File Under: Playing for Change - Higher Ground

File Under: 99%: A Warning to #OWS and the Rest of Us

99%: A Warning to #OWS and the Rest of Us

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...

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... 

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