Austin has its City Limits. Chicago has its Lolapalooza. Seattle has its Bumbershoot. And so on. Slowly... very slowly... Portland now has Musicfest NW. Tens of dozens of bands, some well known and other perhaps just formed that week, will converge on the Portland music clubs for a long weekend. Hipsters, critics, teens looking for any reason to flood places where kids were once banned, and that one guy who knew every band before they were famous will be bouncing back and forth between clubs attempting to catch every single band they want to see, who all just happen to be scheduled at the same time at clubs fifteen blocks away from each other.
I consider myself a music geek, but one with the knowledge that I am nowhere close to any die hard. Think of me as a lake amongst oceans when it comes to the depth of knowledge some have crammed into their heads. There was a time when I could have probably explained what type of bass strings Ian Hill used when recording Judas Priest's "Hell Bent For Leather." But now I couldn't even tell you who plays bass for Judas Priest... unless of course it is still Ian Hill.
But... I have made my one attempt in life to spend an evening playing music venue pinball in my own pursuit to catch the bands I wanted to hear, see, or experience depending on what it is you do when you attend a gig, concert, or show depending on what rank you pull with a band, artist, or group at Musicfest NW. I even had the golden clad VIP wristband that was to guarantee you instant entry into any venue you chose.
And how did it go? I didn't get into one club. Every single venue I went to was filled to capacity like a freshly opened tin of pickled herring. I spent an evening standing in lines listening from the sidewalk as my artist of choice executed their set list. I would show the door guy my wristband, my VIP WRISTBAND! He would, without even making contact, say, "You need to stand in line. We're full."
"But I'm VIP. How long do I need to wait?"
"Dunno."
Being human brings a component in life that some of us have learned to control and others have allowed ourselves to surrender to... abuse. I know if I eat the El Jefe sauce at Fire on the Mountain my sphincter will be flaming red the following morning, yet I eat it. I know if I answer my work phone when I see the caller ID showing the number of my most annoying client that will bombard me with stupid questions, yet I answer it. I know if I ignore mowing my lawn for one more day the rains will come and my lawn will become a tropical rain forest, yet I ignore it. But... I have learned my lesson with this. I am not going anywhere close to downtown Portland this weekend. I will not go see Smashing Pumpkins at a club the size of my grade school gymnasium. I will not go see Portland's next band that is going to be bigger than Jesus in the next six months after their show at the Crystal Ballroom. I'm not doing it. Because I know that if I even try, I will stand in lines... all night. I don't even have VIP this year. What chance do I stand?
My past experience with Musicfest NW was, perhaps, one of the worst music experiences of my life, reaching levels of frustration that I know are unhealthy for me. So have fun those of you who will brave the weather, the crowds, the drunks, and the vomit. I hope you see the next big thing. I hope it works well for you. I... will be bowling.
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Monday, September 06, 2010
Without Title
I am literally forcing myself to write something here. It's become that bad. I just have nothing to say anymore... at least nothing that consists of more characters than a Facebook posting will allow.
Politically... it's just dead out there. Sure, I could bitch about that louse Palin already campaigning as if she has a brain or a plan and criticizing Obama when she couldn't even finish her commitment as governor, or the fact that her family is a Jerry Springer episode. While I'll never support the Republican platform, I do wish that they would at least attempt to nominate somebody who can DO the job whether it's what I agree with or not. Bush Jr. already taught us that sticking any ruhtard in office just doesn't work. Why do it again?
Work... nothing new. The majority of people are dirt bags, not co-workers but the public in general. They continue to outbreed those who make an effort to do the right things in life, and I still get to work with their kids. As the tax base shrinks, the reality that my department will be hit with lay offs increases. What I don't hear about is that other tax financed programs seem to just keep rolling along. People who smoke two packs of cigarettes and drink a half case of beer a day can still get food stamps and free housing with no problem. Drug addicts still don't have to take a pee test before collecting any of their free stuff either. I'll refrain from any comments on the morale at my place of employment. Let's just say that those on board the Titanic had a more pleasurable cruise.
The social life... it's all the usual. A new place here, a new place there, and then fall back to the familiar when the options seem limited. I'm several months into my quest to perfect the art of brewing beer at home, and all I can ask myself is why did I wait so long? If you like beer, you should be on board. Any questions, get a hold of me. It's easy. My social circle remains small, and as it expands it also contracts.
Musically... Rick just picked up tickets to Gogol Bordello. Yes, I'm psyched. There's several other shows I'd like to see as well (Michael Franti), but I have this new fire in my belly to never give Ticketmaster or Ticketswest another dime of my money. Service fees on the GB tickets ran almost $15 per ticket. Paul Allen can die. He can die a long and painful death for all I care. The service fees now cost more than the ticket prices cost when I was in high school. And for what? The computer to process the order and shoot me a ticket? As for anything else worth listening to that isn't Wilco, I'd have to say you need to be listening to the new collaboration with John Mellencamp and T Bone Burnett. Pure genius. And I'm amped to hear the meeting of Neil Young and Daniel Lanois.
Movies... Same goes as above. For the price of one movie ticket at a Regal Cinema theater, I can go to a small pub theater and see the movie, have a beer or two, and get a slice of decent pizza. Between the pub theaters and Netflix, the movie theater industry can bite me. So, with that in mind, it makes it difficult to really recommend anything as any movie I have seen is already second run and/or on DVD, thus you've probably already seen it or decided you are not going to see it.
Radio's still kicking. He went in for a check up and the vet didn't believe me that he's twelve years old. She was guessing four or five. He's still a neurotic nut.
I recently obtained a brand new tv, which has been pretty outstanding. The old one had some issues and thanks to an extended warranty, and the fact that they no longer made parts for my old tv, they were obligated to give me a new one free of charge. And seeing as how television technology advances daily, this one is far superior to the old one.
It's been a quiet summer. I've contemplated throwing some of my traditional parties and have pretty much postponed all that. I'm just not feeling it. I have been checking out a few new places in town to eat and drink, but when it comes down to it I pretty much follow the same options... Lompoc, Rogue, Deschutes, Buffalo Gap, Delta Cafe, Amnesia, Prost!, Old Market Pub, Lucky Lab, and the food carts (with Big Ass Sandwiches and PB&J Grilled being my two faves at the moment).
Roller Derby is off season at the moment, aside from a few bouts here and there. I've seriously neglected my yard this summer, as well as conducting any upgrades to the house or yard, although I've collected stacks of magazine clippings of numerous ideas I'd like to pursue with the place.
Do you see what I'm saying? It's just sort of blah right now. It's not bad, it's not great. It just is. And that's alright for now.
What to look forward to... As I said, Gogol Bordello is coming to town. The new tv season is almost upon us, not that I anticipate anything new that will rock my world. Anjie is coming out for a visit in October for a bit, and visits from long distance friends always make me happy. Fall is nearly here, and that's my favorite time of year. The winter ales are just around the corner to top it all off.
All I can say right now is that I am greatly disappointed with how difficult it can be to get anybody to go bowling. It seems I go bowling about once every five years. Why? Nobody ever wants to go. It's the perfect thing to do when you are 42, out of shape, love beer, and enjoy laughing until it hurts. Haven't seen me in a while? Wanna get me out? Invite me to go bowling. And I always have a standing offer to teach people how to homebrew. Call my people. We'll have lunch.
Politically... it's just dead out there. Sure, I could bitch about that louse Palin already campaigning as if she has a brain or a plan and criticizing Obama when she couldn't even finish her commitment as governor, or the fact that her family is a Jerry Springer episode. While I'll never support the Republican platform, I do wish that they would at least attempt to nominate somebody who can DO the job whether it's what I agree with or not. Bush Jr. already taught us that sticking any ruhtard in office just doesn't work. Why do it again?
Work... nothing new. The majority of people are dirt bags, not co-workers but the public in general. They continue to outbreed those who make an effort to do the right things in life, and I still get to work with their kids. As the tax base shrinks, the reality that my department will be hit with lay offs increases. What I don't hear about is that other tax financed programs seem to just keep rolling along. People who smoke two packs of cigarettes and drink a half case of beer a day can still get food stamps and free housing with no problem. Drug addicts still don't have to take a pee test before collecting any of their free stuff either. I'll refrain from any comments on the morale at my place of employment. Let's just say that those on board the Titanic had a more pleasurable cruise.
The social life... it's all the usual. A new place here, a new place there, and then fall back to the familiar when the options seem limited. I'm several months into my quest to perfect the art of brewing beer at home, and all I can ask myself is why did I wait so long? If you like beer, you should be on board. Any questions, get a hold of me. It's easy. My social circle remains small, and as it expands it also contracts.
Musically... Rick just picked up tickets to Gogol Bordello. Yes, I'm psyched. There's several other shows I'd like to see as well (Michael Franti), but I have this new fire in my belly to never give Ticketmaster or Ticketswest another dime of my money. Service fees on the GB tickets ran almost $15 per ticket. Paul Allen can die. He can die a long and painful death for all I care. The service fees now cost more than the ticket prices cost when I was in high school. And for what? The computer to process the order and shoot me a ticket? As for anything else worth listening to that isn't Wilco, I'd have to say you need to be listening to the new collaboration with John Mellencamp and T Bone Burnett. Pure genius. And I'm amped to hear the meeting of Neil Young and Daniel Lanois.
Movies... Same goes as above. For the price of one movie ticket at a Regal Cinema theater, I can go to a small pub theater and see the movie, have a beer or two, and get a slice of decent pizza. Between the pub theaters and Netflix, the movie theater industry can bite me. So, with that in mind, it makes it difficult to really recommend anything as any movie I have seen is already second run and/or on DVD, thus you've probably already seen it or decided you are not going to see it.
Radio's still kicking. He went in for a check up and the vet didn't believe me that he's twelve years old. She was guessing four or five. He's still a neurotic nut.
I recently obtained a brand new tv, which has been pretty outstanding. The old one had some issues and thanks to an extended warranty, and the fact that they no longer made parts for my old tv, they were obligated to give me a new one free of charge. And seeing as how television technology advances daily, this one is far superior to the old one.
It's been a quiet summer. I've contemplated throwing some of my traditional parties and have pretty much postponed all that. I'm just not feeling it. I have been checking out a few new places in town to eat and drink, but when it comes down to it I pretty much follow the same options... Lompoc, Rogue, Deschutes, Buffalo Gap, Delta Cafe, Amnesia, Prost!, Old Market Pub, Lucky Lab, and the food carts (with Big Ass Sandwiches and PB&J Grilled being my two faves at the moment).
Roller Derby is off season at the moment, aside from a few bouts here and there. I've seriously neglected my yard this summer, as well as conducting any upgrades to the house or yard, although I've collected stacks of magazine clippings of numerous ideas I'd like to pursue with the place.
Do you see what I'm saying? It's just sort of blah right now. It's not bad, it's not great. It just is. And that's alright for now.
What to look forward to... As I said, Gogol Bordello is coming to town. The new tv season is almost upon us, not that I anticipate anything new that will rock my world. Anjie is coming out for a visit in October for a bit, and visits from long distance friends always make me happy. Fall is nearly here, and that's my favorite time of year. The winter ales are just around the corner to top it all off.
All I can say right now is that I am greatly disappointed with how difficult it can be to get anybody to go bowling. It seems I go bowling about once every five years. Why? Nobody ever wants to go. It's the perfect thing to do when you are 42, out of shape, love beer, and enjoy laughing until it hurts. Haven't seen me in a while? Wanna get me out? Invite me to go bowling. And I always have a standing offer to teach people how to homebrew. Call my people. We'll have lunch.
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