Just sayin'

I checked my copy of the Constitution, and there's nothing in there about the President being able to ignore laws passed by Congress, or violate Constitutional amendments(like conducting searches without a warrant) just because he's the President and he thinks he can do whatever he wants. Nothing under Article II that says anything like that. Wait a minute......nope, nothing.

Just sayin'.


In other news, I had a dream where I was watching Angelina Jolie play for the Boston Celtics--and she sunk a 3-pointer. WTF is that all about?

Matt Pond PA

I was checking out various bands on Epitonic again, and found this one that I really like called Matt Pond PA--I guess they're not too far from me here. Anyway, they have a more earthy, organic sound that distinguishes them a bit from various other indie rock bands.

Official site


Update: Well, don't that beat all. I'm sitting here with the t.v. on next to me, the Conan O'Brien show starts, and guess who the musical guest is? Are these guys more well known than I realized, because I never heard of them at all until just the other day. Actually, I think I've been missing a lot in recent years, away from high school and college, or any sort of urban area with any sort independent or college radio stations to speak of--I have to go foraging through the internet now.

Supreme Court punts on Blackberry case

I don't own a Blackberry, or even a cell phone for that matter, but I think this is going to be sort of a big deal.

Destiny...

The "smash hit" that never was?

I was reading this article in Pitchfork Media about a single by a group called the Cloud Room. The name of the single is "Hey Now Now" and apparently the group's record label thought it was such a sure-fire hit that they had the band hastily record an album, even though they hadn't yet written an ablum's worth of material. Then they had to engage in some form of negotiations with various radio stations in different markets, trying to convince or induce them to play the single.

After reading this, it just reinforces my decision that I want nothing to do with this type of system. Of course, after reading about what a great song it is, I had to hear it for myself, and I have to honestly say that I don't think it was worth all that trouble. Yes, it's a good catchy song, but it's a bit too repetitive for me. I certainly wouldn't put it in the category of great, finely crafted, melodic singles of the past. When I think of great pop/rock singles, I think of Sugar's "If I Can't Change Your Mind", just about any single by Oasis, maybe even Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn"--and I know there must be many other better and more current examples, maybe something by the New Pornographers. This one seems like something that could certainly get a lot of radio airplay, but it strikes me as the type of single that is played ad nausium and then completely forgotten until years later when people are asking "hey remember that, whatever happened to them?" You or someone you know will probably have that album, which you only bought for the single, and which quickly gets lost in the rest of your record collection.
I guess I just can't believe that bands are still forced to do this, especially by a label that gives the impression of being more artist-friendly. Give the musicians some time to write and craft more good material, and hopefully a much more substantive and cohesive album. If there's a great single on there, it will find its way to a larger audience in due course. Maybe they should have focused more on internet and satellite radio(apparently they've finally come to that realization), as well as sending it out to every music blog. Then let the band tour and build a more solid audience.

Whatever, wtf do I know anyway. You can decide for yourself if it was worth it--click here.

On the other hand, Headphone Sex has a good track by a newish group called Voxtrot. I think I like this one better, as far as indie pop singles go. A little more to sink my teeth into. Also check the December 3 entry at Hushreality, a song called "Lemons From Lemonaid" by the Celebrity Pilots. I think I like this one even more.

"Slacker Divas"

A positive article on the latest from Cat Power and Beth Orton in today's New York Times.

They said it couldn't be done...

...but WE SHOCKED THE WORLD!

Inspiration from misery

I went in to have the leg checked out for the first time since the surgery, and have the stitches removed. Apparently the stitches were tied exceptionally tight and were really embedded in my skin--so it really fucking hurt when they took them out, and by "they" I mean three different people. It's never a good sign when three different doctors or nurses are standing there, because they "haven't ever seen something like that". Not when it's twenty stitches, and it feels like they're cutting through your skin with scissors and a knife. And I didn't even get any topical anesthetic to numb it a little--which makes me almost as much of a stud as Patrick Swayze's character in Roadhouse, almost.

Anyway, the x-rays looked good, and I have a sort of boot splint now that I can rest on the ground a little when I walk, and I can stand up and shower again.
A nurse friend of mine said that leg and ankle will be stronger than before, seeing as how I have some sort of metal or steel reinforcement in there now. It would be really cool if I had some sort of super strength in that leg, kicking down doors and taking out criminals. Something like Dave Grohl's character in that video for "Everlong", exept I'd be kicking everyone with my super foot instead of beating them with my giant hand.
I've also been working on a metal song called "Steelfoot", or maybe "Foot of Steel". That might also be the name I use for myself or my band, if it isn't already taken. Seems like every time I think of a good one, I find out that it's already been taken.

Sleater-Kinney

I've been listening to these amazing women recently, I guess the fact that they had a new album out, and other music blogs posting some of their tunes got me interested again. The only album I had was The Hot Rock, and listening to that, along with various other new and old tracks, reminded me of their unique style. Something about the intertwining guitar and vocal parts, it took me a little while to get used to it. But then, when they play something in a more traditional, or "straight" way(something like "You're No Rock 'n Roll Fun"), it's like hearing Sonic Youth playing in standard tuning.

And sorry for the superficiality, but how can you not think that they're completely adorable? Rock chix rule!

"The Music Lesson"

I love Matisse's work. I just get lost in it.

more music blog goodness

The always lovely Poptext has a couple of good tunes by Stars--check it out while they're still up.

And the Robots have a good one up by a group called GetHim EatHim.

Music blogs have been a real godsend for me this past year, at least one good thing about '05. I guess I might start hosting some stuff, since it's so hard for me to play or record right now.

"Right Start"

The always worthwhile Fluxblog has this interesting track by the Talking Heads. A precursor to "Once In A Lifetime".

Rose Bowl

Unfortunately, FSU didn't manage to win Orange Bowl last night, although they did take the Big Ten Champion Penn State to a third overtime before losing by a field goal. Not bad considering that most of our starters were freshman, up against a team of mostly seniors. Now I just have to endure all of my idiotic Penn State friends. I'm pretty sure that I won't have to read anymore columns about how FSU isn't a worthy opponent.

Anyway, watching the first half of the Rose Bowl so far, and I'm less than impressed by the supposed almighty USC. Reggie Bush fumbled once, and now Texas just scored another touchdown--I think they'll be going for two points now...wait, no they didn't.
I think this has been the most overhyped game in college football history, and as an FSU alum, I know something about overhyped games. There was no way this one could live up to the hype, or all the talk about USC being the greatest team in the history of the planet. But then, there's still one half to play.

Update: Okay, yeah, so the second half actually did live up to the hype. Wow, great comeback by Texas. Vince Young is the man. I suppose Austin is a bit insane tonight.

2005 Annoying List

As you may know, 2005 wasn't my favorite year, although it wasn't all bad. This list by Retrocrush touches on some reasons why--aside from me leg breaking in half.

And yeah, I know weblogs and journals are an easy target--but it's not like I'm wasting a limited space or anything.

Some favorites--

79 DOOM: THE MOTION PICTURE
Why the never ending quest to make movies out of videogames? Before long we’ll be watching Pong:The Motion Picture.
(And on a side note, enough with making movies out of comic books too--M.)

74 NICK AND JESSICA
1,000 years from now, archaeologists will look at our news publications and figure that this celebrity duo must have been king and queen of the world. Why anyone is interested in these empty headed no-talent morons is a mystery to all mankind. I’m against The Patriot Act, but I’d be willing to sacrifice our civil liberties a bit to permit the government to put anyone who ever bought a Jessica Simpson record on a special island and do some bomb testing. Not only would you collectively increase the nation’s IQ, but you’d stick it to Wal-Mart by getting rid of 80% of their customer base.

51 DICK CHENEY
Not since Asslick Johnson has there been a more aptly named Vice President in our country’s history.

23 SCIENTOLOGY
Every religion has a bit of the hard to believe associated with it, but Scientology takes the cake. Imagine spending tens of thousands of dollars to work your way up into their program (salvation through cash) to learn that 75 million years ago, an evil space demon named Xenu enslaved aliens in a Hawaiian volcano (even though the island hadn’t been formed yet) and all of our problems are a result of their ghosts that are trapped within our body.


---well, the whole thing's pretty damn funny actually.