AFTER SEEING the film "The Watchmen", Rachel remarked:
Oh my god, I would have rather stayed home and dealt with the smell of a skunk spray under the house, our toilet did not working, and having no electricity then watch "The Watchmen." I've lost three hours of my life.
16.3.09
5.3.09
Right On#02: No Line on the Horizon-Review
A little perspective.
There are few revelations when in it comes to music. Moments of clarity. A few for me.
- Realizing that The Beatles sang ALL of those songs. (And in less then 10 years)
- That I loved Rap Music.
- That if I actually like Country Music for reasons more then that Hot Girls liked it too. (I’m still bitter about this.)
- That Prince was kind of important and that I really should’ve back him in the 80’s other then that other guy. (I was a kid. Okay. I didn’t really understand Michael Jackson.)
- And this is the important one for the blog. When I was like 15, I figured out that the same people who sang “Mysterious Ways” also sang, “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for”.
After realizing that U2 was U2, I did some back tracking. There were albums that I liked most of them and their albums where their were 2 or 3 awesome songs and bunch of ehhhh… But I did realize that they were kind of awesome and special, but you know also that I kind of missed the WORLD WIDE LOVING U2 bandwagon. I mean they had already put out Zooropa, been through the most of their rockstar excess, and would soon put out Pop. So a lot of hating had started.
So I’ve only been able to really get excited about some of their least Awesome Cds. And after How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, I was kind of like, ok, good stuff guys, but please next time, make a real album. Not just a CD, front loaded with some good singles, or crap about peace and some not so great songs at the end.
I mean it really is The Joshua Tree’s fault. They were following the formula of that album, without recreating a whole cd of great songs. So be it.
No Line On The Horizon takes a lot of steps in the right direction. And it takes a few in the wrong direction. It’s nowhere near the Masterpiece a few reviews have called it, but it’s not a terrible blunder of crap that some have called it. And the biggest problem in most cases is that you really can’t compare it to their other work.
I mean, I mean this in the least abrasive way possible, they kind of are our generations Beatles. (Radiohead, could also claim this, but really, they don’t give a shit enough about what people think of their music to really qualify,) And we’ve kind of entered the period that the Beatles never got to, because they broke up. So basically, we’re in the 70’s solo years. And this album feels that way.
It’s not a greatest hits album. It’s not a pastiche, but it’s like on some songs they’ve decided to revisit certain interests and other songs they hit up some other interests and in the middle, they dumped a bunch of songs they hoped could be rock radio hits (which they probably won’t be, but I never really liked “The Sweetest Thing.” So what the F do I know.)
So let’s review. And I’m not going to compare it to their other work. I’m going to go at it like if I was like 12 or something, or a Killers fan. (which is really an impossible task, because you either Like U2 or not, and if you are the kind of person to like them, you probably really like them and their songs, whatever.)
Things I liked.
- I liked how much of the theme was being lost in your world and how you need to feel. But sometimes it’s hard to feel anything.
- I also liked how much of the album was about letting go, not fighting and breathing, which are very yoga like concepts. Live in the Moment.
- I liked all of the minute long intros to the songs. They kind of wash over and then all of the sudden the song kicks in, and you’re like HELL YEAH. (In a kind of mellow Hell Yeah way.)
- I like that it really is a head phones album, but that it also works when you’re driving, especially if the weather sucks, or you’re depressed.
- Liked that they didn’t fear failing on some of these songs, or tried to write some of the lyrics with character.
- You actually might be able to do yoga to this cd and not feel bad about it.
- Much of it is weird.
- I liked how they didn’t front load the cd with the best songs. Means I’ll listen to the whole thing more.
Songs I liked.
- “Magnificent” Really Good Song. Gets you really into the album in a way that “No Line On the Horizon,” kind of doesn’t. I mean it kind of is pretty standard U2 music. But it’s really well done. “
- “Breathe” – Wow. U2 makes a song that tells you to Breathe, and live, because that’s the most important thing, it’s like “Beautiful Day” but about something else. But the verses are really dense, but it works and he says “joojoo man, joojoo man.” It’s great. Great singalong.
- “White as Snow” Simple, Pretty, Deep lyrics that don’t feel like Bono tried too hard. Not the kind of song that you expect from U2. It’s like a lot of those not so great songs at the end of All That You Can’t Leave Behind, or How to Dismantle, they finally figured out a way to make them work with this song. But it’s a grower.
- “Unknown Caller” I thought I was going to hate this song, with it’s weird Computer terminology shouts during the chorus. The thing is if you just get used to it, there is a lot of awesomeness to appreciate. And damn if the opening doesn’t lead up to a pretty great song that nails it and is pretty inspiring. And a great singalong.
- “Moment Of Surrender” The idea might be better then the song. It’s kind of slow, and dark. But the lyrics are good. And again, when you’re depressed you’re there with Bono and it works.
Things I didn’t like.
Some of those lyrics that give the songs character are terrible. (“Get On Your Boots.”
- That you can really feel the differences between the quality of the recordings. I know they recorded this in many places, but dammit there needs to be some sound quality consistency. It’s not that any of it is bad, but in the middle, suddenly the Open Sound texture earphone space is shut down for a WALL OF SOUND attack, squeezed compressed feel, and then it goes back to open sound.
- The BABY BABY BABY middle eight of “I’ll go Crazy if I don’t go Crazy Tonight.” It kind of screws the song up, and the chorus never really reaches the point the lyrics want to take it, but it’s a happy song, so I don’t dislike it.
- Again they did not nail the sequencing of the CD.
Songs I didn’t like.
- “Get On Your Boots”. It’s really the worst song on the album, thank god. There really is not a whole lot of change up in the song. The chorus sucks. But it’s ok background music, and I do like the Meet Me In the Sound bit at the end.
- “Fez- Being Born”. This is not really a song. It’s more like the B-side of a single or a 5 minute Outro to another song. (But it’s alright for like background.)
The Others in order of liking to ehhhhh…kind of liking.
- “No Line On the Horizon.” Good Beat. Nice Moments. Chorus breezes in a way I do like. Pretty good. Just don’t love.
- “I’ll crazy if I don’t go crazy tonight.” Damn it. It’s a happy song. Just not as awesome as it could be. Kind of seems like a sellout single.
- “Ceders of Lebanon.” Not bad. But not memorable. Kind of a solemn close to an album.
- “Stand Up Comedy.” Sometimes I like it, sometimes I don’t.
OVERALL WRAP:
I really like more of the songs then the ones that I don’t like or don’t care for. And that’s kind of a big deal. It’s better then their last two albums and might be as good as Pop and Zooropa. I think I like this CD more then Coldplay’s. But I might not. And I’m kind of okay with that. Because no matter what Coldplay does they don’t inspire. They don’t make one of my shit days a little better. I don’t hear their songs and say, yeah, Chris Martin is really speaking to me. And that’s what U2 can do. And on this album they’re really doing that. So it’s special.
There are few revelations when in it comes to music. Moments of clarity. A few for me.
- Realizing that The Beatles sang ALL of those songs. (And in less then 10 years)
- That I loved Rap Music.
- That if I actually like Country Music for reasons more then that Hot Girls liked it too. (I’m still bitter about this.)
- That Prince was kind of important and that I really should’ve back him in the 80’s other then that other guy. (I was a kid. Okay. I didn’t really understand Michael Jackson.)
- And this is the important one for the blog. When I was like 15, I figured out that the same people who sang “Mysterious Ways” also sang, “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for”.
After realizing that U2 was U2, I did some back tracking. There were albums that I liked most of them and their albums where their were 2 or 3 awesome songs and bunch of ehhhh… But I did realize that they were kind of awesome and special, but you know also that I kind of missed the WORLD WIDE LOVING U2 bandwagon. I mean they had already put out Zooropa, been through the most of their rockstar excess, and would soon put out Pop. So a lot of hating had started.
So I’ve only been able to really get excited about some of their least Awesome Cds. And after How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, I was kind of like, ok, good stuff guys, but please next time, make a real album. Not just a CD, front loaded with some good singles, or crap about peace and some not so great songs at the end.
I mean it really is The Joshua Tree’s fault. They were following the formula of that album, without recreating a whole cd of great songs. So be it.
No Line On The Horizon takes a lot of steps in the right direction. And it takes a few in the wrong direction. It’s nowhere near the Masterpiece a few reviews have called it, but it’s not a terrible blunder of crap that some have called it. And the biggest problem in most cases is that you really can’t compare it to their other work.
I mean, I mean this in the least abrasive way possible, they kind of are our generations Beatles. (Radiohead, could also claim this, but really, they don’t give a shit enough about what people think of their music to really qualify,) And we’ve kind of entered the period that the Beatles never got to, because they broke up. So basically, we’re in the 70’s solo years. And this album feels that way.
It’s not a greatest hits album. It’s not a pastiche, but it’s like on some songs they’ve decided to revisit certain interests and other songs they hit up some other interests and in the middle, they dumped a bunch of songs they hoped could be rock radio hits (which they probably won’t be, but I never really liked “The Sweetest Thing.” So what the F do I know.)
So let’s review. And I’m not going to compare it to their other work. I’m going to go at it like if I was like 12 or something, or a Killers fan. (which is really an impossible task, because you either Like U2 or not, and if you are the kind of person to like them, you probably really like them and their songs, whatever.)
Things I liked.
- I liked how much of the theme was being lost in your world and how you need to feel. But sometimes it’s hard to feel anything.
- I also liked how much of the album was about letting go, not fighting and breathing, which are very yoga like concepts. Live in the Moment.
- I liked all of the minute long intros to the songs. They kind of wash over and then all of the sudden the song kicks in, and you’re like HELL YEAH. (In a kind of mellow Hell Yeah way.)
- I like that it really is a head phones album, but that it also works when you’re driving, especially if the weather sucks, or you’re depressed.
- Liked that they didn’t fear failing on some of these songs, or tried to write some of the lyrics with character.
- You actually might be able to do yoga to this cd and not feel bad about it.
- Much of it is weird.
- I liked how they didn’t front load the cd with the best songs. Means I’ll listen to the whole thing more.
Songs I liked.
- “Magnificent” Really Good Song. Gets you really into the album in a way that “No Line On the Horizon,” kind of doesn’t. I mean it kind of is pretty standard U2 music. But it’s really well done. “
- “Breathe” – Wow. U2 makes a song that tells you to Breathe, and live, because that’s the most important thing, it’s like “Beautiful Day” but about something else. But the verses are really dense, but it works and he says “joojoo man, joojoo man.” It’s great. Great singalong.
- “White as Snow” Simple, Pretty, Deep lyrics that don’t feel like Bono tried too hard. Not the kind of song that you expect from U2. It’s like a lot of those not so great songs at the end of All That You Can’t Leave Behind, or How to Dismantle, they finally figured out a way to make them work with this song. But it’s a grower.
- “Unknown Caller” I thought I was going to hate this song, with it’s weird Computer terminology shouts during the chorus. The thing is if you just get used to it, there is a lot of awesomeness to appreciate. And damn if the opening doesn’t lead up to a pretty great song that nails it and is pretty inspiring. And a great singalong.
- “Moment Of Surrender” The idea might be better then the song. It’s kind of slow, and dark. But the lyrics are good. And again, when you’re depressed you’re there with Bono and it works.
Things I didn’t like.
Some of those lyrics that give the songs character are terrible. (“Get On Your Boots.”
- That you can really feel the differences between the quality of the recordings. I know they recorded this in many places, but dammit there needs to be some sound quality consistency. It’s not that any of it is bad, but in the middle, suddenly the Open Sound texture earphone space is shut down for a WALL OF SOUND attack, squeezed compressed feel, and then it goes back to open sound.
- The BABY BABY BABY middle eight of “I’ll go Crazy if I don’t go Crazy Tonight.” It kind of screws the song up, and the chorus never really reaches the point the lyrics want to take it, but it’s a happy song, so I don’t dislike it.
- Again they did not nail the sequencing of the CD.
Songs I didn’t like.
- “Get On Your Boots”. It’s really the worst song on the album, thank god. There really is not a whole lot of change up in the song. The chorus sucks. But it’s ok background music, and I do like the Meet Me In the Sound bit at the end.
- “Fez- Being Born”. This is not really a song. It’s more like the B-side of a single or a 5 minute Outro to another song. (But it’s alright for like background.)
The Others in order of liking to ehhhhh…kind of liking.
- “No Line On the Horizon.” Good Beat. Nice Moments. Chorus breezes in a way I do like. Pretty good. Just don’t love.
- “I’ll crazy if I don’t go crazy tonight.” Damn it. It’s a happy song. Just not as awesome as it could be. Kind of seems like a sellout single.
- “Ceders of Lebanon.” Not bad. But not memorable. Kind of a solemn close to an album.
- “Stand Up Comedy.” Sometimes I like it, sometimes I don’t.
OVERALL WRAP:
I really like more of the songs then the ones that I don’t like or don’t care for. And that’s kind of a big deal. It’s better then their last two albums and might be as good as Pop and Zooropa. I think I like this CD more then Coldplay’s. But I might not. And I’m kind of okay with that. Because no matter what Coldplay does they don’t inspire. They don’t make one of my shit days a little better. I don’t hear their songs and say, yeah, Chris Martin is really speaking to me. And that’s what U2 can do. And on this album they’re really doing that. So it’s special.
22.2.09
Marathon: 26.2
Hello Friends!
Let's chat. I'm going to run a Marathon.
Let's go back a few years. November 15th, 2005. I had just gone to Miami to see a U2 concert and had bought a UM shirt. It looked like it should have fit me, so I didn't try it on. I went to Michelle's house and tried it on. It hardly fit. I looked like a fricken snaussage. I was like really? Was I really that big that I couldn't fit into this shirt. And then I thought about all of my other clothes. Baggy button up shirt. Hoodies. Baggy Button up shirt. More hoodies. And I was like oh man that's no good. I'd been working night shift for a year and 3 months, eating cheap crap, occasionally working out and actually losing my mind, and I was like Well, I suppose I'm going to have to make a change (and you know because Rachel told me I'd be really ugly if I got fat).
I sat down on the airplane ride home and made the November 15th resolution. I resolved to make it a priority to get into better shape, and I'd love to be able to say it was because of my health, longevity, life, not having health insurance, all of the above. BUT NO. It was because I couldn't fit into a T-shirt.
So for at least a year a half, I worked out because I wanted to look better in T-shirts. You know at some point in the last decade they changed how they made t-shirts, so they no longer had any rigidity, no they just hang off you. Terrible.
And then I discovered Yoga, and realized through that Excercise and Yoga could be used for something other then looking good in t-shirts, they could provide you with peace of mind. Or at least help you chill the fuck out. So when I would go on 4 miles runs or run up the hills, I would think to myself, "Will this is the hardest thing you are going to do all week." And that made other things not seem so bad, or tough. It gave me perspective.
So I write to you all today to say, I am going to run the Los Angeles Marathon on May 25th, of the year 2009.
Why am I going to do this? Well, I have lots of reasons. Lots of inspiration.
- Close friends who ran the Marathon.
- The Challenge.
- People believing I can't do it.
- Making sure I can still fit into my t-shirts.
- The Adventure
- Because I never believed in a million years that I would ever do it.
- Because I feel like I have to prove that I can do this, because I want to believe that anything is possible.
- Because working nights broke something in me, and I'm not sure that that's a bad thing.
And mostly, because as I've gotten older, I've tried to learn more and more about myself and I think that now, NOW I am the kind of person who would do this. And this is only the beginning.
Let's chat. I'm going to run a Marathon.
Let's go back a few years. November 15th, 2005. I had just gone to Miami to see a U2 concert and had bought a UM shirt. It looked like it should have fit me, so I didn't try it on. I went to Michelle's house and tried it on. It hardly fit. I looked like a fricken snaussage. I was like really? Was I really that big that I couldn't fit into this shirt. And then I thought about all of my other clothes. Baggy button up shirt. Hoodies. Baggy Button up shirt. More hoodies. And I was like oh man that's no good. I'd been working night shift for a year and 3 months, eating cheap crap, occasionally working out and actually losing my mind, and I was like Well, I suppose I'm going to have to make a change (and you know because Rachel told me I'd be really ugly if I got fat).
I sat down on the airplane ride home and made the November 15th resolution. I resolved to make it a priority to get into better shape, and I'd love to be able to say it was because of my health, longevity, life, not having health insurance, all of the above. BUT NO. It was because I couldn't fit into a T-shirt.
So for at least a year a half, I worked out because I wanted to look better in T-shirts. You know at some point in the last decade they changed how they made t-shirts, so they no longer had any rigidity, no they just hang off you. Terrible.
And then I discovered Yoga, and realized through that Excercise and Yoga could be used for something other then looking good in t-shirts, they could provide you with peace of mind. Or at least help you chill the fuck out. So when I would go on 4 miles runs or run up the hills, I would think to myself, "Will this is the hardest thing you are going to do all week." And that made other things not seem so bad, or tough. It gave me perspective.
So I write to you all today to say, I am going to run the Los Angeles Marathon on May 25th, of the year 2009.
Why am I going to do this? Well, I have lots of reasons. Lots of inspiration.
- Close friends who ran the Marathon.
- The Challenge.
- People believing I can't do it.
- Making sure I can still fit into my t-shirts.
- The Adventure
- Because I never believed in a million years that I would ever do it.
- Because I feel like I have to prove that I can do this, because I want to believe that anything is possible.
- Because working nights broke something in me, and I'm not sure that that's a bad thing.
And mostly, because as I've gotten older, I've tried to learn more and more about myself and I think that now, NOW I am the kind of person who would do this. And this is only the beginning.
The Perils of Running
So today I got hit by a car. But I'm okay. I was running down Franklin, crossing a little street with a light. I had the walk sign. And this car stopped in front of the cross street, this frickin Prius, he stopped and then decided to try to SPEED through the red light to make a right hand turn before oncoming traffic stopped him. He looked left, but did not look straight or right, which was where I was.
Now, I don't know how many of you have run like 5 miles or so, but when you do, you start to bug out a little, and when cars are coming towards you, you start to think, what would you do if they actually came at you. And many times I've thought, well I would just jump up and try to run on their hood.
A few months ago, I almost had to do this because this lady charged at me, but I was able to jump away before it hit me.
Today, I was not so lucky, this Prius, this frickin Prius, roared to life from it's stopped position and as it came towards me, I jumped up, planted my hand on his hood, ran over it and jumped off.
The Dude, freaked out, total panic stricken. He was totally shocked and like waving his hands all over the place, which I think is the universal sign for "OMG I DIDN'T. I DON'T. OMG. WHERE DID YOU COME FROM? ARE YOU OKAY? PLEASE DEAR GOD DON'T SUE ME."
I kind of stared at him, smirked, but not happily, shook my head, put my hand up and screamed, "Dude, you HAVE GOT TO LOOK BETTER."
He nodded and drove off.
And then I thought, wait, did I really just do that. Fuck. And then I thought, did you know that the car was going to come at you, and I thought, well I thought he might come at me, and then I was like, dammit, you really are a moron...
Anyway, I pulled my groan a little and went on running, I had another 7 miles to run. Which I did run.
Now, I don't know how many of you have run like 5 miles or so, but when you do, you start to bug out a little, and when cars are coming towards you, you start to think, what would you do if they actually came at you. And many times I've thought, well I would just jump up and try to run on their hood.
A few months ago, I almost had to do this because this lady charged at me, but I was able to jump away before it hit me.
Today, I was not so lucky, this Prius, this frickin Prius, roared to life from it's stopped position and as it came towards me, I jumped up, planted my hand on his hood, ran over it and jumped off.
The Dude, freaked out, total panic stricken. He was totally shocked and like waving his hands all over the place, which I think is the universal sign for "OMG I DIDN'T. I DON'T. OMG. WHERE DID YOU COME FROM? ARE YOU OKAY? PLEASE DEAR GOD DON'T SUE ME."
I kind of stared at him, smirked, but not happily, shook my head, put my hand up and screamed, "Dude, you HAVE GOT TO LOOK BETTER."
He nodded and drove off.
And then I thought, wait, did I really just do that. Fuck. And then I thought, did you know that the car was going to come at you, and I thought, well I thought he might come at me, and then I was like, dammit, you really are a moron...
Anyway, I pulled my groan a little and went on running, I had another 7 miles to run. Which I did run.
19.2.09
Random Thoughts#016
It's 5:30 PM and I just had a thought, I think I had a dream last night where I was attacked by a small creature, like a possum, or a squirrel, but I remember praying that it wasn't a skunk. And it wasn't. I just can't remember what it was.
16.2.09
Right On# 01 Music Wrap Up 2008
2008 was not the best year for Music. I think most of us can agree with that, but there were a few standouts for me.
Uh, like:
Mariah Carey - E=MC2 (I mean, it's so listenable)
Radiohead - In Rainbows (It's Radiohead, but dammit, I wish they could make music I could understand again.)
Old 97's - Blame It on Gravity (quite good)
Taylor Swift - Fearless (yeah, it's good, and yeah, its songs for 15 year olds. Whatever.)
Girl Talk - Feed The Animals (First 6 songs are amazing.... then you start to tune it out)
Coldplay - Viva La Vida (Dammit, WHY!!!!! So much goodness, so much that drives me bonkers. Separate your F%&^*&NG songs.)
Sugarland - Love on The Inside (Good stuff for driving. and life.)
Zox - Line In the Sand (wow. Really good CD came out of nowhere. It was like the perfect CD to listen to at the time I found it.)
Ne-Yo - Year or the Gentleman (R&B I can support. Song for song.)
Joshua Radin - Simple Times (great music for a rainy day)
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (otherworldly folklike songs that is a great listen.)
Snow Patrol - A Hundred Million Suns (Because they're snow patrol. I mean really. No, actually the cd is quite good. It's a grower. You know.)
And there were some disappointments, uh like:
Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul (I would ask them that same question. I mean I'm so used to mediocre shit from them that they should just be taken off this list, but then I'd only have like 3.)
The Killers - Day&Age (I tune out when the Springsteen sax solos begin.)
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Cardinology (like boring.totally.)
Guns 'N' Roses - Chinese Democracy (I don't even want to listen to it.)
And then there was:
Kanye West - Heartbreaks & 808s (which could be on both lists, because who wants Kanye to sing and make songs that seem like a cross between Electric Boogaloo, Radiohead, & Phil Collins, but... some of those songs are amazing.
So I wish I could have remembered more disappointments, but the truth is that you just don't listen if you don't like, so that seems to be the case.
OH MY, I totally forgot Janet Jackson put out a CD last year, Discipline. And yeah, it sucked too. I mean really if Mariah can do it, I think Janet should, I mean Mariah doesn't even have the same chops, but I guess Janet does sound like Kanye when she sings these days, so that's not very good, and at least Mariah keeps her crazy shit in her head, unlike Janet whose songs make you feel dirty, and not in a good way. Oh yeah, and Fall Out Boy put out a Cd and I never heard a peep of it, cause I was done with them, so that's kind of sad. And then there was Britney's supposed return to music, and yeah the CD is okay, but it's like as Okay as the rest of them, until she does something inspiring, I'm tuning out.
Uh, like:
Mariah Carey - E=MC2 (I mean, it's so listenable)
Radiohead - In Rainbows (It's Radiohead, but dammit, I wish they could make music I could understand again.)
Old 97's - Blame It on Gravity (quite good)
Taylor Swift - Fearless (yeah, it's good, and yeah, its songs for 15 year olds. Whatever.)
Girl Talk - Feed The Animals (First 6 songs are amazing.... then you start to tune it out)
Coldplay - Viva La Vida (Dammit, WHY!!!!! So much goodness, so much that drives me bonkers. Separate your F%&^*&NG songs.)
Sugarland - Love on The Inside (Good stuff for driving. and life.)
Zox - Line In the Sand (wow. Really good CD came out of nowhere. It was like the perfect CD to listen to at the time I found it.)
Ne-Yo - Year or the Gentleman (R&B I can support. Song for song.)
Joshua Radin - Simple Times (great music for a rainy day)
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (otherworldly folklike songs that is a great listen.)
Snow Patrol - A Hundred Million Suns (Because they're snow patrol. I mean really. No, actually the cd is quite good. It's a grower. You know.)
And there were some disappointments, uh like:
Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul (I would ask them that same question. I mean I'm so used to mediocre shit from them that they should just be taken off this list, but then I'd only have like 3.)
The Killers - Day&Age (I tune out when the Springsteen sax solos begin.)
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Cardinology (like boring.totally.)
Guns 'N' Roses - Chinese Democracy (I don't even want to listen to it.)
And then there was:
Kanye West - Heartbreaks & 808s (which could be on both lists, because who wants Kanye to sing and make songs that seem like a cross between Electric Boogaloo, Radiohead, & Phil Collins, but... some of those songs are amazing.
So I wish I could have remembered more disappointments, but the truth is that you just don't listen if you don't like, so that seems to be the case.
OH MY, I totally forgot Janet Jackson put out a CD last year, Discipline. And yeah, it sucked too. I mean really if Mariah can do it, I think Janet should, I mean Mariah doesn't even have the same chops, but I guess Janet does sound like Kanye when she sings these days, so that's not very good, and at least Mariah keeps her crazy shit in her head, unlike Janet whose songs make you feel dirty, and not in a good way. Oh yeah, and Fall Out Boy put out a Cd and I never heard a peep of it, cause I was done with them, so that's kind of sad. And then there was Britney's supposed return to music, and yeah the CD is okay, but it's like as Okay as the rest of them, until she does something inspiring, I'm tuning out.
Things I like: 03
Hmm... I don't like the title of this series. I think I'm going to change it... but to what.
Hell Yeah! hmm...
ohhh how about
Right On. Yeah. I like that okay. Here we go
Hell Yeah! hmm...
ohhh how about
Right On. Yeah. I like that okay. Here we go
Random Conversations: 06 Aka: That is so Gong.
My Computer died again. I think some of you know that. So today I was getting all of my emails back into my Mail program and I decided to email a friend I met on the shoot of Sutasi in Asian. Her name was Beth and it kicked off this random/wacky/ridiculous conversation. AS FOLLOWS:
Will Said:
What's going on Miss Beth? U still on safari?
Beth said:
hiiiiiii willllll :)
i added you on facebook...im in london, dying with no work, looking at NYC as a possible destination next...
Will Gong wrote
Hey Beth, what do you do again? Other then make DD think things he probably shouldn't? Does that go on your resume?
Beth Shulman wrote
Can you find me a job with that? i can perform the same act on other people ;)
...that and production coordinate at the same time....yes, im a complete multitasker.
Will Gong wrote
I'll look into it... and definitely give a glowing recommendation if anyone asks.
- Rebecca was video chatting with Beth and decided to join in.
Rebecca wrote on your Wall:
"we are talking about you Wiiiiiiillllll! What is up? How is life in LA?"
Beth wrote on your Wall:
"hiiiiiii willlllllllllllllllllllllllll becca and i are video ichatting at the moment- we dont live together as she has a husband and he doesnt like me much, but maybe thats because we act like we live together :)
Come to london for a visit! better yet, find me a job in nyc!"
Beth wrote on your Wall:
"im so glad we can have a 3-way with Becca. Gong, there is always next time for a bit of adventure. promise :) did you at least have a good time?"
Rebecca wrote on your Wall:
"We definitely think you should come and visit London, although it is a bit chilly and you can't get much for $10.....I think you are better off with a $10 "spa" treatment in Thailand. We have a zoo though...although they don't unfortunately let the elephants run wild in town.
So what did you do on your adventures?"
Beth wrote on your Wall:
"Willlll...we've just created the expression "oh my god thats SO gong"...e.g. "wow that guy wearing the cool sunglasses and bill cosby sweater is SO gong""
Beth wrote on your Wall:
"My gong- becca and i have had more enjoyment from you in the last 15 minutes than we've had in weeks! so glad you've gonged your way back into our lives.:)"
Will Gong wrote
Whoa. Hold on. Expressions with my name really need to be approved by a Gong. What does that even mean? Bill Cosby sweaters. Humph.
Will Gong wrote
Oh right. Yes I did have a good time in Thailand. I got to meet bunches and bunches of people. Some like me, and some that were looking to recruit people to join their spiritual journey's and teaching and whatnot. I also stumbled upon a street filled with massage parlor prosititutes. That was awkward. And generally had a good time when it wasn't raining. Did you enjoy your trip?
Beth Shulman wrote:
oh Gong, i thought you'd be so gonging proud! PLEASE- just think if we use it enough it could be come a term of endearment the world over! BIll Cosby- you know, loveable bill cosby! pretty pretty pretty gonging please...
Beth Shulman wrote
and yes, of course- justin and i attempted to get married while drunk which is a story ill have to tell you sometime...dont worry, he's safe back in new york and well away from the danger that is me. By the by, if you pay more than $10, i heard they do a better "job"...
Will Gong wrote
U almost married skinny jeans? I can see why you'd want to go to NY. Lots more skinny jeans where that one came from. I can see your self esteem has steadily improved since we last talked. I wished that there was a way that you could have more happy times in your life, more GONG really... but alas you're just not good for people (so you say, which is really quite a shame because you are such a good time.)
Oh yeah, if you pay them 30 they'll give you the boom boom. What does Boom Boom mean? Not really sure, but I can guess it has to do with the Big Bang, which supposedly birthed our universe, so the Boom Boom could birth at least a chitlen.
Rebecca wrote on your Wall:
"You have cheered up our whole week!"
Will Gong wrote
I'm so glad I could have cheered up your week. You all have made me laugh (which for some reason I don't think I do that often, I feel like I laugh more at myself then others, is it because the people I'm around aren't funny. do I make it that way? Ack.) but I particularly liked Beth's "Bill Cosby sweater line." although I don't think I dress like Bill, but there are worse things, like having your name turned into an expression.
Hmm... on my adventure. I went to Hong Kong. Stayed in the cosmic guesthouse room, that was the size of my bathroom. Took a shower where I was supposed to poo. Got a lot of cheap massages. Went out drinking until 6 am one night, almost hooked up with a girl, slept in the Bangkok airport. Took a ton of pictures. Went to the Thailand spa. Sat. Watched the Rain. got cheap massages. Stumbled onto the thai massage prostitute street. Watched old men pick up girls. Talked with people. Talked with crazy spiritual people. Talked with crazy people about 2012. Got food poisoning.
I also discovered a love for Lime Juice. And other fantastic things. :-D
Rebecca wrote on your Wall:
"Your trip sounds great and full of all the things a young man should enjoy in SEAsia..... add in a ping pong show and you have done it all! Glad you did not end up in a cult. Be Gongful out there!"
Will Gong wrote
Thank you. And may the Gong be with you. Always.
Will Said:
What's going on Miss Beth? U still on safari?
Beth said:
hiiiiiii willllll :)
i added you on facebook...im in london, dying with no work, looking at NYC as a possible destination next...
Will Gong wrote
Hey Beth, what do you do again? Other then make DD think things he probably shouldn't? Does that go on your resume?
Beth Shulman wrote
Can you find me a job with that? i can perform the same act on other people ;)
...that and production coordinate at the same time....yes, im a complete multitasker.
Will Gong wrote
I'll look into it... and definitely give a glowing recommendation if anyone asks.
- Rebecca was video chatting with Beth and decided to join in.
Rebecca wrote on your Wall:
"we are talking about you Wiiiiiiillllll! What is up? How is life in LA?"
Beth wrote on your Wall:
"hiiiiiii willlllllllllllllllllllllllll becca and i are video ichatting at the moment- we dont live together as she has a husband and he doesnt like me much, but maybe thats because we act like we live together :)
Come to london for a visit! better yet, find me a job in nyc!"
Beth wrote on your Wall:
"im so glad we can have a 3-way with Becca. Gong, there is always next time for a bit of adventure. promise :) did you at least have a good time?"
Rebecca wrote on your Wall:
"We definitely think you should come and visit London, although it is a bit chilly and you can't get much for $10.....I think you are better off with a $10 "spa" treatment in Thailand. We have a zoo though...although they don't unfortunately let the elephants run wild in town.
So what did you do on your adventures?"
Beth wrote on your Wall:
"Willlll...we've just created the expression "oh my god thats SO gong"...e.g. "wow that guy wearing the cool sunglasses and bill cosby sweater is SO gong""
Beth wrote on your Wall:
"My gong- becca and i have had more enjoyment from you in the last 15 minutes than we've had in weeks! so glad you've gonged your way back into our lives.:)"
Will Gong wrote
Whoa. Hold on. Expressions with my name really need to be approved by a Gong. What does that even mean? Bill Cosby sweaters. Humph.
Will Gong wrote
Oh right. Yes I did have a good time in Thailand. I got to meet bunches and bunches of people. Some like me, and some that were looking to recruit people to join their spiritual journey's and teaching and whatnot. I also stumbled upon a street filled with massage parlor prosititutes. That was awkward. And generally had a good time when it wasn't raining. Did you enjoy your trip?
Beth Shulman wrote:
oh Gong, i thought you'd be so gonging proud! PLEASE- just think if we use it enough it could be come a term of endearment the world over! BIll Cosby- you know, loveable bill cosby! pretty pretty pretty gonging please...
Beth Shulman wrote
and yes, of course- justin and i attempted to get married while drunk which is a story ill have to tell you sometime...dont worry, he's safe back in new york and well away from the danger that is me. By the by, if you pay more than $10, i heard they do a better "job"...
Will Gong wrote
U almost married skinny jeans? I can see why you'd want to go to NY. Lots more skinny jeans where that one came from. I can see your self esteem has steadily improved since we last talked. I wished that there was a way that you could have more happy times in your life, more GONG really... but alas you're just not good for people (so you say, which is really quite a shame because you are such a good time.)
Oh yeah, if you pay them 30 they'll give you the boom boom. What does Boom Boom mean? Not really sure, but I can guess it has to do with the Big Bang, which supposedly birthed our universe, so the Boom Boom could birth at least a chitlen.
Rebecca wrote on your Wall:
"You have cheered up our whole week!"
Will Gong wrote
I'm so glad I could have cheered up your week. You all have made me laugh (which for some reason I don't think I do that often, I feel like I laugh more at myself then others, is it because the people I'm around aren't funny. do I make it that way? Ack.) but I particularly liked Beth's "Bill Cosby sweater line." although I don't think I dress like Bill, but there are worse things, like having your name turned into an expression.
Hmm... on my adventure. I went to Hong Kong. Stayed in the cosmic guesthouse room, that was the size of my bathroom. Took a shower where I was supposed to poo. Got a lot of cheap massages. Went out drinking until 6 am one night, almost hooked up with a girl, slept in the Bangkok airport. Took a ton of pictures. Went to the Thailand spa. Sat. Watched the Rain. got cheap massages. Stumbled onto the thai massage prostitute street. Watched old men pick up girls. Talked with people. Talked with crazy spiritual people. Talked with crazy people about 2012. Got food poisoning.
I also discovered a love for Lime Juice. And other fantastic things. :-D
Rebecca wrote on your Wall:
"Your trip sounds great and full of all the things a young man should enjoy in SEAsia..... add in a ping pong show and you have done it all! Glad you did not end up in a cult. Be Gongful out there!"
Will Gong wrote
Thank you. And may the Gong be with you. Always.
9.2.09
SALVATION FOR SALE!!!
Okay friends, the thing we've all been waiting for is back,
New York Times "The announcement in church bulletins and on Web sites has been greeted with enthusiasm by some and wariness by others. But mainly, it has gone over the heads of a vast generation of Roman Catholics who have no idea what it means: “Bishop Announces Plenary Indulgences.”
"church leaders bent on restoring fading traditions of penance in what they see as a self-satisfied world."
“Why are we bringing it back?” asked Bishop Nicholas A. DiMarzio of Brooklyn, who has embraced the move. “Because there is sin in the world.”
I think that MC HAMMER should make up a song about this. THERE IS SIN IN THE WORLD. SIN!!!! Oh wait is this a NINE INCH NAILS song. Ohhhhh...
Things are really starting to heat up. I've taken quit a few steps into a greater spiritual world over the last few years, but you know what, THIS MAKES MY PROTESTANT BLOOD BOIL! It really does.
Soon, you'll be able to buy indulgences off of Amazon.com, maybe they'll EBAY the Super Pope Special: with a signed picture of Pope Bennedict "Th Rat" frowning. This offer only for Catholics, meaning it excludes the Excommunicated, Jews, Muslims, Spirtual, Witches and all other non-Catholic Entities, especially The Protestants.
New York Times "The announcement in church bulletins and on Web sites has been greeted with enthusiasm by some and wariness by others. But mainly, it has gone over the heads of a vast generation of Roman Catholics who have no idea what it means: “Bishop Announces Plenary Indulgences.”
"church leaders bent on restoring fading traditions of penance in what they see as a self-satisfied world."
“Why are we bringing it back?” asked Bishop Nicholas A. DiMarzio of Brooklyn, who has embraced the move. “Because there is sin in the world.”
I think that MC HAMMER should make up a song about this. THERE IS SIN IN THE WORLD. SIN!!!! Oh wait is this a NINE INCH NAILS song. Ohhhhh...
Things are really starting to heat up. I've taken quit a few steps into a greater spiritual world over the last few years, but you know what, THIS MAKES MY PROTESTANT BLOOD BOIL! It really does.
Soon, you'll be able to buy indulgences off of Amazon.com, maybe they'll EBAY the Super Pope Special: with a signed picture of Pope Bennedict "Th Rat" frowning. This offer only for Catholics, meaning it excludes the Excommunicated, Jews, Muslims, Spirtual, Witches and all other non-Catholic Entities, especially The Protestants.
The Grammy's: An Odd Pairing
Yawn... Oh, right I'm supposed to be fast forwarding through the Grammy's. Wait, are the commercial's more interesting. Oh geez...
Okay. Some Thoughts.
- U2 Perform "Get on Your Boots" - Hmm... Maybe Rachel is right?
- Coldplay - Chris Martin is doing "Lost?" by himself. Cool. Good song. OH NO... And here comes Jay-Z to ruin in it. Ok. I think I need to make a protest. Whenever JAY Z raps on something that doesn't belong to him, it's crap. His words are terrible. He compares Chris Martin to Michael Jackson. (well if I think about that it might be funny, I mean he was dressed like Michael last night.) but really, really, other than the memorable speed burst on that Linkin' Park mashup, Jay-Z has crap to say on other people's records, damn those lyrics weren't even that good. i think the only guesting I really remember liking was his work on Beyonce's "Crazy in Love." And I'm sure he was feeling really inspired for that one.
- Coldplay Part 2 - Watching Chris Martin sing "Viva La Vida" was slightly painful. First off. It was like he was karaoke-ing his own song. He sounded terrible. And he was moving around like a Worm. Again. Chris Martin is not cool. And sometimes I think he thinks he's cool and sometimes It looks like he's reveling in his uncoolness and it hurts me. It's also weird to see how the BAND was playing really well and he just didn't seem to match them. He couldn't even harmonize with them.
- The Jonas Brothers with Stevie Wonder - Okay, so I make myself clear, for ANYBODY who thinks that the Jonas Brothers have REAL Talent, please watch this performance and take note. When Stevie Wonder plays Piano, Sings, and uses the awesome Vocoder THE SONG REALLY ROCKS, but when you watch The JONAS BROTHERS TRY TO SING "Superstition" The SONG BECOMES CRAP. I mean do the math people. REALLY! And I'll at least credit the youngest and oldest for playing instruments and kind of singing at the same time, BUT THE YOUNGEST. For real, his talent, along with only being able to kind of sing, is fitting into skinny pants.
Steve Wonder deserves better then this. (I think, well at least his songs do.)
- Paul McCartney. Go. Home. I'm not buying.
- And the award for the most painful pairing of the night. Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. Now on paper, I can see how this might seem like a great idea. OMG. Like how cool would it b? OMG. No. Taylor Swift sings like she's standing on her balcony under the stars, and Miley sings like SHE'S on VH1 DIVAS 2015. She even does the hand thing, and she makes that pained face when she's not really trying to hard so she just looks stupid. Like anyway if you listen to their music, they stand so far apart, beside genres, they like Stand for everything the other seems to hate. So odd. And then Miley tries to high five Taylor afterwards and Taylor kind of looks at her hand and then thinks oh yeah, I'm supposed to high five her. Right. And then she does it. Awful.
-Sugarland - YAY. They are awesome. Oh, but damn, Jennifer Nettles is doing the pained face thing. Dammit. Whatever. YAY
- Justin Timberlake & T.I. Uh. Okay. This is boring. Skip.
- Oh no. The attack of Jaime Foxx's Sunglasses. AHHHHHH. Skip.
- Katy Perry - Uh. Wow. She sucks at singing live. Uh. But. Well, did those girls just pull of their jackets. Whoa. The camera cuts to the Jonas Brothers in the front row. They all look like they have to go to the bathroom.
- RADIOHEAD!!! with the USC marching BAND. "15 Steps." Wow. This is what a real rockstar looks like. A Spasmatic Gypsy Witch. Thom Yorke is possessed and loving it. The USC marching band is loving it. Johnny Greenwood play guitar good. Wow. That was awesome. Why haven't I seen them live. Suck it Coldplay.
There were more performances that night, but I just decided to stop after this. I'm sure I forgot something, but I just usually skipped it if it was boring. Oh yeah. Carrie Underwood. Boring. Skip. There. I think that wraps it up.
Skip.
Okay. Some Thoughts.
- U2 Perform "Get on Your Boots" - Hmm... Maybe Rachel is right?
- Coldplay - Chris Martin is doing "Lost?" by himself. Cool. Good song. OH NO... And here comes Jay-Z to ruin in it. Ok. I think I need to make a protest. Whenever JAY Z raps on something that doesn't belong to him, it's crap. His words are terrible. He compares Chris Martin to Michael Jackson. (well if I think about that it might be funny, I mean he was dressed like Michael last night.) but really, really, other than the memorable speed burst on that Linkin' Park mashup, Jay-Z has crap to say on other people's records, damn those lyrics weren't even that good. i think the only guesting I really remember liking was his work on Beyonce's "Crazy in Love." And I'm sure he was feeling really inspired for that one.
- Coldplay Part 2 - Watching Chris Martin sing "Viva La Vida" was slightly painful. First off. It was like he was karaoke-ing his own song. He sounded terrible. And he was moving around like a Worm. Again. Chris Martin is not cool. And sometimes I think he thinks he's cool and sometimes It looks like he's reveling in his uncoolness and it hurts me. It's also weird to see how the BAND was playing really well and he just didn't seem to match them. He couldn't even harmonize with them.
- The Jonas Brothers with Stevie Wonder - Okay, so I make myself clear, for ANYBODY who thinks that the Jonas Brothers have REAL Talent, please watch this performance and take note. When Stevie Wonder plays Piano, Sings, and uses the awesome Vocoder THE SONG REALLY ROCKS, but when you watch The JONAS BROTHERS TRY TO SING "Superstition" The SONG BECOMES CRAP. I mean do the math people. REALLY! And I'll at least credit the youngest and oldest for playing instruments and kind of singing at the same time, BUT THE YOUNGEST. For real, his talent, along with only being able to kind of sing, is fitting into skinny pants.
Steve Wonder deserves better then this. (I think, well at least his songs do.)
- Paul McCartney. Go. Home. I'm not buying.
- And the award for the most painful pairing of the night. Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. Now on paper, I can see how this might seem like a great idea. OMG. Like how cool would it b? OMG. No. Taylor Swift sings like she's standing on her balcony under the stars, and Miley sings like SHE'S on VH1 DIVAS 2015. She even does the hand thing, and she makes that pained face when she's not really trying to hard so she just looks stupid. Like anyway if you listen to their music, they stand so far apart, beside genres, they like Stand for everything the other seems to hate. So odd. And then Miley tries to high five Taylor afterwards and Taylor kind of looks at her hand and then thinks oh yeah, I'm supposed to high five her. Right. And then she does it. Awful.
-Sugarland - YAY. They are awesome. Oh, but damn, Jennifer Nettles is doing the pained face thing. Dammit. Whatever. YAY
- Justin Timberlake & T.I. Uh. Okay. This is boring. Skip.
- Oh no. The attack of Jaime Foxx's Sunglasses. AHHHHHH. Skip.
- Katy Perry - Uh. Wow. She sucks at singing live. Uh. But. Well, did those girls just pull of their jackets. Whoa. The camera cuts to the Jonas Brothers in the front row. They all look like they have to go to the bathroom.
- RADIOHEAD!!! with the USC marching BAND. "15 Steps." Wow. This is what a real rockstar looks like. A Spasmatic Gypsy Witch. Thom Yorke is possessed and loving it. The USC marching band is loving it. Johnny Greenwood play guitar good. Wow. That was awesome. Why haven't I seen them live. Suck it Coldplay.
There were more performances that night, but I just decided to stop after this. I'm sure I forgot something, but I just usually skipped it if it was boring. Oh yeah. Carrie Underwood. Boring. Skip. There. I think that wraps it up.
Skip.
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