Friday, July 30, 2004
Alrighty folks... this will brighten up your Friday afternoons. Check out this commerical for "Americans Coming Together" that features Will Ferrell as George W. Bush.
TIME photographer Christopher Morris's take on the Democratic National Convention. These are great photos with a unique perspective on the DNC. Enjoy!
http://www.time.com/time/election2004/photoessay/dnc_polaroids/?cnn=yes
Who watched the DNC last night? Hopefully you tuned into the much-despised CNN for the end of Kerry's speech. You could hear the DNC coordinator screaming, "I need more balloons, now! Why aren't more balloons falling? Jesus! Where are the balloons? ...etc"
I was told that he also dropped the F-Bomb, but didn't catch that myself. Great stuff!
I was told that he also dropped the F-Bomb, but didn't catch that myself. Great stuff!
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
I haven't read it yet, but check out this article about a book entitled "Hello Laziness - The Art and the Importance of Doing the Least Possible at the Workplace". This has to be the best book ever.
(thanks to Hillary for the link)
(thanks to Hillary for the link)
(Thanks to WiredVideo.com for the link.)
In the past, my conservative friends have always said that CNN stands for the "Clinton News Network". After watching the Democratic National Convention last night, I'm beginning to think it stands for "Conservative News Network".
Last night's program director kept placing cameras on the craziest looking people in the audience. At one point, they zoomed in on a insane-looking woman who was crying during the national anthem. Another time, they framed an extremely effeminate man dancing to James Brown. However, the capper was when a sleeping Rob Reiner was caught on camera during the Gephart speech.
Seems like someone's trying to drive folks away from the Democratic Party by portraying the convention-goers as nut jobs. If this is the network's goal, they should've just aired more of the night's boring speeches. Man, were they dreadful (with the exception of the Obama speech).
Last night's program director kept placing cameras on the craziest looking people in the audience. At one point, they zoomed in on a insane-looking woman who was crying during the national anthem. Another time, they framed an extremely effeminate man dancing to James Brown. However, the capper was when a sleeping Rob Reiner was caught on camera during the Gephart speech.
Seems like someone's trying to drive folks away from the Democratic Party by portraying the convention-goers as nut jobs. If this is the network's goal, they should've just aired more of the night's boring speeches. Man, were they dreadful (with the exception of the Obama speech).
This is a new column that will feature ranting by everyone's favorite comment-meister, Robo-Dave.
Guten tag day jobbers! Starting this new robo weekly column for yous guys to comment on if you feel like it. I feel I've earned my right to break out of the comment section on one occasion each week. I don't really have anything to say because I sort of blew my opinional wad (does that make sense) yesterday talking about what a deushe bag that Bro daniel son gimmic havin treehouse building tool is. Hope the show was great last night hilary by the way.
Anyway, I just want to make a point about shitty bands. thank god I'm not in one, but if I were, I would be listening up to robo-dave. Attention shitty bands: Please quit and do something else with your life. Or kill yourself. Either way, we win. How do you tell if you're shitty? If you listen to the following band: nickleback. They are the fucking anti christ I tell you! the fucking anti christ!! Another way to tell if you're shitty. After gigging for awhile, if people still don't by your cds or come to your shows, you're shitty. Yes, some bands that ended up good, started out sucking and might have even sucked for years, but you only hear about the ones that ended up good. There are way more suck shit bands that kept at it for years because they thought that if they kept at and worked, eventually they'd make it. Thats such a bunch of bull shit. If you suck, you suck, and you will always suck. So deal with it, quit, go to dental school, and retire when you're 40. Otherwise, you'll be 40, band broke up when you're were 35, and you've spent the last 5 years getting that college degree you missed out on, while working full time, feeding your mal-nourished kids, and livin like a bitch. This scenario is the reality for the majority of sucker musicians who think they should be in a band.
And don't buy into this " i don't play music to make money man! ...I play it to create art" Hey Asshole, only in germany is creating a big brown nasty turd and rubbing it in someone's face considered art. Hey deushe bags: God created everything including music right? But he also created musicians, and he also created fans. Some fuckers were just meant to be fans. So deal with it. Quit wasting our time. Quit taking up space on the showbill. Quit trying to swap shows with other bands. Quit recording shit and putting it up on the internet. Just fucking quit!
- Robo-Dave
I can't tell you how excited I was to read that Don Chambers + GOAT and Kimberly Morgan & The Everloving Band were going to be playing together at the 40 Watt tonight. These are two of the best bands I've seen emerge from this town in a while and putting both of them together in the best-sounding (when there's not all that chatter) club in town - well, that's just genius.
Here are the valid reasons to not be in the audience tonight:
-You are one of the billions of humans since the dawn of time to have fallen victim to death.
-You are just finding out about this now and live too far away to make it by plane in time*.
-You hate music. (You don't hate music, do you?)
-The Apocalypse begins or nuclear war breaks out*.
-You are in one of those bands.
Otherwise, by all means, find your way down to the Watt, and check out what will undoubtedly be one of the best shows this year.
(*=You should probably still try, just in case.)
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
(Found via Summer's Kiss: an Afghan Whigs/Twilight Singers site.)
Found this beautiful picture of Paris via zeldman.com.
It makes for some nice daydreaming material at work.
It makes for some nice daydreaming material at work.
And while we're on their subject, check out their links page (on the flash version of their site). It's awesome and has links to really good sites like T-Shirt Hell.
(Without a doubt, this is NOT work-safe. Even the URL for their site could get you in trouble. But it's probably worth it.)
You can see Brother Danielson and The Late B.P. Helium play at the 40 Watt. Hillary Brown, who herself runs an excellent blog, wrote this great interview/article with Dan Smith for this week's Flagpole. I've never heard him play, but Hillary's article makes me want to. 'Sides, BPH is good enough to merit the cost anyway.
Monday, July 26, 2004
I finally read "A Confederacy of Dunces" last week, and quite enjoyed it. While reading it, I kept imagining what a great movie the book would make. As it turns out, IMDB has a little info on a currently stalled adaptation of the book.
Will Ferrell as Ignatius? Drew Barrymore as Darlene? Mos Def as Jones? Lily Tomlin as Irene? Whoah! Let's hope this happens.
Ken Stringfellow, ex-Posies frontman, is gonna be at the Caledonia tonight. Strinfellow has worked quite a bit with the boys in REM, and the Flagpole says there's supposed to be "special guests" at tonight's show.... Stipey alert.
(Thanks to Memepool.com for the link!)
Hope For Agoldensummer, Madeline, and DJ Twin Powers play the 40 Watt for Madeline's going away party. There's some faux-witty journalistic play on words to be made here with "Kissing and Dancing" (the title of Madeline's album), but it's early on a Monday. Feel free to come up with your own...
Just wanted to say a big thank you to The Stand-Ins, Annaray, and everyone who showed up to pack the closing of party for the International House of Chaos on Saturday night. The music was awesome, the crowd was cool, and the evening was a memorable one.
And if there's anyone out there who likes to host house parties and is looking for a new place to live (it's cheap!), IHOC is still up for lease; the folks who currently have the place are hoping the tradition will continue after them (as it started well before them). Click here for more info.
And if there's anyone out there who likes to host house parties and is looking for a new place to live (it's cheap!), IHOC is still up for lease; the folks who currently have the place are hoping the tradition will continue after them (as it started well before them). Click here for more info.
Friday, July 23, 2004
Ever wonder how Snoop Dogg sees the world? I know I have. Well, now you can find out, courtesy of The Shizzolator. It'll change your favorite webpages to a language we can all relate to - Snoop's. It doesn't always work right and sometimes isn't functioning at all... just like the man himself. But it's great when it does (try it on CNN.com!).
(Definitely not work safe... but neither is Snoop. Dre don't give a f---.)
(Definitely not work safe... but neither is Snoop. Dre don't give a f---.)
For those who live in Athens, be aware that at this very minute Blue Sky Coffee is giving away free coffee. Any regular coffee, any size. Free. Presumably all day long (to celebrate their re-opening). I don't even know what you're doing reading this sentence - you should be gone already.
FRI: Really, just go drink. (Or, if you're dying for music, there's Magnapop at the Go Bar.)
SAT: Annaray, The Stand-Ins, and Community Chaos play the closing party for the International House of Chaos. Awesome house party and you're all invited. See this post for details/directions (ignore the different band line-up).
SAT: Annaray, The Stand-Ins, and Community Chaos play the closing party for the International House of Chaos. Awesome house party and you're all invited. See this post for details/directions (ignore the different band line-up).
Despite Robo-Dave's predictions, this was actually a pretty great issue. Firstly, while everyone wondered, "Why the hell isn't the Flagpole on stands right now?", the staff were busy pulling an all-nighter covering the election - and had the results printed and in the hands of readers by midday on Wednesday. That's pretty cool.
In the music scene, there was an excellent article on Don Chambers (who we've been harping on since AthFest - and who surprisingly shows up in Fairburn Royals singer Matt Lisle's picks this week in the Banner-Herald), and several other great articles including an interview with Dan Smith by Hillary. Hope For Agoldensummer makes their usual ABC pick slot (for Madeline's going away party ::sniffle::), and there's even a Stockholm Syndrome interview/article. About the only thing of significance that went un-covered (other than my constant annoyance with the live reviews which never seem to catch the great shows and fail to talk enough when they do), was the Now It's Overhead / Lona show from last night. But by the looks of things, it didn't need the extra publicity to draw a crowd.
In any case, good job Flagpole. My only question is - what's this leave for next week?
See ya' then,
-The Day Jobs
Thursday, July 22, 2004
Now It's Overhead plays the 40 Watt for the last stop of its US Tour. Lona opens. That's two great bands in one great-sounding club. Can't beat it. Plus, NIO probably won't play again for a year or more, so catch it while you can.
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
If you want to hear Mike Cooley's set from Saturday night at the Watt, you can download it here. As always, it is only available for a limited time. (If you don't know how to use bittorrent, there's instructions available on that site as well. It's worth registering for.)
Thanks to Sloan Simpson for the taping and heads up!
Thanks to Sloan Simpson for the taping and heads up!
As of yesterday, there's a few less major record labels out there. It looks like there will eventually only be one major label. Fine with me.
Courtesy of Memepool.com (which we encourage y'all to visit often - cause it's awesome), check out these portraits at GumBlondes.
As reported in the Athens Banner-Herald and at AthensMusic.com, the steeple which marks the spot where R.E.M. played their very first show (over 24 years ago) is actually up for sale for the purposes of saving it.
Due to many complications, the Fairburn Royals have had to bow out of the upcoming house party for the closing of IHOC. However, living up to their titular duty, The Stand-Ins have stepped up to take over the night's opening spot. There will still be beer.
(See yesterday's post for details and directions.)
(See yesterday's post for details and directions.)
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Here's an article on concert etiquette from the Washington Post. It's kinda like Chunklet-light, but it's pretty funny. I've definitely encountered some of these folks before.
(Thanks to Sloan for the link!)
(Thanks to Sloan for the link!)
"The best part about it is that he's middle-aged! We've got decades left for this sort of thing..." --Patton Oswalt
You maybe thinking, "No way would we be blessed with another weird Michael Jackson story before the trial even starts..." Well, think again.
You maybe thinking, "No way would we be blessed with another weird Michael Jackson story before the trial even starts..." Well, think again.
Yes, complete with ironic retro-reference, everyone who's reading this is invited to a house party this Saturday night at the International House Of Chaos. This is the last show ever at IHOC and will be a special occasion. The Fairburn Royals and Annaray will be providing music for the first part of the night, and Community Chaos (whose name the house bears) will close the night out. There will be free drinks (mmmm... keg beer) and good times.
The Facts:
Drinking starts around 10, Music around 11
IHOC is located at 1087 Danielsville Rd (aka North Avenue) - on the left.
-It's 1.8 mi. past the Foundry
-It's 0.5 mi. past the Loop
-It's both next to and across from car lots (just past the "Jesus Saves" church)
Park wherever.
BYOL if you feel like it.
Feel free to forward this link on or post it elsewhere (your blog/webpage/webboard if you have one) or copy it in an e-mail to your friends - the more the merrier(half the people there won't know each other anyway - it'll be a really "diverse" cross-section of folks).
So come, drink, listen, enjoy. We'll see you there.
Robo-Dave offers up this site from the great beyond (his personal computer). Let its soothing sounds and oddly comforting, motionless picture ease your work-related stress. (Here's a hint: if you see the picture and hear the music, don't wait for anything else to happen. It's happening.) Thanks, Robo!
Look at how devoted I am. I'm on vacation, but I'm still posting! Just got an e-mail from the folks running the Athens 2004 Popfest, and they've adjusted their admission prices just a bit. Looks like it's gonna be a little more affordable for folks that only want to go to specific shows (as opposed to the entire 4-day event). Anyways, here's the price info:
4 day pass bought on the website $42.00 (comes with a guide zine, and CDR)
4 day pass bought at the door on 8.4.04 $40.00 (this will be a pass only)
August 4th show at Tasty World door price $8.00
August 5th show at Tasty World door price $4.00
August 5th show at the 40 Watt door price $8.00
August 5th Day Pass at the website $12.00
August 6th show at Tasty World door price $4.00
August 6th show at the 40 Watt door price $8.00
August 6th Day Pass at the website $12.00
August 7th show at Tasty World door price $4.00
August 7th show at the 40 Watt door price $8.00
August 7th Day Pass at the website $12.00
Here's the updated schedule of performers:
August 4th @ Tasty World
4:00 PM to 4:30 PM - Ryan Anderson (Bi-Fi Records) from Savannah, GA
4:30 PM to 5:00 PM - Linda Draper (Planting Seeds) from Brooklyn, NY
5:00 PM to 5:30 PM - Nerves and Gel (Best Friends) from Denver, CO
5:30 PM to 6:00 PM - Organ Donor (Bi-Fi Records) from Ames, IA
6:10 PM to 6:40 PM - Keith John Adams (DC Baltimore 2012) from the UK
6:40 PM to 7:40 PM - quick break
7:40 PM to 8:10 PM - Thank God For Astronauts (Best Friends) from Denver, CO
8:20 PM to 8:50 PM - Frankenixon (Bi-Fi Records) from Ames, IA
9:00 PM to 9:30 PM - Snoozer (HHBTM) from Providence, RI
9:40 PM to 10:10 PM - Breezy Porticos (Best Friends) from Denver, CO
10:20 PM to 10:50 PM - Sisterhood of Convoluted Thinkers (Teenbeat) Brooklyn, NY
11:00 PM to 11:30 PM - Marshmallow Coast (Misra) from Athens, GA
11:40 PM to 12:10 AM - The Smittens (North of January) from Burlington, VT
12:20 AM to 1:10 AM - Bugs Eat Books (HHBTM) from Athens, GA
August 5th @ Tasty World
4:00 PM to 4:30 PM - Calvin Don't Jump (HHBTM) from Vancouver, BC
4:30 PM to 5:00 PM - Pipperbago (HHBTM) from Athens, GA & Riverside, CA
5:00 PM to 5:30 PM - Loose in the Wild (555) from San Francisco, CA
5:30 PM to 6:00 PM - Lil Hospital (Best Friends) from Washington DC
6:10 PM to 6:40 PM - Fairburn Royals (2 Sheds) from Athens, GA
August 5th @ the 40 Watt Club
8:00 PM to 8:30 PM - Red Pony Clock (HHBTM) from San Diego, CA
8:40 PM to 9:10 PM - Astropop 3 (Planting Seeds) from Virginia Beach, VA
9:20 PM to 9:50 PM - Maybellines (Best Friends) from Denver, CO
10:00 PM to 10:30 PM - Casper and the Cookies (HHBTM) from Athens, GA
10:40 PM to 11:10 PM - The Wee Turtles (Pitch a Tent) from Athens, GA
11:20 PM to 11:50 PM - 63 Crayons (HHBTM) from Athens, GA
12:00 AM to 12:40 AM - The Visitations (HHBTM) from Athens, GA
12:50 AM to 2:00 AM - Late BP Helium (Orange Twin) from Athens, GA
August 6th @ Tasty World
4:00 PM to 4:30 PM - XP (Planting Seeds) from Virginia Beach, VA
4:30 PM to 5:00 PM - Men In Fur (HHBTM) from Philadelphia, PA
5:00 PM to 5:30 PM - Jen Turrell (Red Square) from Flagstaff, AZ
5:30 PM to 6:00 PM - My Teenage Stride (Banazan) from Brooklyn, NY
6:00 PM to 6:30 PM - Steward (555) from Leeds, UK
August 6th @ the 40 Watt Club
7:40 PM to 8:00 PM - Fairmont Fair (Orange Twin) from Athens, GA
8:00 PM to 8:30 PM - Snow Fairies (555/Red Square) from Philadelphia, PA
8:40 PM to 9:10 PM - Shumai (Total Gaylord) from Boston, MA
9:20 PM to 9:50 PM - Kiddo (Drive In) from Cleveland, OH
10:00 PM to 10:30 PM - Glossary from Murfreesboro, TN
10:40 PM to 11:10 PM - Murder Beach (Bumblebear) from Athens, GA
11:20 PM to 11:50 PM - Scrabbel (Kittridge) from San Fransisco, CA
12:00 AM to 12:40 AM - Poison Control Center (Bi-Fi Records) from Ames, IA
12:50 AM to 2:00 AM - Boyracer (555/HHBTM) from Leeds, UK
August 7th @ Tasty World
4:00 PM to 4:30 PM - Michael Barrett (Planting Seeds) from Brooklyn, NY
4:30 PM to 5:00 PM - Orchid Pool (Whirligig) from Athens, GA
5:00 PM to 5:30 PM - Hulaboy (555) from Leeds, UK
5:30 PM to 6:00 PM - Love Letter Band (HHBTM) from Denver, CO
6:00 PM to 6:30 PM - Birddog (HHBTM) from Lexington, KY
August 7th @ the 40 Watt Club
8:00 PM to 8:30 PM - Marlboro Chorus (Future Appletree) from Davenport, IA
8:40 PM to 9:10 PM - Driver of the Year (Future Appletree) from Davenport, IA
9:20 PM to 9:50 PM - Asteroid #4 (Rainbow Quartz) from Philadelphia, PA
10:00 PM to 10:30 PM - The Positions from Washington DC
10:40 PM to 11:10 PM - Tenki (Future Appletree) from Chicago, IL
11:20 PM to 11:50 PM - Sunshine Fix (Emporer Norton) from Athens, GA
12:00 AM to 12:40 AM - Bunnygrunt (Bert Dax) from St Louis, MO
12:50 PM to 2:00 PM - The Minders (Future Farmer) from Portland, OR
4 day pass bought on the website $42.00 (comes with a guide zine, and CDR)
4 day pass bought at the door on 8.4.04 $40.00 (this will be a pass only)
August 4th show at Tasty World door price $8.00
August 5th show at Tasty World door price $4.00
August 5th show at the 40 Watt door price $8.00
August 5th Day Pass at the website $12.00
August 6th show at Tasty World door price $4.00
August 6th show at the 40 Watt door price $8.00
August 6th Day Pass at the website $12.00
August 7th show at Tasty World door price $4.00
August 7th show at the 40 Watt door price $8.00
August 7th Day Pass at the website $12.00
Here's the updated schedule of performers:
August 4th @ Tasty World
4:00 PM to 4:30 PM - Ryan Anderson (Bi-Fi Records) from Savannah, GA
4:30 PM to 5:00 PM - Linda Draper (Planting Seeds) from Brooklyn, NY
5:00 PM to 5:30 PM - Nerves and Gel (Best Friends) from Denver, CO
5:30 PM to 6:00 PM - Organ Donor (Bi-Fi Records) from Ames, IA
6:10 PM to 6:40 PM - Keith John Adams (DC Baltimore 2012) from the UK
6:40 PM to 7:40 PM - quick break
7:40 PM to 8:10 PM - Thank God For Astronauts (Best Friends) from Denver, CO
8:20 PM to 8:50 PM - Frankenixon (Bi-Fi Records) from Ames, IA
9:00 PM to 9:30 PM - Snoozer (HHBTM) from Providence, RI
9:40 PM to 10:10 PM - Breezy Porticos (Best Friends) from Denver, CO
10:20 PM to 10:50 PM - Sisterhood of Convoluted Thinkers (Teenbeat) Brooklyn, NY
11:00 PM to 11:30 PM - Marshmallow Coast (Misra) from Athens, GA
11:40 PM to 12:10 AM - The Smittens (North of January) from Burlington, VT
12:20 AM to 1:10 AM - Bugs Eat Books (HHBTM) from Athens, GA
August 5th @ Tasty World
4:00 PM to 4:30 PM - Calvin Don't Jump (HHBTM) from Vancouver, BC
4:30 PM to 5:00 PM - Pipperbago (HHBTM) from Athens, GA & Riverside, CA
5:00 PM to 5:30 PM - Loose in the Wild (555) from San Francisco, CA
5:30 PM to 6:00 PM - Lil Hospital (Best Friends) from Washington DC
6:10 PM to 6:40 PM - Fairburn Royals (2 Sheds) from Athens, GA
August 5th @ the 40 Watt Club
8:00 PM to 8:30 PM - Red Pony Clock (HHBTM) from San Diego, CA
8:40 PM to 9:10 PM - Astropop 3 (Planting Seeds) from Virginia Beach, VA
9:20 PM to 9:50 PM - Maybellines (Best Friends) from Denver, CO
10:00 PM to 10:30 PM - Casper and the Cookies (HHBTM) from Athens, GA
10:40 PM to 11:10 PM - The Wee Turtles (Pitch a Tent) from Athens, GA
11:20 PM to 11:50 PM - 63 Crayons (HHBTM) from Athens, GA
12:00 AM to 12:40 AM - The Visitations (HHBTM) from Athens, GA
12:50 AM to 2:00 AM - Late BP Helium (Orange Twin) from Athens, GA
August 6th @ Tasty World
4:00 PM to 4:30 PM - XP (Planting Seeds) from Virginia Beach, VA
4:30 PM to 5:00 PM - Men In Fur (HHBTM) from Philadelphia, PA
5:00 PM to 5:30 PM - Jen Turrell (Red Square) from Flagstaff, AZ
5:30 PM to 6:00 PM - My Teenage Stride (Banazan) from Brooklyn, NY
6:00 PM to 6:30 PM - Steward (555) from Leeds, UK
August 6th @ the 40 Watt Club
7:40 PM to 8:00 PM - Fairmont Fair (Orange Twin) from Athens, GA
8:00 PM to 8:30 PM - Snow Fairies (555/Red Square) from Philadelphia, PA
8:40 PM to 9:10 PM - Shumai (Total Gaylord) from Boston, MA
9:20 PM to 9:50 PM - Kiddo (Drive In) from Cleveland, OH
10:00 PM to 10:30 PM - Glossary from Murfreesboro, TN
10:40 PM to 11:10 PM - Murder Beach (Bumblebear) from Athens, GA
11:20 PM to 11:50 PM - Scrabbel (Kittridge) from San Fransisco, CA
12:00 AM to 12:40 AM - Poison Control Center (Bi-Fi Records) from Ames, IA
12:50 AM to 2:00 AM - Boyracer (555/HHBTM) from Leeds, UK
August 7th @ Tasty World
4:00 PM to 4:30 PM - Michael Barrett (Planting Seeds) from Brooklyn, NY
4:30 PM to 5:00 PM - Orchid Pool (Whirligig) from Athens, GA
5:00 PM to 5:30 PM - Hulaboy (555) from Leeds, UK
5:30 PM to 6:00 PM - Love Letter Band (HHBTM) from Denver, CO
6:00 PM to 6:30 PM - Birddog (HHBTM) from Lexington, KY
August 7th @ the 40 Watt Club
8:00 PM to 8:30 PM - Marlboro Chorus (Future Appletree) from Davenport, IA
8:40 PM to 9:10 PM - Driver of the Year (Future Appletree) from Davenport, IA
9:20 PM to 9:50 PM - Asteroid #4 (Rainbow Quartz) from Philadelphia, PA
10:00 PM to 10:30 PM - The Positions from Washington DC
10:40 PM to 11:10 PM - Tenki (Future Appletree) from Chicago, IL
11:20 PM to 11:50 PM - Sunshine Fix (Emporer Norton) from Athens, GA
12:00 AM to 12:40 AM - Bunnygrunt (Bert Dax) from St Louis, MO
12:50 PM to 2:00 PM - The Minders (Future Farmer) from Portland, OR
Monday, July 19, 2004
OXFORD, Miss. - Next week, "The 2004 Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha Conference will examine the topic “Faulkner and Material Culture” through five days of lectures and discussions by literary scholars and critics."
(Thanks to Large-Hearted Boy for the link! Also, as a sidenote: I just finished Falkner's Absalom, Absalom!, and it is awesome. Thanks to Gardner Linn for the rec!)
(Thanks to Large-Hearted Boy for the link! Also, as a sidenote: I just finished Falkner's Absalom, Absalom!, and it is awesome. Thanks to Gardner Linn for the rec!)
Here's a fun game to try. You have to think of a sitcom character or a dictator and the computer asks you questions and tries to figure it out. It got both Idi Amin and Archie Bunker - which may have been obvious tries. Try to stump it.
(Thanks to Iglooist for the link!)
(Thanks to Iglooist for the link!)
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Don't know how you feel about Iranian nuclear proliferation, but I think The Onion pretty much accurately assesses the pulse of the American street.
Basically, it's a slower week in local music and they covered all the bases well. No major articles for locals, as we've been crying for week after week, but we did get a couple out of them previously, some ABC pick coverage for locals this week, and it is a slow week - still, a nice big article on a local act would make for something exciting to read. (And no time like the present to bring back those old articles we mentioned last week.)
Much coverage was given to local elections, which is a good thing. But really, is covering the music tastes of the candidates really a good idea? I guess the registered voters here probably aren't gonna vote soley based on that, but the idea that someone might is scary. (That being said, Carl Jordan making a stink about the cigarette smoke thing to cover for his lack of involvement with local music is telling.) In any case, this week was fairly solid and I've not much to complain about.
Good job, Flagpole. Now, let's ramp it up in the coming weeks (there's lots coming up).
Sincerely,
The Day Jobs
Off tomorrow, so here's what's going on...
FRI: Jason Isbell & Mike Cooley (both of the Drive-By Truckers) play solo acoustic sets at the 40 Watt. Especially in Cooley's case, you won't see this very often, so if you're even mildly interested, I'd recommend checking it out. They're two of the best songwriters alive right now.
SAT: Hope For Agoldensummer plays at Flicker. It's an early show (8:30), but you'll have to get there much earlier than that to get in - as the place only holds 50 people total (including bar patrons). So, show up early, pay and get your hand-stamp, then go back later to see what should be a great show in an intimate setting.
FRI: Jason Isbell & Mike Cooley (both of the Drive-By Truckers) play solo acoustic sets at the 40 Watt. Especially in Cooley's case, you won't see this very often, so if you're even mildly interested, I'd recommend checking it out. They're two of the best songwriters alive right now.
SAT: Hope For Agoldensummer plays at Flicker. It's an early show (8:30), but you'll have to get there much earlier than that to get in - as the place only holds 50 people total (including bar patrons). So, show up early, pay and get your hand-stamp, then go back later to see what should be a great show in an intimate setting.
I'm probably the last person on the internet to discover this, but I'm posting it anyway...
Apparently, all major news outlets made WMD-size mistakes themselves in translating Saddam's court trial. Thank god for Jay Barnes for the giving us the correct translation. Of course, you'd expect nothing less from the guy who came up with the brilliant marketing campaign for Weasel Balls.
(Thanks to Mike "Hot V.A." Maguire for the link!)
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Continuing their Wednesday night residency at the GO Bar, DJ Twin Powers (a.k.a. I Am The World Trade Center - when they're playing their own music) spin some awesome new wave and brit-pop tunes. This isn't the usual dance music stuff, for the most part, and it's a cool environment if you feel like shakin' it. For an idea of what to expect, check out this article from last week's Flagpole.
While we're on this cultural exploration, Georgia Perimeter College, which apparently hosts a lot of international students, provides their students with this guide to American culture. It's pretty interesting (and funny - read the parts about deodorant) to view our culture from an outsider's perspective.
Your hip-hop a little outdated? Try the Rap Dictionary. Guaranteed to help your flow, forilla.
All the froggies in the house, say ho! (Pronounce the 'H'.)
Today is Bastille Day in France. You can learn all about this holiday or perhaps you can just go celebrate the beginning of the "Reign of Terror" with crepes.
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
"The Dirty South", the new album by the Drive-By Truckers is now up and available for purchase at their online store. They promise that if you pre-order it, you'll get it before the Aug. 24th release date - and you can even get some kind of t-shirt/CD combo deal. This'll prolly be the last mention of it till that day ('cept announcing their upcoming shows), so I'll just say that I've heard it, and it's well worth the cost.
Here's the official track listing:
1. Where The Devil Don't Stay (5:19)
2. Tornadoes (4:14)
3. The Day John Henry Died (3:47)
4. Puttin' People on the Moon (4:55)
5. Carl Perkins' Cadillac (5:26)
6. The Sands of Iwo Jima (4:12)
7. Danko/Manuel (5:45)
8. The Boys From Alabama (4:25)
9. Cottonseed (6:21)
10. The Buford Stick (4:39)
11. Daddy's Cup (5:53)
12. Never Gonna Change (5:24)
13. Lookout Mountain (5:01)
14. Goddamn Lonely Love (4:59)
That's right - a place where you can vent about your coworkers and read stories about other peoples' office nightmares.
(Found via Memepool.com - which is an always awesome place to find good links.)
And since Computer Support's gone, I'll go ahead and announce the much-delayed winner of Qualifying Round 5 of Everything Idol (the ongoing contest to determine the best thing ever): Google edged out Ebay and destroyed Mapquest and Weather.com for a clear victory.
You can stop by the Gardner Linn Fan Club (the source of all this madness) to cast your vote now in Qualifying Round 8 and to view the results of all rounds thus far. This new round seems particularly divisive: Money vs. Power vs. Sex vs. Fame. Good luck calling that one.
You can stop by the Gardner Linn Fan Club (the source of all this madness) to cast your vote now in Qualifying Round 8 and to view the results of all rounds thus far. This new round seems particularly divisive: Money vs. Power vs. Sex vs. Fame. Good luck calling that one.
Since we're down one blogger (Computer Support's vacationing again - does that guy ever work?), and down one frequent-commenter (godspeed, Robo), things might be a bit slow this week...
But never fear, because RefDesk.com will provide you with more than enough links to pass the time - guaranteed. Another one of Time's "50 Coolest Sites", its pretty much got the answers to everything. And if it doesn't? There's Yahoo and Google right at the top. It even has sites, quotes, facts, and new stories of the day - so you can go everyday and kill some time in a new way. Plus, you'll learn plenty of stuff that you'll never, ever use.
But never fear, because RefDesk.com will provide you with more than enough links to pass the time - guaranteed. Another one of Time's "50 Coolest Sites", its pretty much got the answers to everything. And if it doesn't? There's Yahoo and Google right at the top. It even has sites, quotes, facts, and new stories of the day - so you can go everyday and kill some time in a new way. Plus, you'll learn plenty of stuff that you'll never, ever use.
The State Botanical Gardens continues its "SunFlower Music Series" tonight with Dromedary and Ben Mize. It's an early show (7 PM) and if the weather holds, it'll be outside (indoors if it rains). The cost is $12 for non-members ($5 for members), but that includes wine and light snack food. Plus, word on the street is that Kevin Sweeney (of Hayride, Acetate, and The Sunshine Fix) will be sitting in with Ben Mize (covering for an absent John Neff). Don't you wanna see Sweeney rock the Gardens? In any case, this is a pretty unique event - and there's only one more left (Barbara Cue in August). Should easily be worth the cost. See this Athensmusic.com article for more info.
Monday, July 12, 2004
In honor of ROBODAVE and his oppression in the workplace, I will begin a weekly post of little ways to STICK IT TO THE MAN! Here is your first tip to help bring down your workplace oppressors:
1. Stealing/Wasting of Office Supplies. You can never have too many pens. Stick a couple in your back pocket and transfer them to your purse/backpack later. Or just put them in your pencil cup at work or hide them in your desk. The supply guy will think your office is running low and order more, costing your boss more money (check out an Office Depot catalogue sometime - a box of pens costs like $10 these days). Same goes for post-it notes. Go through at least a post-it pad a day, more if you are actually busy. (There was a big stink at my office because our supply guy ordered colored post-its, which cost like $.05 more a pack or something. Get serious!) Stock your desk up like Armageddon awaits. Your boss will think you are just being an organized, thorough go-getter, when really you are just subtracting another few cents from his bottom line. And you get free pens to take home - brilliant!!!
POWER TO THE PEOPLE...AND STICK IT TO THE MAN!!!
1. Stealing/Wasting of Office Supplies. You can never have too many pens. Stick a couple in your back pocket and transfer them to your purse/backpack later. Or just put them in your pencil cup at work or hide them in your desk. The supply guy will think your office is running low and order more, costing your boss more money (check out an Office Depot catalogue sometime - a box of pens costs like $10 these days). Same goes for post-it notes. Go through at least a post-it pad a day, more if you are actually busy. (There was a big stink at my office because our supply guy ordered colored post-its, which cost like $.05 more a pack or something. Get serious!) Stock your desk up like Armageddon awaits. Your boss will think you are just being an organized, thorough go-getter, when really you are just subtracting another few cents from his bottom line. And you get free pens to take home - brilliant!!!
POWER TO THE PEOPLE...AND STICK IT TO THE MAN!!!
It appears that "The Man" is on Robo-Dave's ass at work. He has sent us the following note:
DayJobbers,
I was sort of reprimanded at work for my thedayjobs.com activities, so I will no longer be posting any comments on thedayjobs.com for a while at least. Since I don't have internet at home, I'll have to bug out from Day Jobs for a while. I appreciate all the battling other day jobbers have done with me over the last few months, and I wish everyone the best in all their endevours. Mail Clerk, No-Job, Hillary, Computer Support, and especially legal bitch. Not really for any reason in particular, but just because I liked typing bitch when I addressed you. Thats a fun word....BITCH!
I extend more props to the flagpole. Sorry for all the ripping I did of your publication. Yeah sometimes you suck, but what you do is better than what I fucking do. Just try to watch those Van Halen reviews, quit sucking I am the World Trade Center's dick, and realize that Joseph Plunkett is not in fact the second coming of Christ.
For now, the opinions and most importantly, the ROBO prose, will have to remain on the shelf for the time being. Maybe ROBO DAVE will channel all that negative energy into something that might help him break out from the cubicle into a career not so frustrating and demeaning to the human soul. Please pray for ROBO DAVE for he is about to embark upon a voyage into the unknown. You shall see him again................
Sincerely,
ROBO DAVE
DayJobbers,
I was sort of reprimanded at work for my thedayjobs.com activities, so I will no longer be posting any comments on thedayjobs.com for a while at least. Since I don't have internet at home, I'll have to bug out from Day Jobs for a while. I appreciate all the battling other day jobbers have done with me over the last few months, and I wish everyone the best in all their endevours. Mail Clerk, No-Job, Hillary, Computer Support, and especially legal bitch. Not really for any reason in particular, but just because I liked typing bitch when I addressed you. Thats a fun word....BITCH!
I extend more props to the flagpole. Sorry for all the ripping I did of your publication. Yeah sometimes you suck, but what you do is better than what I fucking do. Just try to watch those Van Halen reviews, quit sucking I am the World Trade Center's dick, and realize that Joseph Plunkett is not in fact the second coming of Christ.
For now, the opinions and most importantly, the ROBO prose, will have to remain on the shelf for the time being. Maybe ROBO DAVE will channel all that negative energy into something that might help him break out from the cubicle into a career not so frustrating and demeaning to the human soul. Please pray for ROBO DAVE for he is about to embark upon a voyage into the unknown. You shall see him again................
Sincerely,
ROBO DAVE
Ever wish you knew how to do stuff? Try EHow.com. It's a very large list of instructions on how to do stuff - ranging from very specific to very general. There's instructions on how to adjust the idle on a carbureted car, how to shake hands, and even how to antagonize the Greek system. So, if you're at a loss as to how to do something, this might be a good place to go to figure it out.
(Once again, found via Time's "50 Coolest Websites" listings.)
(Once again, found via Time's "50 Coolest Websites" listings.)
Sunday, July 11, 2004
Friday, July 09, 2004
Seems like the traditionally slow summer music schedule might actually not wind up being that slow after all...
FRI: One of the longest-running Athens bands, Bloodkin, plays the Georgia Theatre for the first time since winter, and Summer Hymns headlines the 40 Watt with The Weight. This is a CD release party for The Weight - a CD that's been long-delayed due to the oft-blamed "artwork". (There's a joke in here somewhere using a homonym of their name in some sort of play-on-words, but I'm not clever, so I'll leave it.)
SAT: Ishues returns triumphant from a tour with KRS-ONE to headline a good hip-hop line-up at the Watt. Consider this a "make-up" date for the AthFest show that didn't happen. Probably a better environment now anyway - plus it's part of a video shoot.
In addition, there's a cool benefit show happening all night - starting at the Healing Arts Center, then moving to the Georgia Theater - including acts like The Packway Handle Band, Dubconscious, and The Free Speech Trio with Neil Fountain (Neil makes anything good!). Read all about it here.
FRI: One of the longest-running Athens bands, Bloodkin, plays the Georgia Theatre for the first time since winter, and Summer Hymns headlines the 40 Watt with The Weight. This is a CD release party for The Weight - a CD that's been long-delayed due to the oft-blamed "artwork". (There's a joke in here somewhere using a homonym of their name in some sort of play-on-words, but I'm not clever, so I'll leave it.)
SAT: Ishues returns triumphant from a tour with KRS-ONE to headline a good hip-hop line-up at the Watt. Consider this a "make-up" date for the AthFest show that didn't happen. Probably a better environment now anyway - plus it's part of a video shoot.
In addition, there's a cool benefit show happening all night - starting at the Healing Arts Center, then moving to the Georgia Theater - including acts like The Packway Handle Band, Dubconscious, and The Free Speech Trio with Neil Fountain (Neil makes anything good!). Read all about it here.
I mentioned this in the comments yesterday, but thanks to Stan (a different Stan than yesterday's "Stan") for gettin' on my ass about posting it again. This should be interesting.
Neutral Milk Hotel book in the works.
Neutral Milk Hotel book in the works.
You know you've made it when your obituaries are prepared in advance.
As a side note, why is it that Web sites like the Drudge Report and the Smoking Gun are always stuck in basic-html-1994 land?
Fahrenheit 9/11 is director Michael Moore's "mockumentary" (I LOVE those crazy buzzwords they come up with for this stuff!) about a "ficticious" president (Moore's words, not mine) believed by some to be his fictitious take on former President Howard Taft. "W", as he is known in this film, starts out by somehow winning an election through some sort of awesome "mind-trick". However, soon after, disaster befalls his kingdom - when, at all times, he's reading a story to schoolchildren - hilarious! Through a series of inventive montages, Moore depicts "W"'s reactions in brief - some say the "set-up"/"pay-off" structure was weak, but I say: comedy gold! A particularly creative moment happens when a "blond bimbo" stereotype is brought in to defend the "President". That's a classic Coen-style dimwit-character comedy at its best. The only weak moment in its structure comes when the classic "battle scene" falls predictably near film's end. Surely someone so adept at structure would have realized that sort of thing is transparent to the audience by now - especially when it takes place in a country called "The Middle East" (who's gonna buy that name?). But that small fault aside, Moore has created quite the winner. I'm unable to figure out what the film has to do with its titular emergency help line, nor am I able to discern why Moore views his film as a tragedy because to me, Fahrenheit 9/11 is the summer's comedy smash!
(P.S. If your local theater doesn't get it, make sure you call to harass them - they're probably Taft loyalists!)
Today is the 25th anniversary of the birth of blogger/author/all-around-good-guy Gardner Linn. There are lots of ways to celebrate. You could buy something with his face on it or get him something from his wish list or check out his new fashion idea in cartoon form or simply visit his site and place your vote in Qualifying Round 7 of Everything Idol (the ongoing contest to determine the best thing ever). It's up to you.
Gardner was one of the main reasons we started doing what we're doing now, so I figure it's a good day to check out what he does if you haven't yet. Plus, he might one day rule the world in dictatorial fashion, so you may as well get used to his influence. Happy Birthday, G.
Thursday, July 08, 2004
Looking at the new issue of UGA Research Magazine, I realized that we don't highlight local (non-music-oriented) talent enough. For instance, take this story on art professor Art Rosenbaum. His works are pretty cool and they're of places and people around town. There's even one called "Iron Triangle". Hopefully, we'll post some more in the future about folks at the University and around town who do cool things.
A couple of Karate Kid-related links... true facts on Mr. Miyagi (thanks to Global Slacker for the link!) and Patton Oswalt's story on the downfall of Cobra-Kai leader Johnny Lawrence.
To avoid this place getting too serious, thought I'd post a good time-waster... Also one of Time's "50 Coolest Websites" (don't worry, I'm almost done robbing from them), Fly Guy is simply what you'd think - a flash program to make some dude fly. It's no more than that, but certainly no less. And haven't you done enough to deserve a break?
I recently found myself caught in the CC column of an ongoing e-mail political debate. One recent message was from a conservative (we'll call him "Stan") who was explaining his reasons for voting Republican.
Stan said, "I am opposed to homosexual marriage. I believe the Bible teaches that this is wrong, as is any other sin. I know some people say it is genetic. My response would be that many people are born with a violent tendency, that does not make it ok for them to go around assaulting others. And for others that say church goers are hypocrites because they shun homosexuals. I say that is incorrect. If I waled in to church and said "I cheat on wife all the time but accept me for who I am and I love Jesus" I would be dismissed from the church as quickly as the homosexual that makes similar remarks."
I decided to post my reply here. I'm hoping that it will prompt a debate in the comments of this post.
My problem with Stan's statement is not that he believes homosexuality is wrong. Nor do I dispute that the Bible teaches against it, it's written pretty plainly... However, the conservatives' stance on this issue confuses me... Republicans are usually the ones screaming against "big government". Well, this is as big as government can get... Stan is proposing lawmaking based on personal and religious matters.
Furthermore, let's assume homosexuality is a sin (which... personally, I don't believe). Why does it matter to Stan if others obtain a piece of paper (which is all we're really talking about here) saying they are entitled to the same rights as most humans? This does not have any bearing on Stan's beliefs, does it?
In my opinion, the government can't do either of the following:
- They can not tell churches who they are required to marry. If a church does not want to marry a homosexual couple, that is their right.
- They can not tell individuals that they can not be married. Any human being should be allowed to obtain a marriage certificate and basic rights given to married couples.
According to Stan's logic... the Bible teaches against homosexuality, therefore the constitution should be ammended to ensure they can not be married. This logic means:
- Men should be allowed to marry more than one wife (Gen 29:17-28; II Sam 3:2-5.)
- Non-virgins should not be allowed to marry (Deut 22:13-21)
- A Christian can not marry a non-Christian (Gen 24:3; Num 25:1-9; Ezra 9:12; Neh 10:30)
- Divorce should be illegal (Deut 22:19; Mark 10:9-12).
Should these rules also be made into marriage laws? After all, the Bible plainly teaches them.
In conclusion, I wonder if people who support Stan's stance on this issue know any homosexuals. I'd love to introduce Stan (and anyone else) to a wonderful same-sex couple that I know. They've been together for 12 years... TWELVE YEARS!!! However, when one is hospitalized, the other does not get family visitation rights. They are not allowed to file taxes jointly. They are not allowed to make major medical decisions for each other. They are not allowed to live in neighborhoods zoned for "families only". They are not allowed to receive family rates for various types of insurance. The list goes on and on...
To me, the argument does not involve whether homosexuality is right or wrong. The argument is this: Do you want to begin using the Bible as the basis for government? Is that American?
So, according to this Banner-Herald article, the new smoking ban goes into effect as soon as Mayor Davison signs it, which will be early next week. Though, the vigilance of the anti-smoking-lobby is blazingly obvious in their disappointment and refusal to compromise:
"We were exceedingly disappointed that the Athens-Clarke County Commission failed to protect the health of the community," said Traci Lawrence, tobacco use prevention coordinator for the Northeast Health District, which includes Athens. "A total ban is the only way to protect the health of the community."
Which reminds me of something a friend of mine said yesterday: "If we just make enough laws and restrictions, there won't be any health problems ... They should just go ahead and outlaw cancer."
Another key paragraph for anyone who might be brave enough to be civilly disobedient:
Under the new law, a person caught smoking indoors during daytime or early evening is subject to a $50 fine for a first offense. A second offense could cost $100 and a third offense up to $500.
And finally, a good "wink" from a bar-owner:
Chris Springfield, owner of the Winery on East Broad Street, also said he's not worried that employees will spend much time reminding confused customers about the rules. "Neither myself nor any of my employees have been deputized by Athens-Clarke County," he said. The ordinance doesn't call for police to ticket business owners if their customers illegally smoke.
I guess if smoking is outlawed, only outlaws will have cigarettes. And is it just me, or does the Banner seem like it's taken an pro-smoking ban stance? Anyone else get that feeling reading those articles? Oh well, I'm now going to step off of, and dismantle, my soapbox. Sorry for the rant, choir.
For no reason whatsoever, here's a few links for b-sides, live material, and rarities for Neutral Milk Hotel:
Neutral Milk Hotel Demos
"But then they buried her alive" (B-sides, live, etc.)
Elephant 6 NMH page (Live + 1 Gerbils song with Jeff)
Neutral Milk Hotel Definitive Discography (scroll down for Jeff's radio show details and links to audio of them)
(Most of these links originally came from Largehearted Boy - but it's been a while, so I figured I'd repost them for the masses. As a sidenote, he also recently put up this great post, complete with song, on the Drive-By Truckers.)
Neutral Milk Hotel Demos
"But then they buried her alive" (B-sides, live, etc.)
Elephant 6 NMH page (Live + 1 Gerbils song with Jeff)
Neutral Milk Hotel Definitive Discography (scroll down for Jeff's radio show details and links to audio of them)
(Most of these links originally came from Largehearted Boy - but it's been a while, so I figured I'd repost them for the masses. As a sidenote, he also recently put up this great post, complete with song, on the Drive-By Truckers.)
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
The Good: First of all... Cheers to flagpole for actually placing a local band (DJ Twin Powers) on the cover! This used to happen all the time, and provided an instant boost to locals' name recognition. I'm not saying they should do this every week, but an occasional local band cover photo would be nice.
Furthermore, great write up on Atlanta hip hop duo Mars ILL, but I must say that the last paragraph sounded a little apologetic for the group's sprituality. I wonder why their christianity was even mentioned... Was the "christian rap" label included in their press kit? If so, why do Christian groups do this? Perhaps it gives 'em a built in crowd? Perhaps all the youth groups in each town make field trips to their shows when they get the word out that they're a "Christian Rap duo".
The Bad: As I was reading this issue, it occurred to me... what happened to past columns that featured lesser known bands? They used to have a feature called "Band Speak" where a local band was asked 3 quick and simple questions (Google turned up samples of Band Speak columns with Dodd Ferrelle and the Walt Lariot). The column didn't take up much room, and couldn't have required much work. Another example is the now-defunct "Coming Up" column where a brand new band would introduce themselves to the town. Didn't people enjoy these columns? I know I did! Bring 'em back!
Van Halen? Fleetwood Mac? Eric Clapton? Why are these people getting live reviews in the Flagpole. I demand a vote on this... Who goes to the Flagpole for reviews of these big arena shows? Who cares about how the Fleetwood Mac show went? Why would a Van Halen review appear in the Flagpole when several recent shows get no mention (i.e. the Glands, 5-8). Do you want these arena concert reviews? Vote on this site in the comments... make yer voices heard!
The Ugly: Whew! Look at the photo of Red Animal War! Those are some scruffy looking boys! Didn't they know that someone was taking their picture? Why do they all look so pissed off and disheveled? Surely they didn't plan that... right?
It seems that people are upset about the relocation of the Historic Cobb House to Athens because its former owner was a staunch defender of slavery. A history professor at the UGA examines the irony in these protests.
Wanna check up on politicians? Try FactCheck.org - it's a watchdog site for bold political statements (kinda like Snopes.com, but for politicians). It's mostly Bush/Kerry at the moment, obviously, but you can certainly hunt down stuff on other folks. Also, it was one of Time's "50 Coolest Websites" and listed on Coolsites as well (which I also recommend checking out).
WiredVideo.com is another excellent source for cool links. It's the place where I found both the Web Economy Bull$--t Generator and How To Have Fun With A Telemarketer.
(As you can probably tell, some of this stuff may not be "work safe" - but it's not too bad, as far as I can tell.)
(As you can probably tell, some of this stuff may not be "work safe" - but it's not too bad, as far as I can tell.)
In a very narrow decision last night, Mayor Heidi Davison, to her favor, broke a 5-5 tie to cast her vote in favor of a smoking ban that allows smoking after 11PM in bars and restaurants (as opposed to a 24-hour ban that was the other option). Whew!
You can read all about it in the Athens Banner-Herald article (you'll have to register, but it's worth it for all the links we put up to them). You can also observe in the pictures (like the one above) how few people in the crowd seem to look as though they'd ever been to a bar or were likely to go (in fact, it seems like the less likely they were to turn up in a bar, the more likely they were to want to inhibit bar-goers' choices).
And not to encourage single-issue voting, but for you voters out there, here's a very telling paragraph:
"Commissioners States McCarter, Charles Carter, Tom Chasteen, John Barrow and Carl Jordan favored a 24-hour ban, while Commissioners Harry Sims, George Maxwell, David Lynn, Kathy Hoard and Cardee Kilpatrick voted for a ban only during the day and early evening. ... Kilpatrick and Hoard, who worked together to adapt an earlier proposal, said they wanted to protect businesses and keep crowds of late-night revelers from fleeing to the street to smoke. Lynn and Sims spoke against any ban."
...at least now we know where they stand on the rights of individuals and private businesses. I guess this is "good news" to a degree, but it's a scary precedent. In any case, thank you Mrs. Mayor.
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
For you techno-pop fans (Robo, I'm looking your way here), don't forget that I Am The World Trade Center's new album, The Cover Up, was released today. If you've listened to 90.5 at all in the last two weeks, you've undoubtedly heard a lot of it already. If not, go to their site and check it out.
Speaking of July releases, sounds like there was a slight kink in the plans to release the debut from We Vs. The Shark before their tour (next week). But rumor has it, it should be available for the buying at their homecoming show on July 31st at the Caledonia.
The Fairburn Royals have redesigned their website in anticipation of their upcoming (fall?) release, "The Whistler". There's cover art and a tracklist up on their site now, as well as a coupla' live tracks from their recent AthFest show at the Caledonia (courtesy of super-taper Sloan Simpson, it would seem - man, that guy covers everything!). The live tracks also feature a guest appearance by Eskimos guitarist Dave Weiglein (who rocks!).
Also, tickets for the Drive-By Truckers' Dirty South CD Release Party (Aug. 27 & 28 at the 40 Watt) are now officially on sale. Not sure exactly where, but I imagine Lo-Yo-Yo Stuff and School Kids Records as well as through Jomo Entertainment. These shows will sell out - so if you want to go, get your tickets ahead of time.
Speaking of July releases, sounds like there was a slight kink in the plans to release the debut from We Vs. The Shark before their tour (next week). But rumor has it, it should be available for the buying at their homecoming show on July 31st at the Caledonia.
The Fairburn Royals have redesigned their website in anticipation of their upcoming (fall?) release, "The Whistler". There's cover art and a tracklist up on their site now, as well as a coupla' live tracks from their recent AthFest show at the Caledonia (courtesy of super-taper Sloan Simpson, it would seem - man, that guy covers everything!). The live tracks also feature a guest appearance by Eskimos guitarist Dave Weiglein (who rocks!).
Also, tickets for the Drive-By Truckers' Dirty South CD Release Party (Aug. 27 & 28 at the 40 Watt) are now officially on sale. Not sure exactly where, but I imagine Lo-Yo-Yo Stuff and School Kids Records as well as through Jomo Entertainment. These shows will sell out - so if you want to go, get your tickets ahead of time.
Wordsmith.org offers up its Internet Anagram Server. It's fun to play with, as is most of the rest of the site. If only you could have it with you for trivia nights and board games.
Remember that creepy fastfood commercial with the singing demented rodents? Well, turns out RatherGood.com has many such disturbing flash animations, including the Moon Song (the original source of that commercial, I believe). Turn it up so all the folks at work can hear how you feel about the moon!
(Thanks to the folks in Hope For Agoldensummer for the link!)
Looks like the New York Post got a little ahead of themselves this morning. They "exclusively" reported that Gephart was Kerry's VP pick in today's paper. Turns out, Edwards got the nod. Somebody's gettin' fired.
Friday, July 02, 2004
The Onion has reprinted an old image of one of Georgia's many concepts for the new state flag. (Click the link to view it, since it's not really "work-friendly".)
For various reasons, some folks can't blog today, but thought I'd get this out of the way for the week:
For the first time in a long time, I wanted to read this issue pretty much cover-to-cover. Even the political sections. Pete McCommons wrote a great (if at times dramatic) essay on the smoking ban that had me cheering. A BikeAthens member wrote a wonderful story on the impending sprawl problem in Athens and what we can do about it that got me feeling the urge to get active about it (click the link to see what you can do to help). Ort welcomed new beer. Hillary's food roundup was great as always. Hassiotis did an interview with The Good Ship - they're not my favorite band in the world, but I was glad to see good press for locals and the article was interesting (for instance, I didn't know they had a song called "The Maco Light", and now I'm going to search it down). Gardner Linn's catching up with Danger Mouse article was fantastic - almost makes his living in LA excusable (sorry, G, still don't know how you do it). Even the live reviews didn't anger me. Finally, Gordon Lamb made quite an excellent point in his PopFest write-up: Indie-Pop hasn't had much of a stay in Athens since the E6 days, and it's kinda sad to see it having faded so much.
The only things I really would have changed about the issue were the lack of write-up in the experimental show happening at the Caledonia on Saturday night (though, if I hadn't seen Neil Fountain play an improvised set before, I probably wouldn't be so high on it either). And really, calm it a bit on the Fahrenheit 9/11 stuff... it's just a movie (y'all sound a bit like the Passion of the Christ folks). Oh, and if you keep with the trend on the "catching up" articles - how 'bout one on Of Montreal?
Otherwise, congrats on a great issue. One of the best I've seen in a long time.
Keep it up,
-The Day Jobs
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Someone's come up with a great Google-related program that will search for recipes based on what ingredients you enter - even gives you a (limited) choice of "type". For you professional cooks in the house, you can still go to