i dont even know what to say

I've been reading 'the Fool's Progress' by Edward Abbey the last few weeks. I liked it right from the beginning, which is hardly a surprise, as I've read a few books by him and enjoyed them all. What is kind of surprising is how much i like it and identify with it. Its just amazing in how beautiful, ugly, high, low and ultimately how real it is. i now have a favorite book. a more in depth review will follow once i finish it in a few days or a week.

fuck change.

thanks, Wondermark.

just think

i was on the bus the other day, and because its a pretty short ride, i didnt have a book or ipod or anything. i was people watching. the bus on my side of town is an interesting ride. im generally the only white dude on the bus, and many folks have cars and dont use the bus just because of the status thing. anyway, i hear a couple of ladies talking and one says that she was working for the Nats, but after the season she'll go on unemployment for a 'little bit,' but she'll get restless soon and go back to work. its an interesting point of view.

when i got laid off, people told me to get on unemployment. i thought about it. but i found a new job in 3 weeks. and this lady knew she had a seasonal job. its a whole different state of mind.

then this homeless guy got on the bus toting an old luggage bag and some heavy duty boots. probably everything the man could call his own. as he settled into the seat across from me, and brushed aside his greasy hair i noticed something: a wedding band. this guy who hasnt showered in at least a week, wearing dirty threadbare clothes, carrying his life with him in an improvised back pack, was still wearing a wedding band. a hold over and reminder of a previous life.

think of the cash he could get for it. a simple gold band could fetch $200 pretty easily at a pawn shop. and $200 for a homeless guy is a pretty hefty amount of money. i mean it is for me. something keeps him from doing it. the symbolic value is too great for him. despite living in the basement of American society, he clings to the symbol of love. who knows, maybe he sees his wife. it made me stop and think and really be thankful for who i am and what i have. and it made me realize that i have it pretty good. it also made me realize that i cant ever afford to end up there. i cant afford to be poor. my health has made that a non-option. so as much as an Edward Abbey hero's existence appeals to me, i dont think i can ever pull it off. even so, im pretty lucky to have what i do and be who i am.

damnit.

fleet foxes ans ratatat sold out already. i didnt even know tickets wee on sale yet. this makes me very sad as people are already offering 50$ for 13$ tickets on craigslist. buy me one for my birthday?

sad face.

im getting a bit giddy.

the next two months have large musical promise. i am going to be seeing Ratatat, Fleet Foxes, Cold War Kids, Conor Oberst and whatever other shows pop up. but really, the four names mentioned above all kind of make me horny.

im not real sure what to expect from Ratatat since their sound is more atmospheric to me. what i mean is that its great stuff to have on in the car, in the background when friends are over, or when reading, but i dont know how it will hold up as the main event. there are times when ill put them on and just listen, but it lacks the rock star aspect which may make it fall short. of course im hoping to be pleasantly surprised and have the show be totally sweet, and ill be sure to report back.

Fleet Foxes are probably my favorite band of right now. i heard them on Sirius' Left of Center, and thought it was pretty good. i had hear White Winter Hymnal, and enjoyed it, and thought i should delve deeper into them, and i am so glad that i did. the harmonies and song structure blow me away. ill be super impressed if their live show comes off as well as their recordings, seeing as the dont have rock power to fall back on as the Black Keys or Hard Lessons do. theyve just got what seems to be considerable talent, which should be enough. and please check em out, the song Ragged Wood off their self titled album is my favorite. having drawn comparisons to Band of Horses, Blitzen Trapper, and the Beach Boys, theyve got a lot to live up to and im excited to see them do it.

Cold War Kids have been a favorite of mine since i got my hands on Robbers and Cowards last year. Hang Me Up To Dry is still a fovorite somg of mine and We Used to Vacation is great, though i have not been super impressed by the singles from their sophmore release. No Sex For Ben is really trite. it seems like they were just trying to make a song, and not really putting all the work into it that they did with Robbers. i mean, the depth just isnt there. maybe the singles arent that good and when i get my hands on Loyalty to Loyalty, ill be more impressed. i hope so. at the same time that i have worries that their song writing has gone down hill, i am still certain that the force and feeling that comes through on tracks like We Used To Vacation will come out even more live and in preson.

Conor Oberst is Conor Oberst. 'nuf said. after a lifetime worth of work with Bright Eyes he has released a solo album, which strikes me as a bit odd, but thats another discussion altogether. i have been a fan through the years with certain songs really connecting to me (Well Whiskey, the Blue Song, Something Vague...........). but its widely recognized that Conor is one of the foremost songwriters and performers of our day with comparisons to Bob Dylan becoming fairly commonplace, and not undeservedly. i feel like this is a show that i can tell my kids about, like how i sit in awe when my father tells me about seeing the MC5(at the Grande Ballroom!!!) and Cream. anyway, if he is half as good as i think he is, ill still probably have some sort of breakdown right there. and it will be great.

EEEEEE! so much to look forward tooooo!

hobbled by irony

one of my company's safety inspectors just limped by, dragging a boot that typically results from an ankle injury. the poor fella seems to be a victim of irony.

oops!

i had a couple of close calls on the way home. first i was coming up 20th street and was in the right lane avoiding a FedEx truck blocking the far left lane and the center lane slow down that resulted. so im in the right lane where it meets up with Pennsylvania which is NOT a designated turn lane and as i accelerate after waiting for the couple cars in front of me the tour bus in the center lane starts coming into my lane as im about even with the door. so at this point i have to turn right into the wrong side of one of the busier downtown streets or gun it and try to get around the bus. i went with the second option. and in the process scared the wits out of some guy on the curb trying to catch a cab or something. he jumped out of the way as i dove back in front of the bus. sorry guy. i hope you didnt have a heart attack.

later in the drive, nearly home, coming up first street at Florida i almost got flattened by and ambulance. i didnt see or hear it and as i came up to the intersection the guy waiting to turn left made some wacky gestures at me, so i was looking for ward and left. the ambulance was coming from the right. oh, and i had a green, lets set that straight. anyway i did have the radio on, but not super loud, i mean i stopped for a fire truck about 10 blocks earlier. so anyway, i get into the intersection, then hear the siren. so i kept going to get out of the way and as soon as i glance in my mirror, the ambulance passes behind me. again, sorry, didnt meant to cut you off. and to the traffic gods, im glad i got home unharmed, but im okay with uneventful drives home.

i did open up a space in traffic for a cyclist to pass going down L street. i swear im not trying to be a dick. it just comes naturally.

near the confluence of Georgia and Florida

theres this local bar, its one of my favorites. its become my neighborhood hangout. nothing to do, head to the lounge. the barman makes sure i leave happy if the rest of the company disappoints, but it usually doesnt. ive wanted a place like this ever since i moved away from the Harrison Roadhouse in East Lansing. my bar. home away from home. if only they were open during the day. but theres another favorite 2 blocks away that could fill that void, i suppose.

lets top it off with a good drinking hymn...

Well I fell into prison about a quarter till three
Where I found in my cell a glass waiting for me
So I filled what was empty and I pulled up a stool
But he stood in the corner, the old devil wouldn't move
He said, "You drink when you're lonely."
No I drink when I want!
He said, "You'll never be sober."
Sure, why would I want that?
I only drink to be merry but unfortunately
I'm in the wrong prison cell and the wrong company

Grayskul - Bloody Radio

you may remember a couple weeks back how i raved about Grayskul after seeing them open for Aesop Rock, well i finally got a hold of their most recent disk. i wish i would have done this sooner. im loving it.

to begin lets start with some name dropping comparisons that have come to mind about halfway through, where i am in the album now. one of the duo, im not sure who it is, not only has a style reminiscent of my favorite DefJux rapper, Cage, but has a similar voice. the other fellow is remarkably fast and in this aspect reminds me much of Blackalicious aka Gift of Gab.

its obvious that these guys have been studying the folks on the east coast and have acheived even what some on DefJux havent thanks to their Rhymefest Brethren. its just more polished that Yak or Rob, and the style for me is right on. its no surprise that some of DefJux's best talent has lent their skill to this album. Aesop, Cage, and i think i heard El-P in there too.

ok, im back, 5 songs on, and its stayed awesome. and in the meanwhile ive used the tubes at my fingertips to do a little research. no surprises that their label is the home of some other established rappers that i like, say for instance Atmosphere and MF DOOM.

wow, good stuff. i finished the disc, and im glad i didnt post this too soon, beacuse the next to last song may just be my favorite. The Last Lulliby and Scarecrow stood out to me as my faves, but im going to set the record stright and say that this is going on my ipod immediately and i am heading back to the record store to make them get me their previous album, Deadlivers, and/or solo works.

which brings me to another point, i wonder how good their solo work is. i fear that it might be Black Star type of thing. i dig both Mos Def and Talib Kweli, but together, i heart Black Star. But who knows, maybe Onry Ozzborn and JFK are killer on their own. i dont know, but i intend to find out.

i will be sure to report back with any further findings on Grayskul, but please dont hesitate to support them or any other artisits. especially ones that i endorse, because i know whats best.

Grayskul on myspace
Grayskul on Rhymesayers