OK, so following my Friday night meltdown, I had a good weekend. I got up early on Saturday and went out for breakfast at The Abbey, a semi-hip downtown coffeehouse where I drank a bottomless cup of coffee and read. Spending some time with the bohemian set made me feel a little better about Indy. In the afternoon I got a massage, and in my relaxed state, I decided to remove some clutter. As Phoenix says in their song Everything is Everything, "The things I do possess, sometimes they own me too." So now there's a lot less owning going on in my apartment. When I got home from my massage, I gutted my CD collection, packed up a huge amount of clothes for Goodwill, and disconnected my XBox with the intent to eventually sell it. There's still a lot more to go, but this was a good start. The rest of the weekend was spent buried in The Collected Gormenghast Novels (Titus Groan, Gormenghast, and Titus Alone) by Merwyn Peake. The books are the story of the new heir (Titus) to the gigantic, sprawling castle of Gormenghast, and his interactions with the rather Dickensian characters who live in the castle with him. I'm still deciding whether I like it.
Today, I discovered the music of Ted Leo & Pharmacists. I've read about them a lot, but never listened to the music until now. My friend Todd turned me on to a great blog, Chrome Wave, and through there, I made my way to the Ted Leo site, where you can download several mp3s from each of their albums. I recommend "Me and Mia" and "Ghosts". The music is different, but Leo's voice brings to mind one of the Finn Brothers (Neil and Tim, Crowded House, Split Enz) at certain points.
3.07.2005
3.05.2005
One of those days
Be forewarned: This post is pretty much 100% rant.
Ever had a day where you knew you should have stayed in bed about 10 minutes after you got out of it? Friday was one for me. I slept horribly Thursday night and could barely drag myself out of bed. After hitting snooze 6 or 7 times, I rolled out of bed and within 5 minutes managed to stub my toe, bump my knee, and hit my head on my bathroom cabinet. I made it to work without any major injuries, but things just got better there. On a day when I really needed to get things done, it seemed like everyone in the building decided to stop by my desk. This isn't difficult for anyone to do, because not only do I not have a door to shut, I only have two walls on my cubicle. Plus, I'm right next to the printers, so usually right about the time I start to get somewhere on a layout is the time somebody comes over to pick up their printout and remembers some reason to interrupt me. You'd think having my headphones on and looking busy might give people the hint, but apparently that means nothing to my co-workers. I managed to make it until 6:00 today, and then had to leave before I broke something... or someone.
After that day, I decided to go to a concert to relax. The Ditty Bops and The Shore played a benefit for music in the schools. The Ditty Bops, two women and three men who played mandolin, guitar, upright bass, drums, and fiddle/guitar/lap steel, played first and were nice in a sort of old-fashioned way (like 1920's old-fashioned). Then came The Shore, a band from LA who sound like they could have come out of Manchester in the early 90's. I was excited to see them, but apparently I was just about the only one in the place that felt that way. The idiots who didn't walk out in the middle of the set stood around yapping, totally oblivious to the fact that they were missing a great show. This is a band that would probably pack the Bowery Ballroom in New York (at least 3 times the size of this place), but as I'm quickly figuring out, the majority of Hoosiers wouldn't know good music if it bit them on their fat asses. I used to think Indy's music scene was pretty good, but I'm being forced to reevaluate that idea each time I go to another show here. Unfortunately, the band noticed the lack of enthusiasm and rapidly dwindling crowd, and only played about 30 minutes before stalking off the stage. I don't blame them one bit. Nothing I enjoy more than having a concert I want to see spoiled by a bunch of drunken, doughy, tasteless jerks.
Finally, to top the night off, I was driving home on the highway in the rain and got passed on the right by some redneck jackass in an oversized pickup truck who threw his half-full beer can out the driver's side window, forcing me to swerve and nearly spin out. It's understandable, though; he was probably distracted thinking of other ways besides his gas-guzzling behemoth truck to compensate for his tiny, inadequate penis.
I think it's time for a vacation, because I've had just about all the Hoosier I can handle.
Ever had a day where you knew you should have stayed in bed about 10 minutes after you got out of it? Friday was one for me. I slept horribly Thursday night and could barely drag myself out of bed. After hitting snooze 6 or 7 times, I rolled out of bed and within 5 minutes managed to stub my toe, bump my knee, and hit my head on my bathroom cabinet. I made it to work without any major injuries, but things just got better there. On a day when I really needed to get things done, it seemed like everyone in the building decided to stop by my desk. This isn't difficult for anyone to do, because not only do I not have a door to shut, I only have two walls on my cubicle. Plus, I'm right next to the printers, so usually right about the time I start to get somewhere on a layout is the time somebody comes over to pick up their printout and remembers some reason to interrupt me. You'd think having my headphones on and looking busy might give people the hint, but apparently that means nothing to my co-workers. I managed to make it until 6:00 today, and then had to leave before I broke something... or someone.
After that day, I decided to go to a concert to relax. The Ditty Bops and The Shore played a benefit for music in the schools. The Ditty Bops, two women and three men who played mandolin, guitar, upright bass, drums, and fiddle/guitar/lap steel, played first and were nice in a sort of old-fashioned way (like 1920's old-fashioned). Then came The Shore, a band from LA who sound like they could have come out of Manchester in the early 90's. I was excited to see them, but apparently I was just about the only one in the place that felt that way. The idiots who didn't walk out in the middle of the set stood around yapping, totally oblivious to the fact that they were missing a great show. This is a band that would probably pack the Bowery Ballroom in New York (at least 3 times the size of this place), but as I'm quickly figuring out, the majority of Hoosiers wouldn't know good music if it bit them on their fat asses. I used to think Indy's music scene was pretty good, but I'm being forced to reevaluate that idea each time I go to another show here. Unfortunately, the band noticed the lack of enthusiasm and rapidly dwindling crowd, and only played about 30 minutes before stalking off the stage. I don't blame them one bit. Nothing I enjoy more than having a concert I want to see spoiled by a bunch of drunken, doughy, tasteless jerks.
Finally, to top the night off, I was driving home on the highway in the rain and got passed on the right by some redneck jackass in an oversized pickup truck who threw his half-full beer can out the driver's side window, forcing me to swerve and nearly spin out. It's understandable, though; he was probably distracted thinking of other ways besides his gas-guzzling behemoth truck to compensate for his tiny, inadequate penis.
I think it's time for a vacation, because I've had just about all the Hoosier I can handle.
3.01.2005
Paste Recommends... that I spend more money on CDs
Regular readers (all three of you) may remember my post about my last visit to Luna Music, a local CD shop. Tonight I stopped by again to pick up the new CD from one of my favorite bands, Doves. When I got there, I discovered to my delight that Luna has a promotional listening booth set up by my favorite music magazine, Paste. For those of you not familiar with the magazine, it covers a lot of alt country, roots rock and British artists that you may not hear on the radio (at least not yet), and each issue comes with a 20+ track sampler CD. Since subscribing a year ago, I've spent more than my normal amount of money on music, because I discover some great artists on each new sampler CD. Well now, to make matters worse, Paste is placing these listening stations, called Paste Recommends, in independent music stores like Luna. You can listen to a variety of CDs by different artists and also listen to the sampler from the current issue of Paste. So to make a long story short, not only did I pick up Doves' stellar new disc, "Some Cities", but I also got Ivy's "In the Clear" and the self-titled debut from The Shore. It's both a blessing and a curse to love music so much. Blessing on my ears, curse on my wallet.
2.24.2005
The time suck to end all time sucks
It's called Halo2 on XBox Live. It's fun when you play with friends. Not so fun when you're getting your ass handed to you by a pack of 12-year-olds speaking some strange combination of English, hip-hop, and mumble. But either way, if you're looking for a way to kill 6 or 7 hours a day, sign yourself up.
2.17.2005
Google again
So I changed my search terms from Michael to Mike, and after discovering a lot more people I share my name with (including a German guy who fronts the Mike Leister Band--respect!!) I finally found a link to me. Scroll down the page to 47D.
After further investigation, I've discovered that the Mike Leister Band is awesome!!! (Of course I mean awesome in a horribly cheesy, David Hasselhoff-loving German way.) Listen to a clip of one of their songs.
After further investigation, I've discovered that the Mike Leister Band is awesome!!! (Of course I mean awesome in a horribly cheesy, David Hasselhoff-loving German way.) Listen to a clip of one of their songs.
2.14.2005
Googling myself
Minds out of the gutter, people. Curiosity (and boredom) will lead you down strange paths. I've discovered that I share my name with a motorcycle racer, the curator of the Air Mobility Command Museum at Dover Air Force Base, a radiology support associate at Penn State's Medical Center, the webmaster of The Official Website of Boyerstown Bears Wrestling, a Pennsylvania farmer who died from drinking too much, Manager of Fuels Technology at Marathon Ashland Petroleum, one of the "Local Sporting and Theatrical Heroes" supporting a Campaign Against Litter in Galway County, Ireland, and a whole bunch of guys who show up on German and Austrian websites. No sign of this blog, a fact that doesn't bother me at all.
But more interesting than all of that, there's a Leister on Leeds United's roster. Mad football skills must run in the family.
But more interesting than all of that, there's a Leister on Leeds United's roster. Mad football skills must run in the family.
2.12.2005
Marathon Man: Epilogue
11:51 pm: Love these movies slightly less, due to the soundtrack being stuck in my head. Have a feeling it will be there for several days. Inability to think without hearing thoughts in Gollum/Smeagol voice also slightly annoying.
Marathon Man Part 2
Well, I've survived, and barring the exhaustion that comes with sitting on your ass all day, I'm none the worse for wear. Here's a synopsis of the marathon.
10:07 am: Aaron arrives with Starbucks. Begin filling my belly with a Grande Vanilla Latte and two Krispy Kremes.
10:20 am: Tony arrives with red beans & rice and cornbread, a gift from his wife.
10:27 am: Start first disc of Fellowship of the Ring.
12:15 pm: First disc ends with the Ring in Rivendell and the Fellowship chosen. All hungry, so we open a bag of Sour Cream and Cheddar Baked Ruffles, heat up the red beans & rice and cornbread, and start a Digiorno Four Cheese pizza cooking. Up my caffeine quotient with a Coke.
12:22 pm: Start the second disc.
12:47 pm: Fellowship trapped in the snow on Caradhras. Pizza's ready. Have two slices.
2:11 pm: Fellowship of the Ring ends. Frodo and Sam cross the river. Merry and Pippin captured by orcs. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli in pursuit. Boromir dead, and Gandalf presumed so. Discover sitting on couch and eating is thirsty work, easily solved by a few glasses of water.
2:14 pm: Play with my audio setup and realize there was no sound coming from rear speakers for entire first movie. Fix it.
2:20 pm: Start The Two Towers. Open a bag of mini candy bars (Twix, Milky Way, 3 Musketeers, Snickers).
2:21—3:33 pm: Eat 8-10 candy bars. First disc seems to drag. Lots of exposition.
3:34 pm: Start feeling sleepy. Consider briefly closing my eyes, but decide that would feel like quitting.
4:08 pm: First disc ends with Frodo and Sam captured by Faramir. Eat another slice of pizza.
4:18 pm: Have another Coke to try to wake up. Also, feel like we need to eat something marginally healthy, so break out the veggies and dip. Start second disc of Two Towers.
4:33 pm: Battle between Riders of Rohan and wolf-riders causes makes me want to "wolf" down more Ruffles. Ha-ha. Sense of humor seems to be affected by too much food.
5:08 pm: Start to nod off. Hope Helm's Deep battle scene begins soon.
6:08 pm: Second disc ends with Battle for Helm's Deep won and Gollum's plans to betray Frodo and Sam in place. Dinner break. Tony and I play guitar while Aaron runs home to let the dog out. He picks up Wendy's on the way back. Movie experience much better when rear speakers work.
6:56 pm: Inhale a double cheese, Biggie fry and yet another Coke.
7:01 pm: Start first disc of Return of the King.
7:10 pm: Saruman's death scene coincides with more candy bars.
7:25 pm: Pippin steals the palantir from a sleeping Gandalf. Applaud his curiosity by eating more candy.
8:51 pm: Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli on the Paths of the Dead. Ass begins to feel sore. Mental note: need more comfortable chairs for the living room.
9:08 pm: First disc ends. Minas Tirith under siege.
9:13 pm: Start second disc. Too full to eat anything else.
9:34 pm: Trolls breach gates of Minas Tirith. Frodo stung by giant spider. Pause when Tony's wife calls. Seems like a good time to start drinking beer.
9:48 pm: Finish my beer as giant elephants begin wreaking havoc in Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Decide at this point that getting the rear speakers working was excellent move. Also decide that drinking and fast-moving effect-heavy scenes may not be the best mix.
10:43 pm: Ring is destroyed. Barad-dur topples. Think about having another beer, but am finally in a comfortable position on couch. Choose not to get up.
10:47 pm: Ending #1.
10:49 pm: Ending #2.
10:53 pm: Ending #3.
11:09 pm: Ending #7, and the credits roll. Not as tired or sick of movie-watching as expected. Love these movies even more.
10:07 am: Aaron arrives with Starbucks. Begin filling my belly with a Grande Vanilla Latte and two Krispy Kremes.
10:20 am: Tony arrives with red beans & rice and cornbread, a gift from his wife.
10:27 am: Start first disc of Fellowship of the Ring.
12:15 pm: First disc ends with the Ring in Rivendell and the Fellowship chosen. All hungry, so we open a bag of Sour Cream and Cheddar Baked Ruffles, heat up the red beans & rice and cornbread, and start a Digiorno Four Cheese pizza cooking. Up my caffeine quotient with a Coke.
12:22 pm: Start the second disc.
12:47 pm: Fellowship trapped in the snow on Caradhras. Pizza's ready. Have two slices.
2:11 pm: Fellowship of the Ring ends. Frodo and Sam cross the river. Merry and Pippin captured by orcs. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli in pursuit. Boromir dead, and Gandalf presumed so. Discover sitting on couch and eating is thirsty work, easily solved by a few glasses of water.
2:14 pm: Play with my audio setup and realize there was no sound coming from rear speakers for entire first movie. Fix it.
2:20 pm: Start The Two Towers. Open a bag of mini candy bars (Twix, Milky Way, 3 Musketeers, Snickers).
2:21—3:33 pm: Eat 8-10 candy bars. First disc seems to drag. Lots of exposition.
3:34 pm: Start feeling sleepy. Consider briefly closing my eyes, but decide that would feel like quitting.
4:08 pm: First disc ends with Frodo and Sam captured by Faramir. Eat another slice of pizza.
4:18 pm: Have another Coke to try to wake up. Also, feel like we need to eat something marginally healthy, so break out the veggies and dip. Start second disc of Two Towers.
4:33 pm: Battle between Riders of Rohan and wolf-riders causes makes me want to "wolf" down more Ruffles. Ha-ha. Sense of humor seems to be affected by too much food.
5:08 pm: Start to nod off. Hope Helm's Deep battle scene begins soon.
6:08 pm: Second disc ends with Battle for Helm's Deep won and Gollum's plans to betray Frodo and Sam in place. Dinner break. Tony and I play guitar while Aaron runs home to let the dog out. He picks up Wendy's on the way back. Movie experience much better when rear speakers work.
6:56 pm: Inhale a double cheese, Biggie fry and yet another Coke.
7:01 pm: Start first disc of Return of the King.
7:10 pm: Saruman's death scene coincides with more candy bars.
7:25 pm: Pippin steals the palantir from a sleeping Gandalf. Applaud his curiosity by eating more candy.
8:51 pm: Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli on the Paths of the Dead. Ass begins to feel sore. Mental note: need more comfortable chairs for the living room.
9:08 pm: First disc ends. Minas Tirith under siege.
9:13 pm: Start second disc. Too full to eat anything else.
9:34 pm: Trolls breach gates of Minas Tirith. Frodo stung by giant spider. Pause when Tony's wife calls. Seems like a good time to start drinking beer.
9:48 pm: Finish my beer as giant elephants begin wreaking havoc in Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Decide at this point that getting the rear speakers working was excellent move. Also decide that drinking and fast-moving effect-heavy scenes may not be the best mix.
10:43 pm: Ring is destroyed. Barad-dur topples. Think about having another beer, but am finally in a comfortable position on couch. Choose not to get up.
10:47 pm: Ending #1.
10:49 pm: Ending #2.
10:53 pm: Ending #3.
11:09 pm: Ending #7, and the credits roll. Not as tired or sick of movie-watching as expected. Love these movies even more.
Marathon Man
Let the nerdfest begin! In about 45 minutes, several co-workers/significant others will be joining me for a back-to-back viewing of the three Lord of the Rings Extended DVDs. We've loaded in quite a bit of food and drink since this will be an all-day event, so just for kicks, I'll be documenting my gastronomical adventures throughout the day. I'm curious to see what will give out first: my eyes, my stomach, or my couch.
2.07.2005
Musical Pi
Here's the latest in my continuing quest to highlight people with too much time on their hands: someone has created a program called the pi10k experiment. You pick ten notes on a musical scale, and the program will then play you a musical representation of the numerical pi to the 10,000th decimal. Incredibly nerdy, and yet strangely fascinating. Enjoy.
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