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Thursday, September 27, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Magnolia Electric Co. 9-13-07
This is a little late, missed writing about it in the ACL hubbub. MEC played Emo's last Thursday and I was there to watch. It was good to see Jason and the gang once more but the song choices were a little tired. They just played basically the same show they have for like three years - essentially Trials and Errors - only this year all in the key of G. Not to mention Emos advertised a cheaper door price than it actually was - not by much but there's principalities in this shit - and the band was packed into the indoor stage. It was a good time but could have been better. One new song, something about Shiloh, was good. I guess J. can't get support for a solo tour but I'd much rather see that next.
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Monday, September 17, 2007
ACL Fest 2007 Wrap-Up
I hadn't been back to ACL since the very first festival and missed a ton of great shows but also some blistering heat, dust storms, and the inescapable humanity. When Dylan and Björk were announced for this year's lineup it convinced me to give three days at Zilker another go-round. In the end, only one of those two acts really delivered, but I'm still quite satisfied with my decision. The White Stripes were also part of the impressive package but given their scheduling conflict with The Arcade Fire, I wasn't terribly broken up when they cancelled.
My favorite show was probably Blonde Redhead. It was the first concert I caught on the first day and even though it was hot as hell they really entertained me. After an introduction from our favorite weatherman Burt-on Fitzimmons, I believe they started with the title track off of their last album, "23," and right away I felt like it was going to be a great weekend. "Dr. Strangeluv" came close on its heels and just kept it going. That is such a great album, and right now it's looking to come in at the top of my annual list.
After that, shit, Björk, no contest. I was late in appreciating her talent, but after watching some documentary about her shortly after Homogenic dropped I was hooked, so I scooped up all her excellent earlier work (OK, I wasn't such a huge fan of the Sugarcubes). She exceeded all my expectations for her ACL appearance and then some. Great song selection (it wouldn't be Björk without a few experimental pieces) and an awesome costume and lightshow design. She must have been hot as hell in her frilly gold lamé outfit but she never showed it. Her voice kicked ass the whole way. Even though the show blew Dylan's totally out of the water, I still must protest her comments regarding Bob earlier this summer. It really was a moebius strip of musical elitism. But what can she do, after all she's just random sparkly lights brought to life.
Both Arcade Fire and Midlake were incredible shows, but I didn't get as much out of The Decemberists' performance. Midlake played a new song and I liked it immediately, can't wait for the next record. The Arcade Fire had a great backdrop on which they projected blown-up, live footage from various stage cameras, including one in the drum kit looking up. Wilco was cool I suppose, got to hear "Via Chicago" and "Impossible Germany," but I've seen or heard them live so much in recent times that I probably should have gone for My Morning Jacket instead. It was one of the backdrop shows, like Ben Kweller, Yo La Tengo, and Spoon, that were enjoyable because I knew and liked the original material, but otherwise I didn't get too into them.
I only ate at the festival on Sunday, choosing from the wide variety of booths a $5 bratwurst sandwich (sandwich? just a brat on a bun). It tasted ok and was probably the cheapest decent food item, but it was still too expensive when you're already paying $4 for each beer. I think it's best to just eat a large meal before going out, sneak in some snack mix, and live on water, beer, and advil the rest of the day. Delirium makes the late headliner performances that much more delightful. That said, just going to the late show on the second day let me pace myself quite nicely for the two long days. The tripod chair and umbrella I brought came in very handy and with a fan and a beer buzz you can get relatively comfortable even in the middle of the grassy field with zero shade. The heat was worst in the dense crowds close to the stage; I found it best to just remain in the more sparsely crowded areas further away and enjoy the large screens.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
What about Bob?
Well, I couldn't handle the old Dylan. Four songs, that's what I could give out of respect. There were just so many better shows. I pour out a little drink for the old man.
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Regina Spector
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Sound tribe sector nine
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Nichole Atkins and the sea
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Saturday, September 15, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Spoon
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Joss stone
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Blonde Redhead
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Aclfest day 1
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Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Foresight's 20/20
I'm not saying I agree with the Feingold or the French all the time. They can be pretty big douchebags themselves. Today I came across these pre-war statements and combined with my thinking about things, such as, the iraq in the last week it was pretty bitter tonic. This in the face of claims I hear all the time that everyone was following the same mistaken intelligence reports, or how noone could have known what would have happened in this fucking mess. Or how the dems bitch about the war solely for political gain, Bush talking about how the media ruins any rosy picture he tries to put out there, gimme a fucking break. It's terrible and a lot of people called that shit. But we're in break it-bought it mode now, and in the face what has been such a sorry downward spiral it's really hard to accept that some people still feel we have the best people in the top jobs. Honestly, I know jackshit about international politics or actual military strategy, but I don't know much about pitching a fastball or fixing a motorcycle either. But some people do. Some people do.
But then I glance back at a great uncyclopedia page on redundancy, which is uncyclopedia's entry on redundancy that uncyclopedia created to discuss the topic of redundancy, itself written in a repetitive way that states the same ideas over and over, and once more again, restating its definition of redundancy ad infinitum, and I find it amusingly hilarious that I can still laugh.
Here's the link.
Both in terms of the justifications for an invasion and in terms of the mission and the plan for the invasion, Mr. President, the Administration's arguments just don't add up. They don't add up to a coherent basis for a new major war in the middle of our current challenging fight against the terrorism of al Qaeda and related organizations. Therefore, I cannot support the resolution for the use of force before us.
I associate myself with the concerns eloquently raised by Senator Kennedy and Senator Byrd and others that this could well represent a disturbing change in our overall foreign and military policy. This includes grave concerns about what such a preemption-plus policy will do to our relationship with our allies, to our national security, and to the cause of world peace in so many regions of the world, where such a doctrine could trigger very dangerous actions with really very minimal justification.
But, Mr. President, I am increasingly troubled by the seemingly shifting justifications for an invasion at this time. My colleagues, I'm not suggesting there has to be only one justification for such a dramatic action. But when the Administration moves back and forth from one argument to another, I think it undercuts the credibility of the case and the belief in its urgency. I believe that this practice of shifting justifications has much to do with the troubling phenomenon of many Americans questioning the Administration's motives in insisting on action at this particular time.
What am I talking about? I'm talking about the spectacle of the President and senior Administration officials citing a purported connection to al Qaeda one day, weapons of mass destruction the next day, Saddam Hussein's treatment of his own people on another day, and then on some days the issue of Kuwaiti prisoners of war.
I am especially troubled by these shifting justifications because I and most Americans strongly support the President on the use of force in response to the attacks on September 11, 2001. I voted for Senate Joint Resolution 23, the use of force resolution, to go after al Qaeda and the Taliban and those associated with the tragedies of September 11. And I strongly support military actions pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 23.
But the relentless attempt to link 9-11 and the issue of Iraq has been disappointing to me for months, culminating in the President's singularly unpersuasive attempt in Cincinnati to interweave 9-11 and Iraq, to make the American people believe that there are no important differences between the perpetrators of 9-11 and Iraq.
Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold on Opposing the Resolution Authorizing the Use of Force Against Iraq From the Senate Floor - October 9, 2002
A second reason for the reluctance of the French people is that Iraq is not viewed as an immediate threat. Thanks to the determination of President Bush and the international community - and to the inspections that destroyed more armaments between 1991 and 1998 than did the Persian Gulf war itself, and which have now been reinforced with stronger means and bigger teams - Saddam Hussein is in a box. And the box has been closed with the inspectors in it.
Europeans consider North Korea a greater threat. Imagine what a sense of security we all would feel if, as in Iraq, 100 inspectors were proceeding with unimpeded inspections throughout North Korea, including the president's palaces.
A third reason for the cautious mood relates to the consequences of a war in Iraq. We see Iraq as a very complex country, with many different ethnic groups, a tradition of violence and no experience of democracy. You can't create democracy with bombs - in Iraq, it would require time, a strong presence and a strong committment.
We also worry about the region - considering that no peace process is at work for the moment in the Middle East, that none of the great powers seem able to foster one, and that a war in Iraq could result in more frustration and bitterness in the Arab and Muslim worlds.
People in France and more broadly in Europe fear that a military intervention could fuel extremism and encourage Qaeda recruitment. A war could weaken the indispensable international coalition against terrorism and worsen the threat of Islamic terrorism.
The inspections should be pursued and strengthened, and Saddam Hussein must be made to cooperate actively. War must remain the very last option.
Thank you very much.
Embassy of France in the United States - February 14, 2003
But then I glance back at a great uncyclopedia page on redundancy, which is uncyclopedia's entry on redundancy that uncyclopedia created to discuss the topic of redundancy, itself written in a repetitive way that states the same ideas over and over, and once more again, restating its definition of redundancy ad infinitum, and I find it amusingly hilarious that I can still laugh.
Here's the link.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
The lair
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Monday, September 3, 2007
What the Douches are Missing, Part 2
Day 2 of the 2007 SGS Reunion began in the late afternoon at a field near Caleb's house, where we all* met in the drizzle for some wiffleball. Team (Dirt) Shawn took an early lead but Team The General surged ahead in later innings. It got close again in the final innings but Team The General scored the win. Some highlights: Ted jumping and sliding through the muddy grass to (almost) catch the very first hit of the game, Caleb and Mack's collision, and one home run (I forget who hit it, someone remind me). Here's Caleb and Mack enjoying a more intentional collision:
Big strike - a beautiful pitch if I do say so myself:
After the game we retired to Caleb and Karas for some food and drink.
Eventually poker was joined. The game played a little late but in the end I went home with the winner.
* All of the truecore, anyways...
Saturday, September 1, 2007
What the Douches Are Missing, Part 1
Will and the Cecils managed to grab a great spot in one of the parking garages off San Jacinto and myself, C2, and Mack all joined in the ensuing tailgate action.
From our seats we could watch all the pretty orange passersby with the capitol building in the background.
Before they headed to the game, Huckster Cecil even managed to give away his last ear of corn to a stranger. Butter, salt, and Cecil... who could resist?
Me and C2 finished the night out playing another round of disc golf. Me +9, C2 +13. So much for getting better... still, it's a damn fun game.
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