I have been reading, just not posting.

I really wanted to start reading again but for pleasure and not for posting. There was so much pressure I think to read a book and just post up my thoughts about what I read that I honestly didn't enjoy it anymore. Where was the fun? It was lost on me to be honest. I disengaged with Goodreads, this (what has become a bookie blog) and following writers and reviewers on the social media circut (expect my beloved Jenny Lawson and Chuck Palahniuk if I am going to be completely honest). But I have been reading a few galleys over the last couple of weeks that have really knocked my socks off and for different reasons.

  Anne Frank on Tour and Other Stories by George Thomas Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyed this creative collection of short (some very short) stories. I requested via netgalley as a jumping off point to start reading again this summer after a short respite from reading to review.
What a nice way to get back in the saddle.

The author really captured the voices of each of his characters which was a delight and unexpected. The titular character had the same voice as I recall reading from her diaries back many long years ago. The other characters from Putin to Dolly Parton to Elvis are all covered here and with seemingly great care to not disrupt their professional spirit.

This is an easy read and a fun journey into what could be, could have been and what a character can be in a short story.

I really enjoyed it and it was a great reminder that a terrifically told story doesn't have to be a huge diatribe. It can be a few paragraphs for the point of the story to be made. What a treat.

What I really loved about this collection of short stories is each chapter/story was really completely different than the previous or next story. Each character 100% had their own voice. I know that it's hard to do. I didn't imagine that I would have liked this small collection as much as I did. I usually read a chapter a night before I go to bed and since many of the stories were very short (with no losss to the story itself mind you... another achievement) this made for a nice pre-sleep ritual. I raced through this book and enjoyed each character that I encountered.

The second review copy I received approval for this summer was - 

I am currently reading this and will remove the cover art and post up with the link like above when I am done. BUT ... I had never heard of the band Speedball Baby (and only today even googled them and listened to a song or two).  I have never heard of this author.. 

 BUT the prologue was written by Exene who I do know and do love... so I didn't think she would leave me stranded. And whoa so far (I am about 1/2 way through) I am not disappointed. 

Road diaries can be a slog but this book doesn't read like that in the least.  It is a joy ride.  Now I have to qualify that this is not a fun story but it reads like a novel, is really well written and I believe really does capture that moment in time where bands were signed and sent out on the road to make it.  

I am truly impressed and very very much engaged in this story.  When I go outside during office breaks during the week I sneak in a couple of pages to live vicariously and keep the action going on the author's adventures.  That is saying something.  

I am about halfway in.  Part of the holiday weekend goals is to finish so I can post up the remainder of the "review".  

PS the music is fun a.f. and the book in it's way is too. 

More to come on that bb's. 

Additionally - I do post up my thoughts and comments on Goodreads because that is the place that Netgalley directs you to. I am super duper grateful to each publisher that provides me with a galley to read in advance of publishing.  I am not going to deny that every time I get a book in that way (and when I buy on my own...) I am more than gitty to share my opinions. But with galley books the publishers want to see it somewhere... and the Goodreads platform is sadly the option of choice I suppose. 

I was listening to a podcast this week while walking my dog in the morning and heard in passing something about Elizabeth Gilbert, book reviewers and 1 star reviews cancelling a book before it even published. 

I went back and gave it a second listen because it's really important. 

Here is the pod if you are so inclined (PS this book sounds freaking great, I am adding it to my want to read list by the way:  Into It with Sam Sanders: Brandon Taylor Wants to Bring Gatekeeping Back to Book Criticism and a link to the Washington Post article (at this time there is no paywall but  popup for subscription) that they are talking about in this podcast.  I am personally not a fan of Goodreads anymore, or was I really ever. But it's how publishers in alot of cases find reviews of value I suppose. 

I only post up my commentary on books that I actually read, but honey, bb, kiddos I am more than a book reader.  I would love someplace to post thoughts, commentary, ideas other than a single threaded outdated platform.  So I think (and right now it's just a thought...) about starting a substack because that seems to be the platform of the moment. It certainly isn't here (talking about outdated platforms) for much longer I don't think.  

I will have the same amount of subscribers there as here I am sure ... lol it's like 1 person maybe... but change is afoot.  

  

The History of Bones by John Lurie

History of Bones by John Lurie

"I don’t want to visit cheap".  This is a quote from John Lurie's latest book:  The History of Bones (this link will take you to a google preview of the book, it's a pretty random view of the book, but a good idea of the book).

Amen.  

He doesn’t sell himself (or his story) out on what YOU think is important. I am glad that he didn't cowtow to writing about what people want to hear and it’s glorious. 

There are a bunch of random reviews out there that will entice you by saying things like: a great book about the grit of NY in the late 70s. Sure, I guess. But really and this is what I got out of it... it's all about the value and desire of a musician to make a difference in the world and what he has to do to get there.  

It's gritty as things get with no apologies, but it's really self reflection and not hot goss about Studio 54 and the East Village which is what some of the preliminary reviews were and I couldn't have wished for anything more different.  

The first five chapters are so important to the rest of the story do not skip them. Truly. It’s a side I certainly did not know. I mean I read the book so I could know more but this was very important reading to understand who Mr. Lurie is and why he pursues everything in the way that he writes about.  To me, this was wildly brave.

It’s a semi-linear story told in fits and starts which while reading it’s like listening to John Lurie tell you the story directly… and yes there is an audio book that will be just be that exact piece of art. If you have watched "Painting with John" (and I suggest that you do), there is a familiarity in the narrative.  If you have seen "Fishing with John" then you definitely are in familiar narrative territory.  

About halfway through is where the book fine tunes (no pun I promise) so there are some of the more juicer tales.  The pace is the same but things get busier and more prolific for John Lurie. 

Lots of drug use without apology so it can be triggering and honestly hard to read. But he puts it out there and it’s brave.  Lots of memoirs talk of drug use and this is so matter of fact that you have to wonder... how can this be, but knowing that there are no other punches pulled, welp, it can and it was.  He doesn't glorify it at all.  It's pretty heavy to read.   

There is an interlude (one of many) that was so touching and seriously kind an observation about Andy Warhol when I read it my idea of both of them are actually changed. 

86 % in the book (at least according to my reader counter thingie) we get this quote- "making a record is a very artificial thing to do. You are trying to encapsulate , in sound, this thing that is a little moment of soul." I sucked in a huge gasp of air when I read that.  It was like "boom" this is what this book is about.... little moments of soul , further peppered with moments of struggle, love and other creative gestures. 

That is what this book really is about in my opinion, John Lurie... the musician.  Every bit of the book always comes back to the music for Lurie. 

It was a great read.  

There are some great pictures shared too of his life which if you read all the way through the book, then go and look at them and then they will make more sense.  So read the book, then look at the pictures.  I am glad that I waited to look at what photos he did share.  

I honestly will be ordering the audio book too so I can hear him tell me the stories and tales of the road again. It was that good to me. 

 

Jenny Lawson's Furiously Happy and why I took so long to read this book

Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Soooooo... back in June... looking for ideas for the Punk Rock Book Club (tm) ... I did get notice that the book was on sale on Amazon. I scooped it up... knowing that I wanted it and have for a long time.

So why only now... say January 2017, 6 months later am I actually finishing it?

Here are some reasons why NOT:

Not because I loaned to book to F. Made him read it because he needed to understand why I would lay in bed giggling.

Not because I loaned it to another friend because SHE needed to know why I was giggling.

Not because I put it down because I got sad that Jenny Lawson is dealing with some shit.

Not because I was overwhelmed with life, I mean my issues are insignificant comparitively.

Why did it take so long to finish this book? I didn't want it to end. Seriously. That is the only real reason. I may actually go back and read it again just so that I can enjoy it double as much. Jenny Lawson's insights into life, her ups and downs, her marriage, her relationships are incredible. Lessons were learned. My issues.... irrelevant compared to what Ms. Lawson brings to the table. And seriously... if she can overcome, find the funny and share it... this girl can too.

I think that is the best lesson learned. I had to finish it so that I could start it over again. This time... I will take notes. This next time I will laugh harder and more outloud. I am actually a better person for reading her book. It's funny as all get out and was like my friend Lisa said... a gift. And lucky for me... a present that I get to open again!

View all my reviews

Yikes has it really been over a month... oops. I guess that real life business of not having much to share has gotten in the way with posting online. Lets see...

Started to read The Death of Bunny Munro then got freaked out when I was reading it that I would hear it as in fact Nick Cave was reading it to me in my head. It was a little disconcerting to go through that before I would go to bed so I put it down a couple of weeks ago and haven't picked it up again. Perhaps I will get to it soon, it wasn't bad, not great but certainly worth finishing.

I saw my very first Fellini movie in a theater. Wait that is confusing. I saw a Fellini movie in a theater, which is the first time seeing a Fellini movie on a screen larger than 42". Ok that makes better sense. It was early on a Saturday night and we were thinking of something to do. I was thinking about dinner and a movie but it turned out just to be Amaracord. In true Fellini fashion it was beautiful, disconjointed and delightful. I really can say it was better on a theater screen. One of the trailers before the movie was for the TV show "Modern Family" (which I am finding delightful to watch by the way)... there was an older gentleman in the theater that very loudly said "that looks like a comedy, I am not going to watch it". It was so funny. We giggled about it all night.

Later that night we went to Karaoke. Yep. I swear my little mind was blown. I just can only say F can sing... daymn. He got some ladies to clear the dance floor of tables and dance. It was amazing to see. Didn't know about this skill of his. Just thinking about it makes me smile a little. Ok... OK... alot.

I got over some of my issues with Jack White freaking me out after seeing "It Might Get Loud". He still creeps me out a little bit but after watching this movie about the three guitar giants play and talk about playing I respect the begebus out of the guy. And it was cool to see a little closer up than I ever have or will the set up that The Edge uses. Technology is is friend and it's neat to know a little bit more about how he makes his sound so uniquely his.

Finally placed an order for one of the many jars in the Vices Jar Collection from Jonathan Adler. It was such a disappointing mess that the delivery took nearly two weeks to arrive that sadly I don't think I will ever go to the effort to order again. I adore (no j'adore) the aesthetic that Mr. Adler has there is something truly lovely about the 60's Hollywoodchic design style but I am done. NOW... that being said they did me right, by crediting the shipping charges and offered me a discount on any future purchase, but sorry. The Prozac Jar will have to be my stopping point.

Got a miserable cold that lasted for a couple weeks. Cracked a tooth, possibly from grinding my teeth and am in the starting process of getting it fixed (part one of the initial root canal is done... and I can finally close my mouth completely and chew... its fantastic).

I met a lovely little girl that makes my bro and sister parents and me an aunt. This was the highlight of September I have to admit.

Memorable shows include: The Flaming Lips at Red Rocks,the Happy Mondays and the Physchedlic Furs at the Boulder Theater, Jen Korte and the Loss at the Walnut Room, David Cross book signing at the Tattered Cover (for a couple reasons....F was there, it's all I can say) and then the standup at the Paramount (even though because of my tooth and the ensuing bone infection, oh I didn't mention that above? Yeah... I was miserable), Aenka in a parking lot and Derby on the Rocks Western Regional Championships.

It has been a great month hope that it has been for you too.

so ... first things first...

Freak Train... finally went (after years and years of wanting to and never going) and am so glad that I did I am glad that I have friends that would.  The cold and frigid weather might have kept some people away but since I committed myself internally to going, first of the year, first show of the year, first time for everything... had to. 

We went to Patsy's across the street for dinner, before hand which was really nice.  Except I nearly collapsed because I was overcome with nausea for some reason, I think I was just jammed too close to the wall for comfort and felt really boxed in, but felt immediately better when I stood up and got out of the booth, so I am sure that is what the is.  It was no one's fault but my own for getting in first and but wow, I thought I was going to pass out.  But I got to see the stick figure gondola magic and that was totally worth it. 

The nights line up included an interpretive dance with sausage, a belly dance, some jokes, some magic, some songs, a bed time story about a duck, the time warp,  some poetry and good friends.  F gave me his door prize ticket and we won tickets to a show on Saturday night... we are winners!  And for the record, I don't think I will be able to look at the juice in canned corn the same for a while... thank you F. 

On the drive home I got a little turned around in the neighborhood and ended up sorta but not really driving around aimlessly for about 15 minutes. I knew where I needed to go, but it was so quiet and absolutely gorgeous out (albiet a little cold).  It was starting to snow a little bit and actually was really peaceful.  Ended up taking some pictures at a Catholic Church that was so amazing I nearly passed out again (well not really but I when I drove by my breath was taken away for a minute and I had to stop right there in the middle of the street and take pictures) You can see them on flickr later tonite or tomorrow.  Probably tomorrow.

Barely got out of bed this morning, it was way too comfy cozy to get up but I had to, I had some I.T. worker bee coming over to work on our Director's computer and stuff so I had to be here.  Go me the little worker bee too.  And Yay for being a worker bee for sure.  Grateful beyond all belief that I can since I know people who unfortunately are unable to say the same right now. 

Tonite is the last jammer mcjammie at the Meadowlark the way it has been, it is still happening on-going on Tuesdays but with a different host, not Dave K so I am planning to go down there after later tonite so bid adieu.  I am looking forward to a chill evening of improvisational jam.  I do love watching F play.  Have to boldly go there and put it out there in the world.  It is so true.

I am very much looking forward to G-love moving back to D-Town soon.  I am seriously planning a big soiree' of Welcome Back at Casa Bonita.   The last time we went we seriously had so much fun, now with some of the peeps I know now ... so much funner and insane, because... we didn't drink the last time but will this time for sure.  And go on a Friday night when it is batshit birthday party central.  That is all I am sayin.

Stayed clear of the crack today (facebook for those of you in the know) and am super proud. I am only allowing myself like 1 hour which is enough to accept my requests and the like and catch up on the status updates of my peeps.  I have to do better with my time for sure.

I want cake for the record but don't have any.  Fail.

Movie-rama for the day...

Woke up and discussed our favorite movies... you know top 10 stuff... I really couldn't come up with ones that were my favorites but know that meant that I had to watch some movies today to determine if in fact any would be my favorite...

The Savages
The Puffy Chair
The Hawk is Dying
The Tunnel Dwellers of New York
Le Cirque: A table in Heaven

not a movie but watched none the less

The first three episodes of Damages from this season so far
some Robot Chicken
CSI from last week


Not really any of my favorites but certainly really good in their own ways.  This is why I can't pick favorites. 

I am planning on doing a little baking tonite I think, F wants cupcakes, I am ok with that and I can take the extras to Freak Train tomorrow night.  I also want to make some cheese straws and something for lunches for the week. 

I also have to call my Oprah.

Movie-rama....

If I had my druthers I would do this all day everyday... but I can't because my house wouldn't be clean, I couldn't afford cable nor the electricity to run the show... I am glad though that I have at least one day to actually do this.

It is a nice joy that I have.

Today's shows include:

Edmund
Jump Tommorrow
Fargo 
Bottle Rocket
Dan in Real Life (on half of it or so)

I have a couple on deck but am really not paying all that much attention. The last movie was so not good that I am just about to turn on the mp3 player and dance it out bitches in stead of watching movies.  

Denver Arts Week - Nov 14-22

Ok so I have been feeling largely inspired by several things (obviously wanting to upgrade my camera was a kicker... and thanks Bro for the sage advise and backing me up on the J&R... that will be sweet)  and in my email this morning and yesterday too I am flooded by media.  Its a very very good thing. 

I am hearby putting all you Denver Readers on notice.  I want to have you have to participate in at least ONE event during Denver Arts Week.  Do one thing please.  I never ask you to do anything. Have I ever? I don't remember. Anyways.  Plenty to do around here during this time that is for sure. In fact it even really starts off the week before with First Friday on November 7th.  Don't say I didn't warn you.

I am still compiling the list of the movies / er...films that I want to see at the Denver Film Festival this year.  A couple were actually brought to my attention that I missed when glancing through the schedule yesterday so maybe I will get a list of the things that I might see together today, it might be tomorrow.

I am struggling though to keep busy at work right now.  I know that there are tons of things that I can get done but whoa nelly I am hardly motivated.  Taking the couple hours yesterday morning for a little mental health break was warranted I think for sure. I am glad I did it.  I should have taken the whole day off but just couldn't. 

And in other Dumb Ass moves yesterday... put my mp3 player on my IPhone and it made the thing go all wonkie (well the screen at least) and finally had to reset it which was a pain in the ass.  But its fixed which is really a nice thing but it had me really annoyed for about 10 minutes thinking I totally jacked it up. 

So today I am going to go and vote, get a new radio/alarm clock for the bedroom (the alarm isn't working anymore ... thus waking up late yesterday and sleeping with one eye open this morning waiting waiting waiting but having nothing happen), return some stuff to amazon (they are super cool) and see Velvet Cash tonite. If'n you want discount tickets for the door, email me and I will send you a ticket to get you in for two bucks.

I am hoping F comes through with tickets for Monday... all of a sudden, kinda totally into it.  Hmmmmm.  Ok off to get some workie mcworkerson things done so that I can justify leaving to vote! Yay go me.

Things are getting better and better.  Seriously.  No sarcasm in that statement.  I am serial.  I got a notice in the mail yesterday for my polling place with a mail in ballot piece of information.  I think I missed the deadline, but when looking online I found a early polling place about a mile from work.  So no long long lines for me on November 4th.  This is a huge relief for me I have to admit.  Colorado's ballot is the largest that it has ever been and there are a lot of measures that need serious attention outside of the Presidency and I didn't want to and was worried that I would, get frustrated and walk away from the lines on the Election Day. 

So ... tomorrow I am going to go on my lunch, do my civic duty as a registered voter and git it dun. 

I was going to bake cupcakes last night but got completely sidetracked by television... shocker.

I found when I went to get Guinness last night... Coney Island lagers....seriously if only for the labels how freakin' fun (yes blah blah blah pun intended).  It looks like they have it on tap at the Double Down if you are in the Las Vegas area you too can try it (hey now... they opened one in NYC? What the hull... that's not right.. that is probably where you can get it actually not in Vegas... so go to Houston and A if you are in NYC to get it on tap and your ass juice shot I suppose with midgets... huh). and if you are perhaps in NYC for CMJ you can go to Katz's Deli or like 100 other places or Doc Hollidays in Manhatten. Just a couple of ideas.  Look at me pimpin the beer... and midget pO*rn.  I bought the beers solely on the labels but also the fact that HeBrew is not bad at all.  Dad and I got wasted (ok I did) at Grandpa's one night so how bad really can it be?  And it's kosher so I can bring it to the frummie family events and look like I am being fun instead of trying to erase the fact that I am there. 

G is moving back in Feb I just found out. Sweet.

I totally forgot to point out that I had a fantastic breakfast at Dixons on Saturday.  No doubt it was so good.  AND I really like their green chile.  I keep forgetting to call and let them know our waiter was really terrific.  And the tip was NO accident my friend, yes you were that good.  Ok so we didn't exactly get beverage refils like I would have liked but that was the only thing that was lacking.  F picked it and I have to admit I wasn't thinking much of it but then the food came and I was a happy little pre-museum going camper. 

After lunch and feeding our meters we went over to the MCA Denver to see the Damien Hirst exhibit.  Now... here is the thing.  I like Damien Hirst alot.  I think he is about as audacious at Jeff Koons who I would wet kiss if he would let me. BUT four peices?  Wow.  Kind of a serious let down, the man is prolific as hell, why two Butterfly Paintings, One Medicine Cabinet Peice and St. Sebastian?  That is it.  LET DOWN.  No spin art? Seriously?  I am not kvetching seriously here people.  I loved it.  LOVED IT. And good for the MCA for getting what they did, its a huge thing for such a small contemporary art museum, it means Denver is on the map, but fuck all... four peices? 

Plus our docent was giving out all sorts of misinformation on all the other peices on our tour.  It was horrific.  I finally just started tuning him out.  I am sure the dude is a nice enough guy but really?  Dead Guy (F pointed that one out to me)? Che Guevara? Nope you don't know your peices buddy.  And he kept trying to insert what he thought of the peices too.  Not at all appropirate with out being asked by the group my friend.

Bad, no one is interested.  He left out significant information about the works too. Didn't even discuss the Hirst stuff out side of the fact that he didn't know squat about St. Sebastian and the fact that the butterflies didn't hatch in his studio but he found them and curated them dead already and that the medicines in the cabinet were prozac and "some other animal drugs".  After the auction there is so much information out there there is no excuse for him to not know anything... read wikipedia for goodness sake... sha. 

But, that being said I got to see some Hirsts (if just four peices) up close which was a thrill. Now if I could just find the peice at the Denver Art Museum (supposedly they have "Party Time" but I haven't EVER seen it) I would really be happy. 

There was a photography exhibit too that was pretty sensational.  And the docent guy seemed to know a little bit more about her process than any thing else there but also probably gave us wrong information.  I tried to look interested since I have the photography bug but seriously grrrr it was frustrating.  And he was dismissive about why they didn't put the titles under or near the works but on a hand out on a shelf outside the gallery but didn't tell us the list was there until I asked...(it would take away from the peice he said... um.... really? The titles of the work helped me to understand what Jane Hammond was doing with her collages but pardon me not for "getting it" with out the title sheets... it was bullshit). But everyone else was so eager and so nice it was hardly worth getting annoyed by the guy.  He probably is totally a volunteer and this was maybe one of his first groups or something.  I don't know.  I would definately just pick up the gallery cards next time and come to my own conclusions. 

Saturday I hope to get to the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Steele Gallery as they have some peices by the  Starn's hanging now.  I didn't know about it until I saw a post on 20x200 today about them. The show comes down Saturday night so it will be interesting to see how they work for sure.  I am trying desperately to find something to kick  my ass back in gear photography wise.  I feel like I am in this rut.  Sure show shots are cool but honestly I don't have the gear for it and the shots I took Friday of Velvet Cash show. 

So I need to branch out.  Try something new.  That is the goal.

Tales from this year's annual Modern Drunkard Convention.

I had plans to go anyways but when F made the suggestion last week that we would go at least on Saturday night I was actually pretty darn happy. See I loves me the 3 Kings Tavern.  I really don't know why... could it be they love their bands they book?  Maybe. Could it be that it's owned by some of the greatest guys that I have ever met? Possible.  Is it because they really have great bartenders? I don't know.  Either way.... perfect location.

So Saturday night I am walking in and run in to Sam and TJ and the guys from King Rat.  I know potentially what kind of evening I have ahead of me.

I see the aftermath of someone who attempted to run the gauntlet (all the beers on tap - 20 of them - in 8 hours - and full pints mind you.... sounds easy doesn't it - I wouldn't try it -if you do it you don't have to pay for your beers, if you don't you buy and sometimes for everyone else who is trying) just as I am heading in.  Oh babies it is on.

Now a little history, I have read the magazine and nearly almost contributed (me and Heather were going to write a little article but it never materialized) since it's inception.  I was an extra in Frank's film (in the scene(s) shot at PS.  I was pysched it was back here in Colorado, past conventions have been in Vegas and the rumor is next year might be in Chicago (um... yay).

F gets there and he goes in and picks up his convention pass.  Now to be honest I was a little chapped because certainly I can pay for my own pass, not a big deal, but I wasn't sure what he had arranged for. But I was more annoyed that he walked in and didn't say bupkes to me about it and kinda well actually left me outside.  Sam and TJ bless their hearts kept me level and I went in, saw he didn't make arrangements for me (which he usually does, or wasn't able to... I understand it doesn't always happen) and got my pass.

Looked for F, realized....oh we aren't here to hang out and enjoy the show... he's working.  Oh.  So, I get over my disappointment, go and watch the burlesque show and meet up with some guys from San Antonio and their wives.

I think seriously this might have been the best show I have ever seen Buckwild play for the record.  It could have been the PBR talking (I was into my second pint at this point.) but I don't think so. 

I go outside after a bit and am talking to a couple people I know and really just chilling and I realize... I probably should go in and have a shot... it is The Convention afterall (and it is early enough in the evening).  So Sam and I decide to go inside.  I get (and sorry Jimmy... but...) the worst mind eraser ever (he forgot the soda and ice so basically it was kahlua and vanilla vodka in a glass....warmmmmmmm, but I drank it gladly and went to find F.  Went downstairs and looked and the gallery show hanging. (I am hoping that the stuff is still hanging tonite, I really think I want the Dorothy Parker peice, I have been thinking about it all weekend).

We go to sit down and I try and show this guy how to use the manual setting on his camera, he asked by the way, but then wasn't interested, F said he just wanted to look down my dress.  He was a hoot.  He had taken some pictures of his friend with his friends camera phone and not his camera so we teased them about that.  His picture of me is going to be really funny.  F was amused by my bra at that point.  It was the mind eraser-ish causing me to behave badly.  That is my story and I am sticking to it. 

Sam and I meet up with Miriam and we do a Washington Apple shot.  It was delicious.  Doc buys us beers.  I am pacing myself because I know only half of the night has happened and I don't want to end up leaning over anything getting sick. I don't drink much so this was potentially entering territory I didn't really want to be in.  I wasn't drunk but could have gotten there if I tried to keep up with everyone else around me.

 

This is the "pit" for Fourth Year Freshman... things were about to get crazy....

 This was the jist of the whole evening. 

Chatted with Mike for a bit (he makes a good mind eraser).  Then King Rat played.  Jannelle didn't have her shoes on and got sliced up pretty badly and bled everywhere.  My camera was safely in my car at that point so there is no documentation on my side (F has some though being the journalist he is) besides I was in the "pit" getting my slam on.  I had on boots but even then the floor was awful wet, beer spilled, cocktails spilled, blood and really slippery, it was crazy.  It was something fun I have to admit.  All hail King Rat.  Miriam grabbed me so we got a shot (red bull with a vodka bomber, remember this for later in the story) and went back into the fray.

As the evening wrapped up went out to see Janelle getting her foot worked on by some really nice and hot fireman.  Poor thing, she was bleeding something fierce.  All I know is when I looked down I was covered in blood all over my hands.  One lady was totally freaked and said now "(you) are going to have to go and get tested".  Oh please really?  No.  The firemen were looking flabbergasted by the whole scene, poor guys.  But they were all REALLY pretty.  F stood by taking some pictures and we walked to the parking lot.  Red Bull makes me make stupid decisions by the way and by stupid I mean good and I will leave it at that.  I definately caught him off guard and he belives me now.  Thank you Miriam.  F thanks you too.

Ok so third night.. second night for me....

I get down there about 9.  I knew the night would be much mellower.  See the results of the cocktail napkin art contest (third place is above) see Slackjaw and The Fabulous Boogienauts (they are back bitches) and the final speech by Frank.  Home by one and in bed by 1:15.  It made for a really funny weekend and I got a poster from Mike.  I was talking to him and I was telling him that the poster was my favorite cover ever and he told me when things were packing up I could have it.  I nearly peed my pants.  I am so happy.  I will actually put it up too.  It is a treasure. Nice little capper for the evening. Thanks Modern Drunkard. Zoe loves you. 

Greg finished the gautlet. Luke tried.  Sam and TJ took some great pictures (I only hope that they email them to me).  I had some nice tacos. It was pretty fun.

Today we are going to Louisville for a party, then possibly to RockBar for Mexican BBQ for their kick off of their Second Anniversary week (I will be back on Thursday... F is MCing the Thursday event), then back to 3 Kings for Velvet Cash and Monday Night Panties at the Bar Burlesque and Beers.

Then its back to work.  I think this weekend is my own personal little guantlet.  Happy to run it too.  Its been lots of fun. 

Edited: Adding the Fabulous Westword Slide Show of the festivities... I am thankful there are no shots of me.

Ok funny thing... I just actually went to look at this here blog and see the bookmark chiklet on the bottom of my entries. Now this is funny because I remember going "huh that would be cool to add to my blog" at somepoint, so I had to go and look at the code to see where and when I actually built it into my page layout, because I do not at all remember actually doing it and seriously... I really did. When I install anything into my template, I make a note in the code to let me know that I did do it and when and where I got the code... which I actually didn't do this time... but yeah it is really pretty cool that its there.

Meet F for Lucille's brunch. Then we went to the Denver Art Museum. It was really great. There were peices there that I wished I had known were there earlier, I would have made more of a point to go but it was great to make it there today. Sorry G I couldn't wait for you to come back, but that being said there are many peices I want to go back and visit again. And I was really surprised that the Warhol wasn't the one I thought it was. AND it was really fucking cool. I get it now.

It was a great afternoon.

sorry one more... and it is too big to twitter...

Ok I don't know much about the leaving of the leader of the MCA but um seriously... the news that they are bringing a Damien Hirst to the building makes me want to pee my freakin' pants. OY.

talkie talkie

So sometimes I have hilarious conversations with my Dad, usually it ends up with my saying something completely inappropriate and off color that I just have to sit there and admit I am not ashamed to have just said that had I the money I would consider hiring Elliot Spitzer's call girl because I would love to know what $4500 an hour really does get you and if there are any tricks (no pun intended) that garners that kind of cash layout (again, no pun intended). Seriously. And the fact that I said it in front of my Grandfather and Great Aunt in the middle of a busy salad bar shouldn't surprise anyone that really knows me.

Now, that being written I was looking online for quotes to put up above my kitchen entrance. I have this drop ceiling that I used to print out pictures that my friends had taken and now with the advent of blik I just wanted something that was fun and fit me and the mood I want in the house, while their fancy little do dads and shapes were fine, I wanted something better, more personal... so I found some transparancy "paper" laying around the office and went to printing. . I had a quote from a chorus in Temptation by Tom Waits but it was small and I wasn't finding inspiration like I was hoping. I found a couple things from Dorothy Parker that were just alright but not what I was looking for. I searched and searched and couldn't find anything. I had a really amazing line from Everything Goes To Hell but I really had to find something better suited for something my parents could see. I think I found a happy medium with the quote from Roll the Dice...

It snowed this morning. Which is completely crazy, but it was just really actually kind of fun I have to admit. Nothing in the world like having to take Herschel for a walk at 7 am in sleet. It felt like little tiny needles hitting my face. Precious.

Just spent some time just now on the phone talking with a cow-erker about the old Elitches. Good times. If anyone can remember the name of the ride that was near the entrance that would go forwards and backwards and you had to sit on the interior part of the car because otherwise you would be completely squished by the person next to you... we would appreciate any help you could provide...
I say it was the Alpine Express, but that just does not seem right. A venture to Lakeside this summer is in order, non of this newfangled amusement park junk...


(edited to add: thank you PoPo... it was called The Zeigspritz)

things and stuff

Sometimes I whine about having nothing to do. Really it isn't whineing about there not being anything to do, but mearly MY not being able to find anything to do. So to remedy that I subscribed to the Zing Magazine's information list, ZingRecs, and on Monday afternoons usually I get an email (and actually a beautifully designed email none-the-less) telling me exactly what is happening in this town that I could in fact go and do. Many of the recommendations don't have high costs associated with them, many are free, and every single one of them is culturally relevant in some way I find.

I forget about the Emmanuel Gallery. When I was in religious school as a kid we always talked about the building, because of its significance (obviously) to my synagogue and when I was in college I went to many an opening because I was on campus (and knew many of the student exhibitors) but honestly in the ::cough cough:: many years since I have been on the campus I haven't gone down there one single time. I mean it is right there literally. Not out of reach, no crazy admission, bam... right there. Thank you Zing Magazine Recs for reminding me.

I Aam very much considering that tonite I will go over to the Gothic and see the New York Dolls. I couldn't back when they were shall I say in their prime, but still... after watching the documentary on Arthur Kane, how can I not go right? Tickets are only $20 which means probably more like $25 when I get to the door, but its a small price to pay to see a legendary group in a really great room. The last show I actually saw there was Charlie Hunter so that was certainly a while ago. I definitely think its time to go back. The main problem is I no longer can get away with going to see a show and being up and out until 1 a.m. and getting up at 6 a.m. anymore and being rested. A little training and I could but I haven't really considered the ramifications of my nutso meeting schedule for the next three days. The seasons are starting to change and my internal clock is getting all whikkiedie wack and I either am up all night until 3 am or out by 9pm and unrouseable until 8 am the next day.

At least I have the next couple days figured out. This Friday is First Friday as well. I don't know of any openings that I want to go to specifically but it might be a really great opportunity to go and checkout the Museum of Contemporary Art. I think there might be new shows up. Not sure though and besides what ever is there would be new to me because all I have done is driven up to the outside of the building and taken pictures of the installation on the outside. Oh and the pictures of the the security guard watching me take pictures, not looking happy. Whatever. Suck it security guard.

Oh and I got my latest print (Opp, Alabama by Scott Eiden) from 20x200 Saturday. Seriously... so much better than I could have even anticipated. I said that last time. And this time I totally mean it also. I opened the envelope and actually put it back away because of its awesomeness. There are all these details that you don't see on the website. That is good photography in my eye and mind. I am scared of its awesomeness. I was going to bring it into work and hang it in my cube, but really I think its going to stay in the house. No one here would understand.

today I am tired.... all I wanted to do was sleep in...

From Yesterday:

I just bought another print on 20x200: . I decided that I am going to bring the other print into the office and hang it behind my monitor and really for some reason was drawn to Opp, Alabama by Scott Eiden. I don't know if it is because it is stark or he fashioned a nice little history of the building and it's inhabitants. I don't know if it is because it is a photograph versus some of the print work she has posted. I don't know. But I instinctively hit... buy me some art... or whatever the button says and I was done. It isn't the brightest or even cheeriest peices I have seen or bought. Maybe its because this is nearly what the clouds looked like this morning as I drove in to work, late by the way.... Just grey and gray.

I love this for many reasons... but have not hit the buy me button. I don't know why. I think perhaps it reminds me enough of some of the motels up and down Colfax. I don't know.

From Today:

So I have been updating Plaxo. I have to set it up for work because some of our executives use it. It used to be alot like Linked In, which I have used when I was looking for a job a couple of years ago. One of the ladies that I interviewed with, who was awesome by the way... and the job would have been awesome too except for the fact that I got the job where I am now which is awesome-er. Anyways. So I got the email today that Comcast and Plaxo have teamed up (well actually comcast bought it) and are offering the system to their subscribers gratis, which is nice. I hate to say this, but I am actually a little excited. I have always liked Plaxo and now it synchs with all my google information including my calendar and contacts so this is actually pretty neat. Over the weekend I will play around and see if it still is as neat.

I have all my work done and about 45 minutes left in my work day. I would very very much like to crawl under my desk and take a little nap. But I was chatting with the Bro and I have to stay awake and motivated so that I can stop at Pho 79 on the way home for dinner. I was going to take it "to go" but Jason Sheehan's description of the coffee curls my toes, just a little bit and it might be just what I need to get out of this mood I am in. Plus I don't have the fixin's to do it up right ...at home....Maybe I will stop home, take Herschel for his walk and hopefully get back out to have some dinner, I just have to stay motivated, which I am finding incredibly hard to do. I might have to scrap the plan and go for lunch tomorrow instead. I haven't had delicious Pho since The Bro and I went for lunch the last time he was in town. All I know is Auntie Pickles really needs some protien.

a bissel movie talk...

Oh.. and totally forgot...nearly. So went to the Denver Jewish Film Festival, saw a couple of movies. For the most part it was actually enjoyable. There were some hiccups of course, crowded parking lots and timing of let outs and let ins, and the long speech before each presentation that was the same thing pretty much each time which lagged things up each showing. But I think honestly there is still a lot of growing pains associated with the group running the show. I don't want to talk too badly because they are providing a great service but there are festivals in this town that are run so well with great programing that they could definitely learn from.

The website is so poorly done I can't even link to it because the effort to even find the film listings doesn't show anymore, which is ridiculous considering many people like to refer back to what they have seen.

The first movie that I saw was an interesting little movie about a little boy coming into his own. Can't remember the name, and cant link back to it... maddening.

The second movie I saw was: Making Trouble. I learned about (not from the documentary mind you) our family connection to Sophie Tucker. It was actually a pretty great movie. It took almost a half minute for them to sync up the sound which was annoying but it finally caught up. I learned alot about three comedians that didn't know anything about (Molly Pican, Sophie Tucker and seriously... Fanny Brice) which was amazing. When they presented the segment on Gilda Radner I knew what was coming and lost it when they showed Alan Zwibel's piece. This is what I saw him present on the Bunny Bunny tour and its always in my heart because I remember that night at the Tattered Cover like it was yesterday. Joan Rivers was actually pretty funny. And the piece with Wendy Wasserstein was very interesting, I didn't quite understand why they didn't focus on Madeline Kahn because that is what it looked like it was going towards and didn't, but the film maker explained that was in fact what she was going for then Wendy Wasserstein passed away and they changed the focus of that segment. I think seriously they should just do both. But that would make a long piece. Maybe on the dvd they can do it.


And last night I saw: Strange Fruit. I didn't realize that I had seen it before. Oops. It was still good.

I have to say after looking at some of the festivals around the country, our fair city, Denver's was absolutely way low grade. I am not saying the quality of the exhibition was not good, but it wasn't great. They showed 8 episodes of In Treatment, but the problem being that it was on a Thursday night. Why not show on a Sunday afternoon? Include a lunch and make an afternoon of it. I am not quite sure about the quality of the programming at all. There wasn't anything for a younger crowd like in the past. They have showed The Hebrew Hammer in the past for the BBYO crowd, which I thought was a great move. Nothing like that this year. Perhaps next year it will be programmed a little more progressively, the timing of the showings will be better so there isn't such a logjam in the parking lot (that was horrible) and they will leave the program information up so that people can go back and look up what they saw. In many cases they can look up the movie, find it on dvd and help the film makers by purchasing the movies. Just sayin'.

There is a football game today?

Seriously, I am not a football watcher, I haven't watched a football game since my Dad and I put together an entertainment center for my apartment like 8 years ago. I had no clue until yesterday I have to admit who was even playing. Sure there is a big thing about the commercials but really I can go to YouTube and catch them later right? Or you can actually go to MySpace apparently.

In fact... here is a commercial that I like. I think its sweet (like in a kind way and no pun intended). I like that "The The" is hopefully getting a little residuals for one of my favorite songs from the 80s.



I have been digging into my bookmarks and watching dvr'd CSI episodes this morning. I have deleted a bunch of bookmarks that are dead and added many to my reader.

I would like to go out to Aurora Newsland today before I go to PoPos for her party...she is a serious footballer. She knows stats and it freaks me out. So before I go over, probably before half time, I am going to go over and see if the new issue of ZingMagazine is in. I really love the idea of a curated magazine. And the Dikeou family really does deserve kudos for keeping the idea up. The have a private collection that they open to the public that I haven't been able to go and see unfortunately. I am just never downtown when the exhibit is open and when I even worked downtown I could never get away on those days it was open. It was and is still very frustrating to me. Just to be around the Torimitsu's would make me pee my pants. The hours have changed from Tuesdays and Fridays to Wednesday's through Friday's now, so perhaps I can get motivated to take my days off and go. And of course I have subscribed to their ZingRecs for Denver.

Just as aside and a little insight into how I operate...I have to be really careful when I go to newsstands. Because see, I have this propensity to buy lots of magazines when I am at newsstands. Its a dangerous proposition for me. I will buy UK Music magazines. I will buy imported fashion and photography magazines. I will walk out with 100 dollars of magazines. I have to be really really careful. I have a final car payment to make at the end of the week so I can't go crazy. When I would go to rent movies with an ex at Tower I would end up walking out with two dvds and like 10 magazines. They had the best magazine newsstand ever. And it was close. Which was very dangerous. Financially I am happy that it is shuttered but sad because I can't go over there on a Friday night at 10:00 pm and fulfill that fix. Shrug would patiently stand there while I went batshit crazy...he was patient I do have to give him that. I remember one time when I was living in Burbank M and I would go to the newsstand before dinner reservations and he would literally have to pull me out of there. It sometimes would get ugly. It's going to be hard controlling myself. I literally could spend hours looking through magazines.

But I just realized if I wait until the middle of the week, I can pick up Craft and not have to go back twice and be tempted twice. Phew... crisis averted.

The documentary of the day is: Saving Jazz.

There are so many reasons why this is an important piece to me. Not only because Herman Leonard's photos are an amazing exhibition of a time that the American music scene was at its best I believe. Not only because it shows New Orleans before and right after and months after Katrina hit that city. Not only because it shows the culture of the arts in that city that sadly has been damaged potentially beyond repair. Not only because it shows the photographer's process in the lost art of film and developing. But so much more.

Mr. Leonard says that he feels powerless at the hands of the government machine. And to be honest he should. What our government did to every single person that lived there is something that our country should be ashamed of. It breaks my heart a little bit more every time I see something about this tragedy. Honestly I go out of my way to to stay away from politics and discussions of our government but how Washington DC didn't take care of these people who invented the most important music scene to me makes me absolutely sick.

My Dad used to work with the sheriff down there and every year we would get a Zulu coconut. The first year we got it, we didn't understand what the heck that was. But now, it is so important. We have a serious tie to New Orleans.

Why can't our government fix this. What is NOT happening is that nothing going on in a effective way, and its stupid. They are packing up the temporary housing right now and putting people in low income motels, but only for three months. That is no solution. This makes no sence. There are houses to rebuilt. There are lives to be rebuilt. Why is it that Harry Connick Jr , Brad Pitt and the Marsalis family are the only ones that are actively working to rebuild? Is it because they have the money and not the fucking election to worry about? Charity is rebuilding (look up the projects that Habitat for Humanity are doing, hell even the company that I work for sends medical personnel down for 6 weeks at a time because Washington DC isn't) not our government like so falsely promised on that "illuminating" press conference. I think our government should be so so so ashamed.

Parts of my family came through New Orleans when they immigrated. I only found that out recently and honestly it makes me wish for better for the City.

I actually know two gallery owners that seriously I could probably discuss having an exhibition of his work at. I don't know if I will get any kind of response or if it will even be in my price range but I still want to inquire. Its history that can't be forgotten. New Orleans isn't just Mardi Gras and boobs and beads and that shouldn't be forgotten even if our damned government has.

Please visit Mr. Leonard's website and view his photographs and realize what a treasure these images are... then consider buying a book.

And in other,less politically fired up news, I am very seriously taking half a day off so I can go to Denver's very own Mardi Gras parade of sorts... The National Western Stock Show parade is Tuesday, January 15th! Next to when the Shriners were in town this is my favorite of parades downtown. And yes I will probably go and weep a little bit. I don't know why but parades make me cry when I am there in person.

it's only fun until you worry about getting booted from the museum...

I had a really terrific day. One that was funny and interesting and certainly a great start on my new year. Remember NO resolutions (more on that later) but I am working on little changes.

Slept in because I could. I took the day off from work because I was going to spend at least part of my day with G. She was/is in town so I was looking forward to it, but not enough to get out of bed early if I didn't have to.

We went to the Denver Art Museum where we had a very nice time. The second we walked into the building we were hit with the warmth and the humidity. If I worked there , I assure you there would be no way my skin would itch all night long because it is so dry here. We didn't see the Treasures of the Louvre exhibit, there just wasn't enough time for what G had allocated.

We went into the Clyfford Still exhibit, I really enjoyed it very much. I liked the texture of the paintings. It was super that we could get right up on it too. We walked through the Western Art collection and farted around looking at some of the really cool pieces. I enjoyed many of the pieces I have to admit. This collection was really really cool. We missed Linda. Didn't see the Damien Hurst or Warhol or Man Ray. We totally missed two whole floors of the Hamilton Building, oops. But actually its ok because I am able to go back and hope to soon. I will have to go back in February or March to see Linda though. I remember seeing her when I was young and went with my Mom and Dad on one weekend. I didn't fully appreciate the work then, I was really bored I remember. I am super glad that I missed two floors actually because it will make going back really exciting and interesting. I want to have a docent though.

While walking through the museum I got scolded by a guard, really loudly by the way. She yelled "NO" at me for taking a picture. It was really funny. See I wasn't taking a picture of the work, I was taking a picture of a sign saying "No Pictures". They were just asking for it. I mean that is irony. But whatever. I completely understand not taking pictures of the works in a traveling exhibition, which is were this sign was above. I totally understand and explained to her what I was doing, she looked at us with such disdain, we could have died on the spot if looks could kill. She eyeballed us for like 10 minutes. Then later a different security guard (Alex...by the way we love him) tells us the photo policy and what we can and shouldn't take pictures of. He was cool . You can see the pictures over at flickr.

And it was really cool so see a Poons since I had just seen some information on the documentary the other night. And the illusion works from the side too by the way. The guard in that gallery didn't know what was so spectacular about it. Go fig.

The bathroom faucets play "row your boat" when the water turns on. We would have made a movie of it but there were some ladies from Portugal talking about Nars lipsticks so one couldn't have heard the song. Something to go back for also.

I called Sprint today so that I could cancel part of my service. I have been paying five bucks a month to have my unlimited nights and weekends begin at 7 pm. I used it mostly a year and a half ago when I was using alot of minutes during the day when I was looking for a job and calling friends long distance in the evenings from my cell. Now that I have Grand Central (thanks Bro!) I don't need to utilize my rather sketchy service via cell phone to talk long distance from my couch. Why pay the extra moolah? So I call to cancel the service. I am told I am now on a their new billing system and need to be transfered. So I wait, and wait and wait, and then finally am connected to "ray". "Ray" can't be understood, bless him and his nice off shore job in that call center but its so loud in there I can't hear anything he is telling me. I ask him to please speak slowly, then bless his heart but for five minutes he asks me about New Years fireworks, resolutions, tells me his and how he released it into the world on a red balloon. While I am enjoying hearing about this cultural difference I just want to get rid of a service I am paying for and not using. He is "still pulling up my account". He puts me on hold again, I hang up and call back. "Kathy" who I get this next time after going through the same transfer and hold thing, starts to ask me about my New Years. Ok they are trying to be congenial. Its ok, but I have to cut her off. I just want to get rid of the five dollar charge already. "Kathy" doesn't "understand". I ask for someone else, she says she just started and hasn't dealt with this. Ok I appreciate her honesty but seriously? So "Richard" gets on the phone, zippity quickippy its done. Magic. He then asks me about my New Years and asks me about my resolutions. "My resolution was to get rid of this five dollar charge for a service I am not using, so I am done"..."Oh, you don't resolve anything else?", he asked. "Nope, thats it, I can take it easy the rest of the year". And the call was done. It was really f'n weird.

I also have very much been enjoying the food102 blog. It is the blog by Ian Kleinman who is the chef at the Westin who on Friday and Saturday nights runs a tasting of molecular gastronomy. He puts up his menus which absolutely just blows my mind. I look forward to going up there and partaking in the experience and soon. I think it will be the first non-regular place to go once I pay off my car (which is two payments, double payments actually, away). I think that is really a kick ass way to celebrate.

I am bummed I have to go to work tomorrow, but its actually ok. Its actually perfect. I like this one day on, one day off I have had this week.

Oh and HI Jeremy Sisto, nice to see you on tv again. You are pretty.

found on my reader on Neatorama

I think this is pure hilarity. See what I am talking about with art being found on Flickr? I mean come on, this is great.