[the approaching beautiful]

2001-10-29T10:44:00.000-08:00

Wow, it's Monday and since I last posted, I've been to four parties and have way too many things to talk about, yet not enough time before class to post them. More later.

2001-10-24T07:19:00.000-07:00

It's post Biology test time, and I sort of have a good feeling about it. Well, sort of. I am guessing a C. And that's all I need to get by, because it is Biology.

2001-10-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

I need to get something eat now. And then go to class.

np: Embrace "S/T"

2001-10-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

My favorite albums of the year, so far:
*Rainer Maria/A Better Version of Me
*Fugazi/The Argument
*Bjork/Vespertine
*Del Cielo/(demo CD-R)
*Marion Delgado/An Unfocused Lens Serves a Purpose After All
*Superchunk/Here's to Shutting Up
*Milemarker/Anaesthetic
*Owls
*The Silver Jews/Bright Flight

I think there's more.

2001-10-23T08:40:00.000-07:00

Today consists of two classes:
*History of Civilization II
and
*French I

too many notes and not enough focus on the subject at hand: these classes, in a nutshell.

2001-10-23T08:38:00.000-07:00

I am done with the Modern France packet.

2001-10-23T08:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a typical Monday. I woke too late to go to Biology, and I arrived on campus about an hour later to do some work, but what I forgot about was a packet that was due for Modern France. Well, that is alsmot done now, but back to yesterday.

Class was typical class. Bernadette didn't show up for Interpersonal Comm. (slacker), and I didn't go to Modern France (see previous paragraph), and then I went to Small Group Comm., which is basically that class only in name. The group I am in does absoutely nothhing, group-wise. They won't even respond to my e-mails. We watched "Freaks and Geeks", which was fun. I really like that show, and it is an episode which I haven't seen before. Apparently we are supposed to relate the group dynamics of that episode to the concepts we learned in Chapters 1-5 in the text, and instead of working together, my group decided to give each group member a chapter and put the paper together that way. I had to step in and change a few things around, but things are basically the same. I understand everyone's busy schedules and all, but it seems as though my group is afraid of working together. If they want to be that way, then fine, I'll put the exam paper together myself and celebrate the "A" that I earned.

Enough of that. After class, I went to the Quad for an hour and then I spent the rest of the night with Nichol. We walked to my house, went food shopping, and then went to sleep. A good end to a good day.

np: Superchunk "Here's to Shutting Up"

2001-10-23T08:04:00.001-07:00

Touch me.

2001-10-23T08:04:00.000-07:00

I need to do homework, I need to do something. I will always be distracted by the computer, and I still have Modern France homework to finish. It was due yesterday.

And it is October. I'd like to make a habit out of this.

np: Kerosene 454 "At Zero"

2001-04-10T09:04:00.000-07:00

Damn, damn, damn, I hate overexerting myself for Gen Ed classes that are not going to serve any purpose for me when I get a real job. The class I am referring to is Computer Science, and I've had hard at work on this paper for the past two hours. Of course writing it was the easy part, but not I have to go back and add color, italics, boldfaced words, Excel tables, and oh so many more things!

Enough complaining.

So, this new guy started at work, his name is Kevin and I think he is Vulcan. Or a robot. He shows absolutely no emotions. I was joking around with him yesterday and his face of stone did not budge. Maybe he is nervous. As Nikki was showing him how to make mocha freeze, she went through each step and he didn't so much as acknowledge what she was doing. Then she wrote a sticker that said "Kiss me, I'm Mocha Freeze", and then dated it. He didn't flinch.

I worked yesterday instead of tomorrow, and I did all of my Sunday/Monday work on Sunday, so I have a totally free day. Nikki and I have a picnic of some sorts planned, near her house. I am hoping for no rain. (no rain)

Current playlist: Alkaline Trio "From Here to Infirmary", Starsailor mp3's, JJ72, Lifetime "Jersey's Best Dancers", Mogwai "Come on Die Young", The University EP, Rainer Maria "A Better Version of Me", Juno/Dismemberment Plan split EP, Jill Scott "Words and Sounds Vol. 1, Journey "Greatest Hits", The Van Pelt "Sultans of Sentiment", Q and Not U "No KIll Beep Beep", Faraquet "The View From This Tower", Mos Def "Black on Both Sides"

back to this paper...

2001-04-10T08:51:00.000-07:00

Screw this crap, I've had it (i've had it!)

2001-03-12T09:11:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day of spring break, and I have not updated this blog in SO long. Well that is all gonna change today. I am contemplating finishing a take home math exam and listening to a mix I made for Jenny. Kelis is over and Nation of Ulysses is about to begin. "Cool Senior High School (Fight Song)". Why is everything out of DC, musicwise, so great?

And speaking of great. The band is Starsailor and they have a single out. Get it however you can, and look for the song "Alcoholic", which was on an NME sampler. Quite possibly the best song I've heard all year.

I'm not gonna play catch up with all of the exclusive blog readers, instead I'll pretend that I never neglected this. This is what's doing the week of March 13th. I am in school and work, like normal, and then Thursday is a hip hop extravaganza at the Trocadero. Not one, not two, but three incredible rappers. We've got Dalek opening the show, then MC Paul Barman, and headlining is Prince Paul. All for fifteen bones.

Friday night is a DC meets Philly rock event Aim of Conrad (ex-Yokels), the West Philly all stars will be opening for Q and Not U (ex-Corm), representing DC. Someone else is playing, too. Saturday is even better. There's Denali (ex-Engine Down) and the wonderful Rainer Maria (ex-Ezra Pound), headlining. Someone else is playing that show, too. Oh yeah, both of these shows are the the Rotunda (4012 Walnut St.).

That's enough for now. I should be doing homework.

np: Jenny's mix.

2000-12-24T18:28:00.000-08:00

The latest word on my car: it is going to a garage on the 26th. There is something wrong with it, but my dad has not been able to figure out what it is. With any luck, it will be finished by the 04th.

np: nothing.

2000-12-24T18:17:00.000-08:00

Every year Dan puts together "Hippopatami", his (huge) list of significant things that have happened to him over the course of a year, and this year I thought that I would try my hand at something similar.

the first year of the new millennium is about to wind down and become another page in our history textbooks. this year was riddled with new high and low points, as well as an entire book of firsts for me. i spent this year exploring the country, my backyard, friends, family, and myself. i've learned so much, and this year has been good, but i have a feeling that 2001 will be even better and i will learn so much more. i can't go a day without learning something new.

i want to take the time to thank all of those that have made this year special for me, and all of the events and landmarks that will allow me to look back at the year 2k with a smile.

*[the roadtrip 05.16-06.02]
i was never supposed to go out on the road with dan, but my summer plans changed, and i thought i would have enough money to spend three weeks on the road with him. even if i didn't, it was an experience i will remember forever. i saw so many many things i will never see again, and met many amazing people. the list of thanks is too long: amanda who shared her room with us for two nights in lake forest (and helped me to start seriously considering chicago as a place to finish my undergrad.), my wonderful friend jenny in madison who took us around in the torrential rain on my 21st birthday, kat and scott in san fran, will and heidi in biloxi, my uncle marshall in san jose, and all of the other amazing people dan and i met in the wide open spaces of western u.s. and beyond.

*[ms. trAcie AmirAnte]
after knowing her for nearly a year through e-mail and such, i was finally able to meet her in the halls of chicago's o'hare international airport on september 27th 2000, early in the morning. she and her sister arrived late, but it was well worth the wait--i have spent a lot of wonderful time with her since then, and i can only see this increasing in the future. she has helped me to see all of the little things that make a day more magical than the last, plus she is one of the finest writers i have ever had the pleasure of reading.

her friends and family are a superb, diverse group of individuals, and her sister is a talented visual artist.

*[my family]
my family has always been there, in the smooth and the rough, and this year has been no different. each and every person has helped me greatly and furthered my journey as an adult. i know that sometimes i have trouble transmitting my thoughts and feelings vocally, but i do love each and every one of you, and wish you only the greatest of new years.

*[border's #175 in reading, pa]
i've been working for border's for two and half years, and i have always showed a bit of favoritism towards my first borders, #10 in rockville, md. there is itai who has become one of my best friends, jen who has become a big sister to me who opened my eyes to the world of hip hop, and kerry who introduced me to the world of jazz and wednesday nights at lautrec (sp?).

the time i've spent at border's reading has lasted much longer, though, and i've forged some very solid relationships with a very kindhearted and deep group of individuals (individuals in the truest sense of the word): sulyn, dan g., dan r., jes, raina, joel, andy, holly, and the others i am only getting to know now. they are as diverse as antarctica and africa, and have opened my eyes and ears to many new things.

plus, there are the managers that not only remind me to work, but are becoming fast friends, like stephen and jennifer.

*[jenny ng]
my best friend that i had never met. until may 18th of this year. as she drove us in and around madison, the rains poured ever so harder, coating her car in a thick, foamy wash that interrupted our field of vision, yet never dampened our fun. we visited record and book stores, ate a fine asian cuisine, and tasted all that could be in the confines of one day.

*[pitchfork and my other writing adventures in the windy city]
for those of you who may not know, pitchfork is the most widely read indie rock magazine on the web. it is filled with stories and reviews written in an innovative, tongue-in-cheek fashion, and with the finest unpaid writers on the web.

my first real job writing on the web was as a columnist for rocket-fuel in 1998, and after three months there, i quit because i was unhappy with my editor, the infamous, brent dicrescenzio (sp?). during a lazy summer day this past july, the web-zine i had read faithfully for three years, pitchfork, was searching for reviewers, and who wouldn't jump at the chance to wrote for one of their favorite magazines? i did just that, submitting a review of "domestica" by cursive. page editor ryan liked it, but they were inundated by submissions, so they sent me to news department. since then, the journalistic side of me as a writer has grown by leaps and bounds, and i have found a way to incorporate creativity into music journalism. and love brent!

the windy city seems to be where it's at with me as a writer. i've done a heap of writing for hyper pr, and i still have a lot more to send them (it will be there soon, atsu!), as well as some other ventures in the area. look for me as a student there this fall.

*[books]
who cares about books? they are so twentieth century! well, i do, and every one should. i have read some amazing pieces of literature this year: from "life after god" by douglas coupland to "the stranger" by albert camus, my mind has been opened to pieces new and old, those that are classics and those that have only been seen by the select few. written expression is quite possibly the most amazing thing ever (besides spring) and i am glad that i have been given the gift of the communication in that form.

*[movies]
the year at the cinema has been quite dismal, but there have been a few diamonds in the rough. here is my short list:

-billy elliott.
a brilliant and human story about a boy who has a gift for ballet, taking place in a northern england coal-mining village that is marred by a strike. it takes an introspective look at class (a favorite of english cinema), family, and politics that has left me raving about this movie since eric and i viewed it a few weeks ago. my favorite movie since american beauty.

-the best in show.
a fine "mockumentary" about dog shows and their owners. from the creator of "waiting for guffman"

-liberty heights.
this came out last year, but i just saw it over thanksgiving. directed by barry levinson (homicide, diner, tin men, and avalon), it takes a look at jewish youth growing up in 1950's baltimore and the scorn they faced from their christian neighbors in a time that was still electrified by wwII and the holocaust.

-harold and maude.
a classic movie i first viewed this september. it illustrates the true meaning of being an individual and the true meaning of friendship.

[music]
music this year has not been as great as years past, but there were a few bands that made me light up.

-modest mouse.
perhaps the finest band around. they trail the fine line between art and destruction, and they do it beautifully. each and every line is quotable, and they have the knack for bringing out unimaginable sounds from the guitar. my faith in rock music has been restored by these guys.

-bright eyes.
by chance i heard conor and the rest of the band last year, by i didn't pay any mind to them until i heard "fevers and mirrors" this year. this is quite possibly the deepest and most emotional band playing today.

and the others: ida, elliott smith, coldplay, jj72, rainer maria, joan of arc, sleater-kinney, and jimmy eat world.

-jazz.
after kerry played john coltrane for me in '98, i became an instant fan. this year, i have consumed albums from thelonius monk, astrud gilberto, dexter gordon, miles davis, cecil taylor, the sorts, and many more.
...and the other music that was made before i was born: frank sinatra, sergio mendez, rosemary clooney, mel torme, aretha franklin, nick drake, bob dylan, and the supremes.

-hip hop.
not all of it is negative and profanity-littered. the ubiquitous de la soul, jurassic 5, and mos def are prime examples.

[kids]
kids are great. they have such an open-mind that is not yet molded by our society. they are naturally curious and always willing to try something new. i come into contact with many at work, and they are a delight to converse with.

[school]
as much as i hated high school and all of the ridicule i received, i have come to love college. it is a lot of work to earn those "A's" and "B's", but it is worth it in the end. i have met a lot of people in school, both classmates and professors (ron borkert, dr. jacobson, and derek arnold come to mind) and the opportunities i have are endless. i hope my experiences in chicago are just as fruitful.

this past semester was great. a prof asked to keep a paper i laboured hours and hours over because he thought it was that good and i was able to come into my own as a public speaker--something i thought would never happen. this coming semester looks to be even better. i am taking a few writing courses and i am getting published in the school literary magazine. plus, i am continuing into my third semester as a dj at wcur 91.7 in west chester. doug and i will be on the air from 4.30-7pm thursday nights.

[my webpage]
i've been neglecting it a lot lately, but in the almost three years that i have been labouring over it, i have met many wonderful people and have been able to express myself in ways unimaginable previously.

highlights include:
-interviews with karate and davey from the promise ring
-all of the creative writing that has been submitted for me to post. it is all wonderful in many unique ways.
-jess's photos, which will be posted soon.
-all of the people who have written me: thanks :)

[the jeffreylist]
the only mailing list that i am on where everyone gets along and freely trades ideas. i have met many oh so many wonderful people on that list (trAcie, jimmy, nicole, and on and on), and jeffrey is one of the coolest list masters ever.

is anyone else looking forward to the january mix tape trade?

i hope i didn't forget anything and anyone. i see 2001 as a good year--a new city to attend school, new classes, new people, new writings, and a book which i hope to complete soon.

i hope your holidays are good.

thanks and see everyone in the new year.

np: nothing.

2000-12-19T09:57:00.000-08:00

Hmmm. My car is fixed. There was never anything wrong with the fuel pump--I just ran out of gas and the "low fuel" indicator never went on. Go figure.

np: At the Drive In "Relationship of Command"

2000-12-18T10:35:00.000-08:00

she is sitting by my side
reminding me that there are secrets in every raindrop

2000-12-18T10:29:00.000-08:00

but the water shines on like the star in her mind.

2000-12-18T10:27:00.000-08:00

np: Sleater-Kinney "All Hands on the Bad One"

2000-12-18T10:25:00.000-08:00

This is an acoustic mix (more or less):
[sideone]
elliott smith/say yes.
oasis/wonderwall.
old 97's/valentine.
jen wood/lie for a lie.
belle and sebastian/expectations.
superchunk/1000 pounds.
ani difranco/both hands.
hayden/pots and pans.
stereophonics/i wouldn't believe your radio.
rocky votolato/work hard.
tobin sprout/small parade.
the new amsterdams/proceed with caution.
dana and karen kletter/sister song.
ida/shotgun.
[sidetwo]
cap'n jazz/ooh do i love you.
bright eyes/padriac my prince.
wilco and billy bragg/airline to heaven.
travis/all i want to do is rock.
sean na na/girls! girls! girls!
beck/hollow log.
the secret stars/the four senses.
damien pratt/progress.
merle haggard/wishing all these old things were new.
ida/poor dumb bird.
will oldham/three photographs.
mary lou lord/i figured you out.
ben lee/the birthday song.
the mountain goats/nine black poppies.

2000-12-18T10:19:00.000-08:00

Here is one that I made for someone special:
[sideone]
the anniversary/all things ordinary.
sean na na/girls! girls! girls!
damien pratt/james t. rao.
the stone roses/she bangs the drums.
the promise ring/skips a beat (over you).
floraline/eighty one.
bjork/the anchor song.
dexter gordon/three o'clock in the morning.
astrud gilberto/the gentle rain.
beck/mixed bizness.
cibo matto/sugar water.
[sidetwo]
jejune/demonica.
pele/the mind of minolta.
pulp/disco 2000.
frank sinatra/i get a kick out of you.
les savy fav/dishonest don part two.
pavement/gold soundz.
al green/look what you done for me.
hum/dreamboat.
mogwai/waltz for aidan.
helium/honeycomb.
joan of arc/a party able model of.

2000-12-18T10:13:00.000-08:00

I have been on mix tape double duty since the semester has ended. Instead of making one tape for everyone, I am personalizing tapes--I think I've bitten off more than I can chew.

This mix is for someone I work with:
[sideone]
joan of arc/me and america (or) the united colors of the gap.
very secretary/nakargot.
dirty three/hope.
american football/the one with the tambourine.
jejune/sitcom epiphany.
everclear/father of mine.
nick drake/place to be.
elliott smith/everybody cares, everybody understands.
rainer maria/lost, dropped, and cancelled.
sleater-kinney/the swimmer.
jj72/october swimmer.
[sidetwo]
tortoise/glass museum.
ida/shotgun.
the posies/christmas.
slint/washer.
bright eyes/something vague.
cap'n jazz/ooh do i love you.
modest mouse/broke.
helium/superball.
the dismemberment plan/the city.
the smiths/last night i dreamt that someone loved me.

2000-12-18T10:07:00.000-08:00

p.s. please be my salvation

I just ate an orange. yummy!

2000-12-18T10:06:00.000-08:00

p.s. please be my salvation

I just ate an orange. yummy!

2000-12-18T10:05:00.000-08:00

p.s. please be my salvation

I just ate an orange. yummy!

2000-12-17T21:27:00.000-08:00

I am listening to Slint's "Spiderland". "Washer" is on now, and as always, I have been moved to tears.

2000-12-17T14:22:00.000-08:00

I am making yet another mix tape for someone's holiday gift. Right now I am stranded at home, more or less, because the fuel pump in my car is malfunctioning, and my dad has not been able to rectify the problem yet. Let's hope it isn't anything too bad or too costly...

I have just completed my first application for a Chicago school : DePaul University. DePaul is definitely a nice school that is situated in a good section of town, but I don't like it as much as UIC and Columbia College.

Oh yeah, I need to finish Christmas shopping, too.

np: Les Savy Fav "The Cat and the Cobra"

2000-12-14T10:08:00.000-08:00

[these are by me]

"tucked-in" 11/25
this is a town that flows from west to east.
it contains anything that has ever happened to the world
(and then some)
i know a guy
he sits alone in the third row from the back
reading the tribune all alone alone alone
like i can feel sometimes
(like i can feel)
when i search my pockets for loose change
nervous and hands tucked away
and tucked-in
scratching my hair
touching the small of your back

in an hour i'll be further east west of the east
because spring is so much more than a season.

(untitled)11-25/11-26

there's a secret everyone i know
knows
and this would include (you)

tonight i sleep in a bed i am only slightly familiar with
after walking my soles into oblivion
and learning to love everything i despise
there are two eyes
something that can be understood
something i know quite well

and when i finally wake up
from a few hours away
she is sitting by my side
reminding me that there are secrets in every raindrop
oh so many secrets
and everything good is inside
except when it's on the outside

like rain on my boots
sprinkling on my glasses
headlights centered on illumination
i like being illuminated.

2000-12-14T10:03:00.000-08:00

[albums]
the top ten.
10the faint/blank-wave arcade
09outkast/stankonia
08joan of arc/the gap
07cursive/domestica
06q and not u/no kill no beep beep
05aloha/that's your fire
04ida/will you find me
03jurassic 5/quality control
02bright eyes/fevers and mirrors
01modest mouse/the moon and antarctica

and here are the "honorable mentions"
jonny cash/american III, elliott smith/figure 8, jj72/snow, at the drive in/relationship of command, de la soul/art official intelligence, cave in/jupiter, talib kweli and hi-tek, bald rapunzel/diazepam, black-eyed peas/bridging the gap

2000-12-14T10:00:00.000-08:00

Here are some of my favorites of the year:
[shows]
02.10-Old '97s @ the TLA Philly, PA
03.17-The Exploder/Pele/The Promise Ring @ the Ottobar Baltimore, MD
04.07-Hot Rod Circuit/Juliana Theory/Piebald @ the Artful Dodger Harrisonburg, VA (MacROCK)
04.26-Tim KInsella and Eric Mattei/the Dismemberment Plan @ 4040 Philadelphia, PA
04.29-Oxes/Q and Not U @ the Bassmint Reading, PA
05.30-Modest Mouse @ Howlin' Wolf New Orleans, LA
07.15-Aloha @ 4040 Philadelphia, PA
08.06-Mike Kinsella/Turing Machine/Rainer Maria @ 4040 Philadelphia, PA
10.01-Turing Machine/Jimmy Eat World @ the Metro Chicago, IL
10.21-Seafood @ the new 4040 Philadelphia, PA
11.03-Karate @ Rex's West Chester, PA
11.17-Bright Eyes @ Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr, PA

2000-12-14T09:18:00.000-08:00

It is slightly later in the day and another final is over. I don't think I did so well, but then again it was Comm. Theory, and I have so much trouble keeping all of the theories and traditions straight.

2000-12-14T06:50:00.000-08:00

Thursday. The last day of finals, and I am GLAD! I finished a Public Speaking exam about fifteen minutes ago, and I ended the semester with a B, which is pretty good for someone who is nervous while speaking in front of groups. Two more to go, though.

Last night while my uncle was flipping through the channels, he passed the Lifetime network, which was showing "Murphy Brown", one of my favorite shows that I have not seen in ages. It just so happened that Lifetime is running an hour of Murphy Brown from 5-6 pm est everyday this week. Hopefully there will be more regularity.

In other news, not much. Antarctica, the great post-Christie Front Drive project from Eric Richter, has broken up. No apparent reason was given, but all of the former players are onto something new, including Eric's more melody-driven project. Mmhmm.

I am going to do a bit of studying before my next exam.

np: nothing.

2000-12-13T08:19:00.000-08:00

It is the middle of the week and I have but one more day of class, and it consists of three finals back-to-back. It won't be that bad, though, because I exiled myself to the house yesterday so I would be prepared for the toughest of those exams, Comm. Theory. It worked, too, because I am now familiar with the theories I need to know.

The Jeffreylist is back up! I am glad, but I also find it quite funny because Jimmy and I started a list to fill in for the J-list a few days before the J-list was fixed. I spent an entire night making the [ok]fine! list on egroups and inviting people to join, and then two days later the J-list is fixed.

I've got a lot to do today, such as study for two more finals, but I'll leave you with a poem, like I promised days ago.

[destination everywhere]

this is a life
relying on inside make*ups
and moving from here to there
and beauty and everything infinite
blue lines and red lines
straight into the art of the inner city

i heard some sounds
coming from the other end of the platform
on which i stand
the music and the poetry
and the blue lines and the red lines
something that makes all of us whole

today's destination: everywhere
what i want to experience: everything
and in a few more hours
i will be so full of life
standing in the air
with everyone looking at me
i'll look down, with my hands in my pockets
and i'll breathe...out

i hope i never run out of things to say
i hope no one ever runs out of things to say

Have a good day!

np: Black-eyed Peas "Bridging the Gap"

2000-12-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

I always like the unexpected. To see something that you've never seen or experienced before is something truly magical. That's what "Behind the Music" was when I first started watching it: something truly new and innovative. The program took a fresh look at some not so fresh musical groups, most of which I am not a fan of. This week's episode was a rare case because I am a fan of Everclear, suprisingly enough, but the episode was run of the mill. It was the classic "leader comes from the wrong side of the tracks, gets inolved with drugs & booze, forms a band with scraped together money, and gets lucky, becoming famous." True, this is the case with a lot of bands, famous or not, but I am not at the point where I'd like to see the story veiwed from a different angle.

"Behind the Music" is still one of the finest shows on television. While I am on the topic of television, my favorite shows of all time, in no particular order, are:
1. "Homicide" (whenver I am in Baltimore, I always try to visit some of the sites where the show was filmed, just ask Maria)
2. "Twin Peaks"
3. "My So-Called Life"
4. "The Simpsons"
5. "Saturday Night Live"
6. "Law and Order"

I rarely have time to watch any of these shows because TV tends to bore me fairly quickly.

This week is finals week, and then I have a month of work and free time, which I hope to devote to writing and working on this webpage. I am hoping to get down to DC once or twice and I am expecting a visitor from Chicago in the new year, too :)

School looks like it will be busy next semester. I am going to be carrying 15 credits, as well as possibly being a TA for Mass Comm. The indie rock research paper that I talked so much about the past few months was a success. I got a 96 on it, and my prof wants to keep it for future students. Now everyone will know the history of Jawbox and Ida!

Not much else is going on. Today is a typically boring Sunday which I will spend cleaning, reading, studying, and hoping for the sun to show its face.

np: Oasis "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?"

p.s.--I massively updated the links (ahem, finally) on the webpage, as well as adding a few more shows.

2000-12-05T06:11:00.000-08:00

Happy December! I just finished my last speech of the semester and I am oh so relieved! It went OK, eventhough I would have gotten an A on it if I didn't speak for two extra minutes.

Things I am listening to as of late: Alkaline Trio, Modest Mouse, Ida, Rainer Maria, Secret Stars, Black-eyed Peas, Elliott Smith, Outkast, Bright Eyes, Jejune, and Joan of Arc.

I do have some poetry I'd like to post, too, but that can wait until after I visit the bursar's office and give the university all of my money.

np: nothing.

2000-11-30T19:29:00.000-08:00

I am chilling quietly at home getting a Cap'n Jazz fix. Tonight, while I was making dinner, I decided to watch the Simpsons, and my grandmother was in the kitchen at the time, too. We tend to have pretty decent, intelligent conversations, but sometimes she can offend me by judging things, and that is what happened tonight. The low point in the conversation was when she said something to the effect of "small shows for small minds".

I think she does this somethimes because she knows that it gets under my skin.

Anyway.

Chicago was much fun. Weednesday was spent in the loop, and was a pretty good day. Thursday, Thanksgiving, was spent at Tracie's relative's houses, and than back at her house where I crashed because I was so full of food and sleep. Friday was spent out in the malls and stores, and then we ended the night with Janine and Kristen at the Fireside to see Melt-Banana, who I ended up falling asleep to. Amazing, isn't it? I was awake for Kung Fu Rick, though, who were off the hook.

Oh yeah, Janine made some incredible vegan lasagna.

Saturday night was "help Tiffanie with her art Project night", and that is what Kristen, Tracie, Nina, and I did. Until SNL got in the way. The final day, Sunday, was cloudy and dreary, and was spent bumming around before we went to Arlington Heights to see Meet the Parents (pretty good). We ended the night going out to eat.

Well, those are the boring details. I have some poetry to put up, but that can wait because I am tired.

np: Cap'n Jazz "Analphabetapolothology"

2000-11-30T09:47:00.000-08:00

It has been eight days since I last posted, and well, yeah, I've been busy. The semester is winding down and I've got a lot of big plans for the new year. I won't let you in on any of them yet...

More on my Chicago trip tonight, and if anyone is going to see Portastatic and Versus at the Khyber on Friday in Philly, e-mail me and we can meet up or something.

2000-11-22T08:06:00.000-08:00

It is a day before Thanksgiving and I am warming up in the computer lab at Roosevelt University. The walk from the Metra station to RU was quite chilly, but not as difficult as I thought it might be. As much as I dislike the extreme cold, walking a short distance in winter weather can be nice. It always leaves me with a good feeling once I make it to a cozy, warm spot. I may complain while I am stuck in the freezing climes, but afterwards I am left with a good feeling.

For those that are interested in short stories and poetry, I am putting out my first collection of writing. It will be a photocopied affair ranging around 20 or so pages, and with any luck it will be free, but I am always intrested in trades! The title: "what you ignore is priceless to me", and it contains three short stories and poetry written between 1997 and 2000 and includes most of my published work.

Enjoy your holiday!

2000-11-20T08:23:00.000-08:00

I don't think I've posted in awhile, and if anyone is hinging on my every word, I am sorry. Things have been hectic lately, but luckily, I am almost completed with my packing, and my indie rock paper and final of speech of the semester are about to go into the "finished" column, too.

I received an e-mail from Bryan at Track Star Records the other day about my website, and he asked about a link exchange. Until I get around to officially working on fsoa's link page, I'll link him here: Track Star Records. Track Star features many fine bands, such as The Clocks and S. Process.

np: nothing, I am at the library.

p.s.--I still need someone to tuck me in.

2000-11-18T20:53:00.000-08:00

I saw Bright Eyes last night and they were simply amazing, eventhough they only played for roughly thrity minutes. He started off the set with "An Attempt to Tip the Scales" and then got down to "Something Vague". The kids at this show, which was held at Bryn Mawr College, were great and seemed into the show, which is a complete rarity for a Philly show. He also played "The Calendar Hung Itself", three songs that I did not recognize, and his drummer's project, Ambulance, played a song, too.

I had intended to finish my indie rock paper tonight, but I was exhausted after work, and ended up falling asleep. Tomorrow is another day, and a totally free on at that, so I will have something to fill my time, then.

things I have enjoyed recently:
*bright eyes.
*"the stranger" by albert camus.
*msnbc.
*ida.
*my pajama pants with stars.
*chocolate chip cookies.
*fall mix tape from nicole.
*"life without pants".
*'skyway" #9".
*"lamb's lettuce".

I need someone to tuck me in.

np: Bright Eyes "Letting Off the Happiness"

2000-11-16T08:26:00.000-08:00

Today has been good so far. I organized the tape case in my car last night. Now I do not have millions of tapes littering my car. The day began cold, and Public Speaking was actually enjoyable today. We spent most of the time doing impromtu speeches, which were sorta interesting. My speech was on "school", and I spoke about how much I enjoy school and learning. I am a nerd.

I am going to start including the playlist from my radio show here, something I have intended to do since the summer.
here goes:
[sleepwalkin' 9-1130am (wcur 91.7fm) 11.15.00]
rainer maria/seven sisters
faraquet/the fourth introduction
at the drive in/arcarsenal
wilco/hotel arizona
breaking pangea/colors on the inside
de la soul/i.c. y'all
michael penn/no myth
q and not u/a line in the sand
rock*a*teens/in the woods of a hemlock park
sunshine fix/the sound's around you
the lucksmiths/untidy towns
primitives/i'll be your mirror
deltron 3030/upgrade
lou barlow/stronger
rainer maria/pincushion
very secretary/nakargot
superchunk/sunshine state
echo orbiter/old man jimmy's psychic emanations
magnetophone/californium
portastatic/?
kiss offs/bottle blonde
holiday/who do you know? (played for the oh so sick melissa)
starlight mints/submarine #3
peanut butter wolf/in your ayes
the replacements/skyway
jets to brazil/sweet avenue
built to spill/sidewalk
royal city/took the train
mono puff/creepy
ida/shoe-in
secret stars/shoe-in
kind of like spiting/[track #6]
bright eyes/haligh, haligh, a lie, haligh
versus/eskimo
blur/on your own
talking heads/heaven
blur/country house
blur/the universal
blur/there's no other way

We also played Becky's promo several times. Hehe.

In other news, my 930 Comm. Theory class was cancelled, so I only have one more class until the weekend begins. I get paid today, too, and this weekend I'll be packing for Chicago, as well as seeing
Bright Eyes and either doing karaoke night on Saturday with Michelle or going to Allentown with Dan.

If you see or talk to Tracie, give her a hug. Her dog, Trinket is having probelms :(

np: Ida "Ten Small Paces"

2000-11-14T20:30:00.000-08:00

I am about to go to bed soon, but I wanted to listen to the new Rainer Maria album again. It will not be out until January 2001, but it will be well worth the wait. It is absolutely amazing!

I am off. I have a lot of things to do tomorrow, such as my radio show at 9am on 91.7 fm (West Chester, PA area), and I will begin to finish my indie rock paper, too. With any luck, I will be able to conduct an interview with Jimmy Eat World that was supposed to occur last Wednesday.

Good night.

np: Rainer Maria "A Better Version of Me" (favorite songs so far: "the Seven Sisters" and "Spit and Fire")

2000-11-14T06:38:00.000-08:00

I am beyond tired. I am so tired that I wish I was tired so I did not feel *this* tired. These Monday night closes are killing me. I am starting to abhor them eventhough it is slow, and I work with Jaime, Jes, and Kristin.

In other good news, my financial aid for this year STILL has not gone through yet. After spending months reviewing my mom's financial info, they decided that they needed my dad's info. Typical luck. I can not choose classes for next semester until my aid goes through, and I was supposed to schedule yesterday. Wish me luck, and hope that the Spring '01semester is not screwed up for me.

The Make*up is no longer! According to an article on Pitchfork today. They stayed together longer than many of the good bands today, but it still seems like their existence was short-lived. Feel lucky if you ever caught one of their live shows. The first time I saw them was in 1998, on the heels of "In Mass Mind"'s release, and the band was on fire. By the time they launched into "Live in the Rhytmn Hive", the crowd was seething and grabbing for a piece of Ian.

np: nothing. i forgot my cds.

2000-11-12T21:23:00.000-08:00

I just got off of the phone with Tracie. Well, about an hour ago I did. We talked for awhile, and it was nice to hear her voice :)

Anyway, work was a blast tonight. Not only was it not very busy, but Jennifer's son, Jordan, was in, so I played airplane with him and he wore a lion's mask to scare away all of the "crazy people". I told Jennifer that I would be willing to babysit him, mostly because Jordan is a fun kid. Well, that, and I need the extra cash.

Jason, a friend that I met at the radio station, who is also in Mass Comm with me, put on a show Saturday night with his band, Alison Ranger, plus Breaking Pangea (absolute must see), Slackjaw, and A Year to Forget at the YWCA in West Chester. A great show! I would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't doing the door the entire night. But Jason is a great guy, and you should definitely check out his band.

Oh yeah, I'll be in Chicago from November 21-27, visiting Tracie and other friends. I believe I have a night of fun fun fun lined up with Atsu, too.

Boo. I am going to bed. I'll do a real update tomorrow.

2000-11-10T19:37:00.000-08:00

This is me jumping onto the blog-bandwagon. I needed something to new to help me update my webpage a tad more regularly.

But now I am tired. I am off to dream land. More tomorrow.

the Eternals "s/t"