Odds & ends
I love you, Colorado. But I’ve decided you are a wuss.
There is (a beautiful and powdery) 3 inches of snow on the ground this morning, tops. And it’s a snow day. I say everyone should get some snowshoes and 4-wheel-drive, and life should continue as normal. Thank you.
In the shutdown interim, here are a few odds & ends that are entertaining me this morning:
Ûž A reader pointed me in the direction of mp3s from the KEXP session with The Rosewood Thieves (my previous post here, definitely check them out). They performed 5 songs, including a Dylan cover. I am strongly digging their bluesy rocker sound.
Ûž My new friend Adam wrote about his new supercool fancy tracker thing for runners that goes in your shoe, wirelessly connects with your iPod, and tracks your running stats, even TALKING TO YOU while you run. I need that (it should say pugilistic things like, “Frickin wuss! DO NOT WALK UP THIS HILL!” Maybe yell obscenities at me to keep me moving). It appears to be reasonably priced at $29, but then you also need the special Nike shoes with a pocket to hold the sensor (can I do it myself with an x-acto knife?) and an iPod Nano (mine’s a 60). Drat. (wait, or not).
Ûž A couple of interesting “from the studio” news bits:
-Shirley Manson (Garbage) goes solo, Jack White and Billy Corgan are involved
-Norah Jones finishes third album, M. Ward guests
-Mike Watt plays bass on Kelly Clarkson’s new album (for real)
-!!! Sign to Warp Records (same label as my new love Jamie Lidell), new LP Myth Takes coming in 2007. If you haven’t heard their unique disco-funk sound (and I think you say their UnGooglable name Chk Chk Chk), here’s an mp3 of their song Take Ecstasy With Me from 2004′s Louden Up Now. You wanna dance around, don’t you?!
Ûž There’s a new Contrast Podcast you should listen to, this one on the fun ornithological theme of Chickens and Other Birds. I was going to contribute either Cake’s wonderful song that I can hear playing in my head just typing it: “Comfort Eagle” (but someone else submitted it, yay!) or the fantastic boogie “Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens.”
But coulda woulda shoulda I’m lazy.
Ûž There’s a new documentary out called American Hardcore; maybe I want to punch someone after just watching the preview. It’s open now in selected theatres, and it features folks like Henry Rollins, Jesse Malin, Ian MacKaye, Flea, Mike Watt, Moby, and Tommy Stinson. Like a microcosm of the Punk: Attitude documentary from last year, this one focuses on the specific aspects of the American punk-rock scene within a 6 year period from 1980-1986. Looks interesting.
Ûž Here’s the perfect Christmas gift for that world-renowned air guitarist on your list. Now they just need to make the corresponding sensor pants for us air drummers and I will be one happy camper.
Ûž I am liking this new song from distinctive Liverpool band Clinic, off their upcoming 4th album Visitations (January ’07, or on iTunes now).
Listen to Harvest.
Ûž Finally, one more reason to love the (gratuitious and borderline creepy) internet: A MySpace group for those who love it when everyone’s favorite prolific alt-country rocker turns around: Who Wants To Look At Ryan Adams’ Ass?
Name: Heather Browne
You got a snow day? I didn’t get a freaking snow day. That’s what I get for working as an Army contractor – I don’t even get the 2 hour delay. Had to leave a half hour early just to get here on time. Stupid slow Springs drivers.
JJ Courtright — November 29, 2006 @ 11:14 am
maybe it’s just us soft District 20 folks….you should move north.
heather — November 29, 2006 @ 11:21 am
AMEN!!!!!!! I too love Colorado but boy oh boy does this city shut down in a hurry!
Anonymous — November 29, 2006 @ 11:57 am
1) The public transport system in the UK shuts down if we have 3 flakes of snow so count yourself lucky.
2) Don’t waste your money on the Nano thingy. I will drive alongside you and yell obscenities for less than $29.
Matt — November 29, 2006 @ 1:00 pm
hey heather
thanks for the “plug” of American Hardcore
I am a long time reader/lurker of your fanTASTIC blog, and am heavilly involved with the movie (did all the design and motion graphics… see the credit on the poster, or their site)
even though it was distributed by Sony Pictures classics, it is ENTIRELY an independent film made by Paul Rachman, the writer/priducer Steven Blush, and of course myself (along with Bad Brains manager Anthony Countey)
ANYway, with such a truly independant endeavour, you can imagine how much word of mouth plays in the success or failure of a film!
thanks again and I hope you like it! lots of suprise interviews in there!
yours
John Vondracek
John Vondracek — November 29, 2006 @ 1:03 pm
Oh come on, snow days are for kids.
Not Adults, we have to shovel it, they get to play in it.
So be a kid for a day!
Anonymous — November 29, 2006 @ 1:36 pm
Love his music but it looks like R.A. shat himself.
Pampers — November 29, 2006 @ 3:11 pm
Matt, thanks for your fantastic offer.
heather — November 29, 2006 @ 3:35 pm
There was at least 6 inches of snow up here and no snow day. Denver and the Springs are like that; a light dusting and they call a snow day. Prior to 2002, Fort Collins had not had a snow day in about 10 years. Count yourself lucky that your town is willing to give you one once in a while!
Callie — November 29, 2006 @ 8:15 pm
by the time that snow got to kansas city it became some wicked sleet – and of course, i dont get snow days with my job.
Don't Need Anything — November 29, 2006 @ 10:09 pm
I live about a mile from Rampart, so I’m damn near District 20, but still no snow day. Although my boss did let me leave at 1:45 so I can’t complain too much.
JJ Courtright — November 30, 2006 @ 10:30 am
You have no idea how much my respect for you shot through the proverbial roof with the quiet shout to Ezra Jack Keats . . . .
jennings — November 30, 2006 @ 9:02 pm
Ahhh, A Snowy Day! I love that book.
We just got smacked with it here in Wisconsin. About a foot of the white heavy stuff. No pansies here, we rock the rear wheel drive slicks on Ford Torino’s and love it.
the pilot is lost — December 1, 2006 @ 9:41 am
i gotta say, the seat of his pants (in the photo you posted) looks rather soiled.
I know … ewwwwww!
yeah, it is a bit creepy that there’s a myspace page dedicated to his derriere, but if it’s good enough for J-Lo, then what more of Mr. Bedhead himself.
Anonymous — December 5, 2006 @ 8:29 pm