There is a new movie coming to theaters about Joe Strummer by the same director of the punk classic, "The Filth And The Fury." The Onion's AV Club reviewed the movie, and there was an incredibly lucid and insightful discussion on punk music and music genre classification afterwards. It's more interesting than the movie review itself:
http://www.avclub.com/content/cinema/joe_strummer_the_future_is
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Aug. 13th, 2007 @ 11:17 pm
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I'm leaving this week for my last year of grad school. And I'm listening to the latest Stars album. And man, they got it so right with this one (not that I didn't love the last two). But... shit.
So going off to DC is already bittersweet. I've finally reconnected with my only remaining high school friends in the Chicago area. I'm excited to get back to school and see all my friends there, and to finish my degree, but there's this kind of HUGE thing that's going to be different this time around.
Chris has decided to go back to school to get his Masters' degree... in the Netherlands. He's leaving the week after I leave for DC, and his program will last 2 years. I'm psyched. Honestly, I am. But it's still going to be a severe change in routine... which I've never handled well.
I'm not worried about our relationship in any way. We have fairly awesome communication, and everything has been discussed. It's just that we had the whole summer to be together, and in May it seems like forever, and now we're three days away from being apart. And we won't be together again until my Winter break. So I'm trying to adjust.
One of my closest friends just got engaged, so that's crazy. I guess I'm at the age where that starts.
Ah, whatever, I just felt like writing something before leaving.
I have so much vinyl to burn; it's ridiculous. I am so backed up. There was a big article in the Tribune on how vinyl is making a comeback with the younger generation... and here I thought I was elite. Hahaha! Yeah, non-exclusivity blows. You know it's true.
I've been envisioning this incredible paint scheme that I will (hypothetically) have on the walls of my (again, hypothetical) future home/apartment. It's been consuming me. And involves ampersands. I've always been crazy about ampersands (&).
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Just felt like it was time for an update.
Um, well, spring break in Arizona was fabulous. I'm crazy about hiking. And hiking with someone else who is also crazy about hiking. And crazy about me. And whom I'm crazy about. Anyway, it was such a great week, and Chris and I were together for 8 days straight non-stop.
Then things were on ice once we went home to our respective cities...
But luckily the wonder of COMMUNICATION prevailed, and we sorted out our difficulties with being in a long-distance relationship, and things couldn't be better. I'm seeing him Easter weekend. I'll be flying in, and it will be his first Kass Family Holiday Experience. It should be interesting because last time I checked in with the good ol' fam, Greg (youngest brother) got a tattoo sleeve (his entire left arm) and my mom does not know yet. Two weeks ago he got his hands tattooed, and she was more than pissed about that so this could get fun.
Anyway, I had midterm reviews the week after getting back from Tucson. I went through a mild project depression when I realized I hadn't done any work all semester. But recently I've been reinspired, and my design is looking better than ever. I've worked harder these past 6 days than I did the entire first half of the semester. I'm feeling good about everything.
It's only the end of March and almost every weekend in my summer has something scheduled already. That's pretty nuts. I'm hoping to get an internship downtown for the summer so I can broaden my knowledge of how actual firms are run.
Sadly, that's pretty much it. It's been school and work taking up all my time and energy. The job is good (and by that I mean they pay me very handsomely) but I'm bored to death. Thank goodness I'm only there for half days.
Done. Done.Current Mood:  chipper Current Music: wire |
So while the kids back home in Chicago/Champaign have been enjoying their blizzard/snow days, the people of Washington, DC and its surrounding area have been tortured day and night by them.
How much snow did we get? 2 inches. How long has my car been stuck outside? 3 days. I know to the people of the Midwest this seems absurd. Allow me to explain.
THIS FUCKING CITY HAS NO IDEA WHAT THEY'RE DOING IN TERMS OF SNOW REMOVAL! I drove to work in the morning after snow had not been falling for a good number of hours, and NOTHING was plowed. Not even main streets. I drive mostly down Duke street, which in some places has three lanes in each direction, and not a single one was plowed. It was an "interesting" morning.
The naturally moist climate also makes things here more "interesting" in terms of snow. It started as sleet, so there was an undercoating of ice. Then the snow came, then it started to melt. Then the temperature dropped to 17F and everything became SOLID ICE. You can't even shovel through it now. Then is all started to melt again, and refreezing, so there is this constantly renewed super-slippery surface on top of all of this. The result? My wheels spin and spin and spin. I've tried kitty litter, I've tried my car mats, I've tried salt. I've even gone out there with a screwdriver to chisel away at the sunuvabitch. To no avail. Today it's supposed to get up to 40 degrees, so I'm hoping today is my day. My roommate said she was kept awake all night by the sound of people's tires spinning down on the street. This should be proof that the city has a PROBLEM. No wonder after 2 inches of snow both my teacher roommates have had THREE snow days.
In other news, did you know I got a job? Yeah, it finally happened. I'm working at a firm about a half mile from school, so the commute isn't bad. And I actually got my asking price which is higher than almost any other student at the school. Ah, the advantages of coming from Chicago. They think I know more. Hahaha! I'm actually working on a University campus in Dubai right now. I was building a model for the past two weeks, which was a nice break from the computer. The firm is awesome, and it's all students or former students working there. It's very social and relaxed, and I'm very glad I found this place.
Working 20+ hours a week on top of classes has been a little challenging in terms of adjustments, and unfortunately Chris has been the one suffering the consequences. Most of our correspondence is limited to e-mails (which averages at about 15 per day, no exaggeration), but I cannot even begin to express how great our relationship is and has been for this entire 7 months. Spring break is only two weeks away (can you believe that? Augh!), and Chris and I will be making up for our time apart.
We are going to Arizona for the whole week. We are flying into Phoenix to meet up with some friends there from the Optima office there. Then we are all driving down to my vacation house in Tucson where we'll pretty much be drinking for the whole week. The White Sox training camp is also in Tucson, so we're going to see one of their games while we're there. Also the second half of the week Chris and I are going to be hiking in Saguaro National Park. I can't wait to be in warm weather again!
So, things are going pretty well despite the fact that I haven't been able to move my car for the past few days. And for the record, I have not been out clubbing since my last entry. :DCurrent Mood:  complacent Current Music: 14 Iced Bears |
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Here's an irrelevant entry for you:
I need to stop going out with kids from school. Every weekend they invite me to go out "to DC" with them. And every weekend I actually think we're going somewhere decent. It always ends up being some ridiculous club that won't allow you in if you're wearing sneakers or a t-shirt. And we always dance... 'til closing.
So why do I hate these types of places? Well if we're excluding the dancing, the $10 drinks, the sweaty crowd, and nauseating bass, then it really comes down to the men. There are tons of them. And they stand around the perimeter of the dance floor like young lion cubs getting ready to complete their first kill. They wait for a sickly, less worldly female to get seperated from the rest of her herd so they can make their move. With hands all over the place. And a thick cloud of cheap cologne that could suffocate a horse.
Now usually, I wouldn't mind going to such a place if there was at least one other person going along who feels the same way I do. I have no problem sitting on the sidelines watching the coats and purses while other people make fools of themselves. However, in an atmosphere such as this, these disgusting guys think that you need someone to talk to or to invite you to dance. NO! The reason I am sitting down is obviously because I don't want to dance. I can dance very well on my own; I don't need an escort.
Merely walking through the club is a test in itself. Where did guys begin to think that women like being ogled, whistled at, and judged? The crowds are so thick you have to actually touch people as you make your way out of the room, and apparently in some bizarro universe this must surely mean that you would like to engage in sexual relations with those people. And rolling your eyes at these "courting" attempts only excites them further.
Every time I enter one of these clubs I am visually bombarded with reasons why women don't get any respect. Do your ass cheeks really NEED to be hanging out of that mini skirt? Do your breasts NEED to pop out every time you attempt a Beyonce move? And yes, you should definitely be wearing a bra.
For pete's sake.
Jan. 20th, 2007 @ 01:00 pm
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| » It's 2007... |
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And you know what that means. Every music-loving idiot is out there making a "Best of 2006" list. I do not wish to be included in that group. However, I do enjoy music and making lists... and since I pretend not to take myself too seriously, I did not make a "Best of" list, but rather a "Favorites" list. It's completely relative. So, here we go:
Sara's Favorite Albums of 2006
1.  Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That
Although this is the third release from French quartet Phoenix, it's the first of which that I felt was worth my while. The sound of Phoenix's previous two albums, which endeared them to Sophia Coppola, was more of a modern disco dance beat. It's Never Been Like That moves away from that sound with more of a rocking edge, but maintains the dance-ability. Bottom line: love it.
Highlights: "Napoleon Says" "Second to None" "Lost And Found"
2.  Hot Chip - The Warning
2006 marked my dive into electronica (as demonstrated by the proceeding albums occupying this list). With Hot Chip you don't just get a pulsing beat, but catchy melodies and lyrics aimed to please (and possible self-admiration?): "Hot Chip will break your legs / Snap off your head / Hot Chip will put you down / Under the ground"
Highlights: "The Warning" "(Just Like We) Breakdown" "Over And Over"
3.  The Stills - Without Feathers
Yes, perhaps I do have a weakness for pop/rock. Without Feathers exhibits this quite clearly. However, with a healthy dose of cowbell and a guest appearance by Emily Haines, how can you go wrong? And no, the high placement of this album has NOTHING to do with the fact that the last track features the lyrics "Dear Sara."
Highlights: "Oh Shoplifter" "Helicopter" "Baby Blues"
4.  French Kicks - Two Thousand
It grabbed me with the first track ("So Far We Are" claiming the title of #1 song of 2006). And although it took me quite a while before getting around to the rest of the album, I think it's still solid. While I think "So Far We Are" is by far the stand-out track, I think the whole thing remains completely cohesive. The minimalist approach to rock is quite appealing. Damn those that think French Kicks are merely a cheap Walkmen knock-off.
Highlights: "So Far We Are" "Basement: D.C." "Knee High"
5.  Junior Boys - So This Is Goodbye
Remember what I said about electronica? Well with Junior Boys it was all about sex appeal. This, to me, is a definitive sexy album. It's well established in the opening track with lyrics like "Your thin chokes" and "Your floor creeps" in Jeremy Greenspan's breathy voice over a pulsating drum beat. It's an all-around good time if you catch my drift.
HIghlights: "In The Morning" "Double Shadow"
6.  Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldiers
While I might be risking every shred of whatever indie cred I might have, I will say that I have never found Jack White's White Stripes super appealing. That might also sound like a contradiction after I claimed to be attracted to minimalist rock. However, that being said, Broken Boy Soldiers did me in with, again, some good dance tracks. "Level" is killer in a Justin Timberlake kind of way, and the lyrics to "Intimate Secretary" get me every time.
Highlights: "Intimate Secretary" "Level" "Steady, As She Goes"
7.  The M's - Future Women
Another rock album in the top 10. This was a bit of a surprise considering the fact that I wasn't all that fond of their self-titled debut. Something hit me with this one. Perhaps it was the steady pounding of "Going Over It" or the all-out rocking on "Never Do This Again," but whatever it was, I found all 11 tracks incredibly endearing.
Highlights: "Going Over It" "Never Do This Again" "Underground"
8.  The Blow - Paper Television
I would have never known who The Blow was if they had not opened up for Architecture in Helsinki in October. When I walked into their show I thought it was a girl on stage doing some weird karaoke. After I realized this was the band, I became intrigued. Even more intriguing was the fact that they had three other full-length albums before this one. The electronic style is somewhat different, but you can't get past those lyrics.
Highlights: "Parentheses" "Pile of Gold" "Fists Up"
9.  Beirut - The Gulag Orkestar
Who would ever think I would find Latin-influenced gypsy music appealing? Not I. The endearing qualities of this album began with it's uniqueness. I'm also a sucker for lo-fi production, Neutral Milk Hotel comparisons, and 19-year-old music prodigies. It's a great lazy afternoon album.
Highlights: "Scenic World" "Postcards from Italy" "After the Curtain"
10.  Band of Horses - Everything All The Time
This doesn't really fit in with my electronica and power pop/rock theme going, but how could I ignore a song as good as "Our Swords?" Yes, the second half of the album is a little mellow for my tastes, but every album has its appropriate time and place. Surprisingly to me, this album has more than the average.
Highlights: "Our Swords" "Weed Party" "Funeral"
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
11. The Hidden Cameras - Awoo
12. The Thermals - The Body, The Blood, The Machine
13. Feist - Open Season
14. Thom Yorke - The Eraser
15. Regina Spektor - Begin To Hope
If I can narrow down my favorite songs of 2006 I'll be compiling a mix CD. However, that task has proved itself to be quite the challenge.
Jan. 2nd, 2007 @ 10:28 am
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| » Wasting time on the borderline |
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So... I just finished the penultimate paper for this semeter, and I'm finding myself at a strange juncture of euphoria and panic. I honestly don't EVER want to start the next paper (the topic is ridiculous), so I am wasting time in every possible way.
First I cooked a pot roast. Seriously. It was my first one, and it turned out well. I didn't have anyone to serve it to, so it went straight to the fridge.
Second I sat down and watched two hours of television.
Third I sat down for four almost-consecutive hours to complete the aforementioned paper.
Fourth I rewarded myself with a portion of the aforementioned pot roast. It was delicious.
Is it odd I am rewarding myself with food? Probably. I saw a gastroenterologist over my thanksgiving break, and have been put on a strict diet. My doctor pretty much ended all the fun I was ever going to have as a grad student involving food. No alcohol, no smoking, no coffee/tea, no chocolate, no FAT.
On the plus side I'm not gaining any winter weight.
I'm going to be leaving for Chicago Friday the 15th. Chris took off that Friday from work, and is flying in just to drive back with me. Toledo is directly on the way, so we'll be making a stop there to see Sarah Weitz before getting back home.
FRIDAY DEC. 22ND will be the beginning to the best Christmas ever. Schuba's is having their third annual "Very Special Clash Christmas" featuring London Calling, a Clash tribute band, and their openers are... All Mods Conned a JAM TRIBUTE BAND! 12 bucks. Go for it.
I'll be working back at Optima full-time for my break, so I will be having fun on weekends only (pretty much). First weekend after new years is another Michigan party... remember there's a hot tub...
That's pretty much it for now... family's good, school's good, Chris is good, yoga's good.
I'm very content.
Dec. 6th, 2006 @ 05:39 pm
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| » Jumping on the bandwagon |
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I just read my friends' page of entries, and I have to say that it was the most depressing group of entries as a whole. SO... since everyone is griping about something, I felt that it wouldn't be TOO self-indulgent to gripe about some things in my life.
This past week the multi-stress life I've been leading culminated in a "ulcer attack" (the only way I can describe it) including severe pain that I haven't felt since my stomach problems landed me in the ER three years ago. That along with some other medical "probelms" I've been having since I moved here have caused my parents to panic (and I'm not far from it either), booked my flight to Chicago for Thanksgiving, set up an appointment with a gastroenterologist, and the best part, and endoscopy and possible colonoscopy during that same Thanksgiving "break".
My dad is convinced I have what he got when he was 21, which is a hiatal hernia (apparently when the stomach actually punches up above the diaphram) and polyps. My mom is convinced I have stomach cancer (it runs on both sides of her family, and her aunt died of it at the ripe age of 26). So, needless to say, things in my life have gotten complicated, including a strict diet and daily medication.
That is merely the physical manifestation of the stress going on with school (midterms were this past week), and my severe lack of a job. Resume writing is the most depressing task for me, and even though I won't survive financially unless I get a job in the next week, I can't make myself sit down and send out those godammed things. Blugh.
Also, there's the whole long-distance relationship thing. A blast, as usual.
Anyway, that's it for the bad stuff.
I love my school. I absolutely adore it. I'm so so so glad I made the choice to come out here and go through with this. The small size of everything, the art focus, the international aspect, the close-knit studios... it's everything I wish I had gotten out of undergrad. My printmaking class has got me super psyched. We just got our next project assignment which will be the first edition in which we have full artistic reign.
Musically, it's been great meeting kids with similar tastes here. They've introduced me to so many new bands from outside my usual sources. I have list of albums a mile long I need to get once I have the funds. I've also finally found a concert buddy to go to Black Cat shows with. For the record, the Arch. in Helsinki performance was amazing. Next one we'll be hitting up is Tilly and the Wall with Love is All. It should be great.
For now I must take my Tums and get back to reading for class. Ciao.
Oct. 15th, 2006 @ 11:13 pm
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| » I need a job... NOW |
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BLACK CAT SCHEDULE FOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
Band of Horses
Wed. Sept. 13
Rogue Wave, Jason Collet
Thurs. Sept. 14
Architecture in Helsinki
Mon. Sept. 25
French Kicks
Tues. Oct. 3
Be Your Own Pet
Thurs. Oct. 5
Minus the Bear
Sat. Oct. 14
Art Brut, Spinto Band
Tues. Oct. 17
Tilly & the Wall, Love Is All
Wed. Oct. 25
The National
Thurs. Oct. 26
Tapes 'N Tapes
Tues. Oct. 31
Sep. 6th, 2006 @ 09:34 pm
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