packandgetdressed

I need help

2007-11-07T10:09:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, I stumbled across this list of the 10 worst sci-fi movies.

Number 1 was no big surprise--Battlefield Earth, as it's really really bad, probably top 10 of all-time worst movies regardless of genre. If you haven't seen it, you're either a lucky bastard or in need of an education, but I can't decide.

Anyhoo, I had this weird desire to watch the dvd commentary just to get some kind of insight. I have so far resisted this desire and am doing all I can to keep it from getting the best of me.

[Insert "Puttin' on the Ritz" joke here]

2007-11-05T14:06:00.000-06:00

The Mrs. and me went to the new Alamo Downtown Saturday afternoon and saw Wes Anderson's "The Darjeeling Limited." The movie was your pretty typical WA movie, with all his stylistic elements present and accounted for. Unfortunately, the characters were lacking something, and I'm not talking about Natalie Portman lacking pants, which was fine by me.

As to the theater itself...

Ok, I had to go back to the car for something, so I wasn't paying super-close attention as I walked in, but the first thing I noticed, or didn't notice, was anything identifying the place as an Alamo Drafthouse. There is of course the neon Ritz sign, which I'm glad was kept, but otherwise I don't remember seeing anything that said "Alamo." Maybe it's still to come. Just inside the doorway on the right was a Mondo Tees counter. There's not much on display here other than binders to flip thru to find your iron-on. A little further in on the left was the ticket counter. It was non-descript, just a counter with your standard service-industry touchscreen device. Nothing say what movie at what time in what theater. And at the back of the lobby were the restrooms. We didn't use these until after our movie, at which time a table selling copies of the book "Little Children" had been set up, almost blocking off access to the restrooms. And we just guessed that they were the restrooms, as again, there was no signage pointing out the way. There were signs denoting men's and women's but we didn't see them until we got right up to them. Something I really like that the Alamo seems to be doing (on S. Lamar and here, at least) is that they design the restrooms so there's no door, meaning you don't have to worry if the person exiting before you washed their hands or not. Nice.

Our flick was in the small theatre (100 or so seats), which is upstairs to the right. The big room is... upstairs to the left. (No signs) Pictures taken throughout the history of the Ritz line the stairwells. You enter the auditorium at the front, beside the screen. There's six or so long rows and then a few more in the back that have maybe five-six less seats. I was immediately hit by many odors of newness--new carpet, new carpet glue, new paint--and wondered if that was going to give me a headache. It didn't; hooray! This screen is not quite stadium seating, but I wasn't as bugged by that as at the Village. Unfortunately, there is only one way to exit the seating rows so make sure you empty your bladder before the movie (there's also no breaks in the tables like the Village and Old Downtown). Another improved feature is that the paper and menus no longer live on the table. Menus get slots under the table every couple of seats and the paper gets a holder on the back side of the tables.

The menu seemed to be pretty much the same. Our drinks and popcorn did what they needed to do, i.e. sate us. It was between meals for us so no cooked food. Picture and sound were fine. There was a little flicker when they started rolling the film, which made me wonder if the projector was stabilized but it went away before too long. And as it was a late afternoon show, 6th Street was not in full effect so there was no exterior noise to fight.

I'm curious to see the big theatre. I wonder if the rows in there have aisles at either end or not. I'm guessing they don't and that it's due to the narrow property. I also want to check out the VIP boxes they got up in there.

Overall, not a bad addition to the family. We liked stepping out onto 6th Street where we could turn left and walk down to the Jackalope for a beer while figuring out where to eat dinner (Moonshine's). I'd like to see something saying you're at the Alamo Downtown b/c it's an awesome place and it should be trying to tell everyone as such. Also, some information/directional signs inside. I think this is something that will happen and they maybe just ran out of time.

2006-07-15T12:01:00.000-05:00

I don't know if this is just me, as in my nature, or if it's a byproduct of my job:

I spend 12-13 hours a day doing a bunch of shit for other people (I know, you do too, but sorry, this is my blog). When I get home, it's dark, generally has been for an hour and a half or so already. Sometimes I've eaten before I get home, sometimes I haven't. But I'm so zapped from organizing other people's travel, and their specific needs, for which they'll make what should be an easy choice into one that's harder than it needs to be, that it's all I can do to wind down and spend a couple of hours with the Mrs. before hauling myself off to bed. And that's something that it pains me to do each and every night, because it means that when I wake up, I have to do it all over again.

Today, now, I need to be mowing the yard and fighting some weeds, before we go to a couple of birthday things tonight. But in spite of the coffee I've had, the idea of getting up and doing something like that is tortures. The idea of doing anything for myself, for the house, whatever, is so very, very taxing. I'm tired just thinking about it. I have a problem with a little thing called will power, I know, but this is ridiculous.

So, a byproduct of my job, or an internal flaw? And that's a rhetorical question, by the way, unless you can give me some answer that in no way contains a cliche. And good luck with that, b/c I know mine would all be cliched. Maybe it wouldn't be so hard for me to get up and go outside if it wasn't for the fact that my work phone rang as I was getting out of bed this morning. That I had to put a plan B on hold for somebody, before breakfast, when maybe this was something that could have been brought to my attention yesterday. So this person can maybe attend a meeting that a published schedule hasn't shown him attending for 2 days. Or that it's just plain disheartening to think that I actually thought they wouldn't call me this weekend, which is the first thing to happen on Saturday morning.

I think what may suck the most for me right now, is that b/c I'm on call, I don't feel comfortable going out and having fun, doing my own thing, b/c I don't know that it won't get interrupted by work bullshit. So I can't get any release from the stress and pressures of work, b/c it feels like I'm always working.

Guess I'll go mow until my pocket vibrates, telling me to enact plan B or not.

To the thief who broke into our house today...

2006-06-26T19:53:00.000-05:00

FUCK YOU!!!

I hope the cut you got on our window gets infected. I hope you dropped and broke our cameras before you got to the pawn shop. And I really hope some of the 10 calls you made from the Mrs.' phone were to some loser friends of yours, and that you just made it easier for the cops to find you.

From the World of Late Night Surfing

2006-06-06T10:45:00.000-05:00

I found an on-line graphic novel called Shooting War. Currently, 3 chapters are available and the 4th is supposed to drop today. It's set in 2011, where we're still in Iraq, John McCain is president, and live mobile video-blogging is de riguer. I'm a big fan of things set in a plausible future. I like it so far (the illustrations are great) and plan to see where it goes. Check it out if that's your thing.

Soaking In It

2006-06-06T10:37:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, on the way to the HEB, I was stopped at the light at 41st and Red River. Looking in my rearview mirror as a car came up behind me, I was able to see only one part of the driver--his/her hands. Hands covered by light blue dishwashing gloves. Were they out of yellow, Tyler?

Barbecue, Bar-b-que, BBQ

2006-06-01T08:50:00.000-05:00

A greater truth has not been spoken:

I believe that like sunshine and great sex, no day is bad that has barbecue in it.

Read, or listen, to the rest of the article here. It brought tears to my eyes and made my salivary glands tingle.

I loves me some barbecue. For me, it's like this great equalizer, eaten by everyone from ditch-diggers to presidents. Like the author says, you can eat it off of china (though you'd be pushin' it) or paper plates or no plates at all. There's something about setting that plate in front of you and smelling some good smoked meat, and whatever sides you may choose (potato salad and cole slaw are my usual choices), a couple of slices of white bread, and of course, the sauce....

I know, being in Texas, there are those out there who say sauce is unnecessary or forbidden and they're entitled to their incorrect opinion. Barbecue sauce is my #1 condiment. Ketchup & salsa can suck it. I like it with a little spice and not too watery. Kansas and the Carolinas can have their sweet stuff, but give this Texans a touch of heat, just enough to make my nose run.

So, where to for lunch?

Lebowski Fest

2006-05-22T08:55:00.000-05:00

The Austin edition of Lebowski Fest was held this past weekend. We went both nights and totally acheived.

Friday was kind of a bust. It was at Maggie Mae's, which should have been the first omen of doom. We got there about 9:15 and the Recliners were playing. I only recognized one member from when I used to see them back in the swingin' lounge days of the mid-to-late 90s, but they still did what they were meant to do. Knowing the movie was going to be shown on the rooftop deck at midnight, we headed up there and staked out a table. Later, the film's Nihilist band, Autobahn, performed a comedy/music bit. What I could hear made me laugh, but the sound getting piped up to the roof wasn't that hot (omen #2). Then the Yuppie Pricks came on and did what they do. I've never seen them, nor had any desire to, so pardon my indifference.

Finally, it was time to start the movie. It had been years since I'd seen it with a big crowd, so I was looking forward to it, imagining a Rocky Horror-style screening. And it might have been just that, which is what they had in Vegas last year, or so I would hear the next night. But there were technical difficulties that seemed to involve both the audio and video. And maybe because of that, maybe not, Maggie Mae's let their usual clientele of frat-boy goldbrickers and strumpets in. Apparently, Nihilism is a popular ethos for the collegiate crowd, because they sure as shit didn't give a rat's ass about the movie, standing everywhere (blocking our view of the screen), and too loud to hear the now-cranked audio of the movie.

So we said, "Fuck it, dude," and went home to watch the movie that should have won Jeff Bridges an Oscar.

Night 2 (Bowling, Costumes, Trivia, What Have You) went better. After a trip to the Quonset Hut for costume pieces and accessories, we made a mud pit in the back yard and did some belly flops. Uh, why? you might ask. Well, when you're dressing up as Walter's Buddies Who Died Face Down In The Muck, these things are necessary. Am I wrong?

The Highland Lanes were jam-packed and we hopped onto a lane with some total strangers, but not The Stranger. The bowling took forever, but I didn't care that much as I was having a great time, checking out some of the other costumes, getting the occasional knowing nod from other Acheivers. We had our picture taken with Big Lew Abernathy, one of the inspirations for Walter. He knew exactly who we were dressed as, said we were his favorite costume, and pulled out the original pair of Walter's yellow aviator sunglasses. Nice.

While we're bowling, there's also Big Lebowski trivia going on. Could I be in a better Geek Heaven? I think not. The first round consisted of 8 multiple choice and 2 fill-in-the-blanks. They then pulled 20 random names from the stack of those who got all the questions right. Not being 100% sure on a couple of the questions, I was bemusedly suprised (like the Dude when he finds out Jesus is a pedarast with a record and did time in Chino) when they called my name. For Round 2, they took us in a back room and gave us a page of 10 f.i.t.b. questions. Again, I felt that I got most of them, but there was a couple I wasn't too sure on, like the number of the Dude's apartment.

Shortly after Round 2, they held the finals for the costume contest, where they paraded everbody who dressed up on a stage. They did groups of Dudes, Walters, Maudes, and Jesus', though there was only one Jesus, and he wasn't in a purple jumper. Tragedy. Of the costumes that weren't those characters, there were some definite gems. A couple of Strangers, a couple of Jackie Treehorns, one red-bodysuited Nihilist with real oversized scissors, one vine-wrapped Dance Cycle, a Frame of Reference, an unintentional Little Larry Sellars, a Pissed-On Rug, and a Queen in Her Undies (definitely the most obscure costume). To be judged by audience approval, it sounded like we were top 5 at least. So it was a good thing that I put some muck in a tupperware and brought it with us for re-application.

Then came the announcement for the trivia finals. Son-of-a-bitch they called my name, along with 2 other worthy adversaries. First question: name as many symbols as you can that are on the Lebowski Fest Austin poster. Unfortunately, I had studied the movie and not the poster, so I floundered on this question. Next, were some verbal question; oh shit. If you couldn't answer, it went to the next person. #1: Name Autobahn's album. The guy they asked didn't know it, so it came to me: Nagelbett. Point for me. #2: Name Smokey's bowling team. Shit. None of us got it. (Answer: the Cavaliers) #3: Name the family diner where Walter and the Dude enjoyed a cup of coffee. All I could come up with was "Mel's." (Answer: Johnny's). The final question, or task, rather, was to name as many characters from the movie in 30 seconds. I saw my competitors' answer sheets and had several more than one and it looked like a few more than the other. Walking away, I felt pretty good, thinking I'd at least secured 2nd place. Any way it turned out, I'd be one of the top 3 Lebowski geeks in Austin. Good to know I could cross something off the Before I Die To-Do List.

Finally, it was time for the awards. They gave a few trophies out to the high bowling scorers (245 was the best). Then one for farthest traveled (Springfield, Massachusetts), and one for hardest traveled (car broke down 60 miles outside of Austin, with 2 dogs, 1 being a Pomeranian). Next up was the trivia. I got 2nd place and a golfer trophy (with removable club)! Very nice. On to the costumes--I can't remember the order, but the winners in the Other category (ours) were the Queen In Her Undies, the Nihilist, and the Dance Cycle. Then, it was on to Best Walter. No, wait, Best Group Costume... to Walter's Buddies. Woo-hoo! Competitors bested! Except we were the only group. Who cares, we won! Suck it, Lone Nihilist! Then it was on to the Jesus', Maudes, Dudes, and Walters. The guy who won Walter was awesome, really pulled it off, especially with the facial expressions. As he went up to accept his award, he pulled us up with him saying, "I couldn't have done this without my buddies!"

Then, it was good night to the Fest, and to Big Lew. At some point during the night, I overheard somebody asking one of the organizers if they thought they'd come back to Austin next year. He said yes, but only if there's more costumes. I've got some ideas, so consider yourself warned.

Pictures from the 2nd night are here.

Take 'er easy for all us sinners, Dude....

Thoughts In A Car On A Monday

2006-05-15T13:50:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time, I was going to be someone else.
Once upon a time, I was going to be somewhere else.
Once upon a time, I thought I mattered.

I'm just a cog in somebody else's wheel.

His best moment...

2006-05-07T15:07:00.000-05:00

...as president of these here United States of America??

Removing the Taliban government in Afghanistan?
Capturing Saddam Hussein?
No Child Left Behind?
Medicare D?
Patriot Act?
Establishing the Dept. of Homeland Security?
Getting re-elected?

No. All those things pale in comparison to catching a 7.5 lb perch.

Look, in case you haven't guessed, I'm not a fan of this president. Unlike Republicans in the Clinton years who had their "He's not my president" bumper stickers, this guy is my president because I haven't stopped being an American, like him or not. And I would hope that his answer to said question would be one of those things I listed above, in spite of the fact that I think most of them are, in some way, detrimental to the betterment of this nation. (The only exception: taking out the Taliban was a good thing; if only we could have finished the job.) At least they're major accomplishments on a national scale that do affect the country. One would think his answer would reflect as much, but one would be wrong.

Y'know, I wouldn't mind having a president whom I'd like to have a beer with. But you know, while we're drinking our brews, I wouldn't want to talk about his 'ranch' or baseball or flying jets in the National Guard or what he's reading in the john or what he ate for dinner the night before. I'd be more interested in foreign policy, energy independence, how corporations came to take precedence over individuals in Congress, and I'd hope the president would be able to converse with me meaningfully on those subjects.

I sure wouldn't give a fuck about a fish.

UPDATE: perch? bass? Whatever. Though, as I was writing the initial post, I was remembering going fishing as a kid and all the little perch I used to catch. None of them were ever anywhere close to 7 lbs.

Again with the irony

2006-05-01T12:28:00.000-05:00

It fucking boggles the fucking mind.

Stephen Colbert is my hero

2006-05-01T09:55:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend, the aforementioned host of the Colbert Report was the host/featured speaker at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. In a word, "Wow." In two words, "Big balls."

As a self-proclaimed "neo-neocon," he stuck it to the Man like nobody else. He also stuck it to the media and the White House correspondents themselves, save their grand dame, Helen Thomas. (So of course, his speech isn't getting that much coverage.)

It is, to me, one of the greatest performances/readings/whatever-you-want-to-call-it of satire ever. And he didn't give it to the choir, he gave it directly to those who are responsible. W. and Pickles were sitting right there, probably confused and wondering why the so-called funny guy wasn't being more funny.

Somebody has set up a site to say, "Thanks." It's also got links to video of his speech and a transcript. Go there, check it all out, and give the man some love.

Shhh...

2006-04-21T13:52:00.000-05:00

Don't worry, nothing important going on. No country to run, no invaded country to oversee, no lies to leak. It's hard work being VP.

Somebody call Alanis Morissette...

2006-04-21T11:14:00.000-05:00

...because I've found some irony.

A Chinese lady (US permanent resident) interrupted a press conference yesterday held by Dear Leader and the Chinese president, Hu Jintao. She yelled at him, in English and Chinese, moments after Bush stated he hoped China would allow more free speech. Now, she risks being the first person charged under an obscure federal law for intimidating a foreign official while in the US.

Typical Bush: say one thing, do the opposite.

Details here. Be sure to read the last bit, about how this law doesn't apply if it goes against the 1st amendment.

Conspiracy-a-Go-Go

2006-04-20T10:42:00.000-05:00

I'm a sucker for a good conspiracy theory.

Talking to a friend earlier about the latest addition to the anti-Xenuites. When Mr. C first started exhibiting his strange behavior last year--jumping on couches, etc.--we were reading Time and Salon articles on the church of L. Ron and what all they believe. Today, she told me that she doesn't believe: a) he got her pregnant, b) she was even pregnant. She thinks the kiddo was adopted.

Then, I come across this.

Coo-Coo-Ka-Choo

2006-04-20T10:15:00.000-05:00

I am the Decider.

As the World Turdblossoms...

2006-04-19T16:27:00.000-05:00

Rove may be a subject, as in he's being actively investigated, in the Plame Leak scandal.

From the article:

For months, Rove's attorney, Robert Luskin, has assured the press that his client, who was believed to be vulnerable to indictment for perjury, is in the clear. But Libby insisted that he was entitled to "disclosure of such documents" in Rove's files "even if Mr. Rove remains a subject of a continuing grand jury investigation".

Karl Rove is a subject of Fitzgerald's investigation - this is the headline buried in Libby's filing.

In white-collar criminal investigations, individuals who fall under the gaze of a prosecutor fit into one of three categories: witness, subject or target. Rove's attorney has suggested that Rove is simply a witness. But that is untrue. He is a subject. A subject is someone the prosecutor believes may have committed a crime and is under investigation. If the prosecutor decides he has accumulated sufficient evidence to prove guilt, he will change the designation of that person from subject to target and then indict him or her.

("Turdblossom" may be GWB's nickname for Rove. Or it might just be wishful thinking from the left. Either way, it fits.)

I'm a Virgo

2006-04-18T14:08:00.000-05:00

More billionaires are Virgos than any other sign. What exactly this means for me, I don't know other than if I should ever become a billionaire, I'll be in the Cool Club and you won't.

Beer Spa

2006-03-28T07:58:00.000-06:00

Only in the Czech Republic. It's like a Homer Simpson dream come true. They must have a pretty big cellar to have a beer pool. ...Mmmm... beer pool....

Words Fail Me.

2006-03-24T08:24:00.000-06:00

I got nothin'.

Apocalypse Pooh

2006-03-22T11:42:00.000-06:00

Mashups, the early days. 9 minutes of synchronicity goodness from 1987.

South by Last Post

2006-03-22T10:37:00.000-06:00

One last thing, a complaint, that I hope some SX person sees. Or if they send out a comment card, I'm definitely writing this on it...

I was really disappointed that there was no locally-produced intro clip at the film screenings. When did these stop? I understand the corporate sponsors contributing something and wanting their brand out there as much as possible. This is what happens as an entity grows and change is inevitable. I guess I'd always thought that part of what made SX so great was how essential Austin was to it. Well, with Austin comes the people--musicians, filmmakers, etc.--who make the city, and its culture, what it is. And here was a great opportunity for some locals to get something up on the screens. As I recall, there was generally 3 different intros filmed, so there was always the chance the audience would see something new, while there was only one IFC intro. Ultimately, and selfishly, this was something that Rob and I looked forward to doing, or at least putting our names in the hat to be considered, and now I don't think that will happen.

South by Picturewest

2006-03-21T08:48:00.000-06:00

The good ones are on flickr. Enjoy.

South by Oh My God That's Some Funky Shit

2006-03-20T09:48:00.000-06:00

Well, it's Monday morning and it's all over except except for waving adios to the out-of-towners. Here, in not-necessarily chronological order, are the rest of the movies and all of the musical highlights/lowlights/whatever I happen to remember...

Peliculas

Apart From That sucked but they gave me a t-shirt. The write-up in the film directory made it sound interesting, set "in a sort of Bizarro-world contemporary heartland sans Wal-Mart." Another line in the review talks about taking the chain stores out of the landscape. This is what piqued my interest so it's too bad the movie had nothing to do with that. It was just about some people trying to deal with others in their lives and doing a bad job of it. A lot of it seemed improv'd, which made a too-long film only more tedious. Much of it was shot out of focus, though seemingly on purpose. Avoid at all costs.

The King was a movie shot here in Austin in 2004 that I worked on. I don't think it's got distribution yet but hopefully it will get some. I loved the dark script when I read it and it came out as a pretty dark film, not exactly how I expected it, but still unsettling. Gael Garcia Bernal gives a great performance as the titlular character. My one complaint is that the last scene is way too short and missing, in my opinion, a very crucial shot.

The Great Ecstacy of Robert Carmichael was a UK film about a teen loner who discovers Ecstacy, though not in a good way. He lives in a quiet seaside town and doesn't have much to do. He hangs out with the local drug dealer/hoodlum and plays the cello. This is a "slow burn" movie where eventually the protagonist loses it. I've seen it done better, though when he does finally explode, it's a pretty fucking disturbing scene. There's no sermonizing or moralizing of what happens here and I didn't have a problem with that like the guy in the audience who called out "What the fuck was that?" over the end credits.

Richard Linklater's A Scanner Darkly had a much-anticipated sneak preview. It's beautifully animated and I think any animation/PK Dick fan should definitely check it out. I don't know if it will be as big of a cult film as I initially thought, however. The story is a mindfucker and I know it won't be everyone's cup of tea, but then again, it's not supposed to be. Keanu Reeves did a good job and Robert Downey Jr. steals most of his scenes.

And that was it. There were plenty of other flicks on my list, but it was time to move on to the musica...

First up were a couple of acts at the Jackalope on Wednesday afternoon. Single Frame (not Single Prick like Jason and I first heard) were a good local four-piece, kinda heavy pop I guess. I'd see them again. Then, there was Astronautilis, a rapper from Jacksonville, Florida who shook with a pent-up energy. He reminded me of Sage Francis, b/c of his flow on things personal as opposed to things bling.

At Emo's Main Room, I caught a few minutes of the UK's Field Music. They were ok, but nothing I'm going to seek out. Then came Serena Maneesh. I was seeing this name at many of the non-SXSW day parties and initially thought it was an act from India. But no, it's a Norwegian act that lives in a Scandinavian world of art rock and noise descended from punk. No 2nds for me, but help yourself. I had come to Emo's that night for Of Montreal, who I'd seen written up in a few places. I really dug them and their glammed dance-rock. I was reminded of Scissor Sisters, but without the need to be Elton John or a full-time drummer.

I ended the night at Stubb's to hook up with my peeps at Mogwai. I'd heard them before and thought they were decent background music for surfing the interweb. After hearing them live, I still think that though they may have taken some of my hearing b/c that shit was LOUD.

We started Thursday at the Iheartcomix party where Pam had to lie her way in (nice). Cut Chemist worked the decks like the champ he is. I want more of his solo stuff and more J5, too. Then came Jean Grae. She had some great raps and was funny, too. More please. I'd also been hearing about Lady Sovereign, who was doing a DJ set inside, though she's apparently a rapper. Her DJ set mostly consisted of her striking poses for the photographers and handing records to a guy who played them. She did actually play some herself but it didn't seem like she wanted to. I'm interested to hear her album (called Vertically Challenged, which shows the diminutive lass has a sense of humor at least), but it will have to be most spectacular to change my current opinion of her as a poser/product/tool.

Then, it was to Stubb's for a barely-announced Beastie Boys show. Everybody has talked about how awesome it was, but I guess was a little under-whelmed. Ad Rock's mic was turned way down for the first 3 or so songs but it did get fixed. It just seemed like they were going thru the motions to me. MCA was rockin' the gray hair, but he looked kinda nonchalant about the whole thing to me. I guess my memories of last year's show at the Erwin Center are fonder.

Jason led us to Film School at Club de Ville. We only stuck around for a few songs but I liked them. They reminded me of Sigur Ros, but with English lyrics and not as much etherealness. I'm going to check them out more. And finally, I don't think I'll be going to CdV of my own volition anymore. It's probably been a good 6 months since I was last there, but I don't remember ever paying $5 for a well drink there, even though the bartender said they hadn't raised their prices. So, sorry Club de Fault but I'm going to get mine on the Side now.

Back to Emo's for Ireland's Flogging Molly and their raucous punk (complete with mosh pit and almost a fight) mixed with Irish folk tunes. My ears are still recovering. Upon healing, I shall listen to more Flogging Molly.

Later, we took a shuttle over to the Backroom where the majority of the hip-hop acts were performing. I'm not alone in saying that this sucks. The Backroom has sure been around a while and props to them for supporting the music, but it's too far away from the main SX scene. Hip-hop is getting a raw deal by not being given a nightly downtown venue (there were a few acts at Emo's and also La Zona Rosa). We got there in time to discover Blow Fly is apparently the oldest living rapper. And the dirtiest. I never knew until that night that Pussy Don't Need No Drugs. Also, a sequined Mexican wrestler outfit and a couple of inch-long fingernails make for a memorable costume. His backing band looked like some band geeks I used to know trying to keep the dream alive, and a couple of white-trash dancers tried to work it. The goal of our journey was to see Devin the Dude, who'd journeyed up the road from Houston. His entourage of 3 back-up wrappers, 2 dancers, 1 DJ, 5 video camera operators, and 15+ hangers-on filled up the stage while Devin kept the audience happy, and buzzed with a secondhand high. The bouncers had an altercation with somebody that went outside and there was a girl-fight that got quickly broken up; the one who seemed to lose had previously kissed me for letting her get closer to the front. And I very much would have liked to bloody the face of the cross-eyed garden-gnome-looking motherfucker who knocked his way into me, stood on my feet, and swung his hippy hair in everybody's faces. Oh well, at least I don't look like an idiot and my hair doesn't smell like strawberry lip gloss.

Friday afternoon got us at the Jane Magazine party, held at the soon-to-open Beauty Bar (like the Iheartcomix party). Again, they had music acts out back and DJs inside. Only this party was much more crowded than its predecessor. So much so that after you waited in line to get in, you had to wait in line to see the music out back. Lame. We saw Of Montreal and Mates of State, a keyboard/synth & drum duo. Some of our group hated them but I haven't heard enough to completely banish them from my ears yet, though I could see them getting annoying.

Dinner and margaritas at Jaime's. Then a little wandering on 6th St. which being as it was a Friday night and St. Patrick's Day was more crowded than the night before with some ridiculous lines. Along with my friends Rob and Seth, we went to Emo's to hear Minneapolis rapper P.O.S. We got there about 5 or so minutes after he was scheduled to start and settled in to listen. But his DJ's mobile mixing equipment (he wore it like you'd wear an accordion) lost power and that was that. Later, it was pointed out that this may have not been P.O.S. but that would mean they were way behind schedule.

Most everybody else was over at La Zona Rosa for the Arctic Monkeys midnight show. This was THE SHOW by this years IT band. I'd heard them but wasn't grabbed enough to spend my entire night at one venue waiting for one band. After numerous messages saying there was no line and you could walk right in, I decided I'd go hang out with my friends and see if their Arctic Monkey love would rub off on me. I guess I got there 10 minutes too late, b/c I had to wait 15-20 minutes to get in. My peeps were up near the front but I didn't feel like being a sardine so I hung out in the back. 15 minutes late, they came out with the lead singer announcing, "This is everything a gig should fucking not be." Most of a song was performed before coming to a full stop to make a comment about all the cameras in the crowd, after which the last verse was completed. More attitude about the press photographers in the pit ("vampires") and another song with a full stop. After exchanging a couple of text messages with the Mrs., I left. Sorry, but I'm not going to waste my time taking attitude from a 19 year-old kid who chose to perform at an industry-centered festival which he chooses to slam when he didn't have to agree to perform here. It's not like they didn't know what it's like b/c they were here last year.

I ended the night at Snow Patrol who were all over the place last year, everywhere except my stereo. They were ok, but I don't know that I'll spend any money on them. They struck me as a less-redundant Coldplay, with more of an edge. I'll check them out some more, but I'm not a fan yet.

Saturday I was all set to check out DJ Muggs, and surprised to find no line at the Flamingo Cantina 30 minutes before his show. There was no line b/c there was no show. Bummer. So back to Emo's for The Datsuns. Not bad. Everybody then went their separate ways. I wandered around 6th St., trying to find something random at a random venue. All I found were four dudes playing homemade drums (bar stools, trash can lids, a keg in a plastic trash can) wowing the passers-by on a street corner. I downed a strong rum and Coke at Casino and fell into Beerland to await the closing set by the Pink Swords. They gave a strong show as always and Dirty didn't electrocute himself so then we partied at their house until 5am. A great finish.

Photos to come to Flickr later...

South by Cap Metro

2006-03-14T08:55:00.000-06:00

The #1 bus took me down Lamar and Guadalupe to the Dobie for movie #1, High Score, a documentary about a guy trying to break the world record at a standup Missle Command arcade game. This requires him to pass 80 million points, which he estimates will take him over 2 days of non-stop playing on one quarter. This wasn't a bad little film, especially if you played arcade games in the early 80s. Our hero definitely has a case of the obsessives but it's a good case, where he's not weird and you feel for him when bad shit happens.

Then it was on the #1 to the Alamo Downtown for The Notorious Bettie Page, directed by Mary Harron and starring Gretchen Mol. I was all over this like syrup on pancakes and barely got in. My buddy, Josh, and I were #s 6 and 7 of the last 10 people allowed in. What's up front row! A little bit closer to the screen showing the makes-my-jaw-hit-the-floor Ms. Mol? Yes, please. Unfortunately, the film didn't reveal much more than her fully-bared skin. There just wasn't much to the script other than: here's Bettie thru the end of her pin-up career, which she quit due to her feelings about sin and what Jesus would think of her. The religious angle was handled well, but I could have used a bit more about it other than just a scene or two before she gives it all up. Bettie is portrayed as having no real qualms, or shame, about getting naked and tying up her fellow models. So I feel they could have done more with this internal conflict; it's there, but only skin deep.

A drink at the Jackalope and then a ride home on the #15 so I could get my car for the midnight movie at the Alamo South of District 13. This film was written (story for sure, maybe screenplay) and produced by Luc Besson (The Professional, La Femme Nikita) and is a physical-stunt oriented actioner set in the near-future. Some parts of Paris are being abandoned by city services, like the police, and the residents are on their own to defend themselves against the gangs that rule the streets. One local stud ain't having it. But after kicking some ass in the opening, he gets to spend some time in jail while his sister becomes the toy of the local heroin kingpin they tried to turn in to the cops. 6 months later, a super-cop busts him out and enlists his help in retrieving a stolen bomb. They then kick ass together. Great fight choreography and stuntwork, strongly featuring the always-moving parkour. When he goes feet first thru a window above a door, you know that it's on. As Besson's involved in this one, it'll be available on video here for sure. You should find it.