You So Crazy

DC was a blast of cold fresh air. Its really fun to explore a historic city for the first time. I was a little awe-struck looking at the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, The Capitol and the snow. There were many things that were massive and really amazing to actually see, but all of the snow blew my mind. I am from the south, snow is rare. So snow in Washington took me a little off guard. It was great though. Probably my favorite thing was monument touring, and actually seeing things like Kennedy's gravesite, looking down from the Lincoln Memorial steps to the reflecting pond, to the Washington Monument down to the Capital building. I need to go back already.

I saw Wilco and Kings of Leon. Wilco is really a polished force now. They are by far the best band I've seen in the last two years. Kings of Leon were pretty good too. I was a little bored with their show. Lyrically they can be indecipherable, and that's a little off putting. But all in all they are a good garage band. They aren't gonna be big like the Strokes or the Hives but I'd expect them to have some longevity.

The Oscars last night were a little too predictable. Chris Rock got off to a bumpy start but ended up being pretty funny. I liked his Gap analogy. Here are a couple of hit that were my thoughts last night and this morning reading some recaps and studying photos.

Adam Duritz is weird, he is his own person. Counting Crows seem like they are a lousy live act.
Halle Berry impressed me for the second time. Her short hair at the Oscars when she won was pretty. Last night she was absolutely hot. I have gone on before about give me Gabrielle Union this and I really love Michael Michelle that. Halle was a knockout.
Natalie Portman, could show up in a potato sack and I'd still call her gorgeous.
Gwyneth Paltrow looked good, but Charlize Theron looked too poofy. I don't get dresses that are poofy.
I don't like Renee Zellweger the person. She is too stuffy. I do like the characters she portrays.
Is Orlando Bloom prettier than Cate Blanchett?
I was pissed when I read it, but I didn't know Emmy Rossum would introduce Beyonce to sing a song that she sang in the movie. Oh and in the 18 year old category, Emmy was really good looking but my taste still leans towards Amanda Bynes. I didn't watch every episode of the Amanda Show for nothing. I really dig that girl, even if she wasn't pretty hot, she is talented and funnier than anyone on tv today, except maybe David Letterman, David Cross, Will Arnett, and Ashlee Simpson.

About the Awards: I really don't care who wins what. I am rather ticked that Martin Scorsese hasn't won an Oscar, but I don't lose sleep. I am glad Jaime Foxx won but really think its about time Don Cheadle gets some love. I've always used the Oscars and Golden Globes to help me determine which movies I really want to see. Usually I try to see the Best Picture nominees that I'd like. This year, I'll see Sideways, Ray, Million Dollar Baby and the Aviator. Like Johnny Depp don't like movies like Neverland.

Anyway so I use the awards this way to determine what is the best film of the year.
1. Editing. Good Editing=Good Movie. No politics.
2. Writing. See above insert writing.
That's it. Although I look very closely at Cinematography and Sound. By the way The Aviator won for Editing, and Cinematography.

Finally to Sidney Lumet who is one of my favorite directors. I like the guys from the seventies who reshaped American Cinema forever. Best Lumet movies, 12 Angry Men, Network, The Verdict, Dog Day Afternoon, and Fail Safe. If you haven't seen these please watch. 12 Angry Men and Network are my favorites, and Dog Day Afternoon is about the only Pacino Movie I can stomach. But Lumet gave the best speech, thanking the movies, weird looking daughters though.

Lets do some good songs from the movies today.

Streets of Philadelphia, The Boss...I'm alright, Kenny Loggins....Aquarius, The Fifth Dimension

I'm Bruce Dickenson.................Baby.

Today I tour Washington DC. We do monuments on the weekend, and are hoping for a Capitol tour this evening. I might look into getting a daily press pass, I publish regularly and have no felonys on my record.

Wilco last night was terrific. They shocked the audience by playing some AM jive: Should've Been in Love, and I'm Always in Love from Summerteeth, which I'd never heard live before. All in all it was a more subdued show than the one in Myrtle Beach. There were more "tender ballads". Great venue to see a band too. Sound was really good, but more importantly the floor was sticky as all get out. Hope everyone got a chance to hear everything live on the webs... Especially all the cowbell.

Now on to business. Camera loaded, I still do film, and shoes tied. Its time to go sightseeing.

Peace Brothers and Sisters

Biggie Size My Blowfish Sandwich

Fare readers,

I'm in the snow covered nation's capitol today preping for Wilco tonight at the 9:30 club. I understand last night was really good, as it was broadcast globally on this very internet. Check out tonight's on www.wilcoworld.net ...

So I pack about as well as Tonya Harding skates. I can do it, but not without Gillooly. My Gillooly is Sean. I don't read weather maps so well. I brought exactly two jackets, one suede one cordouroy. Not one water or snow proof. Of course the weather I saw included a possibility of snow. I'm a SC boy it snows at night randomly there, here it snows, well when it wants to. So Gillooly loaned me a set of mittens with fingers, hat and fleece lined jacket. Much better.

Anyway enough of my silly day. I'm gotta give another shout out to my buddy Mary who reminded me how bad things must be for Hootie and the Blowfish. Darius is selling chicken sandwiches now for Burger King. The song is a parody of Big Rock Candy Mountain, most notably found on the O' Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack. I heard the radio spot first and didn't recognize the voice, but that commercial during the Daytona 5oo nearly stopped the race. I guess I'll be going to a few Hootie shows to give them some cash. I do like his outfit though, I'm sure he is a big hit with kids and leather daddies.

iwritethewords tours DC tomorrow.

My So Called Life

Kids today was a Bob Marley day. 74 degrees. I cannot tell you how bad I wanted to sit on my porch, Bob in the background, Red Stripe in hand, too bad we gotta work for the man.

The new Kings of Leon drops today. Pretty good as I hope I've already reported. Also look for the new Ben Lee. I really never got into his records, but this one is an exception, I love two of the songs. His record ten years ago, Grandpaw Would, was really good. Since then he hasn't been the same. I guess Claire Danes ripped his heart out and inspired some better stuff. So ten years ago this guy was like fifteen when he was an indie superstar, where was Conor Oberst then. Everybody flips out over his two discs this year because he's twenty four. So what. Dylan was 22. Miles gave birth to cool at 23. This guy gave us two good records at 24, so what go change the world. Dylan did, Miles did, until then I'll wait to crown a new king.

Back to Ben Lee, sorry. Awake is the New Sleep is the album try Catch My Disease and Close I've Come. I hope Danes sleeps with Lou Barlow or Steven Malkmus next. I'd love to see some of these indie careers resurected.
Man this has me wantin' some Sebadoh. Do the Ocean from Harmacy, love that friggin' song.

I don't date actresses anymore....

Okay this will be my last posting today I promise. I just saw two things that were too good to wait.

You all know by now Paris Hilton's phone was lost and hacked and pics are all over the web as well as several people's phone numbers. If not the story is now still less than 48 hrs old, but this is America. And in America we do whatever we can to be first and to make money. This shirt popped up today.

http://glarkware.com/securestore/c181845p16522067.2.html

Next it turns out Jessica Alba (drool) is no longer dating actors, too bad Tobias. I do however want to dispell any rumors that I am dating her. We are merely friends. For those that know me read the whole story. For those that don't, well I'm pushing for a joke here.

http://www.channelcincinnati.com/entertainment/4216442/detail.html

They used to call me Cash, but now I go by Slim or Slizzle.

You know my current favorite two hit wonder is The Foundations. You know them; Build Me Up Buttercup and my other secret karoke song Baby, Now That I've Found You.

Hasta luego.

Spiderwebs

Something I forgot about the Wilco show was how cool Spiders (Kidsmoke) is live. That song is a ton of fun at like 12 to 14 minutes. Really a fun song to jump up and down to, and Heavy Metal Drummer. Good crowd song, people love that one. Thursday can't get here soon enough.

I'll be pulling for the Anaheim Angels from now on. I was an Oakland Atheltics fan for the AL but now have switched my primary allegiances to Anaheim. Mainly I really like the new owner who has very aggresively sought Dodger fans business. And I really like their baseball team. Now that I need an almost certainly steroid free player that I didn't go to school with to pull for I chose Anaheim, cause Darin Erstad rules. Anyway about the Angels owner, he's been advertising in areas that were once agreed to be Dodger territory and doing so heavily. He bought something like 400 billboards that normally reside in Dodger neighborhoods.

Too bad about Hunter S. Thompson. I liked when his articles randomly appeared in Rolling Stone or Playboy. He had a painful addiction, that may have fueled his creativity and that unfortunately also shortened his life. Guns and drugs, you had to expect this.

Finally I can't figure it out, but I love some Rich Girl by Gwen Stefani. Never really liked her but that song's got me hooked.

Reflections on Your CD

Word to your mothers. I await the green flag in Daytona and some couch time, but in the meantime, I'll tell you about Wilco last night. I was pleasantly surprised by the crowd a young college crowd scooped up the majority of tickets to sell the House of Blues out. House of Blues for all of its corporate horrors is really a good place to see a band. They may sell overpriced drinks and swag with their logo but they have the best sounding stage in SC. Good opening band, Head of Femur, easily the weirdest drumming situation: they used three different guys in the band on drums. Good groove though, very Flaming Lips with a tinge of The Shins.

Wilco of course was fantastic. They played mostly songs from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, and A Ghost is Born, which when played live those songs are really good. The thing you may not be able to get from your iPod or car stereo is how much those songs do rock. A song like I'm The Man Who Loves You has legs when seen in person.

Songs played include: New Madrid, Outta Site Outta Mind, Monday, and Shot in the Arm. They did cover Something in the Air, and Political Science which they have been doing since the fall. Very surprised they played New Madrid and the Being There stuff, those were particular highlights considering it was eight years ago when I saw those songs last.

Lots to look forward to in Washington on Thursday.

Heaven is a Truck

My latest virtually unknown crush is on the girl from the Burger King Office campaign. The brunette that seems real cool and above the sillyness happening in the office. She's purty...

The new Kings of Leon is available on vh1.com. It is pretty good, much like Youth and Young Manhood. The Bucket is the first single, and that is on Rhapsody.

I get to see Wilco tomorrow. I'm getting pretty jazzed. The Wilco is very important to me. Been my favorite band since 1995, and really won't be dethroned. This will be the fifth show, the second supporting A Ghost is Born. I'm excited because the last time I saw them in such a small venue was 1997. I saw a theatre show in Sept and an outdoor show a few years before that. The best one still was in a club of about 500 people though, that's got me pumped for tomorrow night, that intimacy can't be matched.

It's NBA All Star Weekend. I cannot remember who won the last few Slam Dunk contests. I remember when that mattered to me. Now, I don't even know who is in the contest, but if LeBron goes for it, then go LeBron.

I leave tomorrow at 9amish...of course you will get a full review tomorrow night or Sunday Morning.

Transport is Arranged, Pavement....Blue Canoe, Blue Mountain....Hold Her Down, Toad the Wet Sprocket

By the way, have you listened to Dulcinea lately. Toad the Wet Sprocket was a very underrated group. That's an album you can buy for like $7-$10 now. Go get it if you don't have it. If you don't like it let me know, I'll get you a refund.

Oooh That Smell

Drugs are the theme of the week. Near me Zoloft has been the watchword for a child's murder defense, outside of my world but something I follow daily is steroids. Now that I am finally going to the doctor hopefully I will be swallowing Mr. Penicillin.

As for the Zoloft issue. I don't know the intense details of the case. I do know that I did not expect the jury to buy a medical defense. I didn't expect thirty years, but I guess his life was saved. I worry that a mentally unstable child in our juvenile justice system, and soon prision will not be rehabilitated.

Steroids. I don't believe all of the names Jose Canseco has named are true. Namely Rafael Palmero and Ivan Rodriguez. Palmerio has hit tons of homeruns, but considering he has played for nearly twenty years, all of them healthy and with a classic swing, juiced ball, I'm not surprised. Ivan Rodriguez has looked the same physically as has Palmerio, but Rodriguez didn't hit homeruns until later in life, but still not at a staggering pace. A small ballpark in Texas helped both of them, and even smaller ones throughout the American League padded stats. I don't think I've got energy enough to track down every reason these two players shouldn't be named. Both were expected to be great players, not every day players, they were expected to be great. Turns out they were and now we have to question it.

Feels good to get back to good.

sniffles

Mis Amigos,

I am breaking my promise to myself about writing everyday, but a temporary illness has sidelined me to the bed rather than computer desk. Now that my mind is strong again, the only thing on it is getting well for Wilco week. Saturday begins Wilco Week in Myrtle Beach one of the goofiest towns in America, then on to DC for a Thursday show. Wrapping up with a Saturday Kings of Leon show in DC also.

More coming soon, I'm due at work in a few minutes.

Dookie

Greetings and Welcome to your Grammy Preview.

First, and hopefully a part of tomorrow's monologue:

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=FIGNM5TAZ4OSKCRBAEKSFEY?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=7608764

Tom Sizemore is crazy. http://www.thewhizzinator.com/whiz2.htm

Do you think he googled this like I did?

Ahem?!?! Grammy Preview, right...Back to real life.


Record of the Year:
Yeah! Usher and Lil John, Ludacris
It is a good recording. I am sick of it so that's gotta give it value.

Album of the Year:
American Idiot, Green Day
I loved Kanye West's College Dropout. Probably more than American Idiot, but its old. It could have been nominated last year. I'm really going with Green Day because it says something. It is an anti-Bush rock song for almost an hour, and I like that. I really think the next wave in music could be predicated on this album. Rather than the folk music of the sixties, we will have more electric confessional or political music. Anyway, Green Day. Hard to believe, from gutterpunks, to mud throwing, to Grammy Winners, could happen.

Song of the Year:
Jesus Walks, Kanye West
Please, like this is even close. Jesus Walks is absolutely awesome. I can't think of a greater achievement in hip hop, since probably Nutin' but a G Thang.

New Artist:
Maroon 5
Please snub Kanye here. Hootie won, where are they now? Well actually they are still quite viable, just not in an album making sense. Really this is Kanye's to lose, I just hope Gretchen Wilson will step in for him. I take that back, we could have The Lonely chicos win and disappear. (bad choice of words) And go away happy.

In scanning the Grammy nods, I see great metal band names and some that try too hard.
Cradle of Filth's album is better than their name: Nymphetamine, Killswitch Engage, I like that one, Hatebreed c'mon!

Also nominated for a Grammy for country group the song:
It's Hard to Kiss the Lips at Night that Chew Your Ass Out All Day Long.

Finally pull for Steve Earle, Ben Harper, and Wilco who go up against PJ Harvey, Bjork, Franz Ferdinand, and Modest Mouse, Wilco might win, as they are going to have Grammy camera's on tour with them Sunday. By the way if I ever have a Modest Mouse cover band we will be called Modest Moose, just because that is such a good band name.

You've been a great audience!

Remember these Green Day gems: Christie Road, Dominated Love Slave, and Brain Stew. They have been fun for the last thirteen years.

"I'm really good with a bow staff."

Okay, this is my third attempt at dropping this dime on y'all.

I've seen two different Napoleon Dynamite shirts today. One "I love Tater Tots" the other "My Lips Hurt Really Bad" these go well with "Vote Pedro". This is becoming a cultural phenomenon, like More Cowbell. Anyway, I wanted to make a point about how Bravo called Tommy Boy the Caddyshack of the 90's. Which I agreed with in part, just like I think Napoleon Dynamite might as well be the Caddyshack of the 00's.

Hand me my Nosering

Is there any other band I wish would get back together more than Ben Folds Five? I miss those guys dearly.

On another note, I think hanging out with John Mayer would either be tedious or great fun, I guess that doesn't have many other options. Okay so it would probably be cool, but I bet you struggle to understand what's funny sometimes.

American Idol is really looking good this year. I really like three or four girls and about four guys right now. I'm not down with names yet, but dread guys #'s 1 and 2 are pretty good, chubby white guy minister is pretty good but can't win and I like another like Fat Joe clone guy.

Also the girls sport two white girls, mainly the Vegas Showgirl that Simon seems to lust after.

Super Sweet 16 is a funny show. I remember flying to Sou. Beach with my dad and goin' clubbin' we ate mad sushi @ Bed and Shaq came over to give us props. At my Sweet 16, which wasn't Super it was Rad, Jesus Jones played and dedicated Right Here Right Now and Danny Glover choked on a fried shrimp.

Great TV tonight, with Duke v. UNC greatest rivalry in sports, the men's bball that is, not tennis. I gotta think UNC is a sitting duck, but I really like that team. Duke by four.

Fo Shizz!!!

Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake yo' booty!!!!!

Ever find yourself in a situation where you've just seen more than you thought you would or maybe even should?

A little background...

I work in a grocery store. I work with people from 16 to 78. Yes 78, I have a septuagenarian on staff. The part time ratio is rather high at night, because, well its just the way it works. The part timers also range in age, but are most predominately 16-20.

So tonight the little hottie of the store is working. She is "hot" for a grocery store cashier. Now is she hot for a bank teller? Yes. Construction Worker? Yes. Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader? Not quite, but give her a few years. She is seventeen, dark hair and dark eyes, and absolutely gorgeous. Of course young girls are hotter now than when I was that age. I think it has to do with they wear hotter clothes, better makeup and parents are okay with pushing vanity.

Anyway she is good looking, and usually good looking girls wear clothes that accentuate themselves. She is always in tight pants, and never buttons her shirt (collared golf style). Our girl let's call her "Heather", is doing a little stocking for me. I approach her on purely business and walk up to the most beautiful little ass cleavage as she bent over to place some stock on a shelf. My heart skipped thirty-three beats, I remember because one of my eyes went black, and my hearing disappeared. Remember I'm at work in a grocery store. And this girl "Heather"'s ass is right in my face. It's not a shock when the chubby kid reaches down to straighten up some canned peas, but when the homecoming queen's low risers are even lower than natural...I kinda freaked. A montage of Nabakovian images raced through my head, only to meet an equally well munitioned montage of Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill sharing a Coke and a smile. It was only butt cleave, but butt is better than nothing. Now I am certainly going to be on a government watch list. I guess the leather bound copies of Mein Kampf, and Robert Blake DVD collection are going to put me down sooner or later.

peace love and booty.... Not the best post for this but Happy B-Day Sis!!!

Rock Hey Tonight by CCR next chance you get... it goes well with High Head Blues and Twice as Hard by the Black Crows.

You Be Illin'

Small Fries, Big Mac, you be illin'


So Super Bowl XXXIX was not so super. I found it boring. Game, commercials and halftime were lackluster. I guess if you like defense then it was good. If you like tame family oriented humor, or no humor at all and if you like 1960's rock performed by a sixty year old then you might be a redneck.

I for one do like defense when punctuated by a swift and plentiful offense. I also like family humor as an alternative to in your face crotch and shame humor, but only as an alternative. Meet the Parents over The Parent Trap. And certainly love Paul McCartney, but more then than now.

My suggestions, don't change the game. I got what I expected and even if, it wasn't the game's fault. Change halftime back. Not for titties, but for schlock and awe value. Remember Brittney and Aerosmith? That sucked so hard it was funny. I either want that or really great contemporary acts. How good would it have been to have Jimmy Page and Ashlee Simpson? Or even better Iggy Pop and Jessica Simpson? Or even better Gene Simmons and Joe Simpson? Or Coldplay? Or U2 again, or why not a classic band like KISS or Van Halen, or a contemporary hip hop dealy with Usher and Alicia Keyes? Not friggin boring white bread Paul McCartney, who I do love, but come on... this is the nineties.

Thought's written during Super Bowl commercials go as follows:

Who needs a Cadillac that goes 0-60 in 5 seconds? Mortie Seinfeld?
A rugby scrum with Gladys Knight? Why didn't I come up with that? Oh I know because I'm not an idiot.
Diet Pepsi commercials were good, especially with the over exposed Queer Carson, funny stuff.
New Mustang looks okay...
Thankfully I don't have a job where I have to dress monkeys...
Paul McCartney played
Drive My Car---Rubber Soul -1965?
Get Back--Let it Be-- 1970
Live and Let Die--? Movie Soundtrack--1973
Hey Jude--The Beatles (White Album)---1968
This is a problem. I should know I am the target audience.

Next year I want the Redskins in the Super Bowl, commercials with many groin kicks, and jokes about races, and Coldplay at Halftime, maybe Dave Chappelle too.

Okay so here are some jams to play for today....

Four Seasons in One Day...Crowded House
Don't Look Back in Anger....Oasis
Connection...Elastica

XXXIX

This is the Great American Sports Weekend. The least amount of football is played, but we worship at its house this Sunday. I have always loved the commericals, and usually find myself indifferent about the game. Last year I had someone to pull for, this year I can't decide. Couldn't careless, just as long as Terrell Owens doesn't get to celebrate too much. I'm so sick of TO hype. I would rather see Tiger Woods win every major from here to 2020 than TO win this Super Bowl in heroic fashion. Why? Well I like Rick Woods, I think Owens is a cocky dingleberry becoming the second coming of Primetime. Selling an image rather than ability, and that is annoying. Don't get me wrong though. Owens is a good person, never finding trouble outside of football, and easily the best wideout in the game today, that doesn't play for Minnesota.

So you'd think I'd pull for the Patriots. I picked them over the Rams some time ago, and couldn't be happier that they won last year. But now, I'm tired of them. I'm fickle what can I say. I totally love the fact that 53 players play together as one, no other team has as singular a vision as Bellichek's team every Sunday. That is admirable. I like teams with runt whitey's that sell out for every play (that is why I used to like Duke). And it isn't a black white thing with me, because ultimately I'm pulling for the Eagles, I'm an NFC guy and I've liked Donavan McNabb for years. McNabb destroyed the Clemson Tigers some years ago in a bowl game, and won a Super Bowl for me last year.

Super Bowl Trivia for you:

Did you know that the University of Michigan band and the Florida A&M Band have played multiple halftime shows?
Did you know that Don Shula has coached in six Super Bowls with only two wins?
Did you know that only once has a Super Bowl winner and a World Series winner come from the same city? Pittsburgh 1979. Not good for Patriots.
Did you know this is the latest date a Super Bowl has ever been played? Also only two Super Bowls have been played in February, the Patriots won both.

Next year's Roman Numerals will be XL!!! I hope there aren't too many "XL pregame shows" or "XL Halftime shows"

So my two cents are going for the Patriots though I have gambled with them twice and won, this is the year I have the least confidence. Patriots win though in a low scoring one. 13-9. Next coordinator to leave the Pats, Pepper Johnson. Watch those linebackers, and tell me that isn't the best group you've ever seen.

Finally, I have wanted to do this without jinxing anything, but Grant Hill is having a great year. He is going to start in the All Star game in Denver, after having three years of ankle surgery and rehab. I wish the league were centered more around guys like him, of course that is impossible now that I really ponder it, there is only one Grant Hill. This guy is an inspiration to perserverance and dedication.

Not related, saw this on Pink is the New Blog and had to laugh...

Dude you're gettin a ding dong....

http://www.joytheplayonline.com/

I leave you for now with a couple of jams from each city represented in the Super Bowl:
Someday I Suppose, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Any Little Town, The Push Stars

The Seed 2.0, The Roots
Motownphilly, Boyz II Men

Finally Some Clarity from the 36 Chambers

I need to settle an internet rumor once and for all. I did co-write "Because of Winn-Dixie", but it was with Ghostface Killah, not Inspectah Deck. Also we were in Tulsa, not Toledo. You know how rumors on the internet can be....

And check this out.... my favorite thing on the internets ever. Seriously. I was moved to tears of joy and sadness. I wish I had my Nintendo.

http://media.ebaumsworld.com/index.php?e=moSMB3.wmv