You know what's cheesy? Cheesy is when you email your legislator in support of a particular bill and you get a canned response that is a wordy way of saying, "I got your letter and I think you're stupid enough not to read between the lines of this reply and see that I have no intention of voting for that legislation."
I fully expected any response I might get to be automated, and I understand that. I'm disappointed but not surprised by the message of the reply itself. But neither of those is the really cheesy part.
The cheesy part is that the Reply address is a brick wall. Click Reply, type a response, click Send, and BAM - "Delivery to the following recipients was aborted after 1 second(s)." followed by the address programmed into the Reply function.
I'm willing to bet that, if my initial email had been in support of something he's already on board with, the Reply function would work.
I'm looking at you, Bob Corker. Pretty cheesy.
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You know how you have personal anniversaries or milestones you observe just for you? The kind of thing where gifts aren't appropriate but it still means something to you? That's today for me.
Twenty years ago today I quit smoking. Granted, it was for the second time, but it's the time when it seems to have "taken". I'd quit once before for a couple of years and then, with a group of friends one day, many of whom were smoking, I bummed one. "Just this one." HAH. I should have known better. I am not a "just this one" kind of person. All in. All or nothing, baby, that's me. Go big or go home. If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch. Wait, what was I talking about... Oh yeah. My smoking.
So that "just this one" turned into "one more" and then I bought a pack on the way home, and then who was I kidding, I bought a carton, and I was in for a couple more years. I know there are a lot of people out there who can take them or leave them on a situation-by-situation basis, and I envy them. I can't do that.
I tried tapering off, but that didn't work for me. I tried nicotine gum. YECH. Maybe it's better now, but it was its own repellent. Patches weren't readily available yet but probably wouldn't have worked for me either. Nope, cold turkey was The One True Way.
I intentionally didn't tell anyone I was quitting, in case it didn't work. How mature, I know. I ultimately did have to tell my boss when, on about Day Three, he asked me an innocent question about a report I was working on and, in responding, I took on the form of some snarling malevolent entity with fire where my eyes should be and a pit viper for a tongue and a voice that sounded like the love child of a rabid jackal and Mercedes McCambridge in "The Exorcist". He just replied, "...OK..." and left. Moments later, I returned to my body and sought him out to apologize and explain that I had just quit smoking. A smoker himself, he was completely understanding. I got lucky on that one because, if memory serves, there was also some rather foul language in my response.
It's weird to remember having ashtrays on our desks and smoking in the office and in restaurants, etc. It was very "Mad Men". I had this really beautiful ashtray that was on my desk in every job until then. If you've never smoked, you probably can't see ashtrays as "beautiful" but back then they were decor accessories. I remember forcing myself to throw it away, as pretty as it was.
Would I like a cigarette now? Sure, I would love a cigarette now. Will I accept one if offered? No thanks since I know there's no "one" for me. What motivates me more than anything else is that I know I'd want to stop again and I definitely do not want another ride on that particular crazy train.
OK, this is bordering of sounding evangelical and that is so totally not my intent. It's just that I remember wondering on November 14, 1989, what I'd be doing twenty years later and now I know...: blogging about it!
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11/14/09
Double Door Chicago, IL
Read More
11/16/09 Al’s Bar Lexington, KY 11/17/09 Cliff Bells Detroit 11/18/09 Wrongbar Toronto, ON 11/19/09 ll Motore Montreal 11/20/09 Westcott Theater Syracuse, NY 11/21/09 LPR NY, New York 11/22/09 Liv Nightclub Washington DC 11/23/09 Magnus Music LLC Charlottesville 11/24/09 Milestone Charlotte, NC 11/25/09 Local 506 Carrboro, NC 11/27/09 BottleTree Birmingham, AL 11/28/09 Spanish Moon Baton Rouge, LA 11/29/09 House Of Blues Dallas, TX 11/30/09 Emos Jr Austin, TX 12/02/09 Rhythm Room Phoenix 12/03/09 Casbah San Diego, CA 12/04/09 El Rey LA, CA 12/07/09 Rythm Factory London 12/08/09 HiFi Club Leeds 12/09/09 Jam Brighton 12/17/09 Palác Akropolis Prague |
Such a nice night for mid-November at the 400 Bar. Athletes in Slacks (myspace) warmed up the crowd with their laidback loungey harmonizing sound that only two keyboarders and a guitarist can produce. The band claims all their songs are about love, except later on their hour-long set, they introduced a song about hating two guys from New York. They did finish strong with a cover of INXS's "Never Tear Us Apart", and that's what really matter.
The first time I heard about Swedish band Little Dragon, was in January. Ceji was really into them. Since we generally like Swedish bands here, I did try and keep up with their whereabouts. As it turns out, they're in the middle of their tour through the US to promote their sophomore album, Machine Dreams. Although the band's been here already, they confessed last night that this was their first time in Minneapolis.
From what I heard from their live set, their new songs seems to drifts from the R&B and Jazz influence to more electro and beats. I think the combination works well for them, especially since I like their big beats/electronica sound.
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I've been to a lot of shows lately, and I can tell you that this was one of the best shows yet. They're heading their way to the East Coast, so definitely check them out. If they're not heading through your city, you should check out Machine Dreams, out now on Peacefrog Records.
11/14/2009 03:52:14 ♥ vu (
) ♥ little-dragon.se ♥ myspace.com/yourlittledragon 19 Nov - The Step Inn Fortitude Valley, Queensland w Mexico City & Sue Ray
27 Nov - The Tote Melbourne, Victoria. w James McCann’s Dirty Skirt Band, Black Pony Express & Little John.
An honourable mention also has to go to Jamie Hutchings. I'm sure he's being playing shows in some form or another since before the dawn of time. Always enjoyable.... and, it seems, about to embark on a tour of europe, so if you're over that way, be sure to keep your eyes and ears peeled. Or maybe just look at his website for tour dates (might be easier).
20 Nov 2009 - MUM at World Bar, Kings Cross, Sydney, 21 Nov 2009 - The Clubhouse (formerly Empire Corner Bar), Fortitude Valley
In all the moving frenzy, I was pleased to see that there is a way to do a change of address online. Way to be on the information superhighway, USPS - right?
So I fill the form out, just a few fields really, all very reasonable, and click to go to the next page. That is where I discover it's going to cost me a dollar on a credit card to use this service. ::grumble:: But alright, fine. It's worth a dollar to have this part behind me. I enter all the credit card information and click to go to the next page.
The next page is an "opportunity" for me select merchants I would like to receive offers from. In other words, I'm asked to opt in for junk mail. Having fought the unwinnable fight to stop junk mail at every address I've ever had, I snort derisively and mutter something like, "Yeah, right." and click on the "No, thanks" button and go to the next page.
The next is another collection of "opportunities" for me to select merchants from whom I would like to receive coupons and "special offers". How strange -- they're the same merchants as before. I scroll down for the "No, thanks" button but... there isn't one.
My only two choices are "Get all" or "Get selected". There is no way to opt out if I want to continue the process. I try clicking "Get selected" although I haven't checked any, and I get blocked with a message that I must select at least one. So... basically the USPS has hijacked its own process and I can't finish changing my address unless I agree to accept junk mail for specified merchants. And of course they already have my dollar. It's just a dollar but it's starting to have some significance in principle.
Then I get home and, in cleaning out my mailbox, I find even more stuff in there than usual. Going through it, I find NINE pieces of mail clearly addressed to four different homes on my street, none of them mine, everything from junk mail (!) to bills. And then -- and THEN -- I find the day's junk mail which includes four, count 'em, four copies of the same glossy magazine, none of which have anyone's address on them. Apparently my mailman just had a stack of them and crammed a handful of them into my mailbox.
It was very satisfying.
As part of the opening week celebrations of the exhibition AC/DC Australia’s Family Jewels, the Arts Centre forecourt kicked into action with a free hour-long entertainment featuring a line-up of oz rocks biggest voices and loudest guitars playing some of AC/DC's biggest hits.
What an evil way to end the working week!The core Back In Black Friday band:
- Carl Treasure: lead guitar & vocals (The Devilrock Four)
- Jonno Driver: guitar & vocals (The Lightning Strikes)
- Jimi Richardson: bass (Bug Dust)
- Jamie Coghill (The Devilrock Four)
Guest Lead Vocalists:
- Paris Wells Highway To Hell
- Johnny Galvatron (The Galvatrons) High Voltage
- Dave Larkin (Dallas Crane & Gun Street Girls) Riff Raff
- Ben Salter (The Gin Club & Giants Of Science)
- Todd Trevor (Warped & Mustang) For Those About To Rock
- Clare Sargent (The Sure Fire Midnights) Walk All Over You
- Damien Campbell (The Casanovas) Shot Down in Flames
Rusty (Electric Mary) Let There be Rock - Mick Simpson (Rockafella/Stompbox) Rock n Roll Damnation
- Adam Cole (Bugdust) Back in Black
LOCATION: Lake Tahoe, California
TIME: August, 1963
SUBJECT: Mother
ACT ENGAGED BY SUBJECT: Swimming
b. Dogpaddle
IDENTIFYING MARKS: Dark Sunglasses
CURRENT CONDITION OF SUBJECT: Fabulous
Upcoming Live Performances on MORNING BECOMES ECLECTIC with host JASON BENTLEY
Tuesday, November 17, Forro In The Dark is based in New York, but they tap into their Brazilian roots to create hip-swiveling grooves. Their fans include KCRW favorites like David Byrne and Bebel Gilberto-- you’ll hear why on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.
Thursday, November 19, As a young woman, Rosanne Cash told her father Johnny she wanted to play country music. He put together a list of 100 essential songs for her to listen to and, years later, she’s put together an album highlighting her favorites. Hear it live on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.
Tuesday, November 24, We first met Lissie at KCRW in 2007, when she came in to sing backup for Jesca Hoop. Now, she's opening for Ray LaMontagne and has just released a terrific debut EP. Hear her new songs live on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.
Wednesday, November 25, Tune in for a special pre-Thanksgiving visit from UK production and remix team Simian Mobile Disco. They'll deliver fresh tracks from their sophomore release when they join Morning Becomes Eclectic live at 11:15am.
KCRW.COM PRESENTS
Tues, November 24, ROYKSOPP at WEBSTER HALL in NEW YORK.
Fri, December 11, FIERY FURNACES at THE MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG in NEW YORK CITY.
KCRW PRESENTS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Thursday, November 12, ORGONE AT ZANZIBAR.
Thursday, November 12, BURAKA SOM SISTEMA AT THE MAYAN.
Fri, November 13, BOMBA ESTEREO AT THE ECHO.
Sat, November 14, JENNY LEWIS & FRIENDS AT THE ACTOR’S GANG.
Wed, November 18, SWELL SEASON AT THE WILTERN.
Wed, November 18, ROYKSOPP AT CLUB NOKIA.
Wed, November 18, FORRO IN THE DARK at THE SOHO in Santa Barbara.
Thursday, November 19, FORRO IN THE DARK AT THE MINT.
Sat, November 21, FRIENDLY FIRES WITH THE XX AT THE MUSIC BOX AT THE HENRY FONDA.
Fri, November 20, FAT FREDDY’S DROP AT THE ROXY. Jeremy Sole will host and deejay the evening.
Sat, November 21, BEN GIBBARD & FRIENDS AT THE ACTOR’S GANG.
Sat, November 21, PETER BJORN AND JOHN with FOOL'S GOLD AND EL PERRO DEL MAR AT CLUB NOKIA.
Mon, November 23, EL PERRO DEL MAR AT THE HOTEL CAFÉ.
Tues, November 24, LISSIE at THE BOOTLEG THEATRE.
Tues, November 24, CAFÉ TACUBA AT CLUB NOKIA.
Fri, November 27, JULIAN CASABLANCAS AT THE PALACE THEATRE.
Fri, December 4, FINK AT SPACELAND.
Sat, December 5, SARA WATKINS AND TOM BROSSEAU AT LARGO AT THE CORONET.
Fri, December 11, BAND OF SKULLS AT THE TROUBADOUR.
Sat, December 12, BRETT DENNEN AT THE WILTERN.
Sat, December 12, JOHN DOE with JILL SOBULE AT THE ACTOR’S GANG.
Wed, December 16, ZERO 7 AT THE ORPHEUM.
Fri, December 18 and Sat, December 19, OZOMATLI AT CLUB NOKIA.
Fri, January 8, SONIC YOUTH AT THE FOX THEATRE IN POMONA.
Sat, January 9, SONIC YOUTH AT THE WILTERN.
Fri, March 12, BRANDI CARLILE AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES (ANAHEIM).
