea. Cinema is one of my passions. Food is one of hers. So I thought, "Why not marry the two?" And the idea of a regular thing is born: dinner and a movie...with a twist. The idea is this: I will pick a movie she has never seen and she will fix a meal in the same theme. This way, we both expose the other person to a new experience while simultaneously sharing our passion with each other. Help us learn a little about each other. I wish we had thought of this years ago.

Nevertheless, we are both excited. For our first date, I select Fellini's 8 1/2, one of my favorite films. Of course, I had a slight ulterior motive in selecting an Italian film.

I have been requesting Chicken Parmigiana (one of my favorites) for some time now. I thought by selecting Italian, I would push her into my corner. Imagine my surprise (and disappointment) when she immediately informed me, that her meal would not be Chicken Parmigiana. Ahhh, man. Instead, she decided on Braised Ribs, polenta and asparagus (which I abstained from since I am not a fan of asparagus). She was going to make tiramisu for desert but apparently the story was out of ladyfingers. Sad face. So, Sunday night arrives. We put the kids in bed and sit down to enjoy dinner, the movie and most importantly each others company.

First, the meal. The ribs were great. The polenta...eh. Reminded me of something akin to oatmeal or grits, that same kind of consistency and texture. Didn't hate it but was not my favorite. It did well mixed with ribs and the gravy from the ribs. All in all, a very enjoyable meal (but still not Chicken Parmigiana...I know, I know, I'll shut up).

Next, the movie. I love this film. I haven't seen it in a couple of years which allowed me to watch it semi-fresh again. Marcello Mastriantonio is Fellini's alter ego in this essentially and is great. Claudia Cardinale is absolutely radiant in her small role as herself and as Mastriantonio's vision of the ideal woman. The movie waltzes from reality to fantasy that by the end of the movie, the lines aren't so much blurred as erased completely. A brilliant portrait of ego, creative block and the pressures of living up to high, almost unreal, expectations. Several films owe their birth to this movie: Stardust Memories, Living In Oblivion, Nine (a musical adapting the movie) and a host of other films. A great film, consistently on top of many "Best of" lists.

Afterwords, we talked about the film: if she liked it, what we liked or didn't like, what did particular things represent, overall impressions, etc; Overall, it was an enjoyable evening of good food, good cinema and good companionship. What more can you ask for?

....except for maybe Chicken Parmigiana :P.