The Old

No Doubt at Darien Lake

2009-06-20T14:03:00.005-04:00

Saw No Doubt at Darien Lake last night...

My lady bought tickets through the fan club a while back. Great seats. Right up front in the center of the stage. We got to bypass the general admission line and went in with no wait or anything. $10 beers sucked, but whatever. Good show and a great night overall.

The setlist:

Darien Lake - 6/19/2009
1. Spiderwebs 2. Hella Good 3. Underneath It All 4. Excuse Me Mr. 5. Ex-Girlfriend 6. End It On This 7. Simple Kind of Life 8. Bathwater 9. Guns of Navarone 10. New 11. Hey Baby 12. Running 13. Different People 14. Don’t Speak 15. It’s My Life 16. Just A Girl 17. Rock Steady 18. Stand and Deliver 19. Sunday Morning

Tomorrow's Late Night Spotlight

2009-06-10T17:28:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow's Late Night Spotlight is online already, HERE... And it has info about how it's my second-to-last.

My Weeds Dilemma

2009-06-02T17:24:00.006-04:00

Season four of "Weeds" is out on DVD today.

That simple little sentence does not adequately convey my excitement.

I got into "Weeds" late, between season three arriving on DVD and season four starting on Showtime. I don't have cable and only watch DVDs, so when I finished season three... I knew it would be a while before I got back into the show. That day is today. Or maybe not for a while, depending on whether I decide to re-watch the series. Though, rather than rent the first three seasons disc-by-disc again, the only way I'll end up watching the series is by buying each season on DVD. And that won't happen until I come into some cash.

So, therein lies the problem. I'd like my lady to get into this show. I think she'd dig it. However, I'm weak of will... and I'll likely pick up disc one of season four tonight or tomorrow from Blockbuster.

I picked up a hardcover copy of "Watchmen" on Memorial Day and am nearly finished with it. It's everything everyone praises it to be... and then some. Thoroughly enjoying it. And since I'll likely finish it tonight, I stopped at Chautauqua Comics earlier today and picked up some of the Batman: Battle for the Cowl one-shots. The new Batman & Robin series starts tomorrow (with Nightwing, the old Robin, as Batman and Batman's son Damian as Robin).

I only just recently got back into reading comics (with the Batman: R.I.P. and "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?"), so I've got some catching up to do myself. But, y'know, they're comic books, so... shouldn't be too hard. Already got a bit of a handle on it. Just have to pick up get through "Final Crisis" before starting the whole "Battle for the Cowl" story.

Feels good to blog written content again, even if it is just blathering about purchases I've made and things I want to purchase. Whole lot of changes in the coming weeks, months and years. Figure I'll try and get back into blogging about, y'know, as the sidebar says: Music, Movies and the Minutiae of My Life.

Lion's Cut

2009-05-26T22:33:00.004-04:00

Woke up early yesterday to cover Jamestown's Memorial Day parade. Woke up early today to get Jaz to her grooming appointment.

The lion's cut:

Not complaining about either, just hate waking up early... and felt like stating such. Gotta wake up early tomorrow and the day after 'cause Wednesdays and Thursdays I work 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. But man, come Friday, I'm sleeping in.

Work

2009-05-14T15:24:00.001-04:00

2009-04-27T20:52:00.001-04:00

At the Red Sox game in Cleveland and it's 0-0 in the bottom of the 7th! Whoa!

Finally...

2009-04-21T16:09:00.002-04:00

I've been waiting for this to come out!

On The YouTube

2009-03-09T14:11:00.002-04:00

Mr. Social strolled into the bar Saturday night with a video camera, which I should have taken as an indication that my face would soon be on the internet.

I'm not exactly sure what it's for, but I'm in the YouTube video below... apparently promoting something:

Jamestown horribly awry, indeed...

Rain On My Parade

2009-02-18T17:49:00.002-05:00

It poured rain this past Friday night in Houma, but we still went out and stood through half a Mardi Gras parade.

I'm told attendance would have been ten times better had it not been raining, so there wasn't any real craziness. Plus Houma's an hour or more outside of New Orleans, so it wasn't like a crowded, French Quarter Mardi Gras event... Which was fine by me. I was with family and it was raining and I thankfully wasn't sandwiched with a million other people. Elbow room is a good thing.

Anyshit, went to a hibachi grill on Saturday and then a riverboat casino. Flew back Sunday and came down with something, so I called in sick to work Monday and Tuesday. Now I'm finishing up my first day of work... It feels like a Monday and tomorrow's already Thursday.

I'm In Louisiana

2009-02-13T15:01:00.005-05:00

Been on vacation for the past few days, though I worked Monday and Thursday.

Regardless, I left Buffalo yesterday (what timing!) and am visiting my mom in Louisiana... Just in time for Mardi Gras parades in Houma.

Because I'm such a digital guy, I've been online most of the day while my mom, my sister, her boyfriend and everyone else has been at work. My brother's on his way in now.

Just chatted with Julia on Facebook, the best part of which is below. Lori's at home. The Unexpected Guests are performing tonight. Forte has a Morrissey and The Smiths themed event tomorrow. I think that's all the set up the photo needs.

Oh, sweetness...

2009-02-06T13:43:00.002-05:00

People will oscillate wildly:

With In Java, Literally... author Julia Ciesla-Hanley DJ'ing!

What ever happened to the Caped Crusader?

2009-02-03T21:21:00.006-05:00

On sale Wednesday, Feb. 11:

Mindy's Place

2009-02-03T16:49:00.007-05:00

The flash kind of washed out the pure deliciousness that should've shown up in this picture, but trust me... my breakfast today was phenomenal.

Lori and I moved into our new Lakewood apartment over the weekend. We're right around the corner from the village's little downtown district, if you want to call it that.

The L-wood strip has two little breakfast diners and as Hungry Hannah's was closed today, we went a little further down Chautauqua Avenue to Mindy's Place. It's been a long while since I've been to Mindy's. A long while. We tend to go to Hungry Hannah's because they have hash brown patties, but I realized today that Mindy's food is much better. Much, much better.

There's soups, sandwiches, salads and all kinds of breakfast options, but everything's above and beyond yr typical menu items. I mean, everything's pretty basic: pancakes, omlettes, soup & sandwich combos. But there's a variety of daily specials and build-your-own options. I guess what I'm saying is that the menu didn't feel limited. There was lots of mixing, matching and specials for the day.

Anyway, I opted for a combination bacon, sausage and ham omelette with tomato, green peppers and spinach plus cheddar, American and pepperjack cheeses. It was a monster and probably the most delicious omelette I've ever had. Their three meat, three vegetable and three cheese recommendation was something I would have never thought to have asked for.

And the homefries weren't shit like some other places, but honest-to-goodness good tasting potatoes cooked to be warm and crispy on the outside and not greasy mush. Oh, but I'm gushing. Lori's ma's double berry pancakes were tasty too. I'm not a pancake guy, but the raspberry sauce had me stealing a forkful.

This brought back some memories...

2009-02-03T16:09:00.004-05:00

Just got this in an e-mail from The 1891 Fredonia Opera House.

It brought back some memories I had until just now forgotten... I believe I saw a live-action stage performance of this. Or maybe it was "Big Bird In Japan." I think I may be confusing the two.

Regardless, I remember the Japanese chick in the latter being hot. Or at least I thought so when I was eight-years old. Now I'm going to have to Google her.

Future Man

2009-01-30T17:55:00.004-05:00

I sent this to Julia yesterday, as I figured she'd find it funny:

Also, I just sent her naked pictures of Morrissey.

And not to be outdone by her latest post about Jamestown's new Cyber Cafe and Deli, I'll probably be writing about Cooper's soon. I ate there yesterday and then had food delivered today, food which I ordered via the Internets!

Moving Out

2009-01-28T13:24:00.003-05:00

My lady and I are moving into a new place.

The decision to move, search for a new apartment and actual moving all happened (and is still happening) kind of quickly.

Lori and I have lived in the Ellicott Shores Apartments for close to three years now. The apartments are located right on Chautauqua Lake in Celoron. It's a beautiful location, but there have been complications and quirks that have come as a trade-off for such a quality view.

The village of Celoron has had the owner of our apartment complex in court in recent months, trying to get him to repair leak roofs and moldy apartments. Apparently, some of the units are really, really bad. Our apartment has been alright for the most part. We suffered through repeated visits by the maintenance guy when there was a leaky pipe in our wall... And we recently had our whole bathroom remodeled because of the mold problem. However, we hadn't been had any problems with water damage until just recently.

The people who lived above us moved out a while back. Last Tuesday, I walked into our spare bedroom and the rug was wet. Water from the roof leaked into their empty apartment and then down into our apartment. I looked up and water was cascading down the window and wall. Luckily, the apartment above us was unlocked. A leak had been pissing water into the apartment for who knows how long... There was standing water and it had finally made its way down the wall into our apartment.

So, the next day Lori started looking for apartments. We signed a lease Saturday and have been moving in ever since. We've got a new address and a new house phone number.

Now that's what I call a Press Kit

2009-01-27T16:25:00.006-05:00

I got a package in the mail today from a band called Everything, Now!

Its contents are pictured at right.

In addition to a one-sheet, two fliers for their Jamestown shows and a CD, the band's members also sent a postcard of what appears to be a terradactyl, a New Kids On The Block collectible card and a little sparkly glitter thing.

The band will play Labyrinth and Mojo's on Feb. 6.

New Wallpaper

2009-01-16T19:16:00.004-05:00

A post back I blathered about searching for a new wallpaper for my work computer. Below is a screenshot of my desktop. Sums some stuff up pretty well...

MC Lars and GEEK

2009-01-14T15:56:00.003-05:00

Don't think I've mentioned it here, but I had an interview/article I wrote about the band Past Lives published in the January issue if GEEK magazine.

Interviewed MC Lars a few hours ago. That will be going into GEEK sometime in the future I believe.

Blah Blah Blogging

2009-01-13T20:23:00.004-05:00

Figured I'd change the wallpaper here on my work computer. Thought it would only take a minute. Then I got sidetracked looking at funny pictures for about an hour...

Here, here and here.

The pic below is not my new wallpaper.

Truly She Is None Other

2009-01-12T17:03:00.005-05:00

I e-mailed Holly Golightly's press person last week to request a phoner if possible and was psyched when she replied right back to tell me that an interview would be possible.

So it was nice to come into work today and have another e-mail verifying a date and time for the interview.

I call her next Monday and the piece will end up in the February issue of this e-zine I'm starting, which I have yet to really blog about...

Scratch That

2009-01-12T14:46:00.002-05:00

Went into Blockbuster last night. Rented "Mister Lonely" and "Leatherheads" and on my way out noticed that Blockbuster now has every season of "The Wire" for rent, contradicting what I previously wrote here on the blog. I'll probably spend as much renting the complete series as I would if I were to just buy the box set, but whatever...

Merriweather Post Pavilion

2009-01-10T16:24:00.003-05:00

I listened to this album a lot this past week, mostly while writing at work.

Maybe it's because of that, but I have little interest in listening to this album in the car or in my free time... Y'know, time when I would be able to more actively listen to the album.

As a whole, "Merriweather Post Pavilion" is great. The songs flow into one another and I enjoy it from start to finish. However, I doubt I'll ever put single tracks on mixes or ever just throw the CD on while I'm cleaning the house. There's something about it. It's not "Feels." That album was something I intensely wanted to experience again and again when it was not on or I was playing something else. I'm not getting that from this album. When I scroll through my iPod, other music stands out and I find myself opting for other music even though this has already been dubbed the best release of 2009.

Morrisseeee

2009-01-07T14:53:00.002-05:00

My tickets came last night for the Thursday, March 19th show at UB.

Merriweather Post Pavilion

2009-01-07T14:02:00.004-05:00

...is better than "Strawberry Jam."

And it makes me wish I would've given the "Water Curses" EP a listen.

DVD Drama

2009-01-06T16:43:00.004-05:00

More like blathering actually...

I rented "Burn After Reading" last night. As I'm finished with "Firefly," I need a new show to watch in my spare time... So I decided to cruise through the TV on DVD section. I am presently in the middle of season two of "X-Files" and season one of "Angel," so I do have quite a bit of TV on DVD watching to do, but I'm watching those shows with Lori. So, I need something for when she's asleep.

In recent months I've plowed through both seasons of "Dexter," all the seasons of "Weeds," "Frisky Dingo," the first season of "Big Love," "The Office" and some other stuff. I know I can watch most of the current seasons online, but I figure I'll just wait for the DVD.

So, I'm scanning the TV on DVD section in Blockbuster and disc one of season two of "Big Love" is still out. This disc has been out since the second season was released on DVD this past summer. Something must have happened to it. I'm sure the demand for disc one of this season is that high. And I'm not really even all that interested in continuing the series. Season one was alright and ended with kind of a cliffhanger. I have some little interest in watching season two and will end up renting it, but that will only happen when there's a gap in my TV on DVD watching habit... When there's not some other show I'd rather be watching.

I'd rather be watching "The Wire," but Blockbuster doesn't have season two. At all. Not in the store and, oddly enough, not through the Blockbuster Online mailing system. Blah blah blah...

Here's what's likely going to happen in the next few months: I'm going to get disc one of season two of "Big Love" from Blockbuster through the mail, I'm going to splurge on the complete series of "The Wire" from F.Y.E., but first of all... I think I've found something else that's going to replace the "Firefly/Serenity" kick I've been on lately. I think I'm going to start "Battlestar Galactica."

Yeah, I'm kind of lame.

Serenity Wow!

2009-01-03T16:33:00.003-05:00

The post title's a Costanza reference.

Thursday night, when I would have regularly been tending bar at Forte, I was home and able to watch a movie. Lori was already passed out because we had been watching Angel, or X-Files or something... so I popped in Serenity, which I'd been itching to see since I finished the series a month or so back.

Lori got me the complete series of Firefly for my birthday. Since it only lasted one season, I plowed through it in November and December. It's a solid show. And I wish it had lasted longer. Though, if it had lasted longer... I don't think they would have made the Serenity movie. And damn, was it a fine fantasy, sci-fi, space cowboy movie.

I'm not a total Joss Whedon geek. Lori introduced me to Buffy the Vampire Slayer when we moved in together a few years back and I've got to admit, I dug the series. Whedon's sci-fi and horror stuff is funny and geeky. And Firefly was a solid show for several reasons. But in his directorial debut, damn if he didn't take the series and his storytelling to a new level.

It was so good I re-watched it last night. And then plowed through some of the extras.

A day or two after Christmas, Lori and I found ourselves in F.Y.E. in the mall. Chautauqua County's F.Y.E. is particularly more hellish than others because they've got the market cornered in terms of some things -- whereas the one in Buffalo has competition within a relatively close distance. But now I'm blathering on.

We found ourselves in the mall and I had been thinking about renting Serenity, but since I was there... just decided to pick up the DVD. Of course, there were two editions and I had to splurge and get the collector's edition. So glad I did. Really dug the film and am excited to finish the extras tomorrow.

Now I'm contemplating getting cable just so I can watch Whedon's new show on Fox, Dollhouse. Not even sure if it's on yet.

The movie wrapped the series up nicely. And I'd say more, but don't want to spoil things for Makkaio. Plus I've got to hop in the shower to get ready for Forte.

Terribly Embarassing

2008-12-31T12:44:00.001-05:00

A video I made late one night... a few years ago... Just after Lori had purchased her iMac.

Julius is dead

2008-12-30T19:47:00.004-05:00

Julius is dead.

I'm sad, but should have seen such an end coming to the whole situation.

I naively thought he would be the scourge of Celoron for years to come, like a fat little Garfield Capt. Jack Sparrow or something... Taking people's goodwill and pooping on their lawns.

That's Julius. A lovable little fuck who'd scratch the shit out of you, then cry for food, then pass out belly-up on the bed next to you.

He was a terror as a kitten. And an asshole as an adult kitty, but I loved him. I used to tell people we had a mutual disdain of each other, but that the relationship worked because sometimes he liked to be petted and sometimes I liked to pet him. I miss him.

...

A neighbor found him earlier tonight in one of the garages at our apartment complex. Lori saw him just last night while she was taking trash to the dumpster. He ran away because she was in her Jeep. He wasn't starved or anything. He's still the same fat Julie. Celoron's full of stray cats and homeless cats and surely feral cats. And some people hate all those cats. Foul play is suspected, but whatever. It was more likely just rat poison in someone's garage. I dunno, I didn't go to the garage. Our neighbor brought him to us. That was nice. Still sad though.

Wine At Work

2008-12-30T15:36:00.005-05:00

People give me free stuff sometimes.

Of course, this obviously happens more during the holidays. Last week I got a box of chocolates because someone appreciated a story I wrote about their family.

Today, two bottles of wine arrived at my desk from the Media 1 Group Radio Stations... presumably for my Chautauqua Lake Idol coverage this past summer.

It's been a few years since college. What's the deal with accepting gifts? I need an ethics refresher course. But whatever, I'm not one to turn down wine or chocolate.

Most times, free stuff comes in the form of CDs people want reviewed. More than once I've received beer from Magic Hat, no strings attached. They were just looking for an honest review or whatever. They also sent condoms. I'm trying to recall what else I've been given, but am drawing a blank. I've been taken out to a few lunches... and there's always those banquet dinner events that need covering every once-in-a-while. Coffee mugs. Pens. Pads of paper. Umm, here's another picture:

Julius Christ Superstar

2008-12-29T18:46:00.003-05:00

I've been meaning to update about Julius.

Since posting about his disappearance in November, Lori and I have spotted him a couple of times.

Yeah, he's hanging around Celoron. We've been putting food in a dish outside our apartment building and it always gets eaten. There are other cats in the area, but I've caught him by the dish once or twice. Catching him usually involves screeching to a halt, jumping out of the car and shouting... and by that time he's already taken off.

Yes, he's been running away from us.

Everyone always asks what we "did to him" to make him run away and the answer, of course, is nothing. It's an understandable question, but it's also an asshole question.

For as long as I've had Julius (since he was a kitten), he has always scratched and cried at the door. He's always wanted to be an indoor/outdoor cat. When I lived on Chestnut Street in Fredonia, I let him outside a couple of times, but he got tore up by the neighbor's cat and I decided to keep him inside after that.

For the entire time I've been in Celoron, things have been alright. Our apartment has a little balcony and, year-round, Julius would cry to go outside and he'd go out on the balcony and that would suffice. That is, until this past November.

Julius is also super skittish and afraid of people. He's always been kind of a bastard, but I love him. I figure he knows where we are, but is enjoying being outside. We've been looking for him and chase after him when we see him, but I'm pretty sure he's running away from us because we're "people" and not because he doesn't want to come back to the apartment or whatever.

Anyshit, the purpose of this post is because Julius made it on the cover of the most recent issue of The Scene.

Rockstardom!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T14:00:00.000-05:00

iPod

2008-12-24T15:12:00.003-05:00

Taken from Hipster Runoff.

Office Picture

2008-12-23T17:36:00.004-05:00

Tagged by Julia.

Rules

1. Take a picture of yourself.. riiiiiight.. NOW!
2. DO NOT change your clothes. DO NOT fix your hair.. Just take a picture.
3. Post that picture with NO editing.
4. Post these instructions with your picture.
5. Tag 10 people to do this!

Lame pic, but that's me at my desk... With my goofy-ass mouth agape. In the background you got some Batman stuff, some stuff from The Office, some local CDs and a poster from the Great Blue Heron.

I tag Jeremiah and Justin.

Missing Cat

2008-11-22T13:39:00.002-05:00

Year-End Lists

2008-11-22T13:34:00.002-05:00

From the new Puritan Blister column on Pitchfork:

Anyway, here's Why I Can't Do End-of-Year Lists: I get way too what-does-it-all-mean. It's just so generated, right down to the Gregorian-calendar-as-organizing-principle.

The abundance of killer tracks this year, and the dearth of completely strong albums, makes the systematic ranking of them even more absurd to me: I just can't quantify the qualitative difference between Be Your Own Pet's "You're a Waste", Estelle's "American Boy", and Chatham County Line's "Country Boy/City Boy" without, I don't know, ending up arbitrarily hand-sorting my cereal flakes in the morning before I chomp on them.

Anyway, by the end of the year, there's such an organic consensus about the preternaturally excellent albums that acknowledging their supremacy seems almost redundant.

The pleasures of Fleet Foxes and Vampire Weekend are, like, so canonical to my MOR-indie-fuck standards by now that I think of their debuts as having come out 10 years ago. And yup, Cut Copy is this year's well-oiled LCD Soundsystem. Plus hey, did you hear that Volvos were nice and ice cream was yummy?

Rowdy Roddy

2008-11-13T12:20:00.001-05:00

This interview/article ran in The Post-Journal on Nov. 13. It can also be read online HERE.

J. Roddy Walston admits he is nowhere near as talented as Peter Gabriel, but can't help referencing the former Genesis frontman when explaining the type of rock music he and his band, the Business, play these days.

''That was a dude who was doing really weird music and then decided to see what he could do within the confines of pop music, while still keeping his sensibilities,'' Walston said in a recent phone interview with The Post-Journal. ''Not that I think I sound like or have done anything nearly as talented as Peter Gabriel, but I got turned on to people like that - these guys who were doing really interesting stuff in a way that was still really listenable.''

Though different stylistically, Walston's music has made a similar switch from complex prog rock to arts-minded pop rock in recent years.

Having grown up in ''a weird little town'' near Athens, Ga., Walston explained how he and other kids were influenced musically by what filtered down to them from the nearby city's psychedelic rock scene. In his early bands, Walston said he played everything from ''10-second quirky little weirdo songs'' to more intricate progressive rock - with songs which ran for upward of 10 minutes and were comprised of multiple parts.

When forming the Business, Walston said he felt like he was branching out and almost rebelling against the scene he had grown up with.

''For me, to write a pop song was kind of freeing,'' Walston said. ''I thought it would make people angry. But I just wanted to write songs from start to finish by myself that I can play by myself or with a band - songs that had to be able to stand up on their own as songs and not have to rely on these ideas and concepts.''

Formed loosely a half a decade ago, the Business really took off two years ago - when Walston moved from Tennessee to Baltimore. After adding a few new members to the band, Walston set to work on recording ''Hail Mega Boys'' - a set of 12 songs which almost serve as a history of rock 'n' roll.

From garage rock to polished pop, country and blues, the music of J. Roddy Walston and the Business changes almost entirely from song to song. Lesser bands might make a mess of this, but somehow Walston and the Business maintain a cohesive classic rock identity through all their genre hopping.

On the track ''Nineteen Ought Four,'' Walston and company sound like a woozy and boozed-up Queen with hints of Little Peggy Lee. A song later, Walston's taking his cues from Chubby Checker's ''Twist'' and Bobby Darin's ''Splish Splash'' with the honky tonk piano edge of Jerry Lee Lewis. At one moment its as if the Black Crowes, Kiss and Jet are jamming together, then the band switches into a foot-stomping country and rockabilly rave up which wouldn't sound out of place on a Holly Golightly and the Brokeoffs' record.

''Definitely on this record, especially when Billy, our guitar player, joined the band, I think we both wanted to write and make a record that was a real rock record - or that you could put on at a party,'' Walston said of ''Hail Mega Boys.'' ''It's something we hoped people would be into, without it being total jock rock.''

It's the intentional genre hopping that makes the music of J. Roddy Walston and the Business hard to pin down. Yes, Jet, Kiss and the Black Crowes were mentioned, but the band only sounds like them for a second here and a second there on their more rocking songs.

Whereas a band like Jet build their sound around imitating garage rock, the genre's only a stop for J. Roddy Walston and the Business. The group's more like Ween in that way - mining different genres and coming up with gold in a way that's uniquely their's.

J. Roddy Walston and the Business are presently opening for Murder By Death and William Elliott Whitmore.

Double-Disc Collection Worth The Buy

2008-11-13T11:17:00.003-05:00

This CD review was published in The Post-Journal on Nov. 13. It can be read online HERE.

A 45-song collection may seem exhaustive and unnecessary for a band which already has more compilations available than studio albums, but the deluxe version of ''The Sound of the Smiths'' proves a worthwhile buy for die-hard fans and first-time listeners alike.

Rhino Records released two collections of the Smiths' music Tuesday, a one-disc edition of singles and a deluxe double-disc version with b-sides and live material. Sequenced chronologically, the releases have already been complemented by reviewers as comprehensively telling the story of the Smiths - start to finish.

Formed in Manchester in 1982, the Smiths' music centers around the songwriting partnership of singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, with bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce rounding out the band. Throughout its five-year run in the early-to-mid-80s and during the two decades since the band's demise, the Smiths' have been lauded as one of the most important alternative acts to emerge from the British independent music scene.

No surprise then that the bulk of the first disc is the series of singles which began with ''Hand In Glove'' and continued with such hits as ''This Charming Man,'' ''How Soon Is Now,'' ''Big Mouth Strikes Again'' and ''Panic.''

Adding five songs to the 18 which appeared on the 1995 ''Singles'' compilation, the first disc of ''The Sound of the Smiths'' makes most other collections obsolete. Admittedly, I fall somewhere between the two groups mentioned at the start of this review. Having only owned the band's ''Singles'' compilation until now, the first disc of ''The Sound of the Smiths'' gives me both ''Barbarism Begins at Home '' and ''The Headmaster Ritual'' as well as songs that were slated to be singles, but never saw release as such.

For dedicated fans, choosing the double-disc edition is a no-brainer. It's the b-sides like ''Girl Afraid,'' ''Stretch Out And Wait,'' ''Asleep,'' ''Cemetery Gates'' and ''Half A Person'' which are desirable. Similarly, for those new to the band, opting for the double-disc makes sense - you're just going to want those tracks once you have all the hits memorized. It happened to me. I now own an obsolete ''Singles'' release... and will likely continue to buy future compilation releases even if it's just for the pretty packaging - which these discs have in spades!

Also, the fact that the compilation was completed with the full cooperation of Morrissey, who provided the title, and Marr, who supervised the mastering, gives the collection a little weight where it might otherwise be open to criticism. If it's good enough for the band, I suppose it's should be good enough for fans.

Despite all that, however, ''The Sound of the Smiths'' isn't without its flaws. Fans will be remiss that certain rarities are missing or that a deep album cut could have been included here or there. Of course, that's going to be the criticism of any compilation-type release regardless of its quality. And these discs are quality. But the only complete collection is one with all the band's recorded work - which is more of a box set anyway.

Veterans Day

2008-11-11T07:31:00.002-05:00

If I was a veteran... Do you know what I'd want? I'd want to be able to get my fucking mail on Veteran's Day!

The Sound of the Smiths

2008-11-10T18:13:00.005-05:00

Rhino's single-disc and double-disc collections "The Sound of the Smiths" arrive in stores tomorrow.

As exciting is the fact that the Smiths' full catalog will also become available digitally tomorrow.

Pitchfork criticized this double disc as "telling the same story twice" in its review... adding that the first disc's fine, but the second's a mess.

I dunno though. I'm digging it. And when it comes to the Smiths, isn't it a story worth hearing twice? Thoughts?

This post is in part for In Java, Literally... And actually, it's for her for two reasons: (1) Because it's about the Smiths and (2) because it (hopefully) signals my return to regular blog updates. Posts have been sporadic and random since mid-summer. Sorry.

Wolf Paraders

2008-11-06T11:54:00.008-05:00

Wolf Parade played the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland on Sunday, Nov. 2.

I attended the show with my lady, two co-workers and a dude named Andrew.

The following concert review was published in The Post-Journal on Nov. 6. View it at the newspaper's Web site by clicking HERE.

WOLF PARADERS or:
Fear, Loathing and Nausea in Cleveland
A concert review written very quickly with little-to-no editing:

Great rock concerts are sometimes less a result of the band's performance than the obstacles, adventure and secondary experiences of trying to make it to the venue in time for the headliner.

Such was the scene Sunday as my lady and I made our way to Cleveland to meet three friends and co-workers from my other job - and please, keep the moonlighting hush, hush, dear reader.

With six tickets waiting at will call for the five of us, we knew admittance would be no issue. However, the plan for pre-show drinks and possibly dinner at an authentic Cleveland restaurant or watering hole were dashed by our inability to leave Chautauqua County at a reasonable morning hour.

We will never forgive you, fall time switch. Of course, theoretically, the shift should have worked in our favor, what with the clocks being set back an hour - but that would be underestimating our ability to sleep in and slack around instead of preparing for the trip. My bad, friends. However, time changes on the whole are disorienting anyway, regardless of whether they should be working in your favor. So that's my excuse.

But I digress...

The drive to Cleveland was a mad dash of exceeding speed limits in three states, jamming out the entirety of the way to Wolf Parade - the headlining band that night at the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern.

A five-piece from Quebec, Wolf Parade play slightly off-kilter indie rock - similar in style to Modest Mouse and influences by the likes of Built To Spill, Guided By Voices, the Pixies and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. However, because I'm on deadline as I write this, I'm cribbing heavily from AllMusic.com, so don't hold me to those comparisons. They work more as reference points, just as one should give Frog Eyes, Sunset Rubdown and Swan Lake a listen for the full Wolf Parade experience.

Our two parties arrived at the Cleveland meeting place within minutes of each other - a CD store named Music Saves which seemed to specialize in quality indie rock. After 20 full minutes of freaking out over the choice selection, we began our misguided attempt to find a nearby hotel of relatively decent quality.

Being young and confident that the universe would look out for our well being, we had indeed driven to Cleveland with the intent of checking into an awesome hotel without reservations. But after an hour-and-a-half of driving through a city we weren't exactly pros at navigating, we backtracked five exits on the 90 to a Ramada.

The details of checking into said Ramada are a story in themselves. But after a long and involved conversation with a woman who tried to check each of us into our own individual rooms, we secured one room for the five of us and eventually made it on time to our intended destination.

Openers Listening Party seemed like a solid enough band, and were fitting for a Wolf Parade concert - blending danceable Hot Hot Heat and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah rhythms with Peter Gabriel atmospherics. Their music was the perfect soundtrack for sitting in the Beachland's combination bar, lounge and eatery. Typically one would watch the opener, but we chose to shop in the Beachland's vintage clothing store - which says a little about the band. They were no Wolf Parade.

Opening with ''You Are A Runner And I Am My Father's Son'' from their 2005 full-length debut for Sub Pop Records, the band's five members plowed through other such hits as ''Dear Sons And Daughters Of Hungry Ghosts'' and ''Language City.'' There was much dancing on our parts - bad dancing on my part - and I'm positive we must have annoyed at least one or 12 Cleveland locals.

If memory serves me correctly, the band also played both ''This Heart's On Fire'' and ''Same Ghost Every Night'' - but memories in the days after rock concerts are not things to be trusted. Regardless of the reason for such effects on brains, our five-man crew made it back to the Ramada safely - due wholly to our kindly cab driver Turner, the only cab driver willing to pick up a fare at the Beachland Ballroom after midnight according to employees. Of course, the story continues on with details of late-night convenience store snacks and other shenanigans, but those things should best be left for in-person re-tellings.

Messages from my brother

2008-11-05T00:45:00.002-05:00

Funny how switching up one letter can yield comedy gold.

The following messages are from my brother. He texted me throughout the night on Nov. 4 - as Obama was being elected president.

8:27 p.m.
I sure hope Obama gets erected tonight!

9:11
America has been looking forward to having a big important erection for months. It's been a long time coming.

9:30
It's sad they both can't win. I look forward to the day when two men can legally get erected together.

9:53
This erection is slipping from McCain's hands and is resting firmly in Obama's grip.

WOMEN at Mojo's

2008-10-17T13:40:00.001-04:00

Crappy cell phone photos from Wednesday's show with WOMEN at Mojo's:

Free show with WOMEN at Mojo's on Wednesday... Yes, tomorrow!

2008-10-14T16:00:00.002-04:00

Climbed A Mountain

2008-08-19T13:20:00.004-04:00

Spent the weekend in the Adirondacks.

Climbed New York's fifth-highest mountain.

The view from the top of Whiteface Mountain:

Lori says the pic looks photoshopped, but we were there... in the clouds. Yeah, that's not mist or anything. We were standing in cloud, looking down on cloud. It was pretty cool. And it was mostly a drive to the top, then a 20-minute hike to the summit.

Dan Friel Was Cool

2008-08-15T02:33:00.001-04:00

Upcoming Show

2008-08-04T23:59:00.001-04:00

Poster by Justin Goetz.

Interviews and stuff

2008-07-25T03:48:00.004-04:00

I interviewed Kenny Loggins the other day. The article's HERE. I wrote a blog post about it HERE.

I interview Gregg Gillis of Girl Talk on Monday.

New AMP Logo

2008-07-24T11:56:00.010-04:00

The dudes at Chautauqua AMP designed a new graphic/ad for The Ineffable Me.

I have a blog over there that's updated almost as infrequently as this blog. Maybe more.

And then this stuff is happening this weekend:

Hellboy 2: The Golden Poopy

2008-07-21T16:19:00.000-04:00

Saw "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" on Sunday. It wasn't as good as the first one, but it wasn't poopy either... I'm just channeling an old college roommate of mine.

Hellboy (the character) came off as neutered. They pushed the relationship angle, which is all well and good... But he felt less confrontational than in the first film. Which isn't exactly true. In the first film, he's introduced to us as a badass, but then we see his goofy, needy, self-effacing side. This movie sort of reversed that.

The action was entertaining and all, but the separate stories didn't tie together as well or hold my interest as much as the stories in the first film did. It felt like "Men In Black" meets "Spider-Man 2" meets "Hellboy" meets "Pan's Labyrinth".

Abe's still awesome and everything, but I miss David Hyde Pierce's voice as Abe. That was a noticeable difference. Johann Krauss didn't annoy me as much as I thought he might when he arrived on screen, but the character definitely contributed to the overall cartoony feel that the movie had as a whole. The first one seemed darker, roted in history and the paranormal. This one felt more fairy tale and child's bedtime story.

Booze Cruise

2008-07-17T16:12:00.003-04:00

My lady and I spent a few hours on the Summer Wind last night, cruising from Celoron to Bemus Point and back... While the Steve Johnson Band played a blend of bluegrass and rock 'n' roll. It was a good time.

The view of I-86 from the boat:

Green Halloween

2008-07-14T23:59:00.007-04:00

The Daily Green describes itself as "a great green website for regular people."

I got this earlier today and figured it was worth re-posting here, if not for the request than at least to share the existence of the site with others.

The Daily Green wants pictures of you in your best homemade Halloween costumes.

"We’re going to be promoting how homemade costumes, rather than off-the-shelf plastic stuff, is not only more fun and creative, but more green than the alternatives."

"Please help us by sending in a digital photo of your best costume(s) from recent (or not so recent) years. We’ll be publishing these on the site before Halloween and letting our audience choose their favorites."

Submit photos HERE.

It's detachable

2008-07-12T16:08:00.005-04:00

Continuing the Rochester radio blather, this song reminds me of home. And the 90s. And WBER. And the Nerve.

Shuffle

2008-07-11T23:59:00.000-04:00

I've been feeling this same way lately.

From Monitor Mix:

Last week, I pulled out my underused iPod, updated it with new songs from my iTunes, got in my car, and hit the play button. Almost immediately, I was reminded of why I had put my iPod away for that last few months. The reason: the shuffle feature.

What should be an awesome, even liberating way of listening to one's music collection instead becomes obnoxious and restrictive -- at least for me. You'd think that you'd spend your time basking in the depth and eclecticism of your own musical tastes. Reggae? Check. Krautrock? Uh-huh. British Folk? Covered. All of it blended together by a computer-generated randomizer. The shuffle mode is an endless radio station that only plays your music. Sounds perfect, so why is it not?

For one, most of us don't like the notion of random, even when the choices presented to us are culled from our own collections. It's like if there were a robot randomly selecting what we wear each day. Sure, it's our own closet and our own clothing, but we don't want to wear sweaters on 80-degree days, or to put on some magenta silk top that only looked good in the dressing room. With music, it boils down to mood and context, as well. You can adjust the randomness of the shuffle feature, but the options lack nuance. There need to be choices like, "Only play this song if I am driving between Seattle and Portland and I think about my old friend from high school" or, "Please play this one on cold winter days when the sky looks like it might snow and I realize I'm out of ingredients to make hot chocolate."

Additionally, by placing the songs in a horrible sequence, the iPod shuffle highlights the weaknesses of one's music collection instead of the strengths. After a few bad songs in a row, I begin to second-guess my taste in music. Why, for instance, do I still have that one Ludacris song on there -- or entire albums by Mastodon, Journey, or The Magic Numbers when all I need is a handful of songs? Also, there seems to be too much Beatles and Roxy Music and not nearly enough Wilco or Springsteen. And why play only my least favorite songs by my favorite bands?

I know: It's not my iPod's fault. It's mine; chalk it up to human error. Maybe I need to erase certain songs and add others. Or, even more daunting, I should probably convert my vinyl collection into MP3s. But wouldn't that make it worse? Wouldn't even more randomness just start to feel like nothingness?

The drawbacks of the shuffle feature mean more work for the listener -- and iPod shuffle should be about passivity, about letting go. I suppose that's the crux of the problem for me. In the shuffle mode, I spend most of my time hitting fast forward until I find a song I feel like listening to; I can't help but try to carve out a story. I love contrast and the blending of genres, so it's not about disparity. It is, however, about intention. What iPod shuffle lacks is one of the best parts of a great mix -- album sequence, or a justification for why one song follows another.

Or maybe I'm just a control freak and I don't like surprises.

But just for fun, set your iTunes or iPod to "shuffle" and see if you like (or can even tolerate) the order of the first five songs. I'm certain that at least a few of you will be itching to get to a song you actually feel like hearing.

I believe in Hollywood, don't believe that love must bring despair

2008-07-10T16:14:00.002-04:00

"Because when I hold her in my arms, I feel like Fred Astaire."

This post's going to be a little rambling, a little reminiscing and a little bit of me catching up on all the crap that I haven't blogged about in forever... Like what I've been watching, reading and listening to lately.

I'm listening to James right now, a band that, despite having had a big hit with "Laid" back in the 90s, I'm convinced only exists in Rochester -- despite all the members being from Glasgow or wherever. Maybe Julia knows what I mean. Seems like I've only ever heard this song and other James classics on WBER. I miss WBER. I miss Rochester. Record Archive. Seabreeze. HOG.

Anyway. I was loading stuff onto my iPod the other night and came across a mix CD from late high school/early college. Lots of WBER stuff. Mostly James's "Billionaires" and a Splashdown song. James is good.

Of course, as I was typing about James... A co-worker asked me what I was listening to. I said James. He said: "Oh, `Laid.'" Yes, "Laid"! So, now, with the exception of "Laid," James doesn't exist out of Rochester. He couldn't name anything else by the band. Not even "Crash".

Hmm, started the "John Adams" series the other night.

Finished Chuck Palahniuk's "Rant" last week and started "Snuff" the next day. Stayed up late last night after the Jammers game to finish "Snuff". It was good. A simpler read after "Rant".

Lori just bought season 4 of "Beverly Hills 90210". They're in college. Drama. Brenda's back from France and horning in on Kelly's relationship with Dylan. And Andrea's not joining the paper. Plus Steve's trying to get Dylan to join a frat, but Dylan's likely going to run for politics. And that's just one episode!

My life is lame.

Five Hot Dogs

2008-07-09T13:59:00.002-04:00

After work today, Lori and I went to the Jamestown Jammers game against Brooklyn.

Local band King Rail played a set before the show. It was a Dollar Night. Each season, the Jammers designate a certain night as Dollar Night. Last year it was Monday, maybe Tuesday. This year it's Wednesday.

Wednesdays are good for me.

On Dollar Night, admission is a dollar... Hot dogs are a dollar... And drafts of Bud and Bud Light are a dollar.

After snacking on grapes and carrots all day, I feasted on five hot dogs over the course of three hours.

It was a good time spent with family and friends. Jammers won. King Rail rocked. Cotton candy and nachos were also purchased.

Been a long time, friend

2008-07-06T23:58:00.001-04:00

Uh. Just watched "Donnie Darko" and "Boondock Saints" today. Sunday. It's really 1:50 a.m. early Monday morning, but I'm a backdater. And I'm anticipating a Monday post.

Also, finished Chuck Palahniuk's "Rant" last week and started "Snuff."

Spent most of this Fourth of July weekend at the Great Blue Heron Music Festival with my lady.

Here's a picture of the Avett Brothers:

I'm sure more will follow.

Exciting stuff.

Hatebreed at the Town Ballroom

2008-06-24T23:59:00.001-04:00

From Friday's show:

Jager Music Tour

2008-06-21T17:35:00.001-04:00

I went to Buffalo last night for the Jager Music Tour.

Feed the Nick Dean

2008-06-19T17:41:00.002-04:00

Finished season one of "The Wire" last night. Exciting stuff.

Also, I'd watched "The Godfather II" earlier this week. Parallels.

Just downloaded Girl Talk's new CD "Feed The Animals" from Illegal Art. Free. Click the link.

BLoG?!

2008-06-18T02:08:00.001-04:00

Been watching a lot of "The Wire."

Kima got shot. Oh, damn!

Took my bike out of the basement the other day and rode it around listening to No Age. Then I ate at Wendy's.

Movies, Interviews

2008-06-05T17:31:00.003-04:00

Seen a crap-load of movies in the last few weeks: "Flakes," "30 Days Of Night," "Revolver," and "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" among others...

And just yesterday got confirmation on three interviews I get to do this month: Jamey from Hatebreed, Brendon from Dethklok/Adult Swim and Rob from Chimaira.

Doodily doodly doo!

New Blog

2008-06-03T23:48:00.002-04:00

From Justin Goetz...

Vert Is Dead.

At The Drive-In

2008-05-27T22:44:00.002-04:00

My lady and I went to the drive-in on Sunday. We saw the new Indiana Jones movie and Iron Man.

The picture at right was taken from outside the snack shack, not our parking spot. We were really close... Second row or something. The screen filled the windshield. It was my first time at a drive-in. It was pretty cool.

Indiana Jones sucked in spots, but Iron Man ruled. I think Lori was asleep before Stark finished making his suit, but whatever... I was wired from Red Bull, cotton candy, popcorn, Coke, nachos, pizza and more.

Watching Stuff

2008-05-21T02:25:00.002-04:00

Lori and I are watching "The X-Files" from start to finish. We're in the middle of season one now. Also, I just returned season one of "The Sarah Silverman Show" to Blockbuster. AND just watched my first episode of "The Wire." Movie-wise, nothing much has been going on. Re-watched "Unbreakable." It was Lori's first time. And watched "Sunshine" this past weekend... That's all.

The Good Times Are Killing Me

2008-05-15T02:05:00.004-04:00

Sorry for all the photos of late. I should've just uploaded them to my Flickr as I went. But it made updates here so easy... I slipped right out of the habit of writing any words with my posts.

Plus I've got this new thing going. And this other project. I've already given up blogging at that last link. Diminishing returns, I suppose.

Blah.

Perhaps it's time to set my iPod to shuffle and start blogging about random songs again.

Alternate title for this post: The workweek is killing me. Ever since starting back on Monday, I've gotten progressively sicker. Of course, staying up 'til all hours blogging ain't exactly helping.

Another photo of Fuck Buttons

2008-05-14T23:59:00.000-04:00

One last Caribou photo, I promise

2008-05-13T23:59:00.001-04:00

Fuck Buttons

2008-05-08T02:33:00.001-04:00

From Sunday's Caribou show in Buffalo. Fuck Buttons:

Another Caribou Photo

2008-05-07T02:57:00.001-04:00

Caribou at Soundlab

2008-05-06T03:12:00.004-04:00

I saw Caribou at Soundlab in Buffalo on Sunday night. It was a group outing with most all the Forte crew.

Goetz, you were missed... But I don't mind solo drives. Been a while since I've had alone time like that just to listen to music.

And then there was the togetherness of the show. And this photo, among others:

High Places at Alfred

2008-05-05T12:46:00.002-04:00

A picture of the other band we went to see at Alfred. Lots of drunk kids danced.

No Age at Alfred

2008-05-03T16:32:00.005-04:00

I went to see No Age and High Places play Alfred last night... Me, Lori, Mike and Goetz. It was a long drive there, and a longer drive back.

Long Weekend, Good Weekend

2008-04-30T23:13:00.001-04:00

The workweek began with another anonymous letter... But rather than bitch about one reader's gripes with my entertainment coverage, I'll rehash my expensive and enjoyable weekend.

Forte was closed last week, which meant I had Thursday and Saturday nights off from Bartending. April 19th was Lori and mine's four year anniversary. It was a Saturday and a big night at the bar, so I worked. Which was fine. More than fine, actually. I'm posting pictures online as I type this.

But with the night off this past weekend, Lori and I decided to spend some time out of town. We got a jacuzzi room at the Millenium in Buffalo and checked in at about 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon.

We'd stayed there twice before, but both times revolved around another trip. This time, the hotel was the vacation. We were right next to the pool and swam quite a bit both Saturday and Sunday. The room ran $200-something, but included $100 food package in the price -- which we spent at the hotel restaurant and bar. It's quite a deal. I mean, we had intended to rent a room and then eat somewhere in Buffalo and bar hop... But this way, we stayed in the hotel, enjoyed the room we were paying for and essentially got $100 free to eat and drink with.

Blah blah blah. It was a pretty good time. We just lounged and watched random shit on TV, a Harry Potter movie, the Selena movie and "Blue Crush."

We went to the mall both Saturday and Sunday. I bought some dress shirts, new plugs and other shit. And I also bought a new iPod, after much deliberation.

So, Sunday we woke up, had lunch at Mighty Taco and hit a flea market... spending hours walking just walking around. We bought random stuff. A Bruce Lee wall hanging (pictured), some Bruce Lee movies and a violin. Lori's been talking about buying (and learning to play) a violin for months now, and we got a used one at the flea market. Of course, we have no idea how to tune it or care for it let alone play it... But all in good time.

Long weekend, good weekend. That's enough blathering for now.

Where I Spent My Sunday

2008-04-28T14:04:00.001-04:00

Oakley Hall at Mojo's in Jamestown on Saturday

2008-04-24T15:21:00.003-04:00

As mentioned a post or so back, I interviewed Pat Sullivan (of Oakley Hall) on Tuesday. The band will play Mojo's in Jamestown this weekend.

"We're doing just a little small tour at the moment, not a crazy one," Sullivan said before a gig at the Grog Shop in Cleveland. "The Constantines are going out and they're old friends, so... We're sort of in a lull right now in terms of being on the road, but saw that they were going out. And when they invited us, we couldn't refuse the camaraderie and the good times. So, that's why we find ourselves out here yet again."

‘‘It’s our first time in Jamestown and it should be kind of a crazy show,’’ Sullivan said. ‘‘We’re a pretty road tested band. We’ve toured our faces off in the last few years. I think I have friends in Seattle and L.A. that I’ve seen more than my friends in New York. And in that time, we’ve played a gajillion cities, small towns and places the size of Jamestown. ... Jamestown is pretty close to New York and we hope to have a good time. Maybe we’ll put it on the routing for future tours.’’

Sensitive/Lethal

2008-04-23T01:57:00.005-04:00

Surprise! A new three-track Thurston Moore noise EP!

More about Sensitive/Lethal!!!

Sun, Sun, Sun

2008-04-22T18:06:00.002-04:00

Last night I signed up for eMusic.

Today I interviewed Oakley Hall's Pat Sullivan.

Then I wrote the following blah blah blah on a MySpace blog, re-read it, deleted it and decided to post it here. Just randomness about spring and an album by the Elected.

The Elected's "Sun, Sun, Sun" came out Jan. 24, 2006 and shortly thereafter I spoke with frontman Blake Sennett about the album's warm, sunny, California feel.

I told him I lived in Western New York and that releasing the album mid-winter was kind of cruel. We laughed about that. Then I wrote up a review of the CD and a piece for Aural Minority about my interview with Sennett. Then I put "Sun, Sun, Sun" away for the rest of the winter.

A short month or so later, when the weather began to break in March, "Sun, Sun, Sun" went back into heavy rotation on my iPod... And has every March/April since then. It's a beautiful record to listen to as the world thaws and Sennett sings of broken, breaking and soon-to-be broke up relationships. Jenny Lewis? That was the big discussion at the time. I mean, a solo album from each of Rilo Kiley's main members releaesd on the same day? But I digresss...

I was such an emo fuck back in those Fredonia end days. Ha. Where's my Cursive hoodie now? At the bottom of a hamper, never to be washed or worn again. Yet, still... "Sun, Sun, Sun" made its way back into my ears in the spring of 2007. And surprisingly (though maybe it shouldn't be), just recently. And, alas, it's almost May now... So this is my goodbye to the Sub Pop release. I'll see you next spring.

One Weekend, Two Shows

2008-04-21T22:13:00.001-04:00

Friday, May 2 - No Age and High Places at SUNY Alfred.
Sunday, May 4 - Caribou and Fuck Buttons at Soundlab in Buffalo.

Cherry On Fire

2008-04-16T16:58:00.002-04:00

From yesterday's fire on Cherry Street in the city of Jamestown:

Rundown

2008-04-15T22:40:00.003-04:00

FRIDAY, April 11
Got into work early. Fridays are usually 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. for me, or later if I take a dinner break... But I got out at like 7 p.m. and went to pick up dinner. Got to the pizza place at precisely the time that they said the pizza would be ready, but they told me they hadn't even started it yet. Then I went out to the car for 15 minutes, talked to Lori on my cell phone and went back into the restaurant. They let me stand there for 10 more minutes even though my order was ready and sitting on top of the oven. Two people asked my my name and what my order was, but they never went and checked on it... They must've just been wondering about my name and details, but not really interested in servicing me.

So I eventually paid for the food and headed back out to the car only to find that I'd locked my keys inside. So I put the food on the car's roof and called Lori. As soon as I hung up, two twelve-year-old girls in a nearby van started shouting "Hey hottie," which (on top of everything else) was almost enough to make me commit murder. By that point I was furious with everything from work being lame and the pizza delay to locking my keys in the car, that I literally wanted to smash face on pavement and see blood. But I didn't, so kudos for me.

Then Lori called back to say that she'd found my spare set of keys, but locked herself out of the apartment without her own car keys. Pretty comical stuff... So Lori called her mom who was finishing dinner at Davidson's with a friend. A short while later, they picked up Lori and the three of them rescued me from what was anything but a Perfect Pizza Evening. The 'za and wings tasted alright. They just needed a little reheating. And as always, everything went down easily with a few drinks... There was a Dr. Pepper with vodka, a Jager Bomb and a few Fuzzy Navels.

SATURDAY, April 12
Woke up feeling strangely sick, but not distinctly hungover. Had a bit of a stomach pain and some other odd aches and ailments. Pooped. Then puked. Then groaned, moaned and cleaned up for a late-morning staff meeting at Forte. Felt better once I had some coffee and donuts and saw most everyone else was in the same condition I was in. It was a surprisingly fun time for a staff meeting, which is just another testament to the fact that I work at an awesome place.

Finished the meeting. Met Lori, her sister, her mom and her mom's visiting guest at the mall. Did some shopping. Bought work pants, sandals, slippers and a CD... Then watched TV with Lori, cleaned up around the apartment and spent the evening working at Forte.

SUNDAY, April 12
Woke up. Watched an episode of "Freaks and Geeks" with Lori, ollowed by "There Will Be Blood." Showered and debated our dinner options for a half hour. Opted for Patria, a fancy restaurant at the Seneca Allegany Casino. We were going to go to Fredonia, but as the casino's roughly the same distance... So we opted for dinner and gambling. We'd been to Patria once before, on a big group outing with the Forte staff. That trip was a great time 'cause of the company, but our entrees were a little tastier this second time around. Had a great time overall. Did the whole up, down, up, down thing with gambling, but Lori won big. Big, big. And I left ahead of what I went in with, so it was a great time.

MONDAY, April 13
Woke up. Worked at The Post-Journal. Had Johnny's Lunch for dinner. Attended a North Harmony Town Board meeting. Got home before midnight and had a few Southern Tier Raspberry Porter beers and loaded music videos onto my PSP.

TUESDAY, April 14
Another day at The Post-Journal. Interviewed Jon Bell and Andrew Harrington about the record store they're opening in Jamestown this weekend. Also, got to go to a fire. It was pretty intense... Full-on in flames. And the flames burned a power line, which made for even more fireworks and craziness.

Mr. Fancy Pants

2008-04-10T16:10:00.008-04:00

After strutting around in a suit all day at work yesterday, I took my lady to the White Inn for an awards banquet put on by the Arts Council for Chautauqua County. I wish I would've gotten a picture of me in my fancy pants.

The dinner was a part of the Arts Council's second annual Arts Awards event... And I was accepting an award for The Post-Journal. The Arts Council named the paper (and The Dunkirk OBSERVER) as having been Arts Advocates in the last year. I got a kind little introduction and said a few words.

Plus Lori and I got to hang out with a favorite bartender of ours who used to work at the (no longer in existence) Two Brothers' Restaurant in Fredonia. Then we went to a few bars we haven't been to in forever. Ah, Fredonia...

But back to the dinner. Before they handed out the awards, the Arts Council had an auction to raise money. There was about 21 items ranging from gift baskets from local restaurants and a week's vacation in Maine ti a ride with a stunt pilot... Some pretty cool stuff.

Lori and I figured we wouldn't win anything, since it was all pretty pricey and because it was a benefit fundraiser for the The Arts Council... But I wanted to bid on something, so I started the bidding on the Matt Hall painting that was up for sale. It was valued for $900 or something and I ended up getting it for a third of that, which was pretty surprising. All the other items had pretty much been going for the prices they were valued at.

So, a pretty good night. Drinks, dinner, old haunts and a surprise purchase. And just because, here's a pic of me, the award I accepted for The Post-Journal and our new Matt Hall painting:

Looking To Get Intimate With Local Couple

2008-04-07T21:47:00.003-04:00

Misleading headline aside, I actually have a genuine question/request for the half-dozen people who take the time to check this blog.

I'm wondering if anyone knows a "young couple" who would want to be interviewed for a story on how the average family is coping with increasing food/gas prices. Perhaps you're half a couple yourself, or a single parent with kids or even just a single individual starting out on a fixed budget... Just give me a shout. Or nominate someone you think fits the above description.

It's for The P-J, so I'm looking for someone in the Jamestown/Southern Chautauqua County area. And my editors want an in-depth, tug-on-the-heart-strings type piece... So, I gotta come take pictures of you and your bare cupboards.

In It To Win It

2008-04-07T16:47:00.005-04:00

I'm not a sports guy.

That said, I'm in the running to win some money if Memphis wins tonight's NCAA Championship Game. So, GO TIGERS!

My reasons are random, but whatever... I picked 'em going all the way last year and this year again in The Post-Journal's office pool.

Explosions And A Photo From The Circus

2008-04-04T16:14:00.004-04:00

Going to see Explosions in the Sky tonight at The Tralf in Buffalo.

The pic below is from Tuesday at the circus. It's kind of blurry, but I like that about it. That and the colors.

Mulder And Scully Kiss!

2008-04-02T14:44:00.005-04:00

It may be old news, but today's the first time I've seen it... A smuggled-out snapshot of Mulder and Scully kissing onset of the new "X-Files" movie.

The film's slated to hit theaters on July 25. And now I'm going to bump season one to the top of my Blockbuster Online queue.

Pizza Slut

2008-04-01T22:00:00.007-04:00

Had Pizza Hut for dinner, salad bar and a single slice of a Stuffed Crust/Meat Lovers with a Cherry Pepsi to drink. Then I stopped by Blockbuster to pick up "Into the Wild" and the fourth disc of "Freaks and Geeks."

Then I went to the circus... For work. Slipped in after it started and took some photos. Working at a newspaper can be cool like that sometimes.

Also, Lori and I did our taxes at H&R Block before dinner at Pizza Slut.

Oy Vey!

2008-04-01T13:18:00.005-04:00

Lori, her mother and I ate at Ruby Tuesdays on Sunday, then went to the casino. Prior to lunch and the gambling trip, we were at the mall. I bought dress shoes and Lori and I went halfsies on two Weezer CDs, the blue one and the green one. I also got a used copy of Peter, Bjorn and John's "Writer's Block" CD.

Then it was Monday and I took pictures of an elephant, as in the last post and likely the next post.

Today's my late night at The Post-Journal. I have to do my taxes or have my taxes done, I'm not particular. Also, I'm done taking my Vicodin. And thankfully, it's not as bad as last time.

Life's A Circus

2008-03-31T07:34:00.005-04:00

Today I took pictures of an elephant.

Her name is Susie.

April 1st is her 40th birthday. No joke!

Look at her pose!
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Busy Day

2008-03-29T17:35:00.003-04:00

Watched "Atonement," "Rescue Dawn," "A Good Year" and opened the Shipyard level on "Tony Hawk."

Unlocked!

2008-03-28T17:57:00.002-04:00

Opened the Kona Skate Park.

Back to work

2008-03-27T17:41:00.002-04:00

Took off Monday for my gum surgery and both Tuesday and Wednesday to recuperate. Spent the entirety of the time on Hydrocodone - which is a combination of codeine and thebaine better known as Vicodin. At least that's what the Wikipedia page tells me.

During my fake vacation I watched "Shoot 'em Up," "Dan In Real Life," "The Searchers," disc two of "Metalocalypse: Season One," disc three of "Freaks and Geeks" and a documentary about the history of the word Fuck - which was sort of superficial and actually wasn't all that good.

Also, I opened up the Alcatraz level on "Tony Hawk ProSkater 4."

Gummo

2008-03-24T12:23:00.007-04:00

Went to the dentist today.

With my chipped tooth now fixed and three of my four wisdom teeth just recently removed, I figured it was time for gum surgery.

The backstory: I brush too hard. And years of brushing too hard has eroded my gum line in certain places. Not all my teeth, just the four corner ones - two top, two bottom. But only one is/was bad enough to necessitate surgery.

And how does one correct this? Gum Graft. The dentist (periodontist, actually) cut a piece of skin from the roof of my mouth. Then, he props the receding gum line open and slides the new piece underneath and sows (sews?) the two together. I've included a picture to hopefully nauseate you, dear reader... As if the description weren't awesome enough!

The blue line shows where my gum line used to be. The green is pointing to the new graft. See how it jumps up on the one tooth there, that whole section used to be exposed tooth. Now it's grafted gum skin from the roof of my mouth.

Now, these aren't my teeth... But I googled "Gum Graft" and found a nice before and after shot.

All in all, not too terrible a time.

My periodontist is pretty great. I had been wary at first because he doesn't knock people out, just uses novovaine. But my wisdom teeth came out fine and healed fast. And today's surgery was decent enough. I'm just a bit sore. And have to wear this retainer thing to cover the roof of my mouth. More tomorrow. I'm hella-tired right now.

Utility Belt or Glorified Fanny Pack?

2008-03-20T14:26:00.004-04:00

Someone just pointed out that the belt on my Batman action figure is a bit clunky. I'd noticed it before, but the comment gave way to a discussion over the accessory's actually being a fanny pack. I think we were both just a little upset... We were trying to get Batman into a birthing pose and the utility belt was stopping us from getting thighs closer to his chest.

For further reading, the Batman Utility Belt Wikipedia page.

So far today...

2008-03-17T16:03:00.001-04:00

I've been called Dick, Dean and, just now, for the first time in my life, someone shortened Nick Dean to simply Nean.

Salamanca Shows

2008-03-14T23:56:00.002-04:00

The Blues Brothers played the Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca tonight.

Earlier this afternoon, the Seneca Gaming Corporation's publicity manager sent me a schedule of other coming events.

The Rock'n'Roll:

April 19 - The Black Crowes
June 28 - Huey Lewis and the News
July 11 - Creedence Clearwater Revisited
August 1 - Peter Frampton
August 23 - Goo Goo Dolls
September 6 - Chicago

Weekend Watching

2008-03-11T22:31:00.005-04:00

Watched "The Darjeeling Limited" after work on Friday. Then Sunday, Lori and I watched "Family Guy: Blue Harvest" and disc one of "Freaks and Geeks: Season One."

Then last night I plowed through disc one of "Metalocalypse: Season One."

Waiting to be watched are disc one of "Curb Your Enthusiasm: Season Five" and "Lust, Caution."

AIDS, baby...

2008-03-11T16:33:00.002-04:00

I just made fellow Post-Journal reporter Jessye Wasmund listen to "We Multiply" from AIDS Wolf's "The Lovvers LP."

She said it sounded like someone getting raped to guitar riffs.

New Tunes, Bought and Borrowed

2008-03-06T16:13:00.003-05:00

I've procured a whole lot of music of late -- some bought and some borrowed.

Since my last round of purchases, I've picked up Tom Waits' "Small Change" and Yoav's "Charmed and Strange" as well as the triple-disc Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds "B-sides and Rarities" and their double CD/DVD "Abattoir Blues Tour" collection.

All four of those purchases were made yesterday while I was on assignment in Erie. Aside from Wal-Mart and Starbucks, FYE in the Chautauqua Mall is the only place that sells CDs. And their prices are ridiculous... Likely because they've got no real competition. So when I go to Buffalo or Erie, I splurge.

In addition CDs I've bought, I've been given a couple of albums by friends for me to burn and return. The few that come to mind include Jeremy Egnik's solo CD, The Fire Theft's debut, Sunny Day Real Estate's "The Rising Tide" as well as the first White Zombie CD and Rob Zombie's greatest hits.

A Quick One

2008-03-05T23:43:00.002-05:00

I did this. I did that. It was like any other day, week, month or year.

But specifically... I watched "In The Valley Of Elah" Monday night. I returned it yesterday and picked up "The Darjeeling Limited" as well as disc one of "Curb Your Enthusiasm: Season Five." I'd finished the fourth season sometime early last week, but hadn't had time to get to Blockbuster. Movie and TV DVD watching slowed down right after the Oscars. I did a little iPod updating, read a magazine or two and started that Palahniuk book... But it looks like time on the couch watching shit is about to resume.

I also picked up disc four of "The Office." I forget which season is currently on, four? Either way, I'd seen most of the last season when it aired (with the Survivor episode and the Jan getting fired finale), but I started renting the DVDs a while ago to re-watch the entire series and just never stuck with it because I got into "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Blah blah blah. But this is the last disc. So, whatever.

And lastly, the roads and sidewalks of Southern Chautauqua County were shit last night. Everything was covered in ice. I was leaving JCC at about 9 a.m. (after covering something for the paper) and as soon as I stepped onto the sidewalk, I was on my ass. It was one of those falls where I could see both my feet in the air and eye level with me before my back hit the ground. And I was at a weird angle when I hit, so now my neck's all fucked up. I think it has something to do with the way it bounced... like after being rear-ended. My back hit/left shoulder hit ground and my head whiplashed and then hit concrete. I think I pulled a muscle or something because it's hurt all day today, whenever I look left or right or otherwise move it.