At this moment (03.09.04):
Scene:
Man sitting in a motorized wheelchair,oxygen tank dangling off the side, age early to mid 50's talking to a security guard.
Man in wheelchair: I used to smoke three packs of cigarettes a day.

Okay, how many cigarettes is that, and how long does it take to smoke one cigarette?And how much does a pack of cigarettes cost? I find this incredibly sad, that somebody hated their life so much they poisoned it daily with such an evil product. Seriously, maybe we should worry less about terrorism and more about the deaths caused by cigarettes. The priorities of America are fucked. That's the only way for me to put it.

Song: Best of Jill Hives (Guided By Voices — I love the short slap back delay on Pollard's voice. Kind of a mean song, no?)

At this moment (03.08.04):
Yesterday I managed to have a birthday. That means about one third of my life is behind me, but two thirds is still ahead of me, and I think that the best will be in those upcoming two thirds.

From Friday night:

Moody and Ralphy		Solitary microphone

Tomorrow the new Deerhoof album is released, as is the new Sondre Lerche, both of which hold promise of making the 2004 year end list.

Song: Everybodys Got Something to Hide (Except For Me and My Monkey) (The Beatles)

At this moment (03.05.04):
Last night I went down to the Jazz Showcase to see the legendary pianist McCoy Tyner Trio. McCoy played with Coltrane on some of the most important jazz albums ever recorded, so it was a rare treat to have the opportunity to see him live. I've always loved how McCoy approaches his voicings, just astoundingly complex, but he makes it sound so simple. And his band... I smiled from the time the band took the stage until the end of their first set. Thinking back I'm smiling as I type. The trio is in Chicago through Sunday, playing two sets each night. If you live in Chicago, and you read this, go see McCoy and his band.

Last night I drank from a well that only Heaven could have dug and filled with the sweet sweet nectar of life. That well contained a sweet beverage called Ciroc. Ciroc is a French vodka made not with potatoes but grapes, and then distilled five times. Ciroc made me happy inside.

Album: I AM the FUN BLAME MONSTER (menomena -- I don't know a thing about these guys other than the fact that this album is soooo good. It's filled with cut up and somewhat glitchy beats, piano, sax solos -- I recently had a discussion about the lack of a good sax solo on a rock/pop album -- outstanding melodies and intelligent as hell lyrics. While all the kids are listening and humming along to the Postal Service, which is a great album, I'll be blasting this album out of my tiny Powerbook speakers at work for all to hear. Available on iTunes for a d/l.)

At this moment (03.04.04):
Okay, this pisses me off, from bbc.co.uk:

"The impact of online piracy on the US music business has been "devastating", says the head of the Recording Industry Association of America, Cary Sherman.

He told a conference in London that a 31% decline in music sales between 1999 and 2002 was primarily due to piracy."

One word: Bullshit. Record sales are down simply because the recording industry releases crap music, no wait, I'll use their language, crap product. It's as simple as that. Seriously, the majority of American households are still on dial-up, not DSL or digital cable. I can't imagine some kid D/L-ing any album over a 56k modem. Screw the RIAA. The entire industry needs an overhaul. Instead of blaming themselves, which they should, they wage a witch hunt against Americans. We live in a sad sad time. Boycott the majors! Buy independent. I'm sick and tired of all this mass consumption nonsense. Makes me seriously feel ill inside. I should read some Sartre, but I don't want to get in a people hating mood or mode as I think given the choice most people would make the more ethical choice. But maybe not. And screw Walmart. Evil evil evil. Crazy crazy times.

Moody working the mixing magic. From last night's mixing session.

Song: Panic (The Smiths - "Burn down the Disco, Hang the blessed DJ,
Because the music that they constantly play, It says nothing to me about my life Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ." Says it all.)

At this moment (03.03.04):
Tonight Jason and I were mixing down tracks from the recently recorded demo sessions. Well, Jason was really doing all the work and I was just sitting there. In between all the seriousness I managed to coax a few words out of Jason. See part of the interview here.

Today I ran. That makes three days in a row. Tomorrow I'm heading out to Jazz Showcase in hopes of catching McCoy Tyner, the legendary jazz pianist. I'm excited. Hopefully I'll get into one of the sets.

Song: Under Pressure (David Bowie via Crooked Fingers)