Hail Caesar

Man…yeah…right-on…dude. It is official Dec. 10th, WfJ!’s CD is going to be released in Japan, with a possible tour in March. I’m so excited. Off to an early morning today, got up at 5:00am and started working on some school stuff which I finished by 7:00. Now I got the whole rest of the day to go by to the library and look for information on another paper I’m working on.

I’m working on a paper that focuses on the Ideology of Democracy. Democracy was emphasized during the periods between WWI and WWII, particularly through the educational system. I found some interesting information concerning the U.S. educational system right before WWII, very propagandist. Although I’m not focusing on that aspect, I find it intriguing. I’m more focused on giving a narrative of the increased sense of democracy in education or more its dogmatic advocacy and the influence the government had on education. How schools struggled with the U.S. government for regional control over education as opposed to being controlled by the government. I’ll talk about more when I have synthesized the material.

It was good to hear from our Baltimore friends even if we had to call them to make sure they had not been eaten by the wondering chupacabras that wonder the streets of Baltimore. It sounds like they are doing well, thank the maker. I was getting tired of worrying, and I don’t even like them that much…well maybe as much as like my Jabba the Hut action figure.
Oh yeah, I finally got Renee’s mini-ipod thing to work. Cool beaners.

Look over there, what was that…

-M

LISTENING TO:
Autolux
Album:
Future Perfect

RENTAL REVIEW:
ROME
HBO/BBC come together to bring you a great interpretation of the late days of Caesar reign and the fall of Rome. I believe it is right up there with Deadwood. I recommend people watch this telling of Rome because it is not the glazed over Hollywood Rome we’ve seen before.

B+ = Great show dialogue could be better at times.

BIG GEEK vs. little geek

I was talking to Renee and she was wondering about my band camp adventures. You read right, band camp. If you’ve seen American Pie then you know what I’m talking about. I lived through the “one time in band camp…” and I’ll tell you it’s exactly like that.

Part I
Band geeks do really go to band camp because they like music. The exploits and lessons one learns at band camp makes the experience have a lasting imprint on ones memories. Band camp is by all means full of elitists, stratified from the ultra-cool geeks (which meant they were older) to the bottom feeder-geeks (socially inept newbie). I like to think I was somewhere in the middle…I mean come on my spectacles were taped together, does that not scream geek, by the way I still tape my glasses together when they break. I also lived in the rehearsal halls, until I realized there was a whole different world happening in the court yards, dorms, and dance parties.
Band Camp was usually held in summer at this Lutheran College that was completely void of students. The college was used by schools from all areas around the state.
If you can imagine a college completely open to socially depraved fifteen/seventeen year olds, then you can get an idea of the madness that issued. It was three weeks of pranks, sneaking into the girls’ dorm, and did I mention a crash course in making-out.
Let me tell you the girls are just as bad as the guys. I saw some of the cruel pranks done by girls to other girls. There was this on time at band camp when this group of girls made this other girl give her flute a blow-job. When she was done they called her all kinds of names. Apparently, she was too much of a slut to be in their group. Of course when events of this nature transpire, they are not of a private nature, but held in some weird tribunal in front of as many people as possible.
The chaperones must have been somewhere else smoking pot, because I don’t remember ever seeing one unless there was a concert. This brings me to the Friday night dance party, aka make-out city. I remember attending these dances and looking over the dance floor at a sea of people glued to each other, there was definitely no room for Jesus.
It was around this time when I learned, band camp was not just for learning techniques on your instrument but also learning the techniques of wet sloppy kissing.
This was only the beginning, it was my first year at band camp and I was learning that you could take your instrument seriously during practice hours, but when one was done it was time to turn into the unsuspected bolt from the sky.

More later
-M

LISTENING TO:
R.E.M
Album:
UP

RENTAL REVIEW:
Sanjuro by Akira Kurosawa
A world-weary samurai, what more could one ask for. I believe some of Kurosawa’s grittier shots are in this film.

A+ = I was lost in the murky delight of Kurosawa’s vision.

Did you look at his johnson?

I was reminded of my preordained fortune of the hereafter when a friend of mine mentioned that my fifteen-year school reunion was coming up. Granted the reunion is not for a couple of years, I was surprised by its proximity and was left thinking… “what the fuck, really?” Has the winds of change crept up on me? Was I asleep at the check-out lane when they were handing-out years? Fifteen-years…really? Well alright I guess so, but I’ll let you know I’m not happy about it, not one bit.
Who was the one that said, “Age gracefully?” What the hell was he/she thinking? I look in the mirror and see an island starting to form and I get worried. Those of you that know me, know what I’m talking about and those of you that don’t, I’m talking about what use to be my silky blackish locks. You say, “What locks” and I say, “You got that right partner.” Did not Samson lose all his powers?
Doctors say stress causes it and I’ll tell you they are right, because every time I’m working on a paper I stress out. The follow morning when I look in that mirror, I swear that island grew some prime real-estate.
But hey who’s complaining I got my health right…wrong mothereffer. You would think, “His chiseled physique and boyish flexibility, he’s got to be in tip-top shape, no doubt about it.” Well your wrong…I’m weak… like a piece of papyrus from 2653 B.C.E... If you sit on my lap, do my legs not crumble?
No... it’s not really like that. Well the island is true and I do have to take old man pills for my acid-reflux, (thanks a lot mom) no more spicy salsa for me. Its ok, I got plenty of spiciness running through my veins, anyway, at least that’s what Renee says.
Also I do have a weak back, I wish I could say it was an old football injury, but I never really played football, being a band geek and all that stuff. (now for the side bar)
I’ll tell you what, band camp rules, while you jocks were staring at each others johnson, I was learning the subtle arts of wooing the ladies in the band hall, by the way I might have made out with your girlfriends back in high school. No not really…well maybe two or three of your girlfriends. That’s the old me…Mr. Dashing…Mr. Debonair…Mr. Clueless, because we were all “it” when we were young.
The new me, is an aging historian wannabe with prime real-estate to sell right off the top of his head, literally, and I’m happy with that. My friends are all great, how may people are able to say that all their friends are truly fantastic. And Renee…well she’s wonderful in everyway. For those of you wondering who the heck is Renee, it’s my special friend's middle name and I don’t want my soon to be life partner's name thrown into the black hole that is the web, some things must remain private. Oh no... for those of you that know us, now know her middle name, um… keep it like a secret, don’t tell her I told you, it’s ok no one reads my blog anyway.
I guess that is all the rambling I will be doing today.

Talk to you soon
-M


LISTENING TO:
The Beta Band


MOVIE REVIEW:
The Departed.
Great story line, I wish that little guy would come up with his own ideas. I think the last good thing he did, that he could probably call his own, was Taxi Driver. Anyway go watch the film if you have not already seen Infernal Affair and if have seen the Asian version go see the little guys version his is also good.

A = Great story and Film
F- = when are you going to do something that’s yours again little man and not like Gangs
of New York. The only thing that saved that movie was Daniel Day-Lewis.


P.S. I also have a bum knee.

Just for Survival

I’ve been doing research for my environmental history narrative and have found quite a few interesting books and dissertations on the subject. In particular, I found a book dealing with St. Johns which was informative and provided photographs of the area in the early 30’s (My how areas have changed). The question that I keep asking myself is, “How much of environmental degradation is the direct influence of the need for survival or whether interests such as political and economical are pulling the strings?” I realize that “survival” can at times be motivated by selfish needs. Thus, if one applies the Darwin concept, “survival of the fittest” then do the influences on the environment become a result of elite intervention? Also, what are the tipping points in which concerns about the environment are no longer micro, but become a macro? Is it at this point that survival instinct “kicks-in” and a society moves as one? Anyway, this will be some of question I will be applying to my research.
Onto other news, the computer is just about finished and I’ve dismantled my old tower. I’m thinking about rebuilding my old tower and turning it into a hybrid monster computer, assembled by as many spare parts as possible. More news about the computer building later.

I might go see a band called, “From Manhole” tonight. We had a show with them in Omaha and I said I’d go see them when they played in P-town and that time has come. They're a great group of guys and their music is not from this world. So I encourage all and one to go. The show is at Loveland and they will be performing at 9:00pm or so.

Also I have obtained, The M.E.C. Progress Report of May 1969 for one, Mr. Noodle, aka Mitch Dash. I will be going by your place of employment before heading to the mansion this afternoon. I do hope you will entertain me, but a second, as I drop-off this marvelous report. If not, I will see you this weekend at some time.

That’s it.
-M

LISTENING TO:
BRMC (that’s right Alicia, I have caved)

RENTAL REVIEW:
COMING SOON: LADY VENGENCE

HOLY FRAKKEN CRAP

I’ve got “beef” with the folks at HP computers. Well more like a chipotle bean garden burger kind of beef. You know good when you first think about, good when you eat it, but not so good after a while. Moving on.
As you all are aware of, Renee and I fried our computer last weekend. Long story short, we were told that the hard drive had gone bad and maybe even some ram had become corrupted. We also found out that the folks at CompUSA are not so bad after all. They informed us that the computer was still covered under manufacture warranty; they even returned all our money for the repairs. The folks at CompUSA even said they would have the computer up and running, as soon as we got the recovery disks from HP (problem).
Let me tell you right now, HP keeps all recovery disks under lock and key. I called…was denied…called again…fooled them the second time…got my recovery disk, but of course we had to pay a shipping fee of $27.03.
So hopefully we will be getting our computer soon. I can not wait. I’m tired of having to wait at the computer labs at school for a computer.
A friend of mine has been telling me about this idea or story called “Holy.” I believe that’s what he called it. Well it sounds interesting and I am hoping that people will rally with me in pushing this fine gentleman into finishing his story/treatment. People should visit his site. “Mr. Noodle” discusses his ideas and discusses the secrets of the universe, just go to his link on this page.
I believe that is all for today.

Talk to you folks soon
-M

LISTENING TO:
M83

RENTAL REVIEWS:
The time has come.
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, do I dare say, better than STAR_ _ _ _.
I have seen Season I and II and all I can say is, “holy crap this show is good.” I mean come on; even Renee is on the good ship sci-fi. I recommend this series to all and any sci-fi fan that were left feeling just a little unfulfilled by the Lucas saga. Sit back, crank the surround sound (if applies) and enjoy the ride.

A = man this show kicks-ass

Dead as the wood in our backyard.

Although I don’t want to turn my writings into reviews…I have to talk about Deadwood. Also I’m not sure if it’s a topic my friends with blogs have written about.
Deadwood is by far one of the better western series I’ve seen next to Sergio Leone’s spaghetti western (the man with no name) in a long time, a real long time. Granted all the characters in deadwood have names, a man or woman’s name is central in kicking around ones clout. But that’s beside the point, Deadwood is an amalgamation of Shakespearean lingo (one has to pay attention or they’ll miss it) with take no shit talk from no one western talk. There are many layers to this series. I especially like the development of a town that does not want to be associated with the U.S. although I think at that time they were still calling themselves a colony.
Most of the characters are well thought out. With the exception of one main sheriff named Bullock, I’m not sure whether the writer wanted him to be over the top “man with a score to settle, sort of” or if the actor is just over acting his character, the jury is not decided on his character quite yet. Other than that small flaw, the show is well executed. Some of my favorite characters are the mayor and the whorehouse owners. There is quite a variety of riff-raff and dark individuals that also makes the show chug along.
That’s all I’ll say about the series and I’ll let everyone else decide. Second season starts off with several surprises of a most stressful nature, do take in watchin’.

As for the home front: took the computer to get fixed and all is well. It might even be running better than before, considering we are keep the bare essentials to make it gooooooo. It was not cheap. We are now proud parents of windows xp home edition…oh joy (damn you gates). Apparently that was the only thing that would make it run again. But it’s ok as long as it works we are happy.
Also, would someone please save us from Jean-Luc. He has started to grow his lion mane for the winter and the house is full, to our knees, with cat hair. Help we’re drowning in the sweet love that is the silky death of Jean-Luc’s golden-locks.
Well that’s all folks.
-M

Listening to:
Slayer

Rental Review:
Battlestar Galactica coming soon. promise

So what do you think doctor?

In our attempt, our attempt referring to Renee and I, to fix the range hood in our kitchen we managed to also disrupt the drive in our computer. Don’t ask me how it happened; it is a mystery that will forever be in the annals of “computers do not like it when you shut it down over and over without hitting the shut down button.” Well it’s not really a mystery; it just that we were not privy to the intricate wirings of our house. Now we know that if we kill the power feeding into the range hood we are also killing the power that feeds the outlet in our room…what? All I can say is that our house is a delicate flower, where the electrical wiring is a maze of beautiful madness.
Thus, our lessons are as follows: 1.) always make a reboot disk immediately (we didn’t), because you never know when your computer will decide to take a vacation. Making a reboot disk will eliminate taking the computer into an actual repair shop where pricing can be irritating. 2.) Turn off all high-end electronic devices that you hold dear and near to your heart when killing the power to a room, because you never know when the range hood power supply is also connected to an outlet in your bedroom. 3.) Find original electrician that wired the house (if still alive) and destroy him/her. That about covers all the basics instructions to avoid electronic upheaval.
On other news: K&C made and excellent dinner last night and Noodle helped with our misfit computer. Thanks, you peeps are great. Also a shout out to my peeps in BALTIMORE, WHA’ UP MY NIZZLES.

Ok talk to you soon
-M

LISTENING TO:
James Bond 007 Sound Track

RENTAL REVIEWS:
In the middle of finishing Battlestar Galactica. Will post review when I'm done.