Crescent Venus

Last night we stumbled upon a few sidewalk astronomy enthusiasts who pointed out the Crescent Venus in the sky. Aha! They had set up big telescopes on the corner of Irving & 9th Avenue, attracting a small crowd of city stargazers who stood in line and waited patiently for a close up glimpse of crescent moon lined up with planet Venus. OOOOooooooo. Just a reminder to look up sometimes.

Callie and Neko

Talking Music. (but the music was the best part.)

Theresa Gets Mobbed

Every once in a while I have the opportunity to invite someone who uploads videos to the place to stop by and perform at the place -- usually in front of a bunch of engineers who have forgotten all about the real people who are behind the success of the place. Theresa A. (an amazing Swedish musician now New Orleanian) will also perform on the Conan O'Brien Show on 2/4. I doubt that they have will as many engineers in the crowd who will rush the stage after the performance.

My favorite part?
This vinyl LP was looped into the mix -- just add a little Smokey.

Barfly Sunday

Just another night perched on a bar stool - watching the Chef stomping through the Sunday Savoy Night @ the Al*emb*c.
Even DJ Big Cookie had the opportunity to imbibe.

Perspective Duck

A big thank you to Rodeo Queen, who reminded about the magic Perspective Duck. It's all rushing back to me and making me feel better -- the life saving squeak-quack and all. I bet I still have that little duck in a box somewhere in the garage. Like I thought I was done with needing perspective. The search is back on!

Go Getters

I was in the bathroom at work when I heard in the next stall....clickity clickity clickity and then ping ping followed by clickity clickity click. That's right. The f*&cking Go Getters take their lap tops into the bathroom so that absolutely nothing interrupts their constant connection with technology. Would Miss Manners approve?

My Favorite Music of 2008

If anyone tells you that there isn't any good music these days, please give them a punch from me. These are just a few of my favorites from 2008.
Al Green "Lay It Down" (Blue Note)
*I played this CD for my mom and she thought I discovered Al Green.
Herman Dune "Next Year in Zion"
*French Scandahoovians? So sweet, the "safe place" lyric will make you weepy.
Dawn Landes "Fireproof" (Cooking Vinyl)
*you say Lucinda, I say Dawn Landes. Banjo alert!
The Dodos "Visitor" (French Kiss)
*local kids who tour with a giant marimba. Witnessed live at SXSW (thanks Scrabbel).
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds "Dig! Lazurus Dig!" (Anti)
*disclaimer, I've had a Nick Cave revival going on in my head for the last two years.
Kelly Stoltz "Circular Sounds" (Sub Pop)
* I saw Kelly sing a duet w/ his mom. Just add bubble machine.
Monade "Monstre Cosmic" (Too Pure)
* French! Stereolab! The perfect background music to ANYTHING.
Bon Iver "For Emma, Forever Ago" (Jagjaguwar)
*From Wisconsin, but the "wrote songs while living in cabin in the woods and eating venison" PR hype really cracks me up.
various "Calypsoul 70 - Caribbean Soul & Calypso Crossover 1960-1970" (Strut)
* just groovy.
Notwist "The Devil, You & Me" (Domino)
* Germans can sing blip hop melodies too
William Parker Quartet "Petit Oiseau" (Aum Fidelity)
* I always love it when the "out" jazz folk go "straight ahead".
Evangelicals "The Evening Descends" (Dead Oceans)
*cheery indie noise, nothing born-again about it.
Frightened Rabbit "The Midnight Organ Fight" (Fat Cat)
*disclaimer. Scotland!
2 Foot Yard "Borrowed Items" (Yard Work)
*disclaimer member Carla Kihlstedt played at our wedding as part of Tin Hat Trio
Ponytail "Ice Cream Spiritual" (We Are Free)
* Need some screaming? here it is!
Del the Funky Homosapien "Eleventh Hour" (Definitive Jux)
*old school hip-hop for old people. but young people like it too.
Son Lux "At War With Walls & Mazes" (Anticon)
* this has nothing to do with Son Volt.
David Byrne & Brian Eno "Everything That Happens Will Happen Today" (Opal)
* The Chef both downloaded this and then bought it on CD. This is his pick.
Goh Nakamura "Ulysses" (self-released)
*disclaimer, I am pals w/ Goh and his crew, including album art wizard DJ Big Cookie -- but I would love this album regardless.
Port O'Brien "All We Could Do Was Sing"
*Indie folk! Pleasant!
Mochipet "Microphonepet" (Daly City Records)
* disclaimer, I met David Wang and admire his punk rock attitude. However Mochipet is NOT punk rock. But he wears a dragon costume when he DJs which is totally punk rock
Flight of the Conchords s/t (Sub Pop)
* This is a comedy CD, and I like to laugh.
Minisnap "Bounce Around" (Pocket)
* NEW ZEALAND alert and former member of THE BATs.
Justin Townes Earle "The Good Life" (Bloodshot)
* disclaimer, I'm a Steve Earle fan and cynical, but son Justin Townes is his own real deal.
TV on the Radio "Golden Age (Universal)
* I usually think this band is over hyped, but this CD lives up to it.
King Khan & the Shrines "Supreme Genius" (Vice)
* Garage rock meets Little Richard!
Death Vessel "Nothing is Precious Enough for Us" (Sub Pop)
* Their name screams heavy metal, but that would be untrue.
Thao w/ the Get Down Stay Down "We Brave Bee Stings and All" (Kill Rock Stars)
* disclaimer, I was on a plane from NYC with Thao and overhead her conversation where she was explained to the woman next to her that she was in a band. I thought. wow! It's thao!

Plus, I'm still listening to and tracking down the "Eccentric Soul" series CDs. Each one is a winner, no matter the year.

New Robe

Best X-mas robe ever. cats+snow+trees+flannel.

Resisting 2009

Why does it seem like I finally made it to the finish line, collapsed in a soggy heap only to realize I have to get up and begin again. Really? I was under the illusion that if I tried very hard my reward would be an entire year of sleep, but Borpoh & I have to start all over. Dammit. Why kant iz ignore mez? Don't tell Borpoh.

Okay, fine. Happy New Year. Just give me a few more days to get the hang of it and I'll be okay.