Who is this nut?
- kired
- "You need to believe in things that aren't true. How else can they become?" T. Pratchett
23.12.11
7.12.11
File Under: Eat More Pudding
As some of you are aware, chicken sandwich giant Chick-fil-A is bullying a small t-shirt company in Vermont. My good friend Doug, over at thisissomewhere.com, decided to throw some moral support their way. So being the joiner that I am, here is mine. GO TEAM KALE!
14.10.11
9.10.11
File Under: Embarrasing
Wow, has it really been almost 3 months since I last posted? I can't believe how God forsaken lazy I have been. Especially, given that my objective was to write more often. I could make excuses about how crazy life has been, but quite simply, I didn't prioritize posting. It's not that I lack topics to pontificate on, it's just easier to throw up small bits on Twitter, than to actually sit down and write a post. I hope to start posting again, but it's also quite possible that I will be embarrassed again in 3 months...
12.7.11
File Under: Douchey Email I got from Netflix
Dear Derik,
We are separating unlimited DVDs by mail and unlimited streaming into two separate plans to better reflect the costs of each. Now our members have a choice: a streaming only plan, a DVD only plan, or both.
Your current $11.99 a month membership for unlimited streaming and unlimited DVDs (including Blu-ray access) will be split into 2 distinct plans:
Plan 1: Unlimited Streaming (no DVDs) for $7.99 a month
Plan 2: Unlimited DVDs (including Blu-ray), 1 out at-a-time (no streaming)
for $9.99 a month
Your price for getting both of these plans will be $17.98 a month ($7.99 + $9.99). You don't need to do anything to continue your memberships for both unlimited streaming and unlimited DVDs.
These prices will start for charges on or after September 1, 2011.
You can easily change or cancel your unlimited streaming plan, unlimited DVD plan, or both, by going to the Plan Change page in Your Account.
We realize you have many choices for home entertainment, and we thank you for your business. As always, if you have questions, please feel free to call us at 1-888-357-1516.
–The Netflix Team
This constitutes a 67% increase in the cost for a service, I don't really need. Guess who's ready to go the way of the Blockbuster...
26.6.11
File Under: Solid Sound, Day 2
Ok folks, we're prepping to hit the road, so this will be quick and dirty.
We finished our tour of the installations at Mass MoCA and came away with the general feeling that last summer's stuff was stronger. Although some pieces did strike true like the one's by Kathrina Grosse (see photo). I'm not sure if it's more that I'm less impressed with video pieces (there were so many of them) or that last year was so very much better in general. Hard to say with art.
We enjoyed a couple hours of the John Hodgeman curated comedy. John was of course hilarious, but Morgan Murphy and the "Artisinal Pencil Sharpener" were particularly hilarious. I expected more from Eugene Mirman, though he tends to work more in the realm of smirk than actual laughing, I suppose. We left before Wyatt Cenac and John's sets. Our butt's were tired and we had to pee. Once you leave, you really can't get back in. The Hunter Center was too damn small. I suggest you bring a cushion and a bottle to pee in, if you go next year.
Better armed against the rain, we settled in with our friends for Syl Johnson and The Sweet Devines, who turned out a great set. However, I have no idea what he was on about in the interstisials, he kept mumbling something about Wu Tang. He thought it was hilarious.
Finally, at 9:15ish, Wilco took the stage and brought forth two hours of Wilco goodness. I can't recommend enough, seeing this band live. Of particular musical serendipity, was when Sarah Lee Guthrie joined the band on stage to sing California Stars (her grandfather, Woody, wrote the lyrics).
Other things of note. We were introduced to something called a Samosa. YUM!
Time to finish packing and hit road.
Love, Peace and Chicken Grease
We enjoyed a couple hours of the John Hodgeman curated comedy. John was of course hilarious, but Morgan Murphy and the "Artisinal Pencil Sharpener" were particularly hilarious. I expected more from Eugene Mirman, though he tends to work more in the realm of smirk than actual laughing, I suppose. We left before Wyatt Cenac and John's sets. Our butt's were tired and we had to pee. Once you leave, you really can't get back in. The Hunter Center was too damn small. I suggest you bring a cushion and a bottle to pee in, if you go next year.
Better armed against the rain, we settled in with our friends for Syl Johnson and The Sweet Devines, who turned out a great set. However, I have no idea what he was on about in the interstisials, he kept mumbling something about Wu Tang. He thought it was hilarious.
Finally, at 9:15ish, Wilco took the stage and brought forth two hours of Wilco goodness. I can't recommend enough, seeing this band live. Of particular musical serendipity, was when Sarah Lee Guthrie joined the band on stage to sing California Stars (her grandfather, Woody, wrote the lyrics).
Other things of note. We were introduced to something called a Samosa. YUM!
Time to finish packing and hit road.
Love, Peace and Chicken Grease
25.6.11
File Under: Solid Sound, Day 1
As Mass MoCA is always a visual delight, we were met with art almost immediately. The place is rife with it, both the installations that already inhabited the vast brick buildings and the festival specific pieces. Food and beverage selections are fairly plentiful and seem to all be local purveyors. The thoughtfulness of that last part makes me happy.
The paid and volunteer staff all seemed happy to be there and were quite polite, even security (what? is that even possible?).
Now for the music, Purling Hiss garnered a great big meh from me. Pajama Club was better but not exactly my cuppa, we listened though as we sat on a hill and watched the sky darken. As their set continued, our friends arrived with boys in tow. We followed them down into the field, which through many feet and much rain was softening into mud. They chose a spot, set up their chairs and we chatted over the band (we are so rude, I know). Not a full 10 minutes after Doug had declared that it wouldn't rain, "the radar showed it had turned...."
Ellyn and I had brought rain coats. I had on boots, I was planning on this all being fine. We're Mainers, rain is nothing. What we hadn't banked on was the 10-15 degree drop in temp. Rain coats and ponchos don't address that little bugaboo. We decided to go back up the hill and sit on the bleachers while they reset the stage for Wilco. We sat for a mere few minutes before we decided the our asses would not be able to endure. Also, the sound tent blocked the view. "If we can't see, we may as well find someplace dryer." said the Mrs. I agreed.
We made our way through the increasing downpour to the shelter of the main building. We debated the merits of staying while in line for our body and soul warming coffee and tea. As we started to make our way back to the field, we overheard someone on a security radio mentioning that is they get thunder they will be shutting down. This makes absolute sense and as the potential was high, we decided to head back to the hotel and regroup for today. We did hear the distant thrum of the band as we waited for the shuttle. In fact we heard about 30 minutes worth. The planners had not accounted for people wanting to leave early if the weather turned nasty.
Upon return to the hotel, we soaked in a hot bath and slept like logs. Now we must go forth to source some better, warmer rain gear. Ta!
24.6.11
File Under: A Street Car Named Desire at WTFest
Anyone who has ever by vocation or avocation practiced the dramatic arts sees each performance from that perspective and tries to learn from it. Last night at the Williamstown Theater Festival, I witnessed a master class. This production of "A Street Car Named Desire," has brought the piece to a new level of intimacy and subtlety. The choice of director David Cromer, to bring part of the audience on to the back side of the stage, made for a performance that lent itself more to the sense of eavesdropping and prurient peeking, than that of watching a play.
The set is much like an aquarium, with no place for the actors to cheat to. I often found myself making eye contact with the performers. Luckily, I was fully engaged in them so I didn't feel odd about it. Don't sit on the stage in the front row unless you are ok with this.
When I heard that Jessica Hecht would play Blanche DuBois, I knew I was in for a nuanced and sympathetic performance, but she brought the fractured mind of Ms. Dubois to an unsettling reality. She fully realized the mood swings and Blache's efforts to maintain a grip on those few last strands of dignity and self.
Stanley Kowalski is a character that is all too often played as an unsympathetic lout. Not so with Sam Rockwell's performance. I expected nothing less from an actor who understands the payoff of a character built on the foundation of human subtlety. Sam made Stan a person, not a character. A man whose life has been turned upside down without warning, by an in-law, who thinks him an ape. It's hard not to sympathise with his feelings, if not his actions. For Stanley Kowalski does many despicable things, yet through Sam's interpretation, you can grasp at the edges of the motivation, yet still deplore those things.
Ana Reeder did a fine turn as Stella, not portraying a shrinking flower, but a woman who is strong in her own right and undeniably in love with Stanley, for better or worse. I should also mention, Daniel Stewart Sherman, as Mitch. He brought forth a man of sensitivity and patience, a counterpoint to the self-focused and impulsive Kowalski. In the final scene, his sorrow and distaste, for what has transpired, is heart wrenching.
The actors that rounded out the cast were all on point. Each presenting well crafted characters to support the leads.
I don't know if this show is sold out yet, but you need to go get tickets now.
Update: There is a lot of smoking by the actors during the show (duh it's set in 1947), therefore asthmatics should avoid the on stage seats. The wife is still a little tight through the chest.
The set is much like an aquarium, with no place for the actors to cheat to. I often found myself making eye contact with the performers. Luckily, I was fully engaged in them so I didn't feel odd about it. Don't sit on the stage in the front row unless you are ok with this.
When I heard that Jessica Hecht would play Blanche DuBois, I knew I was in for a nuanced and sympathetic performance, but she brought the fractured mind of Ms. Dubois to an unsettling reality. She fully realized the mood swings and Blache's efforts to maintain a grip on those few last strands of dignity and self.
Stanley Kowalski is a character that is all too often played as an unsympathetic lout. Not so with Sam Rockwell's performance. I expected nothing less from an actor who understands the payoff of a character built on the foundation of human subtlety. Sam made Stan a person, not a character. A man whose life has been turned upside down without warning, by an in-law, who thinks him an ape. It's hard not to sympathise with his feelings, if not his actions. For Stanley Kowalski does many despicable things, yet through Sam's interpretation, you can grasp at the edges of the motivation, yet still deplore those things.
Ana Reeder did a fine turn as Stella, not portraying a shrinking flower, but a woman who is strong in her own right and undeniably in love with Stanley, for better or worse. I should also mention, Daniel Stewart Sherman, as Mitch. He brought forth a man of sensitivity and patience, a counterpoint to the self-focused and impulsive Kowalski. In the final scene, his sorrow and distaste, for what has transpired, is heart wrenching.
The actors that rounded out the cast were all on point. Each presenting well crafted characters to support the leads.
I don't know if this show is sold out yet, but you need to go get tickets now.
Update: There is a lot of smoking by the actors during the show (duh it's set in 1947), therefore asthmatics should avoid the on stage seats. The wife is still a little tight through the chest.
15.4.11
File Under: A pilot's story - Author Unknown
A pilot gets home late.............. He left home about 8:30 a.m. to do some work in his hangar at the airport with his friends. On the way out the door he answered his wife's "what time will you be home?" question with "probably about 1:30, I'll have lunch at the airport."
1:30 came & went.
3:00 passed
6:15, still not home.
Finally at about 7:00 pm he rolls in the driveway, and presents his wife with a pizza, and begins the apologetic story. "I finished cleaning the plane about 11:30, had lunch, and I started home, when alongside the road I saw this attractive girl with a flat tire on her car. I stopped to help, got the tire changed, and looked around for a place to wash my hands. She offered money, but I refused, so she suggested that I at least allow her to buy me a beer. She said 'There's a tavern just up the road, and they have a restroom, you can clean up a bit.' I agreed to stop, we had a beer, then another beer, then a couple more, and I realized that this girl was not only pretty, she was very friendly, and a good companion to spend time with. Before I knew it, we were in the motel next door having sex. And that is why I am so late getting home."
His wife looked him right in the eye and said "don't bull shit me, YOU WENT FLYING DIDN'T YOU?"
1:30 came & went.
3:00 passed
6:15, still not home.
Finally at about 7:00 pm he rolls in the driveway, and presents his wife with a pizza, and begins the apologetic story. "I finished cleaning the plane about 11:30, had lunch, and I started home, when alongside the road I saw this attractive girl with a flat tire on her car. I stopped to help, got the tire changed, and looked around for a place to wash my hands. She offered money, but I refused, so she suggested that I at least allow her to buy me a beer. She said 'There's a tavern just up the road, and they have a restroom, you can clean up a bit.' I agreed to stop, we had a beer, then another beer, then a couple more, and I realized that this girl was not only pretty, she was very friendly, and a good companion to spend time with. Before I knew it, we were in the motel next door having sex. And that is why I am so late getting home."
His wife looked him right in the eye and said "don't bull shit me, YOU WENT FLYING DIDN'T YOU?"
29.3.11
16.3.11
File Under: My Friend Aya and her benefit to help her people.
Regular readers of this blog know I support my friend Aya Inoue in her musical pursuits (The Leaves, Amida Bourbon Project), today I'm asking you all to support her latest project. She and her sister have put together a benefit concert to help the people of Northern Japan. The show will be this Friday, March 18 at the Parima Thai Restaurant in Burlington. Since I know most of you (including me) won't be able to make it, please donate using their Chip-In.
Any amount will help.
From Aya's email:
Any amount will help.
From Aya's email:
Hi everybody...
I hope this email finds everybody safe and healthy and in good spirits... it has been a difficult week for me as I have felt extremely helpless watching my country go through such distress and turmoil. I keep wanting to turn off the television because it is so painful to watch, yet I cannot sleep because I need to know what is going to happen. I find myself scared to fall asleep, for fear of waking up to find out something bad has happend... again... I hate to sound so doom and gloom about this all, but this is really how it has felt the past week. It has been a feeling that is hard to describe. The poor people in Tohoku (north) who have lost their lives, their families, their children, their parents... my own family and childhood friends who are now scared to sleep because of the aftershocks. My father has informed me that local grocery stores have closed due to a shortage of food, and I get photo updates from friends showing a Tokyo that is blanketed in darkness from a scheduled blackout. Through these, my family and friends lay awake through aftershocks, and await the latest news from the accident at the nuclear power plant.
I have felt helpless and powerless from Vermont... to say the least. But I have decided to channel my anxiety and fear into something productive. My sister and I have researched different organizations and have decided to raise money for a NGO which we feel will place money where it really needs to go right now. The local office in Japan is located about ten minutes from our home in Tokyo, making it a true local donation for us. The organization is called Trade Winds Japan, partnered through Trade Winds America
( http://peacewindsamerica.org/support/ )
I will be playing a benefit concert this Friday, March 18th at Parima Thai Restaurant, with a group of wonderful Burlington artists who have volunteered their time and talent for the cause. We will be asking a $15 minimum donation for this event. I have had such a wonderful response from folks who have said they would like to contribute but are unable to attend the event. As a result of this, my sister and I have created a "Chip In" Widget to help boost our fundraiser beyond Burlington, and to network our resources and ask for help to you all. Through social networking and word of mouth, our goal is to raise at least $4000 by the end of March for our friends, family, and neighbors in Japan.
I appreciate any donation you can give, but even if you can't donate, if you could pass this on to even one person... that would mean the entire world to me. Thank you so much to everyone for reading this and here's to hoping to a fast recovery for Japan. Here is the link to the Chip In:
http://burlingtonaidtojapan.chipin.com/2011-japan- earthquaketsunami-victims
Truly,
Aya
11.3.11
9.3.11
4.3.11
File Under: Screw those teacher fat cats...
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Crisis in Dairyland - For Richer and Poorer | ||||
| ||||
1.3.11
25.2.11
22.2.11
20.2.11
File Under: Lessons in Mortality
When a parent allows a child a first pet, we all know that we are on a path to a lesson in mortality. Along the way we impart the values of nurturing and responsibility. We impress upon their young minds what it truly means to care for another living creature, all the while, dreading the inevitable tears and heartache
My nine year old son was gut punched by that inevitability today. It appears that while we were gone for the weekend, his hamster, Phoebe, passed in her sleep. My wife (thank goodness), found her in her little house, curled up, with her eyes closed, surrounded by her "stash." A peaceful end, that so many of us may never get.
Telling my son was so very hard. I could see it rip right through him. No hesitation in fully grasping what it all meant. The last time we had to explain death, he was five, and he really couldn't grasp it; not so now.
I have to wonder if he feels some guilt for the times he complained about caring for her. We'll have to make him understand that she had a good little hamster life. She never wanted for food or water and she had a warm little house of her very own.
The thing I'm really not sure of, is who's heart is breaking more. His, for the loss of his pet, or ours for his pain.
My nine year old son was gut punched by that inevitability today. It appears that while we were gone for the weekend, his hamster, Phoebe, passed in her sleep. My wife (thank goodness), found her in her little house, curled up, with her eyes closed, surrounded by her "stash." A peaceful end, that so many of us may never get.
Telling my son was so very hard. I could see it rip right through him. No hesitation in fully grasping what it all meant. The last time we had to explain death, he was five, and he really couldn't grasp it; not so now.
I have to wonder if he feels some guilt for the times he complained about caring for her. We'll have to make him understand that she had a good little hamster life. She never wanted for food or water and she had a warm little house of her very own.
The thing I'm really not sure of, is who's heart is breaking more. His, for the loss of his pet, or ours for his pain.
16.2.11
15.2.11
12.2.11
11.2.11
4.2.11
File Under: And it's Beautiful
Back in December my wife and I were fortunate enough to see one of my favorite bands, Crash Test Dummies, during their two nights at Tupelo Music Hall in New Hampshire. What we enjoyed that night was showmanship at it's best. Not only were Brad and Ellen vocally superb, they were funny and personable. Whether he was pontificating on masturbation, weed or the intellectual value of certain rowdy audience members, I was highly entertained.
They performed many songs from their new album "Oooh-La-La," (now streaming on their website, linked above) as well as some of their hits. Not one of the "payday" songs was performed without some back story and self-deprecating humor. Their music has always had a certain joyful darkness to it, inlaid with aspects of Brad's personality, but being in that intimate setting with them really brought it to bare. Maybe I've been warped by too many years of CBC programming while growing up, but his sense of humor is definitely mine. I must buy this man a beer.
If you ever get a chance to see these folks in action, I highly recommend you go. I also recommend you leave the kids or people who are easily offended at home. Mr. Roberts has a glorious potty mouth.
Here is a great video about the process for the new album:
From the new album: And It's Beautiful:
One of my faves, they did that night. "Swimming in Your Ocean"
They performed many songs from their new album "Oooh-La-La," (now streaming on their website, linked above) as well as some of their hits. Not one of the "payday" songs was performed without some back story and self-deprecating humor. Their music has always had a certain joyful darkness to it, inlaid with aspects of Brad's personality, but being in that intimate setting with them really brought it to bare. Maybe I've been warped by too many years of CBC programming while growing up, but his sense of humor is definitely mine. I must buy this man a beer.
If you ever get a chance to see these folks in action, I highly recommend you go. I also recommend you leave the kids or people who are easily offended at home. Mr. Roberts has a glorious potty mouth.
Here is a great video about the process for the new album:
From the new album: And It's Beautiful:
One of my faves, they did that night. "Swimming in Your Ocean"
1.2.11
File Under: Help Eradicate Polio
Bill Gates was on with Jon Stewart last night, they talked about something that is close to many Rotarian hearts, the push to eradicate polio. Rotary International, through the Rotary Foundation has been partnered with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to make it happen. Donate if you can.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Bill Gates | ||||
| ||||
31.1.11
30.1.11
25.1.11
File Under: Vertigo
Starting yesterday around 1pm, I was plagued with some pretty nasty, bucket clutching vertigo. I think this best fits be the situation.
From the MayoClinic.com:
From the MayoClinic.com:
Inflammation in the inner ear. Signs and symptoms of inflammation of your inner ear (acute vestibular neuritis) include the spontaneous onset of intense, constant vertigo that may persist for several days, along with nausea, vomiting and imbalance. It can be incapacitating, requiring bed rest. When associated with sudden hearing loss, this condition is referred to as labyrinthitis. Fortunately, vestibular neuritis generally subsides and clears up on its own.I don't like things that require rest and go away on their own. I want to make it submit and get back to work. So if I seem overly quiet for the next few days, it's because I'm proving my parents wrong. The world is revolving around me.
23.1.11
File Under: "I season my meat first."
So apparently, rap and reality TV icon Flavor Flav is opening his own fried chicken chain. I'm sure he'll kick some ass, after all, he seasons his meat.
20.1.11
File Under: June Hymn (live) - Colin Meloy
I can unequivocally say that I love the new Decemberists album, The King is Dead. I've lost track of how many times I've listened to it all the way through. The song June Hymn is probably one of my favorite.
19.1.11
11.1.11
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