Jam o' the Winter part DEUX!
Thanks to the wonders of technology I have liberated this track from it's video backing. I played it last night in my DJ set. It was awesome. Ladies and gentlemen, download this NOW!
MP3: Hamster on a Piano
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Meta-hipster.
Meta-hipster.
From this week's MyOpenBar newsletter (and if you're not already getting these, you really should, because whoever is doing the summaries is goddamned hilarious):
From this week's MyOpenBar newsletter (and if you're not already getting these, you really should, because whoever is doing the summaries is goddamned hilarious):
There will be a live photo booth here so that you can get your party photo taken at the opening party for a show featuring photos from parties taken by party photographers. If this doesn't cause the hipster culture to finally implode under the weight of its own self-referential irony, you'll have to get a picture of your face tattooed on your face just to keep up.That preview actually makes me wanna go!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Lasers and Fast and DJ.
Lasers and Fast and DJ.
One of my new favorite local bands --- Lasers and Fast and Shit -- asked me to DJ at their show at darkroom tonight and how could I help but say yes? Come on down, check them out, and enjoy some fine local music ... and kind of a crap DJ.
One of my new favorite local bands --- Lasers and Fast and Shit -- asked me to DJ at their show at darkroom tonight and how could I help but say yes? Come on down, check them out, and enjoy some fine local music ... and kind of a crap DJ.
Girl Talking.
Girl Talking.
Photos from Saturday's show are on Flickr ... and my write-up and a more targeted set (for those that would rather get a quick fix than wade through dozens of shots of dancing hipsters) is up at Chicagoist [link to come when it goes live at 11:45]. Also check out GalPal's review of the show.
Photos from Saturday's show are on Flickr ... and my write-up and a more targeted set (for those that would rather get a quick fix than wade through dozens of shots of dancing hipsters) is up at Chicagoist [link to come when it goes live at 11:45]. Also check out GalPal's review of the show.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Soliciting doggie bark advice.
Soliciting doggie bark advice.
I got home after seeing Zack and Miri Make a Porno* Sunday night and arrived to find an anonymous note taped to my door. It was a very polite anonymous letter from one of my neighbors complaining about Betty. I'm guessing it's a new tenant and it appears they are home during the days, and Betty is still barking. She had been getting better, especially after I decided to stop crating her in hopes that would decrease her anxiety level, but I guess she's slipping again?
So I've decided that it is time to try an anti-bark shock collar. Nothing else seems to have worked, and while I've been avoiding doing something like this, maybe it's time to just give it a try. Citronella spray collars don't work -- she figured out that they run out after 12-15 blasts, so she'll just bark and suffer through those to empty the collar's canister -- so I need to try something different. Has anyone out there used an anti-bark shock collar before? If so do you have one you would recommend, or do you have a compelling argument why they should NOT be used? I've been doing some research and it doesn't seem like they actually harm your dog, they just offer a little negative reinforcement not unlike techniques you use when training your dog in a controlled class and pull on their leash to snap their training collar, right?
*I'll write about Zack and Miri Make a Porno later, by the way.
I got home after seeing Zack and Miri Make a Porno* Sunday night and arrived to find an anonymous note taped to my door. It was a very polite anonymous letter from one of my neighbors complaining about Betty. I'm guessing it's a new tenant and it appears they are home during the days, and Betty is still barking. She had been getting better, especially after I decided to stop crating her in hopes that would decrease her anxiety level, but I guess she's slipping again?So I've decided that it is time to try an anti-bark shock collar. Nothing else seems to have worked, and while I've been avoiding doing something like this, maybe it's time to just give it a try. Citronella spray collars don't work -- she figured out that they run out after 12-15 blasts, so she'll just bark and suffer through those to empty the collar's canister -- so I need to try something different. Has anyone out there used an anti-bark shock collar before? If so do you have one you would recommend, or do you have a compelling argument why they should NOT be used? I've been doing some research and it doesn't seem like they actually harm your dog, they just offer a little negative reinforcement not unlike techniques you use when training your dog in a controlled class and pull on their leash to snap their training collar, right?
*I'll write about Zack and Miri Make a Porno later, by the way.
Mourning period? I think not.
Mourning period? I think not.
When I sent out a text to my family after Obama's win, my little brother shot back with, "At least we gave you a day to mourn when Bush was re-elected."It was meant to be funny, and it did make me laugh, but since then it has gotten me to think about Conservative reaction to Obama's win. For the most part, I haven't noticed any!
On one hand, I've unplugged from political talk over the past few days -- I just had to -- so I'm sure the 24-hour news channels and talk show circuits are probably still erupting, but fuck 'em, I'm thinking more of the general public reaction. And for the most part it's been muted. On one hand i think it's because most Republicans sort of saw this coming as McCain's campaign continued to crash and burn.
On top of that, things are so bad, I think most Republicans realized that anyone new in the White House would be a good thing. In fact my little brother made a point to me that what worries him most isn't Obama, but the Democratically controlled Congress, and I sort of agree with him. If the Congress can unite and help Obama to push good reform through, that'll be great ... but over the past two years Democrats have shown they can be just as stupid as Republicans when it comes to infighting and stalling each other's legislation in order to gain their own perks. And I am deeply worried about him bringing too many Chicago politicians with him to Washington, since that would be a possibly tarnishing distraction to Obama and provide an air of cronyism and entitlement he could -- and should -- do without.
Back to my main point though, and what led me to think about this in the first place. When Bush was re-elected I was seriously in a state of shock and couldn't at all understand how he got back into office, so yeah, I'm glad that I was given a day to "grieve" back then. However, with Obama's election, I don't think Conservatives need any time to "grieve." They're President and his ideology died a long time ago, and they should be happy that someone fresh and new is on the scene.
Obama can't fuck this country up any more than it currently is ... and I tend to think he might just improve it quite a bit. Even as economic news grows ever more dire, I sense the national mood has brightened just a bit.
When I sent out a text to my family after Obama's win, my little brother shot back with, "At least we gave you a day to mourn when Bush was re-elected."It was meant to be funny, and it did make me laugh, but since then it has gotten me to think about Conservative reaction to Obama's win. For the most part, I haven't noticed any!
On one hand, I've unplugged from political talk over the past few days -- I just had to -- so I'm sure the 24-hour news channels and talk show circuits are probably still erupting, but fuck 'em, I'm thinking more of the general public reaction. And for the most part it's been muted. On one hand i think it's because most Republicans sort of saw this coming as McCain's campaign continued to crash and burn.On top of that, things are so bad, I think most Republicans realized that anyone new in the White House would be a good thing. In fact my little brother made a point to me that what worries him most isn't Obama, but the Democratically controlled Congress, and I sort of agree with him. If the Congress can unite and help Obama to push good reform through, that'll be great ... but over the past two years Democrats have shown they can be just as stupid as Republicans when it comes to infighting and stalling each other's legislation in order to gain their own perks. And I am deeply worried about him bringing too many Chicago politicians with him to Washington, since that would be a possibly tarnishing distraction to Obama and provide an air of cronyism and entitlement he could -- and should -- do without.
Back to my main point though, and what led me to think about this in the first place. When Bush was re-elected I was seriously in a state of shock and couldn't at all understand how he got back into office, so yeah, I'm glad that I was given a day to "grieve" back then. However, with Obama's election, I don't think Conservatives need any time to "grieve." They're President and his ideology died a long time ago, and they should be happy that someone fresh and new is on the scene.
Obama can't fuck this country up any more than it currently is ... and I tend to think he might just improve it quite a bit. Even as economic news grows ever more dire, I sense the national mood has brightened just a bit.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
BAWK BAWK!
BAWK BAWK!
I live next door to a rooster (or did ... I haven't heard him in a while, hmmmm...) so I find this especially funny.
I live next door to a rooster (or did ... I haven't heard him in a while, hmmmm...) so I find this especially funny.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Estimate #2.
Estimate #2.
So I got a second estimate on what it would take to get my car to pass the emissions test and it was ... $2,100! I guess it looks like the ol' girl is going into storage for a few months while I try to save the dough to fix her. Ugh.
So I got a second estimate on what it would take to get my car to pass the emissions test and it was ... $2,100! I guess it looks like the ol' girl is going into storage for a few months while I try to save the dough to fix her. Ugh.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
A message to my immediate family, and my friend Balasz...
A message to my immediate family, and my friend Balasz...
Slightly more thought out...
Slightly more thought out...
So, Obama won. I cried. It might be one of the greatest moments in America's history. So many barriers fell last night, and so much promise opened up. I kept hugging Michelle and repeating how happy I was. She probably thought I had lost my mind.
I remember the first time Clinton was elected. I had the same sense of promise. And of course that promise was never fulfilled. But those were damn good years. We were a stable, hopeful nation. The last eight years have obliterated almost everything we have to be proud of as a country.
ALMOST everything.
Last night, the fact that a divided nation elected Barack Obama in such a decisive landslide (and not to too my own horn, but my count wasn't too far off!) means we've made a huge step to righting the wrong we've done to ourselves and to the world last night.
Will everything change? No. Will most things change? Actually, probably not, not right now. But what is different is that our nation has made a fundamental shift toward looking into the future instead of fearing the residual effects of the past. I didn't endorse Obama at the outset of the Primary season, and the reasons I didn't still largely exist, but I think now that he's risen to the highest office in the land (world?), those reasons are rendered mostly moot and he'll do his best to do right by us and deliver on the burden of promises we've placed upon him and he's agreed to shoulder.
For the first time in a long time I'm actually proud of the behavior displayed by the majority of my fellow citizens.
Well done, folks ... well done.
Photo from last night's Obama speech in Grant Park
So, Obama won. I cried. It might be one of the greatest moments in America's history. So many barriers fell last night, and so much promise opened up. I kept hugging Michelle and repeating how happy I was. She probably thought I had lost my mind.I remember the first time Clinton was elected. I had the same sense of promise. And of course that promise was never fulfilled. But those were damn good years. We were a stable, hopeful nation. The last eight years have obliterated almost everything we have to be proud of as a country.
ALMOST everything.
Last night, the fact that a divided nation elected Barack Obama in such a decisive landslide (and not to too my own horn, but my count wasn't too far off!) means we've made a huge step to righting the wrong we've done to ourselves and to the world last night.
Will everything change? No. Will most things change? Actually, probably not, not right now. But what is different is that our nation has made a fundamental shift toward looking into the future instead of fearing the residual effects of the past. I didn't endorse Obama at the outset of the Primary season, and the reasons I didn't still largely exist, but I think now that he's risen to the highest office in the land (world?), those reasons are rendered mostly moot and he'll do his best to do right by us and deliver on the burden of promises we've placed upon him and he's agreed to shoulder.
For the first time in a long time I'm actually proud of the behavior displayed by the majority of my fellow citizens.
Well done, folks ... well done.
Photo from last night's Obama speech in Grant Park
Dear Barack...
Dear Barack...
I gave you money. I'm glad you won. But, isn't the campaign over? Why does your final email STILL have a donate button?!
Someone! Change that code!
I gave you money. I'm glad you won. But, isn't the campaign over? Why does your final email STILL have a donate button?!
Someone! Change that code!
And now that it's all over...
And now that it's all over...
...let's look behind the curtain. Nice to see McCain wasn't complicit is ALL the campaign shenanigans.
...let's look behind the curtain. Nice to see McCain wasn't complicit is ALL the campaign shenanigans.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Today is the day.
Today is the day.
My fellow Americans, please don't fuck this up again.
Get out. Vote. The choice is obvious. Please.
FINGERS CROSSED: My prediction for the Electoral Vote is Obama wins 337 to McCain's 201. (I think I did that math right...)
My fellow Americans, please don't fuck this up again.
Get out. Vote. The choice is obvious. Please.
FINGERS CROSSED: My prediction for the Electoral Vote is Obama wins 337 to McCain's 201. (I think I did that math right...)
Monday, November 03, 2008
Halloween house party!
Halloween house party!
Our Halloween party was an unqualified success. Things really picked up after about 1:30 and didn't stop until, um, well after I crapped out around 4:30 or so. My co-DJs Dungeon Dragon and Amber Waves rocked the mixer and kept the kids dancing and drinking, and I think I kicked in a couple choice tunes as well. Super huge thanks to our host, josh, for graciously supplying the space. And a huge thanks to everyone who showed up! It turns out word got out and we were definitely one of THE parties to be at that night. The whole experience reminded me how much I've missed DJing actual parties since they tend to attract such a fun loving anything-goes kinda crowd.
A few photos from the evening...
If you look closely you may recognize a certain DJ in this one.
GalPal was a schoolgirl zombie. I thought her make-up was AMAZING.
I really like these cars. This couple killed me.
Especially when they almost ran over the host! Yikes!
Jesus not only loves you, he's interested in texting you.
JB outdid herself this year. I'm not even going to tell you what she was.
I love how I'm taking a break in this photo but Amber Waves and Josh are beyond pumped in the background.
Our friend was Jem. An incredibly convincing Jem.
DJ Dungeon Dragon ... keepin' it real with a fake belly.
"Hey, like my package?"
More photos of the night here. All photos above by Max Redstone.
Our Halloween party was an unqualified success. Things really picked up after about 1:30 and didn't stop until, um, well after I crapped out around 4:30 or so. My co-DJs Dungeon Dragon and Amber Waves rocked the mixer and kept the kids dancing and drinking, and I think I kicked in a couple choice tunes as well. Super huge thanks to our host, josh, for graciously supplying the space. And a huge thanks to everyone who showed up! It turns out word got out and we were definitely one of THE parties to be at that night. The whole experience reminded me how much I've missed DJing actual parties since they tend to attract such a fun loving anything-goes kinda crowd.
A few photos from the evening...
If you look closely you may recognize a certain DJ in this one.
GalPal was a schoolgirl zombie. I thought her make-up was AMAZING.
I really like these cars. This couple killed me.
Especially when they almost ran over the host! Yikes!
Jesus not only loves you, he's interested in texting you.
JB outdid herself this year. I'm not even going to tell you what she was.
I love how I'm taking a break in this photo but Amber Waves and Josh are beyond pumped in the background.
Our friend was Jem. An incredibly convincing Jem.
DJ Dungeon Dragon ... keepin' it real with a fake belly.
"Hey, like my package?"
More photos of the night here. All photos above by Max Redstone.
Methinks Slate jumped the gun...
Methinks Slate jumped the gun...
So help me God, if Obama loses I'm going to blame Slate for jinxing it by accidentally running stories about "President Obama." We all know media outlets have stories in the can for either outcome, but usually they hold off running 'em until AFTER the election.
See:
The Coming Obama-Press War
and
Memorable articles about an election that is finally over.
So help me God, if Obama loses I'm going to blame Slate for jinxing it by accidentally running stories about "President Obama." We all know media outlets have stories in the can for either outcome, but usually they hold off running 'em until AFTER the election.See:
The Coming Obama-Press War
and
Memorable articles about an election that is finally over.
Opus finally leaves the building.
Opus finally leaves the building.
I think Breathed means it this time when he says Opus is retiring for good. See where he ends up. It's so heartwarming it even brings a smile to Steve Dallas' face.
I think Breathed means it this time when he says Opus is retiring for good. See where he ends up. It's so heartwarming it even brings a smile to Steve Dallas' face.
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