The Squid and the whale


I expected it to be depressing. While it was kind of sad, it was also funny, and smart. We both enjoyed it...and hey Wes Anderson had some kind of hand in it, so it must be good right?

Are those my birds?

Well, not an ode so much as a tribute post...of sorts.  I just walked around in the sun.  The "not too hot yet" sun.  Spring time in Bloomington is f'n magical, and it will be even more so when all of the kids go home next week.

So you think you know the Flaming Lips.  You have Yoshimi Battles..., maybe you even have Soft Bulletin (Shame on you if you don't), and you avoid earlier Flaming Lips becasue you've heard She Don't Use Jelly one too many times (Kelley).

Clouds Taste Metallic is FUCKING BRILLIANT!  With song titles like Psychiatric Explorations of the Fetus with Needles, and Guy Who Got a Headache and Accidentally Saves the World, your curiousity alone should be enough to buy this record.  Do yourself a favor! 

 

It all goes back to not being able to let myself relax when I have the chance.  All you work-a-holics know what I'm talking about.  I finished up with the semester on Monday...what a great feeling.  Now I'm trying to allow myself a few days of sort of taking it easy, but this is where the whole other side of my brain says, "quit wasting your time!"  Don't worry everyone...I'll be sure to get good and drunk on cinco de mayo.

So a lot has happened since the last blog it seems.  Bloomington was graced with the presence of two respectable rock acts.  We saw Wilco a few weeks ago at the IU Auditorium.  I was worried the sound would suck and it did, I thought so anyway.  Typical over-sized auditorium problems.  Plus, I couldn't hear Glenn's snare drum...I can NEVER get enough snare drum.  It was a good show, Jeff Tweady was keeping it real with the on stage banter...but the show we saw at the McDonald theatre was WAY better sounding.

Saw the Silver Jews!  It was fun, but I still haven't heard the new album, and Berman doesn't particularly anunciate all that well...so it was a little boring.

If I haven't mentioned it before I'll be in Portland/Eugene from May 30-June 11th.  Can't fucking wait!

Pellet Gun IS playing two "reunion" shows:

Luckey's in Eugene on June 1

Dunes in PDX on June 2

And if anyone has any interest in cupcakes, see Kelleys blog.

So, I've finally been told officially that I will be awarded a graduate teaching position at IU next fall...something that they've been telling me would happen, but it's finally been made official. huzzah!  This is not to say that I don't still want a job (see the last blog).

I have to play in Carmen this weekend, and next.  So much for weekend craziness.  Speaking of which, there is a Portland/Eugene trip in the works...early June.  "More on that later."

 

So the new Flaming Lips rules...I haven't quite gotten through the whole thing yet.  But the drum sounds are pimp...as is the execution.  We're hoping to see the Lips at Lollapalooza this summer (fingers crossed), now if only someone named Collin was playing there as well.

I'm taking piano lessons due to having to pass a piano proficiency here.  My hands don't quite know what to do yet, but it's been fun so far.  I'm tired of school.  I want a job.  Does anyone have a job for me?

Hello friends,

I thought I would take this opportunity to break my blogging silence, and tell you that if you've ever considered showering me with gifts that this is the time!  28 today, holy crap.

A quick re-cap of the last few months.  It's been hella cold.  I've been madly preparing for my first IU recital, as well as a guest artist recital in Kansas (it's where all of the cool kids go for spring break).  So, lots of practicing, and not enough time spent with my lovely wife. 

Really, that's pretty much it.  But before you go thinking I'm incredibly boring let me shower YOU with a gift:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmuEX1DOdUw&eurl=http://www.salon.com/ent/video_dog/

maybe you've seen it already, but if you've never seen Natalie Portman rap like a gangsta b*tch, you gots to peep it.  As Rory said, that shit's off the CHAIN!

 

But Wait!

It's ok because we're getting out of this stink town tomorrow.  Ha, that's right Bloomington, I said STINK TOWN!  Going to the land of Stumptown!  Not that Bloomington has treated me poorly recently...I mean, it is like 9 degrees here or something, and the dentist is "reccomending" that my wife get a bunch of stuff done to her teeth, and...well, other than that it's fine I guess.

I'm tired of George W. being on the television.  I'm also tired of these "approval ratings," I love how when these numbers are released there is absolutely no information as to who it is that has been polled.  Yes, W's approval rating is up amongst the 100 or so republicans in the greater Washington D.C. area.  It's more mind control friends.  It seems we should all get behind the man, what since his "approval rating" is up and all.

 

Well, it's been awhile friends.  Finals are over now and I'm finally able to slow down a little bit.  After getting back from our PDX Thanksgiving trip I had to bust ass to get everything done.  And now, yes, it's time to go back to PDX!  We get in on the 21st, and are there until January 2nd.  Some news of note: while we're there I will be playing with Tractor Operator at the Towne Lounge on the 29th.  Ferocious Eagle is also on the bill...I'm psyched to finally see 'em.  On the 30th I'll be playing a little bit with Dan Jones and the Squids (Eugene) at Sam Bonds Garage.  We'll be down in Eugene all day...see you at Roma.

Not too much else news, except that now I have to get ready for my first Doctoral recital here at IU, I've got 3 months!  I hoping it will be in late March.

Happy Everything!

Sitting at the Encore cafe. A nice place to be to do homework, drink coffee, try to keep yourself from buying a piece of carrott cake. It was so nice today to wake on a Saturday and not have to drive to Mooresville for marching band. Kelley and I got to enjoy a somewhat leisurely morning...good for the soul. Davin brought me some new music last night. The other Neutral Milk Hotel record, something about Avery Island?, which I've listened to a little bit whilst doing other things and I think I'll enjoy when I can pay it more attention. He also brought me a Olivia Tremor Control record. Maybe it will take some getting used to, I'm not immediately drawn to it. 90's music which says "we love Brian Wilson." I'll give it a chance, don't worry. We have 4 carved pumkins sitting on our porch. A neighborhood cat hissed at me. It gets dark here so early now. I have to get home so the wife and I can watch Donnie Darko. Also on a big 'ol Bob Dylan kick right now wich can be attributed to my Mother sending us the companion cd's to No Direction Home. How did she know? No really, she had no idea that Kelley and I enjoy some Bob Dylan. She trusted the word of a record store clerk. Careful Mom, they aren't always to be trusted. Can you believe it's almost basketball time? And I'm out.