house painting music

July 3, 2008

About mid-morning, the crew brought out the boombox. I didn’t want to listen to it, so I cranked up my Blank & Jones collection, which can get me through most of the day in a productive haze. At some point, the painters turned down their stuff. After lunch maybe. Then they went to work on the beams, which meant they were close to where I was working. They got kinda quiet, although occasionally one would do the falsetto again, a melodic ballad that was nice.

They finished the whole house in a day. Very proud, they walked me around so I could see. As I was writing out the check, the lead guy said, ‘Nice music.’

so what’s on Obama’s playlist?

June 25, 2008

Almost everyone, it seems, except musicians that the heartland holds dear.

another cat musician

June 4, 2008

When Chris, a blogger who infrequently contributes here, left to seek his fortune up north, he left behind some cacti. I came across this


and it’s definitely Chris.

Nora, the musically gifted cat

June 2, 2008

I swore I’d never ever get another cat. But Nora here, kinda makes me want to get one someday. Far, far in the future.


the meaning of ’sigur ros’ and other band names

April 14, 2008

Crystal Castles (remember She-Ra, He-Man’s twin sister?), Vampire Weekend, Hadouken!, My Morning Jacket, The Mars Volta, Gogol Bordello and Effi Briest, among others.

Paolo Conte: Via con me

April 11, 2008

If you saw Mostly Martha, you’ll know it instantly, (not that the video has anything to do with the film) If you missed Mostly Martha, you should see it this weekend. It’s the German movie from which No Reservations was derived. Based on reviews read, the latter was a mere shadow of the former. Ci bum ci bum, du du du du du.

youtube uk April Fool

April 1, 2008

Click on any featured video. Go on, do it. (today only)

Via the Museum of Hoaxes. It’s a minefield out there today. Virgle, anyone? Wait, is that for real?

rickrolling: an explanation

March 31, 2008

I’m not quite recovered from watching (in a weaker moment as relief from doing taxes) men who fish for Asian carp with bows, so the whole rickrolling thing was something of a surprise. I got my explanation from a son, but you can learn all about it here, in case you’ve been away from the intertubes.

composer compares current soundtracks to wandering bovines

March 19, 2008

Well, Hans Zimmer did anyway.

a strange earworm

February 6, 2008

Lately, I’ve been catching up with episodes of the long-running British series, ‘Monarch of the Glen’, set in Scotland. (I alternate that with the latest DVD of MI-5, aka Spooks, another animal entirely.) Sometimes I struggle to keep up with the thick accents of some cast members. Today, I woke up with Groundskeeper Willie’s rantings in my head.

Nothing specific since I don’t recall many of his quotes, but there’s this vague gibberish in a Scottish burr in the background as I work. It should be annoying, but it’s very funny.

Patti Smith and Bobby Fischer

January 23, 2008

At her site, a poem called Souvenance.

Patti Smith’s Polaroids

She uses a Land 250, and the show will be at the Fondation Cartier in Paris. Here are some sample shots taken from an earlier exhibition.

metallicus gravis, or severe auditory abuse

December 27, 2007

A scholarly discussion (with tongue firmly in cheek) published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. The site has a bit of a problem displaying text via Firefox on a Mac, your experience might be better.

music to wrap presents by: Tamacun

December 21, 2007

The wrapping goes a lot faster, trust me.

Normally, I go the traditional route. By the time the presents are all stacked up in their boxes, I want to slow down, but this year, I’m a bit behind. Still got some cards to get out. Still got a few things to get. The fridge is waiting for the turkey and the roast.

Most years, I get to do the wrapping by myself, but this time, curious family members are popping in and out of the room (wow, that’s a big box), so the faster the process, the better.

and a very merry Chewbacca to one and all

I bet you didn’t know he could sing so well. Something to listen to while you’re waiting for the office party to start.

food songs: Banana Fish

December 20, 2007

From Shonen Knife. It’s not a Christmas song, not sure if it’s about food either.