Superinky Fixations

I want to have sex with The Kills And I know that Bretty wouldn’t mind because he wants to have sex with them, too.

Come on, look at them, they are begging for it. Omg, I’m gross! How crass and disrespectful can one woman be? But it’s true. They totally rock and (like it would ever happen) Brett & I agree we’d go for some 4-some action with them should the opportunity present itself. Oh please, haters, don’t tell me you haven’t thought about that before, too. Anyway, we’re going to go see them, again, on Sunday. See, I don’t know what it is exactly with my attraction to minimal crunch sexy sounds like The Kills. But I try not to overthink it and just enjoy. Nothing beats seeing a band for the first time, though, I tell you. We saw them for the 1st time in a gritty smokey club (Berbati’s Pan, AWESOME acoustics and apparently they are now non-smoking which blows my mind because I associate that place completely with the stench of a million dead cigs). There were maybe 40 people in the audience. It was the middle of the week and after midnight before they played. Hell, I think it was around my birthday because we had gone to see that dj artist Dabrye earlier and he was good but we were looking to rock a little harder, so we headed downtown and wandered in. I must admit I was thrown off by the drum machine at first, but they ripped up the stage and Hotel was freaking on that guitar of his and V.V. was madly writhing around and F**K the whole thing practically turned into this tantric love fest with the audience. It was otherworldly.

Did I mention that I want to have sex with them?

Now, next week we’re going to see Dizzee Rascal, and though it may seem incongruous, I really see the connection there between his sparse, Brit grime-rap and the stripped down rock that I love so much. Frankly, I love just about anything that gets my ass moving. Then again, I love the droning, stoney stuff that puts me in a stupor, too. Shit, I’m all over the place. You can’t pigeon hole me, haters! I won’t be categorized!

So, is it wrong that I’m blogging on the job? I don’t feel too guilty about it, after all. That’s not to say it’s not ethically questionable. I guess my ethics aren’t bothered too terribly by this fact. I know people that make a lot more money than me that do a lot more blogging on the job than I. So there! Look at me, justifying my addiction!

I’m so feverishly hooked on lurking in other people’s blogs that I keep forgetting I actually have to write something if I want people lurking in mine… I’m embarrassed to admit how much time I’ve whittled away surfing today. And not the calorie burning, thrill junkie kind of surfing like the surfing our friend Michael did in Seaside yesterday. Oh, you know what kind of surfing I mean.

There’s an uneasiness today for me, mainly because it’s Sunday and Sunday’s are sad and lonely days pretty much all the time. I got used to that unseasonably warm and sunny weather here in Stumptown and now that it’s rainy and cold, it feels especially dreary. I’m trying to remind myself how much I like the rain because it helps perpetuate the myth of Portland as a cold, dreary and unfriendly place, thereby leaving it pure and intact, inaccessible to fair weather hipsters.

Though I’m happy to announce that tomorrow will be an important milestone in my life. Maybe not so much a milestone as a touchstone. You know, a kind of check-in point where I can say "ah yes, this is a touchstone". It’s our wedding anniversary. And I can’t help but be proud of us for making this work for all these years. There’s a part of me at peace with my middle age and a large part at war.

Witness the dichotomy:  I’m quick to admit that I saw The Cure in 1985, but hesitant to reveal how old I was when I saw them. Proud to brag of my fashion forward take on stirrup pants. Less inclined to admit the year I was busted trying to shop lift a Tears for Fears cassette tape from Payless Drugs. How can this dichotomy exist inside my head? Dude, cuz I’m complex. Isn’t it obvious?

So anyway, happy anniversary to me. And my little LoveBug. 7 years married. Not bad, baby!

You know, that Bloc Party cd is growing on me. I still can’t give it a glowing review, but I do feel kind of bad that I called them a "less talented version of The Rapture". I still think they smack of The Rapture, but rather than being "less talented", I’ve upgraded them to "less interesting", mainly because of the lack of cowbell, which I hope resonates with some readers.

Brett & I packed the dogs in the car & drove down to Seaside on Wednesday night. Here it is, Friday afternoon and this poor town has transformed into a high school seniors dream. The arcades are full and the bumper cars are going full tilt. I think I even noticed the miniature train chugging along. Oh, and the strange umbrella covered bikes that 6 people can ride together (equipped with personal beverage holders) - they keep passing by, with alarming regularity, the wi-fi cafe Brett & I are currently hanging out in. See, ‘cuz we’re both so hooked on blogging and lurking around other people’s blogs that the 2 day hiatus basically served to just stoke the fire of my blog lust. Anyway, I know Seaside relies on tourism and for god’s sake, we’re contributing our tourist dollars left and right, but I still can’t help but feeling like tourists are so grossly obnoxious. I’m sure me sitting here in a cushy chair in a wi-fi cafe isn’t helping dispel the pompous tourist stereotype. Fuck it, I think I want to ride an umbrella bike over to the arcade and eat a caramel apple.

I’ve ate nothing but fresh seafood for lunch and dinner these last couple days. I was astonished at the yummy all clam clam chowder and shrimp salad lunch I had yesterday. Not only was it delicious and very affordable, but everything on my plate was fresh and harvested within about 30 miles from here. Oh, oh! Then, we drove up to Astoria and I dumped a bunch of cash at an antique store because I’m obsessed with miniature pitchers in amber, blue, green, & red (but especially amber) and yeah, I realize  how that sounds and if you don’t know me you might think I’m fully embracing my middle aged-ness. But I digress. We bought a whole Dungeness crab, a huge baby, at a fish market in town and they cleaned him up for us and I tell you what - it was a feast of feasts. There was nothing left of that baby except an unrecognizable pile of tiny broken shells. I honestly could not see any piece of that crab that we had not cracked and extracted that lovely, lovely light white tasty meat. Absolutely heavenly.

We dropped a bunch of cash money on several prints by Juli Adams. Honestly, before about 45 minutes ago, I didn’t know who she was, but now I’m in love with her and in possession of several signed and limited run prints. There’s something whimsical and surreal about her stuff, and a little bit melancholy. But the good kind of melancholy that reminds me of childhood, or at least thoughts I may have had as a child. I don’t know. I liked her stuff and Brett was quick to jump on board with me since our walls are so bare and crying out for art. I kind of get this feeling that we may go back to the that gallery and buy another print before our vacation is over.

On the way to Seaside we listened to Dizzee Rascal cds, and The Kills "No Wow". We’re seeing The Kills again next Sunday and I’m totally sold on their new stuff. They are sexy sexy raw and crunchy, everything I love about the dream of rock and roll. And Dizzee, well, we’re giving him another listen. We saw him last year at Coachella because he had so much buzz around him. But we only knew that one Billy Squire sampled song of his, so we were lost, the acoustics were just so-so, and it was so fucking deathly hot in tent he was performing in that we only stayed for a few minutes. Anyway, I know Brett is totally vibing Dizzee and he’s growing on me. Also listened to Bloc Party. They remind me of a less talented Rapture, and The Rapture, as much as I like them, really only have that cow bell going for them. BUT, Bloc Party does have a kick ass, ass wiggling, shake your ass, ass happy song called "Banquet" and that song along is embedded in my brain forever. The only thing that may have made that song better would be some cow bell. Oh well, until the next punk dance group comes along, they will have to do.

Isn’t she HOT! The cutest chi you’ve ever seen?

seriously. can’t. feel. face. yet.
burning sensation.
will get back to you.

Crap, what did do today? I blew this gorgeously apocalyptic 75 degree day in Portland to listen to a bunch of bands, many of which I didn’t particularly like. What does this say about me? I don’t really want to over think it, but somehow the phrase ‘waste of time’ comes to mind. Oh, it wasn’t all bad. It’s only 6:30pm PST & I’ve already logged 8,329 steps in, though sometimes I question the accuracy of my pedometer. Oh days when it feels like I’m walking a lot, I’ll barely reach my minimum. And then there’s days when I’m certain it tracks every bump and accidental leg tap I make and give me 17,500 steps. I kinda feel like it might be one of those days today.

We did step out for a while today and got some yummy food at Capuia’s International Restaurant. I mean, we’ve lived by that restaurant for years, yet today was the first time we ever set foot inside. Believe me, we will be back. It was a little bit Ethiopian (my alacha was YUMMY) and a little bit Soul Food (Brett’s catfish was mouthwatering and his greens looked spectacular). In fact, I’m making myself hungry just thinking about it. And now, knowing it’s so close to the house, it’s like a whole new world has opened up before my eyes. Now, don’t get me wrong, for the straight-up best most awesomely delicious Ethiopian food in the entire city, Queen of Sheba is the shiznay. It’s my favorite restaurant in the whole city, and if anyone of my friends or family comes from out of town we always take them there and no one leaves disappointed. Ever. And I’m proud to say that I share my love for Queen of Sheba with a fellow Ethiopian food lover and distinguished actor, last seen in the bone chilling horror flick, Saw, Danny Glover. And if you doubt me, just walk inside Queen of Sheba & not only do you stand of chance of seeing him eating there, but his pictures grace the walls along with some interview he did for an in-flight magazine.

Anyway, I did listen to a crap load of music today, all of which was pretty much totally unfamiliar to me.

I’ve heard a single from Bethany Curve, but when I heard their album "Flaxen" I was very nearly dumbstruck. It was gorgeous. Of all the albums I heard today, it’s the one I’m itching to listen to again. It is completely in line with my musical sensibilities; dreamy, droning layers of guitars and, well, it’s straight-up shoegazer stuff if you want me to pigeon hole it. It’s phenomenally beautiful. Please, give it a listen and judge for yourself. Join the tiny army of Bethany Curve (which so far consists of me & apparently a couple of other amazon.com reviewers…).

What else? Geez, there was so much…

Menomena - "I am the Fun Blam Monster" . I read somewhere that the title of this album is some sort of anagram of their 1st album, but frankly, I’ve never been good at anagrams unless they are really obvious, and plus I’ve never heard anything else by Menomena, so it blew right over my head. Also, I guess you’d call these guys math rock or something of that ilk. They program shit on their fancy computers and then fashion music around it… to me it sounded more like lo-fi Radiohead-esque if you must have a comparison. How can I not adore these guys? They apparently hail from Stumptown and hey, I gotta support the local guys, right? So what if I’m too dense to appreciate the geeky computer programmer aspects of the music? I just enjoyed it. It was pretty and it rocked at the same time. Their website is weird and trippy.

Mates of State - I listened to a couple of their cds today. "Team Boo" and the "All Day" EP. So this is a guy-girl, husband-wife duo and you know, I’m a sucker for a gimmick and I must’ve played right into their hands. The overall feeling I got from both of these cds was one of optimism, fun, hopeful, dancey, sing-along and feel good cheerfulness. Really, can you ask for more from an organ & drums? She kicks it on that organ in a big way, too.

Black Tape for a Blue Girl - Halo Star Is anyone else besides me willing to admit how much in love they were with Dead Can Dance back in the late 80’s early 90’s? Oh GOD do I remember tripping endlessly to their stuff and having mighty wicked mind-altering sex to it on more than one occasion. Oh, but I’m talking about Black Tape for a Blue Girl. Ok, shit, do something about that name, please. But you know what? This cd was beautiful, actually. It reminded me of Dead Can Dance, but was thoroughly modern and refreshing at the same time. I think I ignored this band for far too long. Verdict: Regular Rotation.

Ok, almost done. I"ll be quick, I promise.

Minus the Bear - "They Make Beer Commercials Like This" - Oh, I don’t know. When I think about it now, they really weren’t all that. I love the clever titles of their songs, but I’m telling you, the lead singer’s voice treads awfully close to that sickly emo-pop lilt that gives me a splitting headache.

Whirlwind Heat - "Rabbits Do Wonder" - Perhaps it’s just the mood I’m in, and the fact that Deerhoof has invaded my subconscious and opened me in a way that I wasn’t before, but I got a kick out of these guys. I could hear and feel the humor in their music and if I know the band is having fun playing, then that makes the listening experience that much more pleasant for me. So I liked them, what are you going to do about it?…

And finally, right now I’m listening to Trembling Blue Stars. I’ve never heard them before tonight and this particular album I got my hands on is from 2000. Oh well, it’s got a nice, mellow sound, very accessible and melodic. I’ll listen to this again, I’m sure, when I want something that doesn’t challenge me musically. I mean, I’m trying to say nice things about it. It feels warm and familiar, like my bed on Saturday morning. mmm.

Today I must have listened to Deerhoof’s "Milkman" at least 3 times. And I’m pretty sure I’ll listen to it for a time or two before the weekend is over. Brett & I saw them once last fall at the Roseland. Brett was a hater and a little cranky that night and didn’t want to stay for the whole show since they were totally bizarre and dissonant and we were on going to see The Thermals later on. And at the time it seemed really important to see The Thermals and I only say Brett was being a cranky hater just, you know, to make my story more interesting than it actually is in reality.

I remember there were at least 4 members of the band, the drummer sat on a milk crate behind his drums and I kept thinking how terrible it must have been for his posture since his knees were higher than his butt. And I remember the female singer, a cute tiny Asian woman belting, blurting, barking strange unintelligible lyrics. It’s a distinct possibility that it was unintelligible because the acoustics are so crap at the Roseland, though.

So yeah, I listened to that weird crazy cd 3 times today alone. Since the volume was down kind of low (since I was at work and I know if I’d had it up any louder I may have got in trouble somehow with the higher up administration cuz, in some ways, I’d like to think Deerhoof is subversive to the point of offending all who do not understand them), I think it messed with me on some subconscious level. In fact, I’m pretty sure it did because I don’t think I would’ve ever said something so idiotic and disjointed of my own volition. I think I could listen to the whole thing again at a regular volume and probably not recognize it. There are certain elements of their music that appeal to me in a very visceral way; on a flipped out caffeine high tripping heavily when all and nothing make sense and every thing’s kind of scary and funny at the same time kind of visceral way.

just a few minutes ago?

So Brett & I went to the Doug Fir Lounge for dinner and ended up sitting next to The Kings of Convenience. Now, I’m a shy starf***er, so I didn’t approach them, though they seemed friendly enough. From what I could tell, they like alcoholic beverages and cranberry juice, and didn’t seem to eat much; just a hamburger between three skinny, very pale Norwegians.

Yeah. Two fine individuals responded to my contest and to them I bow my head and wish them well. You know who you are and I salute you. Who knew? The Eagles! Of course!!

So I’ve been working from home the last couple days. Sort of begs the question as to why I bother to drag my sorry ass to 82nd & S.uck E.ggs Division 5 days a week. Besides, I not only got quite a bit done, but listened to, oh, 5 albums I’ve never heard before!

Here’s my scoop, whether you want it or not:

Ron Sexsmith - "Cobblestone Runway". I can tell you for sure, without doubt, that I would never have picked this album up under any circumstance other than the one I came into this album with… FREE. Yet, with that being said, it didn’t suck. I was put off a little by the drippy poppy Paul Simon-esque instrumentation, but realize that that very sound actually appeals to a lot of people. But what hooked me into the thing was Ron Sexsmith’s voice. It’s got this sort of nasally quality, where it’s as if he’s swallowing his words a little bit. I know that may sound profoundly annoying, but it grew on me. I might even listen to this album again, like when my mom & her husband come over and we need some kind of music that verges on Adult Contemporary Top 40, but is independent enough to please my rock ravaged and left-of-center ears. Apparently Paul McCartney is a fan, for whatever that’s worth.

Minmae - "Ya Te Vas". Who is this band? Where are they from and what are they about? Honestly, I have no clue. I know it probably looks like they are some kind of Latin pop band, but to me they sounded a little bit like a southern fried Strokes-ish meets Kings of Leon, but not so polished and cool (not that I go for polished and cool. In fact, I’d like to think of my musical proclivities as being decidedly uncool for the most part). But I liked their sound a lot and was happy to give up 40 minutes of my life to listen to this album.

KaitO - "You’ve Seen Us… You Must Have Seen Us". This band rules!! Where was I 4 years ago when this album came out? I feel like I’ve deprived myself of some prime KaitO years. They’ve probably played 10 times in Portland over the last 4 years and they were never on my radar. They are for sure on my radar now! I like oddly dissonant, jangling rocking stuff. Mmm mmm good.

Karney - "All Connected" Really,  I hate being all negative, but to be frank, the only good thing I can say about this album is that perhaps these guys would be fun to see live if I were drunk and partying at some divey bar in a tiny coastal town. I did not like this album. Yuck.

Slowdive - "Souvlaki". Yeah, yeah, I know this album came out 11 years ago. I was too busy obsessing after The Verve and PJ Harvey. Though I know about this band of course, and I even saw The Cocteau Twins tour with Galaxie 500 back in the day, I am distressingly ignorant about Slowdive. Well, no more! "Souvlaki Space Station" has got to be the quintessential ’shoegazer’ anthem. Yummy.

Oh, my wrist hurts. Dang laptop. computer game. addiction.

I’ve just been overcome with the Muse. Here is my poem:

I’ve got this dreadful, queasy feeling
taking time off during the middle of the week.
so I brought home a huge boxful of work
because it somehow sadly comforts me.

If anyone can tell me what song I parodied the first line from, I’ll GIVE you a gmail invite! You know you want one. You know you do. Now, the only issue is that I don’t actually know the name of the song I parodied the first line of my poem from, nor do I know the artist. I can roughly guess the era. This could put a crimp into my contest. But since I’m now curious about the song, I’m just going to go with it. I’ll even email you the one and only hint I have if you need it. Let me help you help me.

Neato. I have the same sign as Jessica Sierra, American Idol Wanne Be. We Scorpios, we’re a radical lot. We try out for American Idol and get into the top 16. We put ourselves out there passionately and send emails to all mailusers. Just because. Don’t mess with Scorpios. We have stingers and stuff.

I’m fascinated by The Boredoms. I wish I could find a way to adequately express my attraction to their music. I like Eye’s philosophy and it speaks to my sensibilities, though I mostly think it’s weird, kinda boring and pompous, and a little bit out there and possibly drug induced. So that’s why I’m merely linking it to my blog.

Though I brought a bunch of work home, I don’t see myself doing much. I’ll aim for checking my messages once twice and tackling the organization of my ever-growing paperwork. But mostly lurking in other people’s blogs and occasionally making comments on the cool ones in hopes of luring them to peek at mine. That’s work for sure.