So, on the October 20th I went to see the band Gogol Bordello at Tipitina's uptown. I really didn't know what to expect, all I knew is that I liked their music and it had to be even better live. I can tell you this, I definitely got more that I expected. I read some reviews of some of their shows and they were all positive to the tune, "best show ever" and "amazing" so I knew I was at least in for a good time. I had been to Tipitina's once before to see Yo La Tengo which was OK at first but it got really weird and spasm-y and just sounded like a load of noise...not very good. The place is small and I knew for sure that I wanted to be directly in front. A bit of back story, I started listening to the band when I saw the movie Everything Is Illuminated. I really enjoyed Eugene's performance and I found out he was in a band and voila, I was hooked. Back to the show...my brother and I set up shop at the front which, at the time, was not very crowded. The opening band came on which was Dub Trio and they were very good. The music was all instrumental with good bit of electronic sounds and dub/reggae beats mixed with hard driving guitar and drums. As soon as the opener exited stage the front began to get more populated. It was at this time that I realized that I had forgotten to change out of my sandals into some shoes with a substantial toe covering...this did not bode well. As the band came on stage, I knew my feet were in for a beating as the crowd began to get tight and sway a bit. The band opened with one of my favorites, Ultimate. Its a very heavy gypsy beat that makes you want to dance like you are in Eastern Europe...with an old lady...in the street...with weird hand movement things. End of song...feet still OK. As the second song began, I noticed that I hadn't noticed, as I was selfishly worrying about my feet, that a smallish girl had sneaked in between me and the front barrier. I hate this by the way. These people that, when the show starts, weasel, and I mean weasel their way up to the front and get in front of the people who have so patiently waited at the front. I despise it. But it is OK, I realize as the crowd begins to pulsate and jump (ow, my foot!) that as soon as the crowd swings forward towards the barrier, I am going to squish her up against the barrier, not on purpose, as I am at the behest of the crowd and it musings. The sway begins and I am vilified as I swing forward, squish, and she turns around like I could have done something about it. She moves...yes. Back to my deserved place at the front and center...I am king. The show goes on with a lot more swaying and pushing and jumping and my feet take the battering of a lifetime. I sweat like I'm getting paid to do so and it is glorious. Overall, the show was great, the music was amazing and the characters on stage make the show. I come out of the show with my feet intact although nastily blackened and with every inch of my person sweaty, with my sweat and others I'm sure (someone at the front smelled like a onion-y hamburger). Next time, steel toed boots.

Well, it has certainly been a long time since I have posted here. I attribute it to both my business and to the fact that I know that no one reads this thing. I guess I do it only for posterity. Anyhoo, I thought I would post about a nifty little product I have anxiously been awaiting. They are called "Field Notes." They are extremely similar to the Moleskine cahier notebooks I carry but they are a bit more clever I would say. They use the Futura typeface popularized in Wes Anderson films and are stiff enough to withstand extended times in your well sat rear end. I heard about them on a few blogs and decided to give them a try. They are not in full production but I was able to order a 3 pack from a limited edition run. The order only included the 3 pack of notebooks but, to my surprise, the package contained a simple pen and pencil set emblazoned with the every so simple brand name "Field Notes." The package also contained a small decal of the logo of the parent company of the upstart that makes the notebooks themselves. They are a bit pricey compared to notebooks of their size (namely the Moleskine cahiers) but I think it is worth it to try out something a little different a new. You can get in on that limited edition run [here].

In other news in my world...there isn't really any news. Since the last time I wrote, I have gotten married, secured a job, and moved to New Orleans. NOLA is a pretty cool place to live but it is a bit expensive at times. Leila and I really enjoy living where we live, and I think Daisy does to for that matter. Hopefully, it won't wait so long to post next time.

I have been doing a bit of research and I have come to a conclusion: I want a Mac. A few months ago I had to buy a new laptop and I didn't even consider a Mac. At the time I was of the mindset, "A Mac, no way, nothing is compatible..." but, through my aforementioned research, I found that a Mac is compatible with many things AND if I were to get an Intel based Mac, I could even run a dual booth with XP and Tiger. Hindsight is always 20/20 I guess. For now, I am schemeing ideas in which to make the cash-ola I need to actually fulfill my overwhelming want, to be a Mac owner. Don't get me wrong, I would love a 17" Intel iMac, but a mini would do...it would do just fine!

I am finally done with my week of hell! I thought this past week was going to be really rough, and don't get me wrong, it was, but it really wasn't as bad I thought it might be. So I guess I should say that I am done with my week of quasi-hell, if there is such a thing. I said that to say that I have had a bit of free time this week thus far and I have used the time to make a few customizations to my computer. I think there is nothing better than to make the things that you have your own, add a bit of your own style and panache. Anywho, I found this guy, David Lanham's homepage. Apparently this guy works for a graphics company that designs icons. His site is chock-full of goodies like awesome icons, themes for your Mac, and some neat desktops. He also has a catlogue of his digitally created art as well as some "conventional" art. So, I used some of his icons,one of his desktops, and a program called "Object Dock" to customize my PC. I think the result is pretty cool! Check it out!

Thought this was a sweet shot. This Sunday at "Wings Over Columbus" I snapped a shot of the Thunderbirds with the moon in the background. Do a little teaking and Voila!

Here it is 3:59 a.m. just finished with a bit 'o homework trying to wind down with some Elliott Smith. Actually today was pretty good. I found out that there was a short video that kill rock stars did that had a 10 min clip of elliott performing "Angeles" "Thirteen" and "Betwen the Bars" and I was able to nab it from my nameless p2p...It was good to see live (somewhat) the person that I listen to. Now to rest the head!