Our Age

Ms. Jackson ... But I Ain't Nasty

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:04:00 +0000

Janet Jackson is coming to town.

Well, maybe.

So she canceled six shows because of a mystery box ailment. Is it a crazy hangover? Is it humiliation? Is it liposuction? Is it the flu? Vertigo? Dog died? Cat got her tongue?

Could be any one of those things, but what we do know, at least right now, is she will be coming to Mohegan Sun Saturday night. That show is not yet canceled. Stay tuned.

But Jackson, for all the drama, is a great performer and a legendary artist. Respect basic pop music or not, she is one of the top pop artists of all time. And if you were around in the early 90s, you definitely know of her work. "Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814" remains, to me, one of the best albums of the last 25 years. Hard beats, grinding tempos, attitude. The whole thing. And Janet knew it would be a big album, stacking the thing with interludes. In all there are 12 proper songs. Eight became singles.

Want to know how big it was? My brother, at the time 7, owned a copy.

I listened judiciously, not really getting the fact that she was a female pop star and that I was a young boy who shouldn't really be interested in female pop stars. I was more intrigued by the music itself, the directness of it. The title track, with that great Sly and the Family Stone sample, just rolls off the tongue: "peopleoftheworldtoday ... areyoulookinforabetterway .. of life ... sing! weeee are a paaaart of the rhytttthm nation!" If you, white man, were turned away from the harsh reality of Public Enemy, this was a little easier to swallow.

Then she comes out with "Miss You Much." Pretty standard dance track, but I still get the "M. I. S. S. YOU MUCH" in my head from time to time. "Escapade" was just a fun song. Then, like, out of nowhere, you get "Love Will Never Do," which is this awesome, soaring song. You never want it to end. And lest I forget the iconic video, with Janet prancing around the beach in a little shirt and tight jeans. A sex symbol was born.

Yeah, I listened to Janet growing up. Who didn't? I'm not going to the show Saturday (heck, Janet might not, either), but I certainly will turn up the dial if a song from "Rhythm Nation" hits my radio again. Forget it. I'm gone.

Lindsay loves Lennox. Makes sense.

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:39:00 +0000

So Lindsay Lohan is speaking out to America via her MySpace blog, saying forget Sarah Palin's daughter mama trouble and focus on the politics.

Yay for Lindsay — she's right.

The AP wrote some background on Lohan's MySpace blog, including:

She’s also used her blog to recommend music (Annie Lennox’s “Walking on Broken Glass,” was a pick) and search for a particular ice cream.

For some reason that music pick struck me as absolutely appropriate for Lohan. It's one of those catchy, kitschy, cool late-80s songs that gets in your head and never escapes. Kind of an anthem for the "dramatic, crazy, wild girl" type. The kind of song you can play just chilling, or out in the club with a dance remix. Annie Lennox always knew how to tap into the strung-out girl contingent.

It'll be hard to vote Obama because Palin is hot

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:43:00 +0000

This is Sarah Palin, John McCain's vice presidential pick and governor of Alaska.

Since I have a "history" with cougars, I have to write this post. I mean, that's what I'm about, right?

Palin was voted by someone America's hottest governor. This is a picture of her from back in the day. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the hottest person ever on a presidential ticket (although I can't help but take a shining to Milliard Filmore).

Seriously though, this is a real risky choice for McCain, though it shows smarts and goes right along with his history of being a "maverick" (They love throwing that word around, don't they?) Since she has literally no foreign policy experience, it completely washes Obama of all his detractions. And I can't wait to see her debate with Joe Biden. Can she handle someone who's been around the block and then some? Captivating stuff.

The scary thing, to me, is Palin was a city councilor in a small Alaskan city just a couple years ago. And now she could be a heart attack away from the Oval Office. Funny how this country works sometimes.

That's a big platform

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:07:00 +0000

So we're less than 12 hours from seeing Barack Obama at Invesco Field accept his party's nomination for president.

Of course the question has been raised before — is it a little too much?

Listen, I'm all for big, grandiose statements, but in music, crowdgoers usually feel a larger "connection" (be it real or through the use of acid beforehand) with an artist if it 's in a smaller, more acoustic setting. You know, like you really get to feel what they're feeling. Or something.

Usually when you go to a big stadium concert, you're either there to take in something that's totally out of reach (say U2 or something) or you're there to get wasted and spend time with people listening to music (Dave Matthews, etc.). Most people at Invesco tonight will feel that way — some of the more engaged figures will take it all in, while the idiots who're there just to look like doofuses will be dancing in the aisles.

If I'm Barack, I'd be careful about the message you're sending to middle America. They might not be completely keen on a guy who has to sell out an 80,000-seat football stadium to proclaim his presidency for his party.

Sad day for Dave fans

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:17:00 +0000

LeRoi Moore, saxophonist for the Dave Matthews Band, died yesterday at age 46.

He died of injuries he sustained in an June 30 ATV wreck. The band had been touring without Moore, but there was no reason to think he'd die. He was rehabbing when he was hospitalized.

Pretty sad day for DMB fans. I was always a big fan of theirs, more during their classic run in the late 1990s. I remember listening to "Under the Table and Dreaming" during one summer while I was taking art classes in Philly. It must've been the year the album came out, too. I was hooked pretty early.

I went to a couple Dave shows, but none very recently. I guess things started falling off for me when Dave went solo. Like a good lot of his fans. "Busted Stuff" renewed interest, but after that I moved on. "Stand Up" wasn't anything much for me. But I always was a big fan. LeRoi will be missed.

One thing I always remembered about him is he wore his sunglasses because of a bout of stage fright. Considering DMB became the biggest touring act in the country during their heyday, it was pretty funny. Always so cool in those shades, behind everyone else, just doing his thing.

Why I hang out with 30-somethings

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:55:00 +0000

My mom — in one of her moments of nostalgia — faxed me results of my psychological exam at age 3. The gist of the summary was I had already learned to read and was feared of being "bored" in preschool. My psychologist tested me in various forms of aptitude (using Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence) to determine a recommendation for my schooling.

While he found I was overly intelligent and bursting with potential, he recommended I stay in regular line with grade ascension. He added while I should socialize with people my age, as I became older I would likely prefer the company of older people.

This past weekend I went out for drinks with a 38-year-old woman. Earlier this year I went out with a 32-year-old woman. At local bars and clubs I find myself unable — maybe purposely — to talk with women my age. Most of my best friends are older than 26.

I'm not a normal 20-something. On the surface I may come across as such, but that's my front. That's what makes other comfortable. I suppose in time I should really think about what's comfortable for me. And sometimes I do that, and that's when I'm happiest, admittedly.

It's important, really, to find your comfort zone. It's important to find the people and things that give you challenge, that give you strength, both outside and in. Only then will you be able to discover who you are.

For me, it's all coming together.

Computer Rules Me

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:18:00 +0000

My Apple Macbook broke almost two weeks ago.

While it's being fixed, I've been running between my work computer and a friend's computer as the two connections I have to the world. It's been hard. Very hard.

It made me wonder just how much our lives are based on our computers. Everything we think, say, do, write, create finds its way onto the computer. Sure we hold things in our minds and write on paper, but for a lot of us, everything is right there. Our music, our shows, our profiles, our contacts, our friends, our words and numbers.

From Orwell to modern-day interpretations, we live by technology and isolated connection. When we go without what we truly think we need, then we go insane. I don't think I'm insane yet, since I have been able to access things via other computers, but if I didn't have a machine for long enough, I very well could thrash my eyes out. What a horrible conceit, and yet, what an amazing thing.

'Dark Knight' No. 1 of all-time?

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:05:00 +0000

The purveyors of IMDB.com have graciously made "The Dark Knight" the greatest movie of all-time. Well, so far. In fact it has a stunning 9.5 rating (albeit after just over 69,000 votes), beating "The Godfather" and "The Shawshank Redemption," both with 9.1 ratings.

I've always found the IMDB list to be a nice counter to the AFI lists. AFI has a penchant for rating newer movies a bit lower, whereas there's a nice cross section at IMDB. But "The Dark Knight" as No. 1?

I mean, I liked this movie as much as the next guy, but I wouldn't say it's the greatest of all-time. When I look at "The Dark Knight," I see, first, a great performance (Heath Ledger, duh), then a rich commentary on current times, then the darkness of Gotham City. Batman himself doesn't register high, and for some reason, that has to detract from the movie a bit. He is supposed to be the star — yes, he is, no matter how much they play up Ledger's performance.

Yeah, maybe I'm grasping at straws here, but let's calm down about "The Dark Knight" being A1. In time I might give it top-20 consideration. But in time. I'll have to see this one again, and again, and again, etc.

The need for beer

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:28:00 +0000

Last week I ended my vacation at a highly impressive Philadelphia bar, Monk's. Located at 16th and Spruce Streets in Philly, it boasts over 250 beers including this St. Bernardus 12 abbey ale. As it says, it has 12 percent alcohol content. Yikes. But it's absolutely delicious.

As I enjoyed the brews and good conversation at Monk's, it pained me to see that up here in Eastern Connecticut, we don't really have a bar that boasts a heckuva lot a beer.

Okay, there's the Main Street Brewing Co. in Willimantic, which has some very good beers of their own. I also appreciate the nice tap variety at Cafe on Main in Colchester, and the Harp and Dragon in Norwich has a nice selection. But no bars that I know of around here have a full-scale list of imports.

We need one. And now. Beer lovers, you know what I'm talkin' 'bout.

Blast From My Past: "New Age Girl"

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:24:00 +0000

Watching "I Love the New Millenium" on VH1 (don't get me started on how VH1 jumped the shark with that one), I heard a sliver of a song from my past in the background. I tried mouthing the words and Google searched what I could recall. It took me about 40 seconds to figure it out: "New Age Girl" by Deadeye Dick.

Ahhhh yes. The song known for the great hook: "She don't eat meat, but she sure like the bone." Then a dog barks or something.

Now, that song came out in 1994 (and was featured in the hilarious "Dumb and Dumber") and I remember listening to it a lot on my radio. (My favorite stations at that time were Y100 and 103.9 DRE in Philadelphia. The climax of the alt-rock era. Ahhh.) So I'm 10, listening to this song and thought it was about a dog named Mary Moon who liked bones.

Yup. I was smart, but not smart when it came to sex.

Still, an awesome '90s song. Enjoy.

(They wouldn't embed the dang thing.)

With Carlin's passing ... what does that mean "to pass?"

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:11:00 +0000

I won't write that I looked up to George Carlin, that he was a major influence on my life or whatever. Truth is he wasn't. He was way beyond influencing people by the time I got a hold of his stuff. But I will say his routines slayed me.

I remember sitting in my brother's bedroom, probably at age 16 or so, listening to downloaded chunks of Carlin's best stuff. It was all there — the airplane routine, his plays on the English language, his "Joe Pecsi is my God" stuff, his anti-Reagan stuff and of course, "Seven Dirty Words." First performed over 30 years ago, it was completely ahead of its time and remains hilarious to this day.

I listened intently and Carlin became my favorite stand-up. Later I discovered my dad's old Carlin records. Back when my dad was a pseudo hippie, he bought Carlin's "Class Clown" and a couple others. A little crude and spaced out, the records weren't completely to my liking, but his shtick wasn't certified just yet. But at the time, to his counterculture fans, he was certified, the voice of discourse that rose above with humor, while all others were probably a bit too irritating.

Looking 30-40 years down the line, I suppose the comparable death would be that of Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert, comics who catered to the generation beneath them and voiced their issues like it was personal ethos. To me, though, Carlin will remain that not-so-innocent peek, that giddy appreciation of dirty language as I hit my prime teenage years.

George Carlin is dead

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:19:00 +0000

Woke up to find this.

George Carlin, dead at 71.

Wow.

Teen pregnancy plagues small town

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:40:00 +0000

Time has an intriguing piece on CNN.com about a Gloucester High School in Gloucester, Mass., which has 17 pregnant girls going into summer vacation.

At first the article says girls point to "Juno" and "Knocked Up" as reasons why the girls are getting "knocked up." They think the unwed mommy life is glamorous. Yeah, cause indie-rock songs and track-team boyfriends are soooo cool, so you have to have a little guy or gal to share it all with.

Then the article points to a much better reason: These girls don't have great family lives; they're having children so they can feel unconditional love, so they can know automatically that someone will pay attention to them all the time.

Sure, I can write this off as another "blame the Boomers" rant, but really, it's true. The definition of the American family has changed so much that little girls are now caught between what the family should be, and what it really is. Especially these girls in northeastern towns, where the moral compass swings like a pendulum over their tiny heads.

Really, just another case of "The American Moral Missive" plaguing our childfolk.

Angry as hell, and I'm not gonna take it anymore

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:23:00 +0000

I've had enough.

I watched last night as the Boston Celtics celebrated their 17th NBA Championship. I watched the TD Banknorth Garden erupt in elation. I watched all of that, then got really, really angry.

Bill Simmons — ESPN's "The Sports Guy" who actually is still "The Boston Sports Guy," wrote his big Celtics-win piece today. Take it away:

"For older fans weaned on the Russell era (like my father), this was about stumbling into another banner well after the point when they had started wondering to themselves, "Good god, I don't know if I'm ever going to see another championship team." For fans weaned on the Hondo/Cowens teams or the Bird/McHale teams (like me), this felt like climbing into Doc Brown's DeLorean, back to those springs in New England when the weather started getting nice, pollen collected on the streets and everyone started getting geared up for a two-month run of Bruins and Celtics playoff games. And for the under-30 fans, this was about breaking from the past and forming their own memories. Instead of hearing about the time Gerald Henderson stole the ball or Glenn McDonald saved the triple-OT game, they finally had their own stories to tell, like the time Pierce dropped 41 on the Cavs in Game 7, or the time we came back from 24 down to beat the Lakers."

Oh, BOO HOO.

"Note No. 10: 'I gotta say, I never thought I'd see another championship in my lifetime.'

My father said that during the celebration. He said it without a trace of seriousness, humor or emotion. Less than 13 months earlier, after our lottery hopes went down in flames and it looked like we were headed for the Yi Jianlian era, we both wondered if professional basketball effectively had been murdered in Boston."

"... my father deserved the title as much as anyone. I was somewhere between 100 and 500 times happier for him than I was for anyone else. We parted ways after the game, shared a hug and successfully avoided getting choked up, although, in retrospect, that wouldn't have been a bad thing."

Oh, BOO FRICKITY HOO.

I'm tired of this. I'm tired of this Boston underdog crap. Tired of this "we deserved" or "he deserved cause he doesn't think he'll ever see a championship again" crap. They won 16 other titles. SIXTEEN! Come on! That's ridiculous!

Here's my backstory: I'm from Philadelphia. I'm a Philadelphia sports fan. That's it. That's all you need. Philly hasn't even had 16 titles together! Let's see: Phillies (1), Eagles (2), Sixers (3), Flyers (2). And I'm not even sure on those Eagle and Sixer titles. But that equals eight. LESS THAN HALF THE CELTICS TITLES.

I'm just done with this. They had the Patriots winning, what, 14 Super Bowls in the last six years? They had the Sox win 10 World Series' and becoming the greatest franchise to have ever played the game in the last four years. And now they get this? COME ON.

I'm angry. Steamed. It's not fair. Not at all. They bought that title this year. They threw it all into a fan and said, "this has to work." It worked. Meanwhile the teams I follow don't go all out, they don't decide to strap it all in and go full-force. Never. As I write this my underachieving Phillies are losing to — of all teams — the Red Sox, 7-2. And they won't come back. There's no way. It's a sure thing they'll lose this game, the series, and maybe get to the playoffs. MAYBE.

Announcers talked about how the Celtics had to wait 22 long years for their title. Oh yeah, cause Philly has waited 25 years AS A CITY. Can you imagine? No, you can't. You can't imagine going 100 seasons of sports without a champion. It's unfathomable. Even Chicago, with its 100-season drought in the Cubs, had the Jordan era, had the White Sox in 2005. What did Philly have? A couple years of Eric Lindros? Some Allen Iverson? Oh wow. Great players. Awesome. A few hall of famers but no titles. I want titles.

Just one, really. Just one.

I'm convinced it will never happen. Not with this Phillies team. Not with the Eagles. Sure as hell not with the Sixers. Not the Flyers. Then the next Phillies team? Nah. On and on, nothing. Nothing, nothing, nothing.

It's just unfair. Seeing those fans go crazy. Seeing those players rejoice. Seeing those images of the great Celtics teams of the past. I've had enough of it all.

Bill Engvall ruined my night

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:00:00 +0000

Well, the heat ruined my night, but Bill Engvall did a number on me.

So I'm watching "Family Guy," just minding my own business, when the star of the aptly and uncreative "Bill Engvall Show" walks into the screen and pauses the show to plug his own show.

Are you kidding me?

Granted, I had seen that episode of "Family Guy" a dozen times, but there is no way I want anyone — especially the unfunny Engvall — to stop my show to plug his.

This is part of a ridiculous trend in television. More and more we see advertisements for shows popping up during other shows. Usually it's the main character or multiple characters walking onto a corner of the screen with a show logo and time. That's bad enough, but I can live with it (by the way, Engvall and his "family" did that twice during the episode, as well).

But to have the guy actually walk in, pause the show, say something ridiculously stupid about the show, then plug his is a whole new horrendous habit. TBS had better pull the plug (pun intended). My roommate and I seriously considered not watching TBS after that.

More of that, and it will happen.

I know my Sam Adams

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:23:00 +0000

I don't know if this is one of those "are you an alcoholic" games, but I was mailed a pamphlet from the Samuel Adams brewery (my favorite American brewery, by far) that had all 20 of their regular beers displayed on the cover.

I thought to myself, "I can guess most of those beers. Maybe all of them." So I tried:

Sam Adams Boston Lager: The original. A good microbrew-style beer that you can drink in heavy rotation.

Sam Adams Light: This a beer snob can substitute for Miller Lite and act cool at parties.

Sam Adams Boston Ale: More refreshing than the lager, but much more rare to find.

Those are the standard three. Then come the seasonals:

Sam Adams White Ale: My favorite Sam beer. Crisp and flavorful with some citrus. It's the perfect springtime beer.

Sam Adams Summer Ale: In rotation now. A very clean and smooth beer that you can drink in heavy rotation.

Sam Adams Octoberfest: A little heartier but still clean. Flavorful as hell with cinnamon way down beneath.

Sam Adams Winter Lager: You can actually drink this in heavy rotation, too, but it's nice to enjoy slowly.

Now come the style beers:

Sam Adams Honey Porter: Sweet but darker than the brown ales. A bit nutty, but creamy too.

Sam Adams Cream Stout: Never had it, but from what I hear it's a delicious mix of froth and fury.

Sam Adams Cherry Wheat: A good summer beer, but you cannot drink it in heavy rotation. Moderation only.

Sam Adams Pale Ale: Love Pale Ales, and this is no exception. Clean but slightly bitter, the way it's supposed to be.

Sam Adams Heffewizen: Another style I'm in love with — it's slightly wheat, slightly citrus, very nice to sip.

Sam Adams Irish Red: Tougher to find, but a nice strong red ale that makes sense in early spring or late autumn.

Sam Adams Cranberry Lambic: Comes around during Christmastime and can be a little much on the berry, but it suffices.

Sam Adams Double Bock: Probably too much to take, but it's worth the occasional hearty sip.

Sam Adams Ol' Fezzewig: The winter-warmer is hard to peg, but it tastes pretty good and has bits of cherry, cinnamon, all the good stuff.

That's all I could think of at first glance. I got 16 of 20. What did I miss?

Sam Adams Holiday Porter: I had this once, and I'm not huge on porters, but this wasn't bad from what I remember.

Sam Adams Black Lager: Ah I forgot this! How could I? It's not great, but maybe because I'm not huge on black lagers.

Sam Adams Brown Ale: I forgot they had a brown ale. Never had it though.

Sam Adams Scotch Ale: This one was out of left field for me. I suppose I need to invest in the package that has Brown Ale, Scotch Ale, Black Lager and Cream Stout. Something tells me there is one.

So 16 out of 20. Not bad.

Every Bostonian male sighs today

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:42:00 +0000

It's a sad day here in New England.

News is Hazel Mae is leaving NESN.

Some of you will say, who? What? Well, Hazel is a sportscaster for New England Sports Network (NESN for short), the channel that gives us Red Sox games, Celtics games, Bruins games and everything Boston sports. Hazel, a Pacific Islander from Canada (I know, AMAZING combination) has been with NESN for four years.

I'm going to miss random shots of her acting goofy on one of those show refer popups during Sox games. Supposedly she's staying in the Boston area — I'll get my date yet! (You knew that was the point of this.)

We're No. 2!

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:32:00 +0000

My blog is an award-winner.

Last Thursday night Our Age won second place in the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists for Online Commentary.

I beat numerous blogs from across the state blogosphere. Yay for me!

So many people to thank. So little time ...

White man at top of Morehouse class

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:53:00 +0000

Joshua Packwood is the first valedictorian of historically black Morehouse College.

He graduated with the rest of his class this weekend at the historically all-black, male school. Most people, according to Packwood, have received him well. Only a few haven't.

Vinson Muhammad, a student who opposed of Packwood succeeding at Morehouse, had this to say:

"I don't necessarily support him being here, but because he's here and we can't discriminate against other races, I support him and his mission to be successful in life. I just kind of wish he had done it at a different institution."

Problem is, Morehouse doesn't have an all-black rule. Any man can attend Morehouse. Even those who are saying "there is more work to do" for blacks because a white is valedictorian at Morehouse are off the mark. Really, what big deal is valedictorian? It's a speech. Morehouse hasn't lost any of its reputation for being a superb school, so what's the big deal?

Hey Usher: no thanks

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:53:00 +0000

Here's the deal:

I like Usher's first single off his new record, "Love in This Club." Here's why:

- The production. Kanye West started the power synth melody with "Flashing Lights" off his "Graduation," and that track is blazin'. But Usher gives a nice try with this one — the song sounds important, it sounds meaty. And the little dash of piano thrown in — always cute.

- The way Usher drops this song. I mean, remember back in 2004 when Usher dropped "Confessions" and every song that hit radio was huge? "Burn." "Confessions Part II." "My Boo." "Caught Up." Of course, "Yeah!" He was king that year. Then he took some time, and little playboys like Chris Brown and Akon came up and did their best Usher impression. Now Usher's back and with "Love in This Club," he's basically tossing these wanna-bes aside. Like, "Here's the real deal. Come beat this."

Now, that said, man, this track doesn't make sense.

I mean, who makes love in a club? Or, better yet, who would want to? Ever been to a club? Ever see what the floor looks like? The walls? The bathrooms? Would you really ever want to even touch part of your body on any piece of a club? Come on Usher, if you're going to promote sex, promote it in some other venue than in a club. I mean, it should be "I wanna make out with you in this club/In this club/In this club/Then I'm gonna take you home where I'll make love to you/In my home/In my home."

Maybe it could be "I wanna make love in this McDonald's playplace."

Or "I wanna make love in this day care center."

Or "I wanna make love in this scenic overlook."

Anywhere but a dingy club.

Update: Moving, cat, computer

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:56:00 +0000

Some updates from my post-Peachtree life:

- I moved. My roommate, Matt, our friend, Paul, and I moved into a duplex in Colchester. We celebrated the move last night with a ceremonial drink (Matt, myself and another friend) at Cafe on Main. Cool place. They had some Margaritaville, Cinco de Mayo thing going on. . A lot of beers on tap (nice)and some good clientele. Looks like good food too.

- Meeka is back! Meeka is our cat, well, Matt's cat. They trapped her at the Peachtree site two days ago and took her to the Norwich Dog Pound, where Matt grabbed her yesterday. She's skinny and smelly but who cares - she's alive! It's a mircale.

- My computer is legendary. Somehow the hard drive of my old computer survived the fire and aftermath, and the Apple Store at Westfarms (West Hartford) salvaged it and put it into a new computer for free. They're saints. Absolutely. Gratitude.

- More to come, including impressions of Colchester (so far, so good), our new house (awesome) and a lot of thanks.

40 Hours Later

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:43:00 +0000

It's been a little more than 40 hours since I lost my home at Peachtree Apartments. The fire garnered national attention and locally, the outpouring of assistance has been phenomenal. Today my roommate and I visited the Red Cross shelter, and the entirety of Norwich has jumped into the cause. Kudos to all - your aid goes a long way.

The Peachtree fire was declared a state of emergency. Most of the residents were able to retrieve their cars from the lot today. I have to get a new car key tomorrow and retrieve my car then, hopefully. As of right now I have a lot to take care of - reclaiming my life is step one.

Soon I will have to publicly thank all of Norwich for their amazing efforts. Already friends, family members and people I've never met have been offering anything for me to carry on with my life as normal. I appreciate everything and can not say thanks enough.

Tomorrow more business is to be done. At the end of the week I'll be in the arms of my family - I'm looking forward to that. For now, the great people I've surrounded myself with are family enough.

My Home is Gone

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:29:00 +0000

I have some down time for the moment. Here's the link to our main story today:

http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/x292023059

I lived in that apartment complex. Everything I own is likely destroyed. Makes you really think hard about the value of things.

Right now my roommate and I will be getting our bearings together. I have much to take care of. Be sure to help those sheltered in the Uncas School by the American Red Cross. They need all the help in the world.

YouTube: Power Pop II

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:10:00 +0000

Continuing my ongoing appreciation for power pop music, which I've dove back into because spring is now upon us, here's possibly the greatest power pop song ever:

Why? It's candy, dripping with sweet candy liquid, but on the radio. "Go All the Way" came out in 1972 and was a top-5 hit for the Raspberries. It is definitive power pop - jangly guitars, a kind of strict matter-of-factness about the rhythm, powerful percussion, a sweet melody, yearning vocals, a Memphis-based sound with a tinge of British Invasion. Add it all up and it's absolutely the sweetest thing in rock 'n' roll history.

You Tube: Power Pop I

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 04:21:00 +0000

Power pop is probably my favorite genre of music. Actually, it is. Not probably.

Here's a doozy from my youth.

Matthew Sweet, "Sick of Myself."

A friend's mix CD brought this song back to my life, and my God, why did I go so long without it? I live for yearning through rock and roll, and this song says it in spades. Gorgeous.