Too Early for Flapjacks?

President Bush to Commence Post-Election Campaign

2006-03-24T09:59:00.000-08:00

President Bush to Commence Post-Election Campaign

WASHINGTON, D.C.--Amid plummeting poll numbers on the President's overall job approval rating and his handling of the war in Iraq, the White House today announced a dramatic change of tactics. Instead of continuing the rest of his second term mired in the repercussions of bad policy and faced with approbation not just from his opponents but also from members of his own party, White House staff, and the guy who shines his shoes, the President will travel the country shaking hands, eating at local diners, and giving campaign speeches to pre-screened gatherings of supporters.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan told reporters that, in light of recent developments, the President will commence an unprecedented post-election campaign to "help improve his image as a strong leader." In a series of speeches, which is already underway, the President will "remind the voters why they fell in love" with Bush in the first place. Said McClellan, "Over the past several months--well, since Katrina, really--it's become increasingly clear that the American people just don't like President Bush. But they love Candidate Bush. So, we're heading out on the campaign trail."

This new strategy "plays to the President's strengths," McClellan stated. "Look, we've finally faced the facts. It wasn't easy, but it had to come sometime. Mr. Bush just isn't that good at being 'president.' In fact, he's really bad at it, and there's not much point denying it anymore. Where his strength is--is campaigning. He's a great campaigner."

Although the details are still being fleshed out--"The President's more of a 'Big Idea' guy," said McClellan, "he doesn't do details"--the apparent plan seems to focus on bolstering support among the President's base. The announced tour includes stops in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas, but that schedule is subject to change. "We're trying to be flexible; it's all up in the air at this point," McClellan explained.

In response to a question about how this campaign would affect Americans' confidence in the President, McClellan said, "The President will show that the American people can place their confidence in him because he has placed his confidence in the American people."

Explaining the President's mood during this radical tactical shift, McClellan said, "The President is very optimistic. I don't think he actually understands what 'radical tactical shift' means, but he's really upbeat. He likes campaigning for president. It's his favorite job ever. Truth is, he likes campaigning so much, he hasn't stopped campaigning since he announced his candidacy for governor of Texas in 1993." When pressed on this point, McClellan admitted that it wasn't "strictly true"--that Mr. Bush had taken off the month of August for vacation every year for the past 50 years and had put campaign activity on hold for several weeks as governor to sign execution orders.

Administration critics are already clamoring to dismiss this campaign as "one more White House distraction." House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) denounced what she called the President's "blatant disregard for the well-being of the nation. He's not being honest with the American people. He has lied from the moment he took office. He lied in order to become President, he lied about WMDs, and he did nothing to stop 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina. He is a tyrant who has no respect for the law or the Constitution." However, Ms. Pelosi stopped short of endorsing Senator Russ Feingold's (D-WI) call for censure. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said of the White House announcement of a post-election campaign, "This is another attempt to draw attention away from the fact that he still hasn't found Osama bin Laden. First, he illegally invaded Iraq, and now he's invading Utah." A senior White House staffer, speaking on condition of anonymity, dismissed Reid's comments, saying the President currently had no stops scheduled for Utah.

When asked if the President seriously believed this post-election campaign would actually solve the country's problem, McClellan replied, "This is a man who was elected President of the United States of America, the second time. Some people even voted for him twice." And addressing concerns about who would "run the country, and deal with issues and problems, and stuff like that" while the President was on the campaign trail, McClellan said, "We've got a plan. It's taken care of. Trust us."

The upcoming campaign tour, which begins immediately, is being dubbed "Everybody Loves Bush" and is scheduled to run for the next eight months, with the possibility of an extension, depending on the strength of ticket sales. According to McClellan, "The President is excited about this. He told me he would love it if this tour could just keep on going and going and not stop. He lives for this. He would love to do this for the rest of his life."

2006-03-13T15:35:00.000-08:00

Ok, today I'm going wallow in shameless self-promotion. The Spring 2006 issue of DMQ Review is now online, and it includes a poem by yours truly, or at least my alter ego.

I also have two poems currently up at ken*again, in their Winter/Spring 2006 issue.

Normally, I'm not one to brag, but this is satisfying becasue I've had such scant success so far.

They are nothing mind-blowing or life-changing. If you didn't like poetry before, you're not going to change your opinion because of my little musings. However, I take some small pride in them and hope others find the same pleasure I take in them.

And in the spirit of one of my poems, here are a couple of live cover versions of "(Don't Fear) The Reaper."

First, one by Elliott Smith, a personal favorite musician of mine:

Elliott Smith - Don't Fear the Reaper (live)

Second, a version from Belle & Sebastian, the ultimate Scottish twee-poppers. When I'm in the mood for twee, they certainly satisfy.

Belle & Sebastian - Don't Fear the Reaper (live)

Needs more cowbell.

(Incidently, I wrote that poem probably 5 years or more ago and have been trying to get it published for some time, which makes it particularly fulfilling to find it a home. But that was before I saw the SNL cowbell sketch. In retrospect, I should have thrown in a little wink and a nod to Christopher Walken.)

Video Retaliation ... Plus a Soundtrack for Government Disaster Response

2006-03-03T11:48:00.000-08:00

Just a day after the Associated Press (AP) released a description and a transcript of a "leaked" video of President George W. Bush doing nothing, another video has surfaced reportedly showing Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco mistakenly reassuring that the New Orleans levees were holding up to Hurricane Katrina.

Earlier this week, AP reported on a video of a briefing the president attended the day before Katrina struck warning that the hurricane posed a serious threat to the New Orleans area. According to AP, Bush did not ask a single question about what was being done to prepare the area for the storm.* When confronted with the potential disaster of hurricane flooding and the need for emergency preparations, Bush responds on the tape by commenting that Hurricane Katrina "sounds like a great movie" and "could they show that on Air Force One" when he flies back to DC next week? He then flushes the toilet and exits the bathroom without washing his hands.

Another tape followed today, this time featuring Governor Blanco. As the storm rages in the background, she indicates that the levees are holding up well against Katrina's winds, even though they had been topped hours earlier, news of which apparently had not yet reached Blanco. When pressed for details, Blanco reportedly adds that the levees "appear firm in their resolve" not to fail, despite revelations that one of the levees had received a 10 storm suspension after it tested positive for performance-enhancing steroids. After an awkward pause, Blanco allegedly removes her shirt in exchange for some cheap plastic beads.

Here's a soundtrack for government disaster response. No particular sequence, though.

Modest Mouse - Sleepwalking

Self - See If You Swim

Self - I Knew What I Know Now

Self - Breakdown

Self - Moronic

Self - Waiting

Self - Placing the Blame (Old School mix)

Blind Melon - No Rain

Calexico - Panic Open String

Calexico - All Systems Red

Chinup Chinup - Virginia, Don't Drown

Fluid Ounces - The Beginning of the End

Fluid Ounces - Big Deal (Out of Nothing)

Monty Python - Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

Nirvana - Dumb

The Walkmen - We've Been Had

The Self songs are all available as free downloads on selfies (there is a ton of music! dig around! find something you like!) Unfortunately, all of Self's official CD releases are out of print. But try ebay; things turn up there from time to time.

As always, you can purchase great music by these fine performers and many more at Insound.

*(for an excellent--and serious--analysis of the implications, read John Dickinson's piece "The Silence of Bush" in Slate).

At 27 ... Plus Scatological Asstronomy

2006-03-02T11:54:00.000-08:00

KNBC in Los Angeles recently posted an online slideshow featuring 49 musicians (well, mostly) who died too soon or before their time. The list is pretty basic, just a photo with biographical info in the caption, and includes many of the names you would expect. I'm not sure how exactly they define "too soon," but I don't have much to quibble about--except that John Belushi was known more for his comedic skill, even if he was one of the Blues Brothers.

However, what really struck me is how many of them were the same age as I am: 27. Robert Johnson. Janis Joplin. Jimi Hendrix. Brian Jones. Hank Williams Sr. Otis Redding. Jim Morrison. Kurt Cobain. I'm not trying to draw any conclusions from this; it was a subjective list, after all. But it just got me thinking.

The only one of those who was still alive when I was born was Kurt Cobain, and he was dead before I had finished my first year of high school. My point is that I've never really had a clear perspective on how young these people were. When we assign someone celebrity status, that person often becomes somehow separated from the norms of human experience, at least as we perceive them, so that we don't think of them in the same way we think of non-celebrities. That's not really fair to us or them, but it is what it is.

Realizing that Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison were my age when they died just seems surreal in a way I can't quite describe. Especially since they will never age. It also makes me think, what have I done with my life? By 27, these people had achieved a level of success I can't fathom. And I'm not just talking about fame. I'm talking about the work that stands as their legacies, so to speak. No matter how long I live, I will never write a hook as powerful as Come As You Are, or a song as haunting as Hell Hound on My Trail. I know it's a fruitless exercise, but it's kind of a reflex for me.

Nirvana - Come As You Are

Robert Johnson - Hell Hound on My Trail

You can buy music by all of these performers at Insound.

And Now for Something Completely Different

Came across this today and just couldn't resist: astronomical toilet paper.

It's rolls of tp with pictures and text giving information about astronomy. The inventor is Masaaki Hiramatsu, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Tokyo. Apparently, it's sold pretty well, 13,000 over the past year. It's designed to get people interested in astronomy. And then wipe their butts with it. I wonder if this association is necessarily in the best interest of the scientific community. Would you want to look through a telescope at distant galaxies if all you could think about is poo? Then again, it might make it easier for the general public to identify Uranus.

*rimshot*

http://www.tenpla.net/atp/

Just 'Cuz it's Tuesday

2006-02-28T13:08:00.000-08:00

Some more songs that have gotten heavy rotation recently.

They range from the gentle to the wild, but everything here has proven its worth to my ears. These songs have been meticulously tested in the Too Early for Flapjacks Sound Lab for durability, catchiness, and sing-along quotient. So have no fear, these are good tunes.

Enjoy!

Man Man - Ice Dogs

Nina Nastasia - Untitled (live on The Next Big Thing)

Miles Davis - Mystery

The Mountain Goats - Pigs That Ran Straightaway Into the Water, Triumph of

Calexico - Grip Tape

Neko Case - Train From Kansas City

Christopher O'Riley - Karma Police (insturmental Radiohead cover solo piano)

R.L. Burnside - Shake 'em on Down

Buy these artists and many more at Insound!

2006-02-23T14:49:00.000-08:00

Baby Makes Three! A New Blog

I've started a new blog (in addition to, not in lieu of this one). It's in conjunction with our baby website Baby Makes Three. If you get the urge, take a look. Feedback is welcome. Ridicule is ignored.

In honor of this wonderful endeavor, and the woman who, literally with every passing day, makes it possible (meaning my wife, for the dense among us), here is an incredibly, almost indescribably sweet song about impending fatherhood.

It's by Colin Meloy of The Decemberists, and the only title I know for it is "The Baby Song." A gently strummed acoustic number with an offbeat but appealing melody (which is pretty typical of the Decemberists, for those unfamiliar). Take a listen.

Colin Meloy - The Baby Song

Keep in mind that this will only be up for a few days, so grab it quick. Or email me if you missed it. I might be persuaded to send it your way.

2006-02-22T14:55:00.000-08:00

New Self/Matt Mahaffey!

Ok, so you got that Wired All Wrong track, right?

Good, well, they've put up another one: Let Me Go

Plus, get this, Matt Mahaffey has added a new track to his solo page: Sucked Out the Center.

Matt Mahaffey, musical genius, producer/performer extraordinaire, has unleashed another slice of awesomeness on the unsuspecting public. I hope this gets to be a habit!

For those who don't know, Mahaffey was the driving force behind Self, and he has been collaborating recently with Jeff Turzo, formerly of God Lives Underwater, in a project called Wired All Wrong. I know I'm hardly impartial, but as far as I'm concerned, Mr. Mahaffey can do no wrong. He's also currently working with Phantom Planet, and has recently produced tracks for Hello Goodbye, Feable Weiner, and (I think I heard this correctly) Call Florence Pow. This man has been busybusy. Show him some love. Or just some severe like. It doesn't have to get physical, just whatever you're comfortable with.

2006-02-17T15:05:00.000-08:00

WIRED ALL WRONG!!

Ok, right now, go here download the new song from Wired All Wrong.

Why are you still reading this!? You should be on this myspace page already! What's your problem! Pay attention!

Go!

Now!

Get out of here!

Scram!

And don't come back until you download "Medicated" the new song from Wired All Wrong.

Geez, some people! You have to hit them on the head with a brick. Not you, of course. You're just lazy.

2006-02-16T11:09:00.000-08:00

Ok, as promised, here are the songs I just can't listen to enough recently! Great music! But be quick, most of these files will only be available for a short time.

People in Planes - If You Talk Too Much (My Head Will Explode)

Seu Jorge - Rebel, Rebel
Life on Mars

Robbie Fulks - Fountains of Wayne Hotline

Clem Snide - Something Beautiful

Rosie Thomas - Pretty Dress

Gnarls Barkley - Untitled 1
Untitled 2
Crazy

2006-02-08T14:08:00.000-08:00

The Hype Machine: audio blog aggregator

I'll be out of town for a few days (we're going to Missouri to surprise my in-laws, both by showing up unexpectedly and by telling them that they're going to be grandparents!), so I thought I would put up some songs that I haven't been able to stop listening to lately (People in Planes, Seu Jorge, Sufjan Stevens, Mtn Goats, that sort of thing), but I'm having some trouble. I'll work that out when I get back.

In the meantime, you should check out The Hype Machine, by far the best music aggregator around. I can't begin to tell you how much great music I've discovered using them. To explain, the Hype Machine combs (I don't know what their method actually is, so combs will have to be a sufficient substitute) the blogosphere (I should mention that "blog" and "blog"-related words kinda turn my stomache; what an unappealing term) to find the music featured on the days blogs. Each entry lists the name of the artist, the song title, and the blog where it appears. The interface is fairly user friendly, and the breadth of music highlighted is astonishing, spanning styles, genres, and decades. I can't say enough about it. So check it out! I guarantee you'll find something to catch your interest.

2006-02-07T10:38:00.000-08:00

Iron & Wine

Ok, so back to topics less likely to raise my bloodpressure to unhealthy levels.

If you haven't already (and you know you want to), you really need to hear Iron & Wine. Acoustic folk/pop featuring a man, a guitar, and a lo-fi recorder. And a beard. The beard is crucial.

Iron & Wine is the alter ego of Sam Beam, who recorded a collection of demos in his bedroom that caught the attention of the folks at Sub Pop. His first album, The Creek Drank the Cradle (2002), was drawn from those demos, and the result is breathtaking. Gently strummed melodies with overdubbed vocals, and more atmosphere and emotion than you're ever likely to hear on your homogenized Clear Channel radio. The lyrics are evocative, Southern Gothic imagery mixed with a reflexive intimacy. And the vocal delivery is extremely effective. His breathy, lilting drawl makes the most out of the spare accompaniment.

Iron & Wine's subsequent releases are studio recordings, a reflection of his success as a musician. But the overall mood remains consistent. You can listen to the title track from his 2005 EP Woman King at the Sub Pop site.

His latest is a collaboration with Calexico, an amazing band that fuses indie rock aesthetic with southwestern flavor: a successful hybrid of rock, western swing, and Mexican pop. From what I have heard the combined sound takes the best of both I&W and Calexico, yielding a great batch of Beam-penned songs with the cinematic sweep the Tuscon-based Calexico does so well. You can hear a live recording from a concert they did for NPR's All Songs Considered, and I strongly suggest that you do.

In summation, Iron & Wine = great music. Highly recommended for those who like a good helping of acoustic guitar with a dash of blues, folk, and country, all stewed together in a Florida swamp and served in a sizzling iron skillet with a glass of wine. And if you find a hair in your stew, don't worry. That's supposed to be in there; that's the beard.

2006-02-02T12:35:00.000-08:00

The Problem of Unchecked Executive Power

I've hesitated even to broach this subject because, although it is something I feel very passionately about, I'm not convinced I could add anything worthwhile or make any argument that would persuade anyone. Plus, it's something I feel very passionately about, and in my experience, that rarely translates into coherence. But I've finally come to the conclusion that since no one is actually reading this but me, it doesn't really matter how badly I address this topic.

(I don't claim any false objectivity here, nor should anyone. Forgive me if I sound insufferably earnest here.)

Do you think it's acceptable for the government, in the name of national security, to wiretap American citizens without any oversight, judicial, congressional, or otherwise? Do you think it's acceptable for the government to wiretap American citizens without any oversight, if it's not in the interest of national security? Do you trust the government to draw that line and not to cross it?

I guess it all comes down to that question of trust. I don't trust the current president or anyone who speaks for the president. This whole spying program seems like a blatant power-grab, and the last thing America needs is for one person (or one branch of government) to have unlimited, unchecked power. I don't trust the president to spy on Americans only in the "national interest." If he and his advisors can argue that the constitution and the patriot act implicitly grant him powers which they never even hint at and possibly even expressly prohibit, what's to stop them from arguing that it is in the "national interest" to spy on people who speak out against them? that it is in the "national interest" to spy on and arrest their opponents in government? If they can argue that it is in the "national interest" to ignore the laws pertaining to FISA (which would grant them everything they claim to want, even after the fact), then what's to stop them from arguing that it is in the "national interest" to ignore the constitutional amendment limiting presidents to only two terms? "The nation cannot afford to lose the bold and decisive leadership of President Bush. So to protect America and our cherished way of life, he will exercise his wartime powers to remain in office until America's enemies around the world are defeated. There are those who would endanger America by opposing the President. There are those who would encourage our enemies and invite attacks on America by demanding that the President step down. But we will not back down. We will stay the course. We will remain united and strong.And we will defeat our enemies at home and abroad. "

This whole FISA thing reminds me of the current Russian proposal to enrich uranium for Iran. Iran claims it only wants nuclear technology for peaceful energy purposes. Russia has offered to use its knowledge and technology to provide Iran with enriched uranium for nuclear power, presumably with limited involvement from Iranian scientists. Iran has not yet refused the offer outright, but if their motives were only what they claim they are, this seems like a good deal for them. However, if their professed motives are merely smokescreen, of course they wouldn't want to accept the Russians' offer. Now, obviously, their refusal, should they refuse, would not prove that they are seeking nuclear weapons, but it certainly would cast major doubts on their stated intentions.

Likewise, the president and others claim that they are wiretapping American citizens without warrants only to defend against terrorists. FISA lets them do that, with warrants. They claim that the need was too urgent, that they couldn't wait for court-approved warrants. FISA lets them get warrants even after they have put the wiretaps in place and begun surveillance. They claim that the president has inherent powers which allow him to conduct these spying programs without interference from the legislature or the courts, so they don't even need to bother with FISA, which is an anachronistic and unconstitutional law anyway. Plus, congress already granted him "x" powers when they granted him "y" powers. When congress said "y" they meant "x and y," eventhough they never actually mentioned "x." Doubleplus, the constitution grants the president "x" powers when it says "z," so stop encouraging terrorism! This doesn't prove that the president and his agents are acting nefariously, but it doesn't inspire confidence in their ability or inclination to check themselves either.

There may be an argument to be made that extreme dangers require extreme measures. But there absolutely must be a point where we draw the line, where we acknowledge that our actions and our methods are doing more harm than good, placing us on a much less secure footing than we already are on. The danger to America is no less great just because it comes from the White House. Those in power must determine where the separation is between defending America and defending their own positions in power. And I simply do not trust the president or those working through him to exercise the wisdom and restraint necessary to walk that line. When has this president, acting as the president, ever exercised wisdom or restraint? Let alone wisdom and restraint.

That's it; I'm done; I'm ranted out; I have no energy left to continue right now. I haven't slept well recently, and this is making me too angry.

2006-01-31T11:17:00.000-08:00

Ok, as promised, my plug for the fluid ounces, the most criminally overlooked band of all time.

Fluid Ounces make music--good music, powerful music, giddy music, pop music, rock music. Good music. They are a piano-driven, power-pop, ultra-hyphenated quartet currently featuring the wordsmith Seth Timbs on piano, vocals, accordian, didgeridoo, handclaps, AND steel drums--all at once (seriously, he has, like, 6 arms), the inimitable Brian Rogers on guitar, vocals, footstomps, and irresistable charm (the ladies love him, as do some of the fellas), the great Brian Pitts on bass, bass, bass, and more bass (he brings the bass), and the legendary Kyle Walsh on drums, skins, sticks, and general pummeling (coincidence that percussion and concussion are so similar? I think not).

The sound is incredibly familiar but not at all what you'd expect. Think Randy Newman if he could rock. Think Elton John if he could write good lyrics. Think Ben Folds without the insecure clown act. Think Elvis Costello, with someone else singing, someone with a good voice.

Here are some songs you should download from their site:

overlong - right now, my favorite fl.oz. song. sweeping instrumentation, strong melody, great lyrics, what are you waiting for!
record stack - this song flat out rocks! plus, a wise lesson--courtesy of Mr. Timbs--on why you shouldn't neglect your friends just because some vixen bats her eyes at you.
big deal out of nothing - I love the interplay between the moody lyrics and the moody piano here. moody in a good way, though, with excellent results.
go lucky - fast-paced, upbeat, lyrically inventive and playful but never crossing the line into goofiness, this song will make you get up and dance (or in my case, convulse ... no, it's not pretty).
shady acres - a gentler melody, though with the title, would you expect anything else? sure it sounds like a retirment village (and for all I know, that's what the song is about) but its simplicity is beautiful.
vegetable kingdom - how strange and fantastical the world looks through these eyes! and one of the catchiest melodies in the fl.oz. oeuvre.
paperweight machine - blazing through at just two minutes, this is a fiery number with the quickest wit and the sharpest tongue.
sick - another raucous jaunt over the ivories. just try to remain perfectly still will listening to this one. you can't, can you! ha! knew it! I might even go so far as to say this song is infectious (*rimshot*). ok, I promise not to do that anymore.

Other songs it would be well worth your time to track down:

shamrock (from Big Notebook for Easy Piano)
birdbrained (from Big Notebook for Easy Piano)
liquorish vampires (from Big Notebook for Easy Piano)
roll call (from Big Notebook for Easy Piano)
big empty (from Big Notebook for Easy Piano)

sitting beside myself (from Vegetable Kingdom EP)
sucker (from Vegetable Kingdom EP)

luxury (from In the New Old-Fashioned Way)
have fun (from In the New Old-Fashioned Way)
bigger than the both of us (from In the New Old-Fashioned Way)
eleven:eleven (from In the New Old-Fashioned Way)

thinking cap (bonus track from Foreign Legion)
invincible boy (bonus track from Foreign Legion)
city lights (bonus track from Foreign Legion)

destined to be forgotten (from The Whole Shebang)
fool around (from The Whole Shebang)
lazy bones (from The Whole Shebang)
tokyo expressway (from The Whole Shebang)

2006-01-30T12:17:00.000-08:00

Boy, been a busy week, two weeks, whatever.

We had our first sonogram a week ago today! The baby appears healthy, normal heartbeat, about the size of a raspberry. It was very exciting. They gave us two pictures to take home.

Shifting gears, you may notice that I have added links in my links section (then again, I'm the only one who reads this, so of course I noticed.) I highly recommend you check out both of them. They are two of my favorite bands: self and the fluid ounces. Both have incredibly generous download sections so you can get a sense of what they sound like. Some truly first rate stuff, and for free!

self is about the most eclectic band you could imagine. They formed in Murfreesboro, TN (where I grew up), in the mid-1990s, led by the incredible Matt Mahaffey (he of the ubiquitous--and sadly former--Expedia.com jingle). Many of the songs employ samples, hip-hop beats, and various sound effects, but they also have a very organic sound on some tracks. However you slice it, the vibe is clearly pop-rock. The closest comparison is Beck, that is, if Beck wrote intensely catchy melodies and had a great singing voice. Don't get me wrong, I like Beck just fine. But I gotta tell ya, melody has never been Beck's strength, and I don't care much for his singing voice. Just me, perhaps.

Anyway, take a listen to self!

recommended free tunes:

glued to the girl - pure power pop goodness.
wide awake at 7 - if possible, even catchier than glued to the girl
(you're so) deadly - goth girls, aversion to lame parties, and one of the greatest lyrical double -entendres in history
donating to science - wry lyrics, piano, great melody
waiting - again with the piano, but more somber, more plaintive, still pretty wry though
flip-top box - the best song about the difficulties of quitting smoking you'll ever hear, I promise.
hey, lou - long-time staple of the Murfreesboro music scene, this song was covered by everyone, but never was such a raucous song given such a chill treatment.
keepaway - Mahaffey has a genius for taking the childish (games, insults, pop culture references) and transforming it into great pop/rock
love interest - fuzzed-out, frenzied brilliance
pumpkinhead - more fuzzed-out guitar rock
titanic - a parody of the james cameron boat movie and weezer, set to the tune of the pixies' "gigantic"

others you should definitely check out (if you can find these for sale anywhere, they're probably really expensive) :

cannon (from Subliminal Plastic Motives)
marathon shirt (from Subliminal Plastic Motives)
kiddies (from Half-Baked Serenade)
sassy britches (from Half-Baked Serenade)
what are you thinking? (from Breakfast With Girls)
paint by numbers (from Breakfast With Girls)
dead man (from Gizmodgery)
i am a little explosion (from Gizmodgery)

The Fluid Ounces deserve more time and attention than I'm able to give right now. So, you will have to wait until tomorrow to learn why Fl.Oz. deserve more of your time and attention, too.

2006-01-20T12:25:00.000-08:00

Ok, so...

You know that feeling that you're in over your head, you don't know what you're doing, and what are all these buttons and levers and flashing lights? Welcome to my first blog post. Once I get past the irrational terror, this is gonna be like a joyride. I'm cut loose, no supervision; I can steer this thing wherever I want to go, and I don't care if I crash 'cuz the car's not mine.

The flipside of that is, of course, I have to decide where to go. But since no one will actually read this--ever--I guess that takes some of the pressure off.

To start off, don't expect too much here. You won't be disappointed. Likely topics include music (I'm a huge music fan, voracious even), books, politics, satire, pregnancy (my wife is about a month pregnant), and, let's admit it, most likely the oh-so-original category: things that make me mad. Because if you can't rant and rave on your own blog, well, maybe you've had a lobotomy you don't remember about.