Blog

Holy Crap TV

I watched TV today for the first time in a long time, and it turns out I picked a pretty good day. I went downstairs to get breakfast today a little before 2000 (I’ve changed my sleep schedule around a lot) and got a bowl of cereal, then sat down to watch tv. What? The Daily Show? Its a rerun right?

Lo and behold, the opening animation introduced it as January 7th, 2008 (rebroadcast of last night’s show)! Somehow, no one told me about this. Last night, probably around the same time this episode was airing for the first time, I was complaining about how I missed the Daily Show. Although, until the writers return, they’ll be broadcasting as ‘A Daily Show with Jon Stewart.’

The Colbert Report took a similar change in title, abandoning the French pronounciation of the show for the American pronounciation, complete with T’s. But then, after these two shows which I missed so dearly, what come on next? Futurama! And then South Park! Hot damn, Comedy Central came out swinging.

Prospects

Well, I’m looking at a few buses on eBay, many of which end in a couple days.  Also, somehow most of them are also located in Texas.  I have no issue with going to Texas to pick up a bus, especially when they look as good as these do.  Thanks to Texas weather, these buses have a lot less rust than buses in the Northeast.  Here is an example of the buses I’m looking at (there are two more that are practically identical from the same dealer).  There is a reserve price, and the high Buy It Now price makes me think that these might go above my budget, which is less than usual thanks to the cost of getting down there. 

There is hope, I’m also looking at a bus for sale in CT, which I would love to get.  Its a beautiful bus, but it is also a ‘95, meaning it’ll probably also go out of my price range. 

The quest continues, and even if I can’t get a bus before I go back next semester, I’m willing to wait until the perfect bus comes along.  That isn’t a big issue, since I wasn’t going to be able to work on it much while at school.  My only concern is that prices may go up once spring/summer come around…

The Fountain

Summer by Mogwai
[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/mogwai2004-08-14.flac16/mogwai2004-08-14t003_64kb.mp3]

What a trip. I had been meaning to see this movie for a long time, and I was finally able to tonight. From the start the movie puts you into a dream world, which may or may not reflect your own. Slowly, the dreamy feel of the movie overtakes you, and you’re changed. All this time since has been just as dream-like, and I don’t expect that to change until I actually wake up tomorrow.

The Fountain has everything going for it: absolutely stunning visuals, with incredible actors, backed by a sublime soundtrack. I had heard some murmurs about this film after it was released, but nothing that compelled me to see it. I wish I had. This film would have been incredible in a theater, considering how wonderful it was on a tv in a basement.

The absolute first thing this film reminded me of was Pan’s Labyrinth, and I think the enchanting effect of the movie is to blame for this. I got a similar feeling from that movie…I hope they don’t share certain other qualities. I loved Pan’s Labyrinth, but when I saw it a second time, it was only a movie, and nothing more. I hope the same is not true of The Fountain – I should like to see it again.

I’m not going to try and analyze the film here, that is a subject for discussion, and this blog is a one-way media. I’m not sure what I should do now. Normally, had this night gone differently, I would be sitting here, working on code. But right now, that feels like a waste. Going to sleep also feels like a waste, although maybe only because I’m trying to adjust my sleep schedule so I can wake up early on Sunday to go snowboarding.

I don’t often say this, but I wish it was warmer out. Tonight I’d like to just stare at the sky and listen to music. Space out, think or not think, and see where that would bring me. But it is cold, and sitting outside isn’t bearable.

Grey Fox 2008

The Bluegrass Country by the Del McCoury Band
[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/del2001-07-21a.shnf/del01-07-21a10_64kb.mp3]

It has been a few years coming, but it seems that the farm that has been home to the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, and the Winterhawk Bluegrass Festival before that, and the Berkshire Mountain Music Festival before that, has been sold. I’ve gone to this festival every year of my life, and it has always been on the Rothvoss Family Farm in Ancramdale, NY.

A few years back, when we went up on the hill fully believing that it was the last year we would have there, I brought up a camera of my own for the first time. That was when I took these pictures, hoping I’d be able to remember the place itself. There aren’t many pictures of the stage or the performers because many other photographers have taken far better pictures of those subjects than I ever will. But I tried to take pictures that would remind me of walking around the hill, what it sounded like sitting in the amphitheater, or the sound of the music I heard from my tent as I drifted off to sleep. We were lucky enough to get two more festivals before the sale of the farm was official.

There are folks who I see only once a year at Grey Fox, and they’re as close as any friends I have. There was a certain atmosphere on the hill that came from both the people and the place. The people will certainly stay with the festival as it moves, but what I hope for more than anything is that the atmosphere comes with them.

I’m grateful for the 21 years I had on the hill. I’m certainly sad to have to move on. Grey Fox was always my image of a perfect society, and I’ve always identified it as home – where I felt most comfortable. I just hope I can keep the memories of the hill alive in my mind.

I’m going to try and post some stories from the hill over the coming weeks.

Outbid

No surprise here. I knew that I would be outbid from the second I threw my hat in. My bid was just barely above the guy before me, and the current bid was high enough that even if someone bid the minimum increment, they’d have me beat. Oh well.

Looking ahead, this bus catches my eye. Its massive, with lots of storage and a side door. In fact, this bus has everything going for it except that it is on the other side of the country. Now, I’ve got no problem going 6,000 miles (round trip) for my bus, but I am concerned that something could happen to it. That’s a long haul, and if it isn’t in perfect mechanical condition then it may not make it back without issue.

I think I’ll give him a call later today and see whats up.

Bonnaroo 2008

One Rabbit Race by Brothers Past
[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/bp2006-06-10.dpa4022.flac16/bp2006-06-10dpa4027d1t01_64kb.mp3]

If I wasn’t certain before, I am now. There is no way I’ll be going this year. Led Zeppelin is headlining this year. This means two things: tickets will cost more, and the atmosphere will be even farther from what I’m looking for. Last year, it was pretty bad with lots of people going exclusively for Tool, but Zeppelin will draw an even larger crowd.

That isn’t even taking into account that they’re likely not even worth seeing anymore. I would have loved to see them in their prime, but I’m not so sure it would be worth seeing them today. The Police were absolutely unimpressive last year, and I honestly don’t expect much more from Zeppelin.

So it looks like Wakarusa this year. I’m looking forward to it, since it seems to be more of a jam scene, with folks more my speed. Its also a festival more my size (80k-100k is really too much). I’m planning on volunteering…anyone interested in coming with?

New Year, New Blog

Mr. Transistor (w/Auld Lang Syne) by Perpetual Groove
[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/pgroove2007-12-31.flac16/pgroove2007-12-31d3t01_64kb.mp3,http://www.archive.org/download/pgroove2007-12-31.flac16/pgroove2007-12-31d3t02_64kb.mp3,http://www.archive.org/download/pgroove2007-12-31.flac16/pgroove2007-12-31d3t03_64kb.mp3]

Well, sort of. This blog isn’t going anywhere, but I’ve created a new blog for the Juan Way Tour so I can keep its updates and such all in one place. I think I’ll have that stuff all cross-posted on this blog, so if you already read this blog, you won’t have to read that one as well. But if you should want to read about the tour without the rest of the crap on this blog thrown in, it has its own home.

Sweeny Todd

If you can, see this movie. It is certainly one of the better if not the best movies I’ve seen this year. It tells a great story, with catchy and extremely well written songs. Overall, it is genuinely entertaining, and well worth your money, which is rare.

I want to see it again before I write too much more, but since that isn’t likely, I’ll just trudge on blindly. Can’t hurt. I didn’t know this was a play before it was a movie. In fact, I had never heard of the story. I was happy that I went into this movie with a blank slate, because that is something I am rarely able to do. Hmm, that isn’t entirely true. I knew Tim Burton was directing this movie starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter (all of whom are fantastic).

The movie isn’t especially thought provoking, just plain old entertaining. Leaving the movie, all I could think of was how I wanted to see it again. And its true, I do want to see it again: it is a grand way to spend two hours. Jack says he’ll buy it when it comes out on DVD, which is good, because if he buys it, I’ll be able to see it plenty more times.

Three Years On

Three years ago, a massive earthquake in the Indian Ocean created a tsunami we’re all now familiar with. When I see news reports about the anniversary, I can’t help but remember it.

I had been cruising around online, and noticed a breaking story about a disaster somewhere in the Pacific which had killed 10,000 people. That caught my attention. The report didn’t have much info, so I went downstairs to see what CNN had to tell me. They did cover it, but gave me no new information, and after spending a couple minutes on it, went to a commercial break promising to return with a story about post-holiday shopping. It was at this point in my life that I gave up on mainstream media. They have a time and a place, but 99% of the time they’re filled with worthless garbage. I turned off the TV and went back to my computer, and followed the story online. The death toll slowly increased throughout the day as the impact of the tsunami was realized. I didn’t hear about it from anyone else until the next day.

10,000 non-americans isn’t enough for CNN to care (although it should be noted that their five minute blurb was more than any other news station). Maybe they’re learned their lesson since then, but that was really appalling. I told a friend about this some weeks later, and he replied “Yes, but they’re worthless people.” He was joking, but it still reflected some truth.

When the final death toll came in around 100,000, people seemed to care. I don’t know. In America, anything involving 30 or so people dying is automatically news for a few days, no matter how little information they may have. I’m not trying to call for a change, although I would like to see one, I’m just pointing out how sad it all is.

Happy Christmas

What an American holiday. Christmas is undeniably secular, and is pretty widely accepted as a time to get together with family and (often) exchange gifts. A holiday devoted to consumerism, which needs two months of preparation. Yes, this is another Christmas rant, and while nearly everyone on the internet has written one, I haven’t, and I feel left out.

Let me pose a hypothetical situation: you are one of six friends (family, whoever) that decide to exchange gifts. Everyone spends about $50 on each gift, totaling $250 (50×5). You receive five gifts, totaling about $250 worth of stuff. In case you missed that, you just traded money for an equal amount of things you didn’t want or need.

Thankfully, my friends and I don’t exchange gifts. I hope we never do. However, my family is another story, as they still exchange presents. I doubt I’ll ever be able to unplug myself from that.

I think part of the magic of Christmas is how you perceived it as a child. Once Santa was outed and I got older and had to start buying gifts, that aura was pretty much gone. Maybe its just because I don’t have money to throw around.

Man, that was a pretty half-baked rant…
edit 1: A little embarrassing really…maybe I can spruce it up later…
edit 2: Nope, not gonna happen. Just gonna ignore it.