I've been buying vinyl like mad. Some of it to sell, but a lot of it to try because it's on clearance at hot Topic.

One of those pieces came with a cd copy of the album, so I ripped it and I'm listening to it right now (I have too much shit on top of the top of my stereo to get to the turntable right now).

August Burns Red - Constellations

Music = not bad at all. Guitars are great, and the arrangements for the songs are fantastic.
Vocals = For the style, it's not bad, I guess...?

Verdict? Wouldn't go see them live unless they were opening for Thursday or something. Not something I'd go out of my way for.

But not bad. Especially not for $5.

How do I do that Tweet update thing for your own twitter account?

I don't take you seriously.

Just wait.

What am I doing right now?

Oh nothing. Just sending in some resumes and shit... And listening to the new Jello Biafra album.



Holy shit, is it good.

re: that dude from arma angelus
He can do what he wants. Except maybe make an album as pure as Take This To Your Grave. But that's a given.

Still, though, glad to have seen 'em, and glad to have had the experiences and met the people I've met because of them.

That's all anyone can ask for.

Fuck everything else.


So yeah, back to the resume sending and stuff.

I'm just going to leave this right here...

Goddamn right I won't.

So, Gold Motel was wonderful, as always. As was Greta. rawr.

Talked for quite a while with Tom and Sean, and it was good. I'm still pushing for a vinyl pressing of Howl.

Drive home sucked balls. Not doing the drive back thing anymore when I have to wake up at 5:30 that morning.

That was brutal.

I haven't been updating for shit.

Check this out!
My Music Myspace
Tell me how you think it is.
I know my singing could be a lot better.

Well, I have my phone back. Don't y'all be too worried now.

Wait, did I even tell everyone here what happened?

Okay, well, someone stole my fucking phone on Wednesday last week. Myself and everyone in the kitchen but the supervisors (and even then, I think this is just because they can't do anything without solid, concrete proof) know who did it. I'm not going to get into the details of why and all that shit, but I will say that it hurts because I thought this kid was my friend. I helped him move into his current apartment. I've driven him home after work a ton.
I've bent over backwards for this kid and this is the fucking thanks I get because i suppose he's having money troubles.

Well, fuck him because somehow my renter's insurance covered it, and I'm only out about 16 bucks for a brand new iPhone. He can go rot in a kiddie pool of his own filth.

Been sellin' stuff. Like I do. Amazon is lovely this time of year, as are the Lady Gaga Super Deluxe Edition Fame Monster Box Sets.

Been hanging out with two wonderful people that actually want to hang out with us. It's crazy. And the weirdest thing is that the male half of the couple is a total misanthrope, but he apparently actually suggests that they chill with us. We all loved watching Inglorious Basterds on Em's birthday. Because everyone loves movies about killin' Nazis. Especially those of Jewish descent.

Upcoming shows? You got 'em. (if it's bolded, it may just be a pipe dream)

1/22 Gold Motel w/ Empires in Champaign, IL
2/5 TAI @ The Metro for the 5th Anniversary of ALmost Here
2/12 Empires @ Lincoln Hall
2/27 NFG @ The Newport in Columbus, OH
2/28 Alkaline Trio @ The Metro

And really, that's all that's set in stone. Aside form me REALLY wanting to see Brian Posehn later this month.

Okay, I need to go to bed. I need to get the twitter feed linked to this thing.


Fuck, I never thought I'd say that.

Goodnight.

And now, after all the not waiting you've been doing, here's my top 50 of this past decade.

( YEp. Here it is! )

Now to lament how I didn't get LAdy Gaga tickets. Maybe we'll try to fuck over a scalper on Saturday or something.

"Nah, man, show's already started. Like fuck I'm paying face value for 'em. Take what I wanna pay 'em or take a loss."

Whatevskis.

I've been up since my usual time during the weekdays. What the actual fuck?

The decade list is coming up. I'm doing write-ups of the top ten. That's what's taking so damn long.

HAve this:

That formspring Thing. Not quite sure what it is.

Ask me something, I guess?

Well... It's been another year. I just wish it'd been better. DOn't get me wrong, I think many of the entries on my list were fantastic. I just wish I had a harder time placing this year's releases. I look at my stack of CDs and vinyl, and wonder what made me not want to buy the first Green Day album that I didn't rush out and buy. I wonder what made me not really care about the new Say Anything? (which, really I never knew what the release date was, 'cause the promo board I saw for it didn't say anything about the fucking release date that I saw.)

However, that doesn't mean I didn't think it was strong for live music. In fact, I went to more shows this year than any year prior. My count this year was 42, with a few comedy shows thrown in for good measure, but not to include them in my concert list. Among the highlights?

2/28/09 Jimmy Eat World - Clarity 2009 Tour @ The Metro: Sold Out like whoa. HAd to buy off a scalper, but they were worth every penny. Words cannot describe the show itself.
2/25/09 The Music Tapes @ The A/V-Aerie: Julian Koster is a Godlike Genius, and that SHOULD be all there needs to be said. BUT, how often does one of your creative idols lead the entire crowd out into the cold to jump over a pot containing their wishes that they've scrawled on pieces of paper that are being burned in order to release the wishes into the ether?
8/8/2009 The Gaslight Anthem @ The Double Door: Fucking hot as hell inside, and the energy from Gaslight was fantastic, even if Brendan didn't feel it.
9&11/20&15/2009 Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band in Chicago and Milwaukee: Nothing more to say here.
11/6/2009 New Found Glory @ Emerson Theater in Indy:

And
10/1&2/2009 Manic Street Preachers in Chicago and Detroit. I need not say more.


But yeah, onto the release list for this year.
Again, this list only includes new studio albums from this year.
Live and Cover albums are not considered.
This is culled strictly from what I have purchased in some way, shape or form.

1. Manic Street Preachers - Journal For Plague Lovers
Is this any surprise? Really? COme on, now. I've been gushing over this shit since before it came out (because I was buying multiple goddamn copies of it already, so I downloaded the leak). This is a wonderful use of Richey's lyrics as a bit of closure for both the band and it's fans, and I think it's seriously lacking any real patchiness. Steve Albini's recording and production could've been left more alone rather than tampered with by Mr. Eringa, but ah well. If the only moderate complain I have is the engineer on staff that's been working with the Manics since the Paleozoic Age, then is it really that bad?
Suggested Tracks: Bag Lady (the hidden track), Jackie Collins Existential Question Time, Me And Stephen Hawking, Facing Page: Top Left, and Journal For Plague Lovers.

2. New Found Glory - Not Without A Fight
Did you lose faith in them? If you did, shame on you. But now you have a reason to believe again. This is what everyone knew they would have to come back with after Coming Home, and man, did they deliver. Some of the songs on this album belong in the setlist among classics like "My Friends Over You," "Hit Or Miss," and "3rd & Long," and I hope they stay there (though I haven't heard one of my faves from this new one live yet. In time.
Suggested Tracks: "Listen To Your Friends," "HEartless At Best,"

3. Andrew W.K. - 55 Cadillac
This shouldn't be surprising, given my sever AWK mancrush, but if you couldn't take him seriously as a musician before, then listen to this album. Andrew takes his classical training and gives us all a little recital. This is a collection of spontaneous improvised piano pieces, recorded on a 4-track recorder at his parents' house, and some of the stuff he's doing is just phenomenal. DO not listen to it while driving unless you usually listen to light jazz/classical stuff, because this stuff is SOOTHING. No Suggested tracks, just listen to it.

4.Say Anything - Say Anything
Late addition to the list, as I got it yesterday, and it was unbelievably better than Daisy, but due to lack of familiarity, this doesn't chart higher. And I enjoy it more than half the list. This is what In Defense of the Genre SHOULD'VE been. Thank you, Max.
Suggested Tracks: Hate Everyone, Mara and Me

5. Paramore - Brand New Eyes
Growth. They had a lot to do, but then again, Hayley and co. were always like the more mature kids in your graduating class anyway. I was hooked on the album from the intro to "Ignorance," and then I realized that there's a reason their fans seem more than a little obsessed sometimes: It's because this band actually has what it takes to churn out a good song with a good arrangement.
Suggested Tracks: Ignorance, Careful, Feeling Sorry, Playing God

6. Placebo - Battle For The Sun
If you don't like Brian Molko's lyrics, then you won't like this. If you think they're good, but wildly funny at times, then this album is for you. At times, his lyrics can get repetitive, but not necessarily bad. It's a good Placebo album, and with a new drummer at the helm, they've got a renewed sense of wonder and hunger. For What It's Worth, I'll be at the next Chicago date no problem.
Suggested Tracks: For What It's Worth, Kitty Litter, Battle For The Sun (for the lulz)

7. Rammstein - Liebe Ist Für Alle Da
This is only so low on the list due to me not understanding a damn word they say through most of the album. Other than that, it's a much more solid album than Slayer's new one. Just in German and, for the most part, creepier as a result.
Suggested Tracks: Rammlied, Liebe Ist Für Alle Da

8.Cobra Starship - Hot Mess
If you take this band seriously, then you just don't get it. You just don't. That is all.
Suggested Tracks: "Pete Wentz Is The Only Reason We're Famous," "Hot Mess," "You're Not In On The Joke," "Move Like You Gonna Die"

9. Lady GaGa - The Fame Monster
Never thought I'd put it up here. I don't even like it that much, it was just better than everything else I bought that wasn't on this list. "Alejandro" is fantastic, if I may dare say. "Speechless" REEKS of old Elton John or Queen. What the FUCK???? Why is this on my list?????
Suggested Tracks: see above.

10. NOFX - Coaster
NOFX are another band I usually love, and usually they'd be much higher on the list, but there's more that came out this year that just grabbed me better. MAny of the songs translated fantastically live at Riot Fest, and gave me a new appreciation for it than I got on the first listen, but it gets the job done, certainly.
Suggested Tracks: We Called It America, My Orphan Year


now that that's done for this year, I wish you all a merry new year! Now onto the "decade list."

Gozu may be easier to fllow than Dead Or Alive. Which is really saying something, 'cause Gozu was harder to follow than Mulholland Drive.

Played Oblivion 'till I got some of the motion sickness today. From about 1-ish to 7:45. Haven't done that in ages.

Well, this has been a fine pre-noon festival of fun.

No, not really.

I'm sitting here in the lakeshore theater with Em awaiting the start of the show in 40 minutes. It's ridiculously hazy in here. Smells decent, though.

Very excited fenthe show, but I swear, if there is another Blondie song, I may choke someone. Because Blondie is awful.

Summary of past days:

the hangover is awesome.

*pause*

I hate the Eagles more than almost anything else in music, an they just started up "hotel California." I want a gun.

*resumes*

Maurice (pronounced "Morris" for those of us not in 1910s Britain) is a very good movie, but very long. Took a couple nights to finish the sprawling 2 hour & 20 minutes because, while it's good, it is also british and kind of dry, so after being at work, it was nt the most riviting piece of cinema I've ever laid my eyes on.

We have inglorious basterds to watch, as well as a lot of other stuff.

Christmas dinner was awesome. Potato sausage is the absolute craziest good shit. Thank you fir having us, Aunt Nancy.

We're planning a sledding excursion tomorrow. God help me.


Still straigtedge. Still got those puppies. Here's a picture!

they were missing fullcollapse when she didn't come into the building with us.
Love those little shits.
And I love you, fullcollapse.

That's all I got now.

The top ten for the year is done. The top 50 for the decade is done, too. God help you all.

I just can't leave it in my collection. =/



I tried to give it another shot, but really, there are less than 7 songs I would ever want to listen to, meaning I would only ever want to listen to less than half of this album.

Thank God they released Death Magnetic.

Cereal time.

So, I went to the Brown elephant Wednesday while Em was in her Spanish class. Found some nice shit. Among the highlights?

The Who - Tommy MFSL 24k gold disc
Jane's Addiction 1991 World Tour t-shirt
Ozzy Osbourne longsleeved t-shirt from the mid-90s or maybe early 90s (didn't see a date on there)

ANd I kind of wish I were some small-framed chick so that I may be able to wear this shirt, 'cause it's a 10/12, and that made me very sad when I found that out.


Ah well.

It is Saturday now. And I don't update this as much as I probably should anymore.

Maybe there's just not as much interesting shit going on that I feel like sharing.

I DID get word of AWK being on Warped next year... And that makes me want to go to Warped for the first time since '04.

There are 1087 copies of the Pretty. Odd. Limited Deluxe Edition. Just thought I'd point that out.
They started with 10,000, and there's still more than ten percent of them left. Since BEFORE MARCH 25TH LAST YEAR.
I guess they misunderestimated the amount of people who would want to drop $50 (now $35) on the cd/vinyl/quadfold liner notes/puzzle/etc.,etc........ I thought FBR was razy for printing 15,000 of those damn Paramore boxed sets, but those sold out right quick.

BRand New Eyes vinyl has less than 700 copies in the FBR store. Down from 5,000. Paramore fans are crazy. But in the good way.


marriedtothesea.com

Have that. Nugget of wisdom. Free this holiday season.


nataliedee.com


superpoop.com

Hoo ha.

Going to see William BEckett tonight, Gold Motel tomorrow, and that'll close out my concert year. I WILL be seeing Patton Oswalt, however the day after Christmas, but the comedy stuff don't count on my list.

I'm going to post this now. And play some Oblivion? We'll see.

nataliedee.com

Oh, I got some bitchin' shoes last night.



Yep.

Wayne just brought a couch up onstage and is sitting on it with the fans who were occupying it singing "yoshimi."

This is beautiful.

Battery's dying.

So.............

Hi, guys!!!!!!!!

A recap of the last week:

the suprise ended up being a surprise reunion all arranged by John, and I couldn't have been happier to see everyone.
Unfortunately, we were also told that Grandma Brown had just a few more days.

Saturday was the dinner with everyone in my family except Rich and Nicole. Oh well. More hangs at starbucks.

Sunday is the lunch with em's family. Pleasant. Jim and jan's newer cat, Smokey, likes me, it seems. Plans are tentatively made for NFG in Columbus in February with Erika (Em's neice). More hangs at the bux.

Pick up the dogs, but not before we get word of Opal's passing. Arrangements Are made to attendnthe viewing and the burial. Drive home.

Work for the first time on tuesday since the previous Wednesday. Thank god for pto.

Leave for bowling green Wednesday, arrive just in time for the start of the viewing, and my back is killing me because I slept on it wrong. The good thing about the trip, despite the circumstances, is that at my insistance Em tries for Flaming Lips tickets and wins. The kids keep me awake in the back room of the funeral home because I am nodding off bad. Go to bed at anne's and sleep on a totally kickads mattress. This is what brings me joy these days. Kill me.

Thursday the burial lasts a span of time that is considerably shorter than we were expecting. Luncheon afterward was good, and we finally got a way to contact one of em's cousins who actually lives up here. Yay knowing people in town! Picked up the dogs and headed home after a quick stop at finder's and the goodwill. The dogs were exquisite on the car ride home.

When we got home, I literally got out to Brendan and Kim pulling up behind me and we watched Anchorman and played words with friends while we were all in the same room. Glorious.

Today I finally went back to work. Turns out I get bereavement pay. Who knew? I sure didn't.

And now we're batting back balloons at the flaming lips show. Phoenix was okay for doing a shortened (5 songs) set, but the lips are fantastic.

Now to pay more attention to the show.

Last night was fantastic. And apparently, at 8 tonight, our buddy John has something planned for us. NO hints.

I'm lovin' it.

Good to be back.

superpoop.com


Tired already, Well, I guess that means I'll be getting a decent night's sleep when I go to bed tonight in order to wake up to leave for Ohio at 4 am.

Shit goddamn, son, why?????

The earlier version of "Again I Go Unnoticed" is so much more tolerable than the one from Swiss Army Romance.

Why did Mr. Carraba decide to go up a full step and a higher key for the song? It seriously bothers my dogs.

I'll just put this here... Just to show how badass Rammstein is...

Just sayin.

Wristcutters was good, for those of you who asked. Just about anything with Tom Waits in it will be fantastic, though.

Up is near-soul crushingly good and sad. Not ten minutes in, I was crying. Just call me a pussy and get it over with.

now on to Se7en after I write out these address labels and wake up Em.

Another hour of boredom.

The tv edit of the 40 year-old virgin is horrendous.

NO bag of sand scene.
NO fuck buddy conversation (not even an edited version)
Seriously, why bother?

Going back out in a bit, but we were good little consumers for a good 14 hours today.

The Haul?

(Physical)
Dragon Age: Origins for PS3
The MAtrix Blu-Ray
Wizard of Oz Blu-Ray
Full Metal Jacket Blu-Ray
Blazing Saddles Blu-Ray
V For Vendetta Blu-Ray
Up Blu-Ray
Eastbound & Down First season dvd set
350 GB Portable Hard Drive for Em (now I can finally back up the damn iMac with the other external HD)
Jeans for Em

(Amazon order)
Fallout 3 Game of the Year Edition for 360
A Quantum of Solace Blu-Ray

And we're going back out to hunt down some more copies of the Wizard of Oz Blu-Ray from Target because I'm feelin' capitalistic, baby.

Hope I'll be okay for a bit longer tonight. Want to actually watch something. Preferably the rest of Wristcutters, and maybe the other movie we got from Netflix.

OH, and I got my Brand New Eyes vinyl in the mail today. Hopefully my Nothing Gold Can Stay vinyl will arrive shortly.

So, we're watching wristcutters: a love story, right?

And then Em falls asleep.

And so what do I do?

I post about it with my iPhone. Last time she ever uses my pillow on the couch again.

Still tired (slept until about a half hour ago, but I'm sick, I'm allowed), but I thought I'd post a little something something while I'm here.

I just want to say i can't believe I made it through the first year.

I thought that things would be pretty well-stacked against us.

There were some pretty tumultuous times, such as the months where there was barely any income from either of us.

But with that resolved, we got back on our feet (as much as we are now, I guess).

I'm just glad we did. 'Cause I don't want this to go to shambles.
And I won't let it.

Thank you, Emily.
Happy Anniversary.
And Happy 7 years together.

Just thank you.
I love you.

Feel a lot better. Doctor didn't think it was the flu. His hypothesis?

Since my blood oxygen level was REALLY LOW, that's what he interpreted my disorientation, pain, aching, and inability to breathe. OR rather, my breathing has contributed to my low Blood Oxygen Level.

For those of you wondering what a low level is, it's apparently not too far off of 91% or 92%. 90% is considered low, according to the Mayo Clinic.

I still got the Tamiflu he prescribed, so I'm taking that as well. Fun, fun, fun.

I should go back to bed. I will eventually. My sleep schedule is soooo fucked.

So, yeah, I'm in the doctor's office right now on the newfangled iPhone I bought last night.

Why get an iPhone?

Because the battery for my old phone was swelling. Not good.

But why am I in the doctor's office, instead of at work? Yeah, me waking up at 3:30 in the morning to go to the bathroom, only to stumble into the bathrom 'cause I can barely walk, and me aching so much that it was actually a
chore and a massive ordeal to lift the seat.

Oh, forget about standing up on my own with that one, too.

The cat was watching me with what looked like visible concern.

So yeah, we're thinking the flu. Hopefully it'll be taken care of quickly. Appointment at 11am, and we've been here since 8:15.

Fuck this shit.

Watched Casino Royale finally. BEst Bond movie I've seen since Goldeneye.

Yeah.

Oh, and I'm seeing Springsteen for the 5th time tomorrow/today. To this, I give a hearty "fuck yes." And not only that, but I'm also NOT WORKING MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!

BEST WEEKEND EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe. Kind of?

Regardless, this is awesome.

Art Brut was awesome last night. However, the effects of the Taco Bell from last night are a different story.

I will definitely see Art Brut again next time they're in town.

Resumes have been sent out, and other stuff has actually been done.

Cool, cool.


superpoop.com

SO yeah, had to return that wireless receiver. Wouldn't pick up any signal.

My head's fine.

Party was good.

Went and saw Brendan up at the Apple Store in Deer Park. Didn't realize it was so close to Schaumburg.

The dogs are being noisy.

I'm being a dick by making everything one line.

More later.

This was like the best Russian Nesting Doll ever!

An Express Mail envelope that contained a Priority Mail flat rate envelope that contained an even smaller greeting card envelope that contained FOUR TICKETS TO SPRINGSTEEN IN MILWAUKEE!

HELL YES!

Hey, I'm using "happy" as a mood! I NEVER do that (seriously, go look. I don't!).

Space Mutiny MST3K with friends tonight.
Cake. Good cake.
Hangouts.
FRIENDS.

Thank you all for this awesome, low-key birthday party.

Thank you, Emily, for sticking around.

So... New Found Glory last night was one of the best shows I've ever seen. Captain Straight Edge (Chadball) recommended I get my head checked out.

'Cause yeah, see below.

Note to stage divers: Feet first is not cool. You're doing it wrong.

Still amazing, and I didn't home 'till just now after leaving around 3:45pm yesterday. And I don't even care.

Oh, and since everyone was wondering, the second Gaslight show was as awesome as this picture:



Benny is still the coolest motherfucker on the planet, and we keep meeting and not exchanging contact info with these two peeps from MAdison, WI. They're at just about every show we are.

Got the standard black 2x& for Senor and the Queen, and the clear vinyl for Sink or Swim. And a hoodie.

So there! HA!

SELLIN' PARAMORE STUFF!

AND OTHER STUFF!!!!!!!!!

SHIT YEAH!!!!!!!!

I hope the wireless receiver I bought works with Newton and Andrew's wireless signal, 'cause I do not want to go through the hassle of returning it.

Need to clean up shit in here. WHo knows? Maybe I'll finally do that video tour of my pad like I've alluded to for two years and two apartments?

This weekend was awesome.

+ Dinosaur coloring book.

We hung out with Brendan and Kim Halloween, and definitely rocked the shit out of Starbucks with a 400 page coloring book filled with dinosaurs. No shit.
After the first one, we started doing "celebrity" dinosaurs, touching upon Lady GaGa, Wilford Brimley, Angus Young, Lil' Wayne, Mark Mothersbaugh (please tell me I don't have to explain who that is), and more.

+ Free Chipotle

Hell yes, I wrapped my head in tin foil for a free burrito!

+ Capitalism

Lots of cds I picked up from the Brown Elephant in Wrigleyville. Many duplicates, but whatever. Also picked up this fierce bitch:


Yes, that's a fully signed Midtown proof for the booklet of their last album, Forget What You Know.
I don't know how it got here, but Em found it, and it's ours.
Also, we picked up a Team America World Police poster for the video cassette and dvd release.

- My brakes getting so bad that they sparked.

Yeah, that sucked.

+ Finding a place that could fix it that was OPEN on Sunday!

+ The new Rammstein album.

+ possibilities of a road trip up to "mill-e-wah-que" ("I was unaware of that.") to see the boss with some awesome people if we can get tickets.

- needing to go to bed due to work.

Fuck that jazz.

Goodnight, everyone.