Can you believe it's the end of July already? I can't.
I gained weight last week, but I'm not upset about it. (205.8, +1.4 pounds)
I didn't do anything bad - I ate relatively well and worked out. I think that it's probably some residual from starting to lift again - I'm getting a little bit of my strength back and my workouts this week weren't so pathetic. Maybe it's muscle weight and maybe that's just wishful thinking.
It could also be water weight because I've been in the bathroom all day today and I haven't had much to drink.
I decided some time in the middle of last week that attempting 11 workouts a week every single week is crazy and is never going to work. By Wednesday the thought of going to the gym made me very unhappy. I took all day Friday off, which dropped two workouts out of the rotation. I was glad for the rest.
I made up Friday's gym workout on Saturday, which left biceps and abs out of the loop again! Although I did do some minor ab work when I was there for back and now my stomach is sore. That's the problem with doing abs... it's a bitch to get started. I also ended up not running yesterday because we got a severe thunderstorm at night, and also because I didn't feel like it. So I ran 22.61 miles last week.
I feel pretty good about all this... energized and ready to go. I'm planning on rocking it out from now until my fantasy football draft, which is in 4 weeks. I haven't been home to PA since Easter, which was about 25-30 pounds ago... so I'm already going to be a bit leaner but I really want to make an impression on my friends/family.
I went to TJ Max/Marshalls yesterday. I only seem to buy the same minor rotation of items in the store... belts, wallets, discounted designer underwear (which they would have millions to choose from if I wore a size S or XXL), or ties. Well, yesterday I got something different! I got three good pairs of running shorts for $7.99 a piece and they were decent brand names... Reebok and the like. I was pleased with that, on top of 2 new belts that are 4 inches shorter than my old belts.
Progress is a moving train, or something.
My anxiousness to get under 200 has passed and I'm patient to wait it out and let my body do it's thing... I know that this isn't going to, nor should it, happen overnight.
But, seriously, though, by end of first week of August and no later, ok?
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
35 new artists if you only listen to Top 40 Radio: Part 2
If you missed Part 1 - check it out here.
To continue on...
11: Cobra Starship I think I'm a little late here, as "Good Girls Go Bad" is all over the radio right now, although that is probably mostly due to Leighton Meester, of Gossip Girl and foot job sex tape (SFW actually) is on the track. Regardless, love Cobra Starship... "Guilty Pleasure" is one of my favorite songs of all-time.
If you like this song, find: Snakes on A Plane (Bring it), You Can't Be Missed if you Never Go Away, Send My Love to the Dancefloor I'll See you in Hell, Kiss My Sass
12: Arctic Monkeys
One of the most popular bands in the UK, but not so much here in the United States. Might have come across a bit gimmicky at first, and without much staying power, but they've established themselves as a quality band with a good follow-up and a much anticipated third album coming out later this summer. Fun band.
If you like this song, find: I Bet You Look Good on the DanceFloor, Bigger Boys and Stolen Sweethearts, Leave Before the Lights Come on, Mardy Bum, A Certain Romance
13. The Fratellis Another band that's much bigger in the UK, but got a little traction here in the states with their song "Flathead" appearing on an iTunes commercial spot. Mostly a good singles band with a lot of crap on their albums, there are usually a few gems. Very danceable, fun, peppy. If you're looking for really in-depth music with chord progression and things of that nature, you're looking in the wrong place. But it's so fun.
If you like this song, find: Flathead, Henrietta, Whistle for the Choir, Chelsea Dagger, Stacie Anne, Shameless, Look Out Sunshine!
14: The New Pornographers
Indie royalty - Canadian indie supergroup. Nearly all the members have other famous projects, including Neko Case, A.C. Newman having solo careers and Dan Behar having Destroyer. They are at their best when they are together, though and have been making solid music for over a decade now. Their 2004 album, Twin Cinema, is really the masterpiece, though. Hopefully due for a new album relatively soon. Got to see them in concert last year and it really was an awesome show. Over a decade of hits for them to run though. You've probably heard a lot of their music on random commercials, such as for the University of Phoenix... that one still bothers me.
If you like this song, find: Mass Romantic, Twin Cinema, Slow Descent into Alcoholism, A Testament to Youth in Verse, Use It, Myriad Harbour, My Rights Versus Yours
15: Manchester Orchestra
Came upon this band quite randomly... I was going to see the band fun. in concert and they were opening for a band I have never heard of, called Manchester Orchestra. I looked up their stuff and I liked it... it was soft, quiet, thoughtful and powerful at times. Imagine my surprise when they took the stage and it was a rocking, hard affair with a massive moshpit and people being carried out of there with bloody faces. Anyway, the songs are good either way but there was a lot of energy in the live show. I heard one of their songs on rock radio the other day so I think they might be making a name for themself pretty soon. And obviously this video clip is from David Letterman so I'm not exactly picking out a bunch of nobodies.
If you like this song, find: Golden Ticket, I Can Feel A Hot One, I've Got Friends, Shake it Out, In My Teeth
16: The Hold Steady
Singer Craig Finn's voice takes some getting used to, but this is a fun, fun sing-along band that is adored (maybe too much ) by the Stereogum/Pitchfork crowd. But they have some really good songs... good melodies. If you can get past the voice, you'll love them. I put a slow one up as the embedded clip, because it's my favorite song (crazy guitar solo!) but their fast songs are probably their bread and butter.
If you like this song, find: First Night, Stuck Between Stations, Stay Positive, Constructive Summer, Sequestered In Memphis, Massive Nights
17: Stellastarr*
If I had included Stellastarr* in part one, which was possible because I'm doing this kinda randomly, then I would have missed writing about their third album, which just came out in the past few weeks. I first heard of this band in college, so in 2004. I only really liked one song from their first album, but I really loved the song. Luckily, when their second album came out, it was a big step up from the first. It was full of great songs. The third album is no different. This is a pretty typical Brooklyn band aping on that new wave/indie sound from the 80s, but I have a pretty big soft spot for them. The embedded clip was on an episode of Gossip Girl, if you happen to watch that show (and we're back to footjobs again - as an aside, WHO THE HELL wants a footjob?)
If you like this song, find: Prom Zombie, Freak Out, Sonja Cries, Lost in Time, Somewhere Across Forever, Love and Longing, Sweet Troubled Soul, Damn this Foolish Heart
18: Stars
I have a bit of a softspot for bands/groups with both a male and female vocalist, such as Stellstarr* above...Stars is another one of those groups. The song "Your Ex-Lover is Dead" is one of the best songs I've ever heard in my life, just because it's so well crafted. They have some really fun songs, too. I didn't care for their last album, so much, but that doesn't take away from the two great ones before that. Just listen to the lyrics in this clip.
If you like this song, find: Elevator Love Letter, Calendar Girl, Take Me to the Riot, The First Five Times
19: Los Campesinos!
This is the kind of self referential, crazy, all over the place music that I really enjoy. Really peppy and upbeat, with crazy videos, voices coming from all over the place and lyrics that really personify this current livejournal/facebook culture that we live in now where everything everyone does is the MOST IMPORTANT THING EVER. I really love this band.
If you like this song, find: Death to Los Campesinos!, Ways to Make it Through the Wall, Don't Tell Me to Do the Math(s), Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks, You! Me! Dancing!
20: Say Anything
A little over the top in terms of lyrical content and "pushing the envelope" but they have some really good songs. Catchy songs. There are parts where the lyrics are so good that you have to really check that they said that. They reached a little too high making their last CD a double album, it had some garbage on it, but their album ...is a Real Boy, is really outstanding.
If you like this song, find: Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too, Belt, Woe, The Futile, Baby Girl I'm A Blur, Have At Thee!, Spores
I'll be back with part three in the very near future. Hopefully you can get some new music out of this!
To continue on...
11: Cobra Starship I think I'm a little late here, as "Good Girls Go Bad" is all over the radio right now, although that is probably mostly due to Leighton Meester, of Gossip Girl and foot job sex tape (SFW actually) is on the track. Regardless, love Cobra Starship... "Guilty Pleasure" is one of my favorite songs of all-time.
If you like this song, find: Snakes on A Plane (Bring it), You Can't Be Missed if you Never Go Away, Send My Love to the Dancefloor I'll See you in Hell, Kiss My Sass
12: Arctic Monkeys
One of the most popular bands in the UK, but not so much here in the United States. Might have come across a bit gimmicky at first, and without much staying power, but they've established themselves as a quality band with a good follow-up and a much anticipated third album coming out later this summer. Fun band.
If you like this song, find: I Bet You Look Good on the DanceFloor, Bigger Boys and Stolen Sweethearts, Leave Before the Lights Come on, Mardy Bum, A Certain Romance
13. The Fratellis Another band that's much bigger in the UK, but got a little traction here in the states with their song "Flathead" appearing on an iTunes commercial spot. Mostly a good singles band with a lot of crap on their albums, there are usually a few gems. Very danceable, fun, peppy. If you're looking for really in-depth music with chord progression and things of that nature, you're looking in the wrong place. But it's so fun.
If you like this song, find: Flathead, Henrietta, Whistle for the Choir, Chelsea Dagger, Stacie Anne, Shameless, Look Out Sunshine!
14: The New Pornographers
Indie royalty - Canadian indie supergroup. Nearly all the members have other famous projects, including Neko Case, A.C. Newman having solo careers and Dan Behar having Destroyer. They are at their best when they are together, though and have been making solid music for over a decade now. Their 2004 album, Twin Cinema, is really the masterpiece, though. Hopefully due for a new album relatively soon. Got to see them in concert last year and it really was an awesome show. Over a decade of hits for them to run though. You've probably heard a lot of their music on random commercials, such as for the University of Phoenix... that one still bothers me.
If you like this song, find: Mass Romantic, Twin Cinema, Slow Descent into Alcoholism, A Testament to Youth in Verse, Use It, Myriad Harbour, My Rights Versus Yours
15: Manchester Orchestra
Came upon this band quite randomly... I was going to see the band fun. in concert and they were opening for a band I have never heard of, called Manchester Orchestra. I looked up their stuff and I liked it... it was soft, quiet, thoughtful and powerful at times. Imagine my surprise when they took the stage and it was a rocking, hard affair with a massive moshpit and people being carried out of there with bloody faces. Anyway, the songs are good either way but there was a lot of energy in the live show. I heard one of their songs on rock radio the other day so I think they might be making a name for themself pretty soon. And obviously this video clip is from David Letterman so I'm not exactly picking out a bunch of nobodies.
If you like this song, find: Golden Ticket, I Can Feel A Hot One, I've Got Friends, Shake it Out, In My Teeth
16: The Hold Steady
Singer Craig Finn's voice takes some getting used to, but this is a fun, fun sing-along band that is adored (maybe too much ) by the Stereogum/Pitchfork crowd. But they have some really good songs... good melodies. If you can get past the voice, you'll love them. I put a slow one up as the embedded clip, because it's my favorite song (crazy guitar solo!) but their fast songs are probably their bread and butter.
If you like this song, find: First Night, Stuck Between Stations, Stay Positive, Constructive Summer, Sequestered In Memphis, Massive Nights
17: Stellastarr*
If I had included Stellastarr* in part one, which was possible because I'm doing this kinda randomly, then I would have missed writing about their third album, which just came out in the past few weeks. I first heard of this band in college, so in 2004. I only really liked one song from their first album, but I really loved the song. Luckily, when their second album came out, it was a big step up from the first. It was full of great songs. The third album is no different. This is a pretty typical Brooklyn band aping on that new wave/indie sound from the 80s, but I have a pretty big soft spot for them. The embedded clip was on an episode of Gossip Girl, if you happen to watch that show (and we're back to footjobs again - as an aside, WHO THE HELL wants a footjob?)
If you like this song, find: Prom Zombie, Freak Out, Sonja Cries, Lost in Time, Somewhere Across Forever, Love and Longing, Sweet Troubled Soul, Damn this Foolish Heart
18: Stars
I have a bit of a softspot for bands/groups with both a male and female vocalist, such as Stellstarr* above...Stars is another one of those groups. The song "Your Ex-Lover is Dead" is one of the best songs I've ever heard in my life, just because it's so well crafted. They have some really fun songs, too. I didn't care for their last album, so much, but that doesn't take away from the two great ones before that. Just listen to the lyrics in this clip.
If you like this song, find: Elevator Love Letter, Calendar Girl, Take Me to the Riot, The First Five Times
19: Los Campesinos!
This is the kind of self referential, crazy, all over the place music that I really enjoy. Really peppy and upbeat, with crazy videos, voices coming from all over the place and lyrics that really personify this current livejournal/facebook culture that we live in now where everything everyone does is the MOST IMPORTANT THING EVER. I really love this band.
If you like this song, find: Death to Los Campesinos!, Ways to Make it Through the Wall, Don't Tell Me to Do the Math(s), Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks, You! Me! Dancing!
20: Say Anything
A little over the top in terms of lyrical content and "pushing the envelope" but they have some really good songs. Catchy songs. There are parts where the lyrics are so good that you have to really check that they said that. They reached a little too high making their last CD a double album, it had some garbage on it, but their album ...is a Real Boy, is really outstanding.
If you like this song, find: Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too, Belt, Woe, The Futile, Baby Girl I'm A Blur, Have At Thee!, Spores
I'll be back with part three in the very near future. Hopefully you can get some new music out of this!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Two Down
I've written so much about my fitness/exercise plan that it's easy to forget that I have two crazy goals going on right now!
I've also paid down $10,000 in credit card debt since October.
Bank of America now gets no profit off me.
Two down, two to go. Still on track for being debt free in December, I think. :)
I've also paid down $10,000 in credit card debt since October.
Bank of America now gets no profit off me.
Two down, two to go. Still on track for being debt free in December, I think. :)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Are You Mike Walsh's Soulmate?: An Interactive Quiz Game
Good morning ladies, I know what you've been thinking. Am I quality enough for Mike Walsh to want to get all up ons? Will he consider me a treasure or just the frumpy mess that I am? Luckily, we have devised a handy quiz to let you know where you stand.
This quiz is not designed to be 100% perfect in relation to all your Mike Walsh compatibility needs - you can only ultimately score so high if you resemble Mimi from Drew Carey. However a strong showing here can get your foot in the door, and that might be good enough.
Question 1: What do you think of Nickelback?
(A) I hate surprises and think they are the worst thing in the entire world. Yes, Nickelback is absolutely my favorite band.
(B) Ehhh, I can take it or leave it.
(C) Every time a Nickelback song comes on the radio (and it can be any station), I want to find the nearest blunt object and ram it directly into a major artery.
(D) Gosh all their songs sound exactly the same. I find myself nodding along sometimes, even though it makes me very ashamed of myself.
Question 2: You're out in public and a man in jean shorts (jorts!) starts hitting on you. How does it play out?
(A) I will give him a chance, if he's cute. I mean, it's only a poor fashion decision. Who needs guys who know what's fashionable and what's not?
(B) I will be on guard and shield my abdomen from the inevitable Stone Cold Stunner that he is no doubt about to deliver to me
(C) It depends on the guy, but I might talk to him. Of course, If I end up liking him I will tease him about his jorts constantly until I can properly shame him into dressing the way I want him to.
(D) I will tell him that I'm a lesbian or ask him what aisle in K-Mart he shops in.
Question 3: If things go bad between you and Mike, what are the chances you will block him on Facebook?
(A) It depends, does the cocky motherfucker deserve it?
(B) Probably pretty low, Facebook isn't very important to me, and besides, what am I 12?
(C) I will absolutely block him, whether or not my decision is rational, appropriate, or justified.
(D) Mike Walsh and I will be getting married on July 14, 2012 so this question does not apply to me.
Question 4: What do you think about dogs?
(A) Oh my god, they are the cutest things! One day I will get a little thing and carry it around in a bag! I will take him everywhere!
(B) I hate dogs. Cats don't sell out for your affection. Dogs are needy and useless and so are the people who have them.
(C) I like dogs fine, but I prefer dogs that just hang around and don't have much of a personality. I think a perfect dog is one that naps a lot, stares at me blankly, and doesn't give me any love.
(D) I love dogs! It's great to take dogs hiking, play with them, have them lay on your lap. The happier and more playful my dog is, the better!
Question 5: My idea of a perfect date on a Friday night is:
(A) OuT cLuBBin' wit' Mike annnd MAH GURLS. Da drunker da better, aM I rite ladies?! MUAH.
(B) I quite enjoy sitting home and watching the Discovery channel for hours. Every Friday. And hang on a sec, "I'm 800 pounds and I'm in Love" is on again.
(C) A healthy mix of everything - out/in, something low key, a festival, a bar, out to eat. I like to do a lot of different things.
(D) Sitting in my car for hours, usually outside my ex-boyfriend's house. I know that bitch has to come out sooner or later and I think tonight I might actually cut her face.
Scoring:
1. If you answered (A); give yourself 0 points. If you answered (B); give yourself 8 points, this is a perfectly rational answer. If you answered (C); give yourself 2 points; if you hate such a harmless band with so much passion, what makes Mike think you won't stab him in the throat while he's sleeping. If you answered (D); give yourself 10 points, you and Mike are on the same page!
2. If you answered (A); give yourself 2 points. This is potentially a prudent decision, but Mike appreciates girls who recognize jorts for what they are... hilarious. If you answered (B); give yourself 10 points, not only do you earn a small amount of points for recognizing a former WWE superstar, you earn bonus points for protecting your neck! If you answered (C); give yourself 8 points; it's good that you will give the poor guy a chance. Maybe you can teach him how to dress. If you answered (D); give yourself 0 points, it might be a wise choice to summarily dismiss a bum in jorts but it's also not good to be so mean to him!
3. If you answered (A); give yourself 10 points. This is the correct answer. In a small amount of occasions, you might never want to see Mike Walsh or hear from him again. You have no way of knowing that ahead of time. If you answered (B); give yourself 5 points, this is a mature answer. If you answered (C); give yourself 8 points; this is not a choice that Mike approves of, but science has shown (scribble calculations on the back of a napkin = science: back the fuck up) that 85% of all women Mike has seen naked have blocked him on Facebook at one point in time. You're on the same page as most women Mike is interested in! If you answered (D); give yourself 2 points, the effort is appreciated but you're a little too gung-ho! Scale it back a bit!
4. If you answered (A); give yourself 2 points. Little dogs are the devil and they only want to fight everyone all the time. A dog is not an accessory or something you take when you want it to match your outfit. If you answered (B); give yourself 0 points, and stop taking the quiz immediately. If you answered (C); give yourself 5 points; At least you like dogs, but if your taste in dogs makes you look like an uncaring ice queen/robot, what does that say about the rest of your personality! If you answered (D); give yourself 10 points, a doggie play date is an excellent first date!
5. If you answered (A); give yourself 0 points. If you're under 21, then you can get a small pass on this one, but no. Grammar and spelling are important. If you anwered (B); give yourself 2 points, nerdy but not that nerdy. If you answered (C); give yourself 10 points; Congratulations - you're a functional and normal human being! If you answered (D); give yourself 0 points, but don't fret! You'll show that skank what's for one of these days. Don't give up on your dreams.
It's a very short quiz but our crack team of researchers has shown the results to be scarily accurate!
See how you did!
If you scored between 0-20 points: You don't have a chance with Mike. In fact, he probably hates you. But don't worry, champ. There are plenty of other fish in the sea with a higher tolerance for stupidity.
If you scored between 20-30 points: You're getting there - you show some promise. It might be wise to start listening to danceable indie music and brush up on your sense of humor. Don't give up!
If you scored between 30-40 points: Hey, how are you doing? You're pretty cool. Are you hot? If no - see 0-20 points. If yes, see 40-50 points.
If you scored between 40-50 points: You have earned the honor, nay the privilege, of catching the eye of the handsome gentleman himself. Your life is sure to be filled with pure mirth and joy from now until the end of your days, which will be many years from now after a long and happy life, or somewhat quickly after he rejects you and you spiral into drugs and reckless behavior. Congrats!!
(For humor purposes only OF COURSE, but I've been surprised by stupidity before.)
This quiz is not designed to be 100% perfect in relation to all your Mike Walsh compatibility needs - you can only ultimately score so high if you resemble Mimi from Drew Carey. However a strong showing here can get your foot in the door, and that might be good enough.
Question 1: What do you think of Nickelback?
(A) I hate surprises and think they are the worst thing in the entire world. Yes, Nickelback is absolutely my favorite band.
(B) Ehhh, I can take it or leave it.
(C) Every time a Nickelback song comes on the radio (and it can be any station), I want to find the nearest blunt object and ram it directly into a major artery.
(D) Gosh all their songs sound exactly the same. I find myself nodding along sometimes, even though it makes me very ashamed of myself.
Question 2: You're out in public and a man in jean shorts (jorts!) starts hitting on you. How does it play out?
(A) I will give him a chance, if he's cute. I mean, it's only a poor fashion decision. Who needs guys who know what's fashionable and what's not?
(B) I will be on guard and shield my abdomen from the inevitable Stone Cold Stunner that he is no doubt about to deliver to me
(C) It depends on the guy, but I might talk to him. Of course, If I end up liking him I will tease him about his jorts constantly until I can properly shame him into dressing the way I want him to.
(D) I will tell him that I'm a lesbian or ask him what aisle in K-Mart he shops in.
Question 3: If things go bad between you and Mike, what are the chances you will block him on Facebook?
(A) It depends, does the cocky motherfucker deserve it?
(B) Probably pretty low, Facebook isn't very important to me, and besides, what am I 12?
(C) I will absolutely block him, whether or not my decision is rational, appropriate, or justified.
(D) Mike Walsh and I will be getting married on July 14, 2012 so this question does not apply to me.
Question 4: What do you think about dogs?
(A) Oh my god, they are the cutest things! One day I will get a little thing and carry it around in a bag! I will take him everywhere!
(B) I hate dogs. Cats don't sell out for your affection. Dogs are needy and useless and so are the people who have them.
(C) I like dogs fine, but I prefer dogs that just hang around and don't have much of a personality. I think a perfect dog is one that naps a lot, stares at me blankly, and doesn't give me any love.
(D) I love dogs! It's great to take dogs hiking, play with them, have them lay on your lap. The happier and more playful my dog is, the better!
Question 5: My idea of a perfect date on a Friday night is:
(A) OuT cLuBBin' wit' Mike annnd MAH GURLS. Da drunker da better, aM I rite ladies?! MUAH.
(B) I quite enjoy sitting home and watching the Discovery channel for hours. Every Friday. And hang on a sec, "I'm 800 pounds and I'm in Love" is on again.
(C) A healthy mix of everything - out/in, something low key, a festival, a bar, out to eat. I like to do a lot of different things.
(D) Sitting in my car for hours, usually outside my ex-boyfriend's house. I know that bitch has to come out sooner or later and I think tonight I might actually cut her face.
Scoring:
1. If you answered (A); give yourself 0 points. If you answered (B); give yourself 8 points, this is a perfectly rational answer. If you answered (C); give yourself 2 points; if you hate such a harmless band with so much passion, what makes Mike think you won't stab him in the throat while he's sleeping. If you answered (D); give yourself 10 points, you and Mike are on the same page!
2. If you answered (A); give yourself 2 points. This is potentially a prudent decision, but Mike appreciates girls who recognize jorts for what they are... hilarious. If you answered (B); give yourself 10 points, not only do you earn a small amount of points for recognizing a former WWE superstar, you earn bonus points for protecting your neck! If you answered (C); give yourself 8 points; it's good that you will give the poor guy a chance. Maybe you can teach him how to dress. If you answered (D); give yourself 0 points, it might be a wise choice to summarily dismiss a bum in jorts but it's also not good to be so mean to him!
3. If you answered (A); give yourself 10 points. This is the correct answer. In a small amount of occasions, you might never want to see Mike Walsh or hear from him again. You have no way of knowing that ahead of time. If you answered (B); give yourself 5 points, this is a mature answer. If you answered (C); give yourself 8 points; this is not a choice that Mike approves of, but science has shown (scribble calculations on the back of a napkin = science: back the fuck up) that 85% of all women Mike has seen naked have blocked him on Facebook at one point in time. You're on the same page as most women Mike is interested in! If you answered (D); give yourself 2 points, the effort is appreciated but you're a little too gung-ho! Scale it back a bit!
4. If you answered (A); give yourself 2 points. Little dogs are the devil and they only want to fight everyone all the time. A dog is not an accessory or something you take when you want it to match your outfit. If you answered (B); give yourself 0 points, and stop taking the quiz immediately. If you answered (C); give yourself 5 points; At least you like dogs, but if your taste in dogs makes you look like an uncaring ice queen/robot, what does that say about the rest of your personality! If you answered (D); give yourself 10 points, a doggie play date is an excellent first date!
5. If you answered (A); give yourself 0 points. If you're under 21, then you can get a small pass on this one, but no. Grammar and spelling are important. If you anwered (B); give yourself 2 points, nerdy but not that nerdy. If you answered (C); give yourself 10 points; Congratulations - you're a functional and normal human being! If you answered (D); give yourself 0 points, but don't fret! You'll show that skank what's for one of these days. Don't give up on your dreams.
It's a very short quiz but our crack team of researchers has shown the results to be scarily accurate!
See how you did!
If you scored between 0-20 points: You don't have a chance with Mike. In fact, he probably hates you. But don't worry, champ. There are plenty of other fish in the sea with a higher tolerance for stupidity.
If you scored between 20-30 points: You're getting there - you show some promise. It might be wise to start listening to danceable indie music and brush up on your sense of humor. Don't give up!
If you scored between 30-40 points: Hey, how are you doing? You're pretty cool. Are you hot? If no - see 0-20 points. If yes, see 40-50 points.
If you scored between 40-50 points: You have earned the honor, nay the privilege, of catching the eye of the handsome gentleman himself. Your life is sure to be filled with pure mirth and joy from now until the end of your days, which will be many years from now after a long and happy life, or somewhat quickly after he rejects you and you spiral into drugs and reckless behavior. Congrats!!
(For humor purposes only OF COURSE, but I've been surprised by stupidity before.)
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
A brief review of every movie I've seen this summer
Let's assume that the summer movie started, as always, the first week of May. You can choose the starting point as either Wolverine or Star Trek. I saw neither. The summer movie season started off with a lot of movies that didn't completely interest me, but I've been catching up lately.
The Hangover: Brought to you by Todd Phillips, the same guy who directed both Road Trip and Old School, it was really no surprise this caught fire the way it did. There isn't much to say, really, it's just a laugh out loud over the top comedy and it deserved all the praise that it got. The show here was stolen, of course, by Zach Galfianakis. "I consider myself a one man wolfpack."
Year One: I've already written about this once before. The movie is not very good, although there are some small laughs. Arrested Development fans, like myself, might appreciate some of the humor of Michael Cera and David Cross, but really, mostly forgettable and easily avoidable. Who really needs to watch Jack Black eating shit?
Away We Go: I loved, loved, loved, loved this movie. Yes, it's about as indie as they come, chocked full of weird characters, dysfunctional families and a soundtrack that feels like it could have been the b-side to Garden State, but it's a damn good movie. John Krasinki does a great job playing a bearded, less sarcastic Jim and Maya Rudolph didn't suck. In fact, taken away from her crazy SNL characters she wasn't so bad. I can't say enough positive things about this movie. See it when it comes out on DVD, because it's probably already out of theaters. I was sitting next to an older couple and they were dying laughing at some of the funnier, dirtier parts and on my way out a girl around my age was crying her eyes out. Great film. See it.
Bruno: I was disappointed. Not as good as Borat, although at times it's nearly as outrageous. I didn't hate the movie, by any means, I was just expecting more. Some of the fake gayness is so over the top and scripted that it was more like the Ali G movie from 2002 then Borat. There were some good bits (the focus group, the MMA scene) but overall I found it to be a pretty flat movie.
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: Ok, they left out way too much of the stuff with Snape and at times turned it into a teenage romance film, but yes, this was a very good Harry Potter movie. They hit all the right notes on the very key plot points, including the horcruxes, the cave scene, and Dumbledore's death. I laughed a great deal more than I was expecting to through the movie, some very funny parts. Won Won and Lavender Brown were pretty hilarious. Much better than the total dreck that was the Order of the Phoenix film.
Skipped out on: Wolverine, Star Trek, Angels and Demons, Terminator Salvation, Land of the Lost, Transformers, Public Enemies
Ok, now to those I did see.
Up: My kind of movie. Incredibly heartwarming and touching. The talken golden retreiver, Dug, is one of the best and funniest characters in any Pixar movie, in my opinion and he delivers quote gold such as "I was hiding under your porch because I love you." Unlike most Pixar movies, there is actually some intense heartbreak in this movie and it blindsides you in the first 15 minutes before the main plot actually even starts. And to top it off, it does it with a bare minimum of dialogue. These guys know how to make a movie.
Probably slotted in around 3rd or 4th favorite Pixar movie, but since they are all fantastic films that says a lot.
5/5
The Hangover: Brought to you by Todd Phillips, the same guy who directed both Road Trip and Old School, it was really no surprise this caught fire the way it did. There isn't much to say, really, it's just a laugh out loud over the top comedy and it deserved all the praise that it got. The show here was stolen, of course, by Zach Galfianakis. "I consider myself a one man wolfpack."4/5
Year One: I've already written about this once before. The movie is not very good, although there are some small laughs. Arrested Development fans, like myself, might appreciate some of the humor of Michael Cera and David Cross, but really, mostly forgettable and easily avoidable. Who really needs to watch Jack Black eating shit?
2/5
Away We Go: I loved, loved, loved, loved this movie. Yes, it's about as indie as they come, chocked full of weird characters, dysfunctional families and a soundtrack that feels like it could have been the b-side to Garden State, but it's a damn good movie. John Krasinki does a great job playing a bearded, less sarcastic Jim and Maya Rudolph didn't suck. In fact, taken away from her crazy SNL characters she wasn't so bad. I can't say enough positive things about this movie. See it when it comes out on DVD, because it's probably already out of theaters. I was sitting next to an older couple and they were dying laughing at some of the funnier, dirtier parts and on my way out a girl around my age was crying her eyes out. Great film. See it.
5/5
Bruno: I was disappointed. Not as good as Borat, although at times it's nearly as outrageous. I didn't hate the movie, by any means, I was just expecting more. Some of the fake gayness is so over the top and scripted that it was more like the Ali G movie from 2002 then Borat. There were some good bits (the focus group, the MMA scene) but overall I found it to be a pretty flat movie.
Don't get me wrong, though. I still laughed my ass off quite a few times.
3/5
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: Ok, they left out way too much of the stuff with Snape and at times turned it into a teenage romance film, but yes, this was a very good Harry Potter movie. They hit all the right notes on the very key plot points, including the horcruxes, the cave scene, and Dumbledore's death. I laughed a great deal more than I was expecting to through the movie, some very funny parts. Won Won and Lavender Brown were pretty hilarious. Much better than the total dreck that was the Order of the Phoenix film.
4/5
Still to come: Funny People, G.I. Joe (I suppose... was my favorite toy as a kid), Inglorious Basterds
I also kind of really want to see 500 Days of Summer. I'm trying to figure out how gay that makes me on a scale of 1-10 and if I settle on anything less than a 6 I might go and see it. How can I resist Zooey Deschanel as an indie type girl in a romance type movie that focuses around indie music? Look how much I love Kat Dennings now after Nick and Norah and she's not even that hot!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The ways in which my dog is not a complete retard
Typical Jack: Hiding under a table but very pleased to do so
But my dog, like most dogs, is not smart. He does all the normal things that make dogs unintelligent. There are times I think that he has no brain. When he barks at an inanimate object or stares at a spot on the wall for hours, I wonder what is going through is mind.
But there are ways in which my dog shows that he is not a lost cause.
- Whenever Jack poops on another dog's lawn, or any place that isn't "his" for that matter, he does a little routine that consists of pooping and then proceeding to wipe his feet and kick grass all over the place. All the while, he has the biggest smile on his face. He knows what's he's doing.
- Same thing for "marking" other territory - he'll pee on another dog's tree or fence or grass and then skip away like he just fell in love - biggest smile in the world.
- My dog is only 2, but he knows routines and specific objects very well. Whenever I put on my blue/yellow Nike shoes, he goes to the couch and lays down. I only wear those shoes when I'm going to run or to the gym and he knows that I'm going somewhere and he is not. He accept this and decides to get a head start on his nap.
- My dog doesn't waste motion. He knows that eating is hard work and he might as well relax while he does it. :)
Ok - maybe my dog is a complete retard. But that's the wonderful thing about having a dog - it only makes it more endearing.
Monday, July 20, 2009
the changing of the winds
If you're reading this, chances are this isn't the first thing you've read on here. (But if it is, welcome! Please check the archives!)
So you may have noticed that I've been a little angsty (is that a word? spellchecker is telling me no) the last two months or so. It's like, every day the earth is spinning on it's axis and you know this despite the fact that you don't see it. I felt the same way about what I was doing with my exercise plan. I knew that it was working, but I couldn't really see it.
So sometime in the middle of last week I felt like a man who finally saw the earth spin. The changes are starting to be noticeable. Other people in both sober and drunk (which I actually trust more) states told me that last week was the first week they were like, "whoa, holy shit" (paraphrasing) and I actually felt the same way.
I've lost enough weight now that my back muscles have started to show, my triceps and biceps bulge when I move my arms and my gut is down to it's mini-gut stage. Oh, I'm definitely not done yet. I still have some problem areas to fix and my goal is not to look "ok" or "good", but "great" or maybe even "holy shit did you see that guy?"
But now the angst is gone, because I have nothing to be upset about. The tree of my labor is starting to bare fruit and that makes me very excited. Excited enough that there is nothing else to worry about or feel conflicted about.
I guess maybe I should be conflicted about the fact that it took me so many years to get my act together, but that's not a worry for now.
Last week, I ran 34.11 miles, topped off by a 7.55 mile run last night. I ran all 7 days, and I feel like I've successfully integrated the 4.2 mile morning run into my routine. It doesn't even feel like, "oh crap I have to run tomorrow" anymore... it's just something I do when I wake up. Now that I have it as a habit, it's going to last until it's too cold to run in the morning anymore... so hopefully deep into October. If I lived in a warm weather climate, like I wanted to, I could run all year round, but here I am in Syracuse and you do the best with what you've got.
I also started back lifting - I only made it 3/4 times to the gym that I wanted to. I didn't make it for biceps and abs, my least favorite workout, because I went to a barbecue instead. I don't regret my decision - I had a lot of fun and played the kind of drinking games I haven't played since college, pretty much. It was worth a miss. So I only made it for 10/11 of my workouts. I want to consider this a failure, almost, but I still worked out 10 times last week so I'll let it slide.
Starting back lifting after a long absence is pretty much the worst thing in the world. You go in to it knowing that that you're going to do a terrible job in comparison to what you did when you were active. So you tell yourself, ok, I'll start with a light weight (like 75% of what you used to do) and go for 12. So you pick it up and you start lifting and right away, you think to yourself, "uh oh, this isn't going well." So you say, ok, I'll get 8. After you do 5 reps, you're already talking yourself into 6 reps being acceptable and you settle for 6. So in effect you're like 100% weaker then you were the last time you lifted.
If you want to lift weights, you really have to mean it. Because at first you are weak and pathetic and your muscles hurt so bad that it's not very fun. But luckily, it gets much easier, much faster. So I didn't care about weights. I just made sure that I got in all the reps that I wanted to get in to get my muscles out of hibernation and decrease muscle fatigue. It's only a matter of time before I'm back to where I was.
Weight Loss: -2.4 pounds
Weight: 204.4
I was down to 203.0 on Saturday before said barbecue, but I'll take the extra hit for how much fun I had.
I'd have to say that I'm within 10 days of the magic sub-200 and the excitement might kill me.
Things are starting to look up. Way, way up.
So you may have noticed that I've been a little angsty (is that a word? spellchecker is telling me no) the last two months or so. It's like, every day the earth is spinning on it's axis and you know this despite the fact that you don't see it. I felt the same way about what I was doing with my exercise plan. I knew that it was working, but I couldn't really see it.
So sometime in the middle of last week I felt like a man who finally saw the earth spin. The changes are starting to be noticeable. Other people in both sober and drunk (which I actually trust more) states told me that last week was the first week they were like, "whoa, holy shit" (paraphrasing) and I actually felt the same way.
I've lost enough weight now that my back muscles have started to show, my triceps and biceps bulge when I move my arms and my gut is down to it's mini-gut stage. Oh, I'm definitely not done yet. I still have some problem areas to fix and my goal is not to look "ok" or "good", but "great" or maybe even "holy shit did you see that guy?"
But now the angst is gone, because I have nothing to be upset about. The tree of my labor is starting to bare fruit and that makes me very excited. Excited enough that there is nothing else to worry about or feel conflicted about.
I guess maybe I should be conflicted about the fact that it took me so many years to get my act together, but that's not a worry for now.
Last week, I ran 34.11 miles, topped off by a 7.55 mile run last night. I ran all 7 days, and I feel like I've successfully integrated the 4.2 mile morning run into my routine. It doesn't even feel like, "oh crap I have to run tomorrow" anymore... it's just something I do when I wake up. Now that I have it as a habit, it's going to last until it's too cold to run in the morning anymore... so hopefully deep into October. If I lived in a warm weather climate, like I wanted to, I could run all year round, but here I am in Syracuse and you do the best with what you've got.
I also started back lifting - I only made it 3/4 times to the gym that I wanted to. I didn't make it for biceps and abs, my least favorite workout, because I went to a barbecue instead. I don't regret my decision - I had a lot of fun and played the kind of drinking games I haven't played since college, pretty much. It was worth a miss. So I only made it for 10/11 of my workouts. I want to consider this a failure, almost, but I still worked out 10 times last week so I'll let it slide.
Starting back lifting after a long absence is pretty much the worst thing in the world. You go in to it knowing that that you're going to do a terrible job in comparison to what you did when you were active. So you tell yourself, ok, I'll start with a light weight (like 75% of what you used to do) and go for 12. So you pick it up and you start lifting and right away, you think to yourself, "uh oh, this isn't going well." So you say, ok, I'll get 8. After you do 5 reps, you're already talking yourself into 6 reps being acceptable and you settle for 6. So in effect you're like 100% weaker then you were the last time you lifted.
If you want to lift weights, you really have to mean it. Because at first you are weak and pathetic and your muscles hurt so bad that it's not very fun. But luckily, it gets much easier, much faster. So I didn't care about weights. I just made sure that I got in all the reps that I wanted to get in to get my muscles out of hibernation and decrease muscle fatigue. It's only a matter of time before I'm back to where I was.
Weight Loss: -2.4 pounds
Weight: 204.4
I was down to 203.0 on Saturday before said barbecue, but I'll take the extra hit for how much fun I had.
I'd have to say that I'm within 10 days of the magic sub-200 and the excitement might kill me.
Things are starting to look up. Way, way up.
Friday, July 17, 2009
My ego needs to be bigger
Not in the traditional sense. In the Freudian sense.
The ego acts in accordance with the reality principle and seeks to please the drives of the id by thinking with long term goals in mind. The id, on the other hand, wants what it wants and it wants it now.
I've really been struggling with this issue for the past month or so. I really want to just cut loose, say fuck it to my goals, find some barely passable girl (like a 7 tops), and just not worry about anything.
The slight problem with this is that, well, it's the most retarded thing in the world.
Luckily, my ego is big enough to stuff the id back in the jar and tell it ever so gently that it's not allowed to come out and play now.
The unfortunate aspect of the whole scenario is that my ego is only strong enough to hold the id in the jar 85-90% of the time. The id has a sneaky way about it. It's able to poke it's head of the jar when no one else is looking. It's like a red spiky haired hedgehog on crystal meth. You're not stopping that motherfucker when it wants to say hello. It could probably lift up an entire bus to pick a quarter up off the ground (yes, I stole that from Red Balls on the Chapelle Show and screw you for having as good of a memory as I do for realizing that).
The real sheriff in this enterprise that keeps both the ego and the id in check is the super-ego, as all you closest psychoanalysts already know. The super-ego strives for "perfection"... that sounds a bit like someone I know quite well.
The super-ego is also said to punish misbehavior with feelings of guilt.
Hypothetically, say someone let themself get really out of shape over a period of years through a combination of laziness and apathy. The super-ego would, at some pre-determined point, step in and make that person feel guilty. That person would then most likely cut off all contact with the outside world and not allow themself to have any fun whatsoever... to punish themself.
The id doesn't really want to co-operate with either of its oppressors. It's silently plotting inside the jar all day long. Waiting. Watching. Just looking for the opportunity to declare a jihad against the tyranny and the bullshit.
It sends out warning signals like flares. They aren't dangerous in and of themselves, but they let you know that it's there. Planning. Waiting. Letting you know that the minute you drop your guard down you're going to make a mistake. A glorious, short-term pleasure providing mistake.
The integrity of the jar is still intact. There have been cracks now and then, but the fantastic thing about the ego and super-ego is that they carry around superglue to fix the jar in case of emergency. And every day they get stronger...I believe they lift weights together and spot each other on their squat thrusts. They don't really feed the id the proper amount of nutrients on a daily basis, so he's getting weaker. Quieter.
But still dangerous, nonetheless.
I know that sounds like crazy psych talk and stuff that could never really happen in real life, but hey, I read it on wikipedia, so it must be true.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and edit Sarah Palin's wikipedia page to bring the light the fact that she was illegitimately conceived by an affair between her mother and a rabid wolverine. Good day to you.
The ego acts in accordance with the reality principle and seeks to please the drives of the id by thinking with long term goals in mind. The id, on the other hand, wants what it wants and it wants it now.
I've really been struggling with this issue for the past month or so. I really want to just cut loose, say fuck it to my goals, find some barely passable girl (like a 7 tops), and just not worry about anything.
The slight problem with this is that, well, it's the most retarded thing in the world.
Luckily, my ego is big enough to stuff the id back in the jar and tell it ever so gently that it's not allowed to come out and play now.
The unfortunate aspect of the whole scenario is that my ego is only strong enough to hold the id in the jar 85-90% of the time. The id has a sneaky way about it. It's able to poke it's head of the jar when no one else is looking. It's like a red spiky haired hedgehog on crystal meth. You're not stopping that motherfucker when it wants to say hello. It could probably lift up an entire bus to pick a quarter up off the ground (yes, I stole that from Red Balls on the Chapelle Show and screw you for having as good of a memory as I do for realizing that).
The real sheriff in this enterprise that keeps both the ego and the id in check is the super-ego, as all you closest psychoanalysts already know. The super-ego strives for "perfection"... that sounds a bit like someone I know quite well.
The super-ego is also said to punish misbehavior with feelings of guilt.
Hypothetically, say someone let themself get really out of shape over a period of years through a combination of laziness and apathy. The super-ego would, at some pre-determined point, step in and make that person feel guilty. That person would then most likely cut off all contact with the outside world and not allow themself to have any fun whatsoever... to punish themself.
The id doesn't really want to co-operate with either of its oppressors. It's silently plotting inside the jar all day long. Waiting. Watching. Just looking for the opportunity to declare a jihad against the tyranny and the bullshit.
It sends out warning signals like flares. They aren't dangerous in and of themselves, but they let you know that it's there. Planning. Waiting. Letting you know that the minute you drop your guard down you're going to make a mistake. A glorious, short-term pleasure providing mistake.
The integrity of the jar is still intact. There have been cracks now and then, but the fantastic thing about the ego and super-ego is that they carry around superglue to fix the jar in case of emergency. And every day they get stronger...I believe they lift weights together and spot each other on their squat thrusts. They don't really feed the id the proper amount of nutrients on a daily basis, so he's getting weaker. Quieter.
But still dangerous, nonetheless.
I know that sounds like crazy psych talk and stuff that could never really happen in real life, but hey, I read it on wikipedia, so it must be true.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and edit Sarah Palin's wikipedia page to bring the light the fact that she was illegitimately conceived by an affair between her mother and a rabid wolverine. Good day to you.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
35 new artists if you only listen to Top 40 Radio: Part 1
Here is something I thought I would try. I listen to a lot, A LOT, of music. A lot of it is mainstream and well known, including some of my favorite artists, but I listen to a whole ton of stuff that an entire subculture of people knows very well but the average person on the street has never heard. Some of the bands you may have heard of, some you may have heard one or two songs, but most of what I'm going to present here is 35 bands/artists that you may have never heard before that I really enjoy and think that maybe you might too.
The only rule here is that only one song per artist. I'll do this in three parts, because it will probably take awhile and it will give me something to write about on my blog for a bit.
1: The Arcade Fire The Arcade Fire are borderline legendary status in the world of indie rock, but I think out of all my friends only one person probably knows who they are, and I'm not sure if he can name any of their songs. To the best of my knowledge, they have never been on Top 40 radio or even rock radio. Their songs are out there in the public if you know where to look, though. You may have also heard about them when they went on a pretty major promotional concert series during Barack Obama's march to the White House (but they're Canadian!)
If you like this song, find: Neighborhood #1, Wake Up, No Cars Go, Intervention
2: The Walkmen
The Walkmen have been around for many, many years. In my opinion, the band isn't for everyone. I myself only thought they were good for one or two songs per album, until they put out their last album, You & Me. The album is pretty much perfect winter music (out of season for this post - I know) and is chock full of slow, wonderful, charming songs.
If you like this song, find: Canadian Girl, The Rat, We've Been Had, New Year's Eve
3. Black Kids Oh man, proper music snobs hate HATE HATE Black Kids. They were a quintessential "blog" band that had all the hype of the internets behind them before they even released an album. As such, the backlash got so out of control that people were crapping all over them before they even had a chance. A lot of people were let down by the album, but the single got the hype for a reason. It's just such a playful innocent song that makes me think of happy things.
If you like this song, find: I've Underestimated My Charm (Again), Listen to Your Body Tonight, Hurricane Jane
4: Bishop Allen
Ok, I have to admit that I only really love this one song from the band, but they definitely fit the definition of what I'm going for here. You may have seen one of their songs briefly in the movie Nick and Norah's Inifite Playlist.
Couldn't find a studio version!
5: The Ting Tings
Only have one album, but definitely one of my favorites out there right now. The entire album is packed with fun, danceable numbers with a lot of beat and a lot of fun. I can't recommend this "band" highly enough.
If you like this song, find: Great DJ, That's Not My Name, Keep Your Head
6: Alphabeat
In the same vein as the last artist, who doesn't love crazy euro-pop? Ok, maybe a lot of people but Alphabeat are crazy infectious. It's the kind of stuff you might feel guilty about but find yourself nodding your head to later on. This band was a bit of a blog favorite last year (depending on the blog, naturally) and fits right in with my taste.
If you like this song, find: What is Happening?, Public Image, Boyfriend, Fantastic 6
7: The Cribs
I saw these guys open for Franz Ferdinand in 2006 before they were anything and I was very impressed. They've "blown up" a bit since, in the sense that any non-mainstream artist can blow up. Crazy british indie guitar rock with a little bit of swagger and just enough pop thrown in to catch some mass appeal. They have a new album coming out soon with guitar legend Johnny Marr (The Smiths and later in Modest Mouse for a bit)... so now would be a good time to check them out.
If you like this song, find: Hey Scenesters!, Mirror Kissers, Moving Pictures, Men's Needs
8: Phoenix
Ok, Phoenix you might know. They got the rare and coveted "3 song" treatment on Saturday Night Live last season. I have loved Phoenix since I was in college, so there's some staying power there... that's 5 years running. They were always a band with a few good singles on mostly forgettable albums, but that all changed on their last one out...Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, which was chocked front to back with pure gems. They are pretty close to breaking out now, if they haven't already, so check it out.
If you like this song, find: Too Young, Lasso, 1901, Everything is Everything, Consolation Prizes
9: The Format
Ok, if you fucking know me at all then you know for a fact that I love The Format more then I can demonstrate in words. They were hitting it back right before they broke up, so sad. Luckily, lead singer and awesome front man Nate Reuss has a new terrific band, fun., whose first CD drops in August. I had a chance to see fun. in May and they were very very good. But The Format is tops, probably in my top 3 favorite bands of all time (with Bloc Party and The Killers - I obviously favor a certain type of music)
If you like this song, find: The First Single, Tune Out, Let's Make this Moment a Crime, Dog Problems, Oceans, Janet, Snails, Tie the Rope, Sore Thumb, really ANYTHING by them
10: Okkervil River
Again, this is another band that's pretty famous in "indie-land", but not at all to an average person. They've had three great albums in a row, put on a killer live show (I saw them in 2008 with The New Pornographers) and definitely have everything necessary to break out and be a popular band.
If you like this song, find: Lost Coastlines, Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe, Calling and Not Calling My Ex, Blue Tulip
I'll be back with more in a few days or next week, maybe. If you're getting sick of what's around now, hopefully you can find some new music.
The only rule here is that only one song per artist. I'll do this in three parts, because it will probably take awhile and it will give me something to write about on my blog for a bit.
1: The Arcade Fire The Arcade Fire are borderline legendary status in the world of indie rock, but I think out of all my friends only one person probably knows who they are, and I'm not sure if he can name any of their songs. To the best of my knowledge, they have never been on Top 40 radio or even rock radio. Their songs are out there in the public if you know where to look, though. You may have also heard about them when they went on a pretty major promotional concert series during Barack Obama's march to the White House (but they're Canadian!)
If you like this song, find: Neighborhood #1, Wake Up, No Cars Go, Intervention
2: The Walkmen
The Walkmen have been around for many, many years. In my opinion, the band isn't for everyone. I myself only thought they were good for one or two songs per album, until they put out their last album, You & Me. The album is pretty much perfect winter music (out of season for this post - I know) and is chock full of slow, wonderful, charming songs.
If you like this song, find: Canadian Girl, The Rat, We've Been Had, New Year's Eve
3. Black Kids Oh man, proper music snobs hate HATE HATE Black Kids. They were a quintessential "blog" band that had all the hype of the internets behind them before they even released an album. As such, the backlash got so out of control that people were crapping all over them before they even had a chance. A lot of people were let down by the album, but the single got the hype for a reason. It's just such a playful innocent song that makes me think of happy things.
If you like this song, find: I've Underestimated My Charm (Again), Listen to Your Body Tonight, Hurricane Jane
4: Bishop Allen
Ok, I have to admit that I only really love this one song from the band, but they definitely fit the definition of what I'm going for here. You may have seen one of their songs briefly in the movie Nick and Norah's Inifite Playlist.
Couldn't find a studio version!
5: The Ting Tings
Only have one album, but definitely one of my favorites out there right now. The entire album is packed with fun, danceable numbers with a lot of beat and a lot of fun. I can't recommend this "band" highly enough.
If you like this song, find: Great DJ, That's Not My Name, Keep Your Head
6: Alphabeat
In the same vein as the last artist, who doesn't love crazy euro-pop? Ok, maybe a lot of people but Alphabeat are crazy infectious. It's the kind of stuff you might feel guilty about but find yourself nodding your head to later on. This band was a bit of a blog favorite last year (depending on the blog, naturally) and fits right in with my taste.
If you like this song, find: What is Happening?, Public Image, Boyfriend, Fantastic 6
7: The Cribs
I saw these guys open for Franz Ferdinand in 2006 before they were anything and I was very impressed. They've "blown up" a bit since, in the sense that any non-mainstream artist can blow up. Crazy british indie guitar rock with a little bit of swagger and just enough pop thrown in to catch some mass appeal. They have a new album coming out soon with guitar legend Johnny Marr (The Smiths and later in Modest Mouse for a bit)... so now would be a good time to check them out.
If you like this song, find: Hey Scenesters!, Mirror Kissers, Moving Pictures, Men's Needs
8: Phoenix
Ok, Phoenix you might know. They got the rare and coveted "3 song" treatment on Saturday Night Live last season. I have loved Phoenix since I was in college, so there's some staying power there... that's 5 years running. They were always a band with a few good singles on mostly forgettable albums, but that all changed on their last one out...Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, which was chocked front to back with pure gems. They are pretty close to breaking out now, if they haven't already, so check it out.
If you like this song, find: Too Young, Lasso, 1901, Everything is Everything, Consolation Prizes
9: The Format
Ok, if you fucking know me at all then you know for a fact that I love The Format more then I can demonstrate in words. They were hitting it back right before they broke up, so sad. Luckily, lead singer and awesome front man Nate Reuss has a new terrific band, fun., whose first CD drops in August. I had a chance to see fun. in May and they were very very good. But The Format is tops, probably in my top 3 favorite bands of all time (with Bloc Party and The Killers - I obviously favor a certain type of music)
If you like this song, find: The First Single, Tune Out, Let's Make this Moment a Crime, Dog Problems, Oceans, Janet, Snails, Tie the Rope, Sore Thumb, really ANYTHING by them
10: Okkervil River
Again, this is another band that's pretty famous in "indie-land", but not at all to an average person. They've had three great albums in a row, put on a killer live show (I saw them in 2008 with The New Pornographers) and definitely have everything necessary to break out and be a popular band.
If you like this song, find: Lost Coastlines, Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe, Calling and Not Calling My Ex, Blue Tulip
I'll be back with more in a few days or next week, maybe. If you're getting sick of what's around now, hopefully you can find some new music.
A certain confidence (or lack thereof)
I have an idea for some things to write about... there really isn't enough hours in my days anymore, though.
I wake up around 6 to run, go to work, come home and take J-Money for his walk, cook dinner, go the gym, and by the time I'm home, showered, and settled, it's about 9 PM. I try to get to sleep by 11:30 at the absolute latest (I prefer earlier)... so I don't have a lot of free time.
On days that I don't go to the gym, I have a bit more time. I have the next two nights off so maybe I'll get started on writing the series I have in mind.
I had an idea to start a video blog thingy as well, which would mostly be played for laughs. I think I'm safe now in regards to people thinking my comedy videos are all about them and causing a major scene. The problem is:
a) making a video blog is a few hours work
b) I'm lazy and I lose confidence in how funny I am
People often tell me that I'm a funny guy but the problem I find is that there is no clear way for me to translate that to a mass medium. I could never be a stand-up comic, I don't have the confidence in the jokes I say. I try to write but eventually think everything sucks and delete it, even if it doesn't suck.
I honestly think I'm at my best just hanging around goofing on everything and anything that pops in to my mind.
This is difficult to translate into something productive, but it's something I think about.
I have all these ideas. I just wish I had the confidence to pursue them.
If I was as confident in every aspect of my life as I am when it relates to my intelligence and my performance at my job, then I would be an entirely different human being.
At work and intellectually in general, I never doubt myself. I know that I'm good at what I do and even though I might make some mistakes, I will fix them and do a fantastic job. I truly believe that I am capable of performing anything and everything that's presented to me.
I already covered how I wish I could be that confident in regards to branching out creatively, but it obviously applies to the way I feel about myself as a person. I'm not nearly as fat as I think I am, I'm not a bad looking guy at all, and some days I look pretty damn good.
But I just can't seem to get my self loathing under control sometimes.
Oddly enough, unlike most people who have the same problem, I am fully aware of what's going on and what I am doing.
A lot of my friends here at work can not understand at all how I will not allow myself to go on any dates until I get to where I want to be. And I admit, it's slightly odd. But I almost feel like I don't deserve it. It's not that I have low self esteem, because I do not. It's just that I have such high standards for everything, why can't that apply to myself?
I don't know... maybe that's just a rationalization.
I'm working on it.
This is getting long, so a brief story. My friend Bob is (in some ways only!) just like me. He's a lawyer, confident in himself, hilarious, a bit of a jerk at times, and has had some weight problems himself. We have had discussions in the past of how he or I or both of us would act if we were in phenomenal shape and had everything going for us...
He came to the conclusion that he might end up too cocky and feel like he's better than other people due to having a lot of success in a lot of different aspects of his life.
I feel the exact opposite way. I feel like a lot of the time when I am rude to people or when I say something that makes someone else feel bad it's because I'm not feeling as great about myself as I probably should. I'm the kind of guy who says or does something that I shouldn't and then immediately feel terrible about it and spend days apologizing if necessary. I think that if I was completely content with myself then a lot of the problem aspects of my personality would fade away in to the distance.
There's no denying that I have not done very many of the things that I should have over the last 5-6 years and hopefully now I can make the necessary strides to get everything under control.
And that's mainly why this needs to go to completion.
I wake up around 6 to run, go to work, come home and take J-Money for his walk, cook dinner, go the gym, and by the time I'm home, showered, and settled, it's about 9 PM. I try to get to sleep by 11:30 at the absolute latest (I prefer earlier)... so I don't have a lot of free time.
On days that I don't go to the gym, I have a bit more time. I have the next two nights off so maybe I'll get started on writing the series I have in mind.
I had an idea to start a video blog thingy as well, which would mostly be played for laughs. I think I'm safe now in regards to people thinking my comedy videos are all about them and causing a major scene. The problem is:
a) making a video blog is a few hours work
b) I'm lazy and I lose confidence in how funny I am
People often tell me that I'm a funny guy but the problem I find is that there is no clear way for me to translate that to a mass medium. I could never be a stand-up comic, I don't have the confidence in the jokes I say. I try to write but eventually think everything sucks and delete it, even if it doesn't suck.
I honestly think I'm at my best just hanging around goofing on everything and anything that pops in to my mind.
This is difficult to translate into something productive, but it's something I think about.
I have all these ideas. I just wish I had the confidence to pursue them.
If I was as confident in every aspect of my life as I am when it relates to my intelligence and my performance at my job, then I would be an entirely different human being.
At work and intellectually in general, I never doubt myself. I know that I'm good at what I do and even though I might make some mistakes, I will fix them and do a fantastic job. I truly believe that I am capable of performing anything and everything that's presented to me.
I already covered how I wish I could be that confident in regards to branching out creatively, but it obviously applies to the way I feel about myself as a person. I'm not nearly as fat as I think I am, I'm not a bad looking guy at all, and some days I look pretty damn good.
But I just can't seem to get my self loathing under control sometimes.
Oddly enough, unlike most people who have the same problem, I am fully aware of what's going on and what I am doing.
A lot of my friends here at work can not understand at all how I will not allow myself to go on any dates until I get to where I want to be. And I admit, it's slightly odd. But I almost feel like I don't deserve it. It's not that I have low self esteem, because I do not. It's just that I have such high standards for everything, why can't that apply to myself?
I don't know... maybe that's just a rationalization.
I'm working on it.
This is getting long, so a brief story. My friend Bob is (in some ways only!) just like me. He's a lawyer, confident in himself, hilarious, a bit of a jerk at times, and has had some weight problems himself. We have had discussions in the past of how he or I or both of us would act if we were in phenomenal shape and had everything going for us...
He came to the conclusion that he might end up too cocky and feel like he's better than other people due to having a lot of success in a lot of different aspects of his life.
I feel the exact opposite way. I feel like a lot of the time when I am rude to people or when I say something that makes someone else feel bad it's because I'm not feeling as great about myself as I probably should. I'm the kind of guy who says or does something that I shouldn't and then immediately feel terrible about it and spend days apologizing if necessary. I think that if I was completely content with myself then a lot of the problem aspects of my personality would fade away in to the distance.
There's no denying that I have not done very many of the things that I should have over the last 5-6 years and hopefully now I can make the necessary strides to get everything under control.
And that's mainly why this needs to go to completion.
Monday, July 13, 2009
a metaphor that is beaten to a bloody pulp
I did not lose any weight this week.
I actually took the entire weekend off from exercise completely (last week's run total: 22.2 miles), and even drank a few beers on Saturday night while watching the UFC ppv. A few beers had a major impact because:
a) I haven't had any alcohol whatsoever in over two months and probably only two or three times since January
b) I have a lot less mass to shield me from the effects of drinking
I was drinking Bud Light(aka nearly water) and pretty much passed out as soon as the show was over.
But I didn't gain any weight, either, and from now on I am Brock Lesnar...
And the rest of my body fat is Frank Mir...
I am going to treat it like the lunatic that I am until it looks like it was attacked by an entire gang of people wielding baseball bats.
In other words, it will be dominated.
I am changing things up a little bit from this point forward. I got a little involved in running and maybe burnt myself out a little bit. The miles aren't going to decrease that much... I am aiming for about 30 miles a week, up to 35 max. No 40 mile+ weeks, and if so, it will be rare. No more running twice a day. It's a great feeling to run 10-12 miles in a single day but going out for two separate long runs in a day only serves to make it boring and make me sick of it and dread it.
So, from now until the end of the summer, this is my plan:
Run my regular 4.2 mile run every morning at 6:15AM, rain or shine, Monday to Friday. Saturday a bit of a longer run in the morning, up to 6.5 miles and on Sunday anywhere from 4.2-6.5 miles depending on how I'm feeling.
The difference going forward is that I'm going to get back in the gym. For real this time. No cardio - just weights. From now on when I go to the gym I'm not even going to go upstairs and exercise. That's what the runs in the morning are for.
I have realized that this is something I needed to do for a while now, but a conversation I had with a co-worker of mine the other day really got me thinking about it. I would be a lot better off if I could work everything in together and kind of go with the total package.
I haven't lifted for strength in over a year. I got quite strong last year when I was doing it. I haven't gone to the gym without doing cardio probably since high school, so I'm going to be lifting harder than I have lifted in probably a decade.
Right now I'm thinking:
Monday: Chest/Tris
Tuesday: Shoulders
Thursday or Friday: Back
Saturday or Sunday: Biceps/Abs
I'm thinking 8 different exercises for 3 sets a piece, which would be around 24 sets a workout. Except biceps/abs. That one will be a bit less because there's only so much biceps you can do, and that much ab work takes working up to... I pulled an abdominal muscle once and it was the worst pain of my life.
This is about double what I have been "lifting" all year when I just went through the motions before I hurried up and did cardio.
I already look the best I have in many years but if I stick to this routine for a few months I will be absolutely shredded.
Maybe like this guy used to be when he was a pro wrestler:
Ok, maybe that's never going to happen...
I actually took the entire weekend off from exercise completely (last week's run total: 22.2 miles), and even drank a few beers on Saturday night while watching the UFC ppv. A few beers had a major impact because:
a) I haven't had any alcohol whatsoever in over two months and probably only two or three times since January
b) I have a lot less mass to shield me from the effects of drinking
I was drinking Bud Light(aka nearly water) and pretty much passed out as soon as the show was over.
But I didn't gain any weight, either, and from now on I am Brock Lesnar...
And the rest of my body fat is Frank Mir...
I am going to treat it like the lunatic that I am until it looks like it was attacked by an entire gang of people wielding baseball bats.
In other words, it will be dominated.
I am changing things up a little bit from this point forward. I got a little involved in running and maybe burnt myself out a little bit. The miles aren't going to decrease that much... I am aiming for about 30 miles a week, up to 35 max. No 40 mile+ weeks, and if so, it will be rare. No more running twice a day. It's a great feeling to run 10-12 miles in a single day but going out for two separate long runs in a day only serves to make it boring and make me sick of it and dread it.
So, from now until the end of the summer, this is my plan:
Run my regular 4.2 mile run every morning at 6:15AM, rain or shine, Monday to Friday. Saturday a bit of a longer run in the morning, up to 6.5 miles and on Sunday anywhere from 4.2-6.5 miles depending on how I'm feeling.
The difference going forward is that I'm going to get back in the gym. For real this time. No cardio - just weights. From now on when I go to the gym I'm not even going to go upstairs and exercise. That's what the runs in the morning are for.
I have realized that this is something I needed to do for a while now, but a conversation I had with a co-worker of mine the other day really got me thinking about it. I would be a lot better off if I could work everything in together and kind of go with the total package.
I haven't lifted for strength in over a year. I got quite strong last year when I was doing it. I haven't gone to the gym without doing cardio probably since high school, so I'm going to be lifting harder than I have lifted in probably a decade.
Right now I'm thinking:
Monday: Chest/Tris
Tuesday: Shoulders
Thursday or Friday: Back
Saturday or Sunday: Biceps/Abs
I'm thinking 8 different exercises for 3 sets a piece, which would be around 24 sets a workout. Except biceps/abs. That one will be a bit less because there's only so much biceps you can do, and that much ab work takes working up to... I pulled an abdominal muscle once and it was the worst pain of my life.
This is about double what I have been "lifting" all year when I just went through the motions before I hurried up and did cardio.
I already look the best I have in many years but if I stick to this routine for a few months I will be absolutely shredded.
Maybe like this guy used to be when he was a pro wrestler:
Ok, maybe that's never going to happen...
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Nothing to write home about
I haven't really written anything for two weeks, although I have meant to a few times.
I just don't have anything to say.
The movie Revolutionary Road was quite possibly the worst movie I've seen in the theaters in many years. If it weren't for the Jason Biggs helmed "Loser", I might say ever. There were good performances, don't get me wrong, but the movie was just there. And oh so whiny. Starting about half way through the movie I started visually cheering for Kate Winslet's character April to kill herself. I think this simultaneously cracked up my girlfriend at the time and also made her question who is this crazy person she is sitting with. When she finally does die at the end of the movie (spoiler alert!) due to a self abortion stab wound...well, I was pretty pleased about that development.
I guess the reason that I bring it up is because although the movie kinda sucked, the theme sort of stuck with me. There's this sort of restlessness that boils just beneath the surface for these characters. Everything appears to be perfect on the surface, they've moved out to the burbs, bought a wonderful house, he has a wonderful job. But it's not right. Because Leo's restless, man.
I feel really restless right now.
I have this house, and to be honest, it makes me feel trapped more than anything. I love it; don't get me wrong. I take immense satisfaction in the fact that I own the place I lay my head down in every night. The day of my closing is easily in the top 5 happiest days of my life, probably top 3 even.
But, fuck, man, now what?
If I bolt now, or within the next two years, I am taking a HUGE hit. What I was so foolish about, and I think many others as well, is exactly how much a house really costs. I had no idea about equity. I figured if I paid $20,000 in mortgage payments in two years, I'd be able to sell the house and make a small bit of money. How foolish in retrospect. I pay off a whopping $100 in principle every month, and I'm really getting nowhere to show for it.
I think that under the right circumstances that I would enjoy Syracuse very much, especially now in the summer when the winter is a distant memory that I don't have to worry about for a few more months.
I think that what it boils down to is that I'm going stir crazy from the life I have decided to live the last few months.
Dedication is apparently a double-edged sword.
I have a few things planned for this weekend, so I'm hoping that will alleviate some of the growing tension I have been feeling lately within myself.
Many people will say that a large problem with America these days is that no one has any discipline. Everything and everyone is me! me! me! and now! now! now! I agree with the sentiment, but I'm also realizing that I am falling in to that trap of wanting what I want RIGHT NOW without having to wait for it.
Except that I will. Wait that is.
Looking at my blog it's easy to think that this is driving me crazy and I'm slowly killing myself by being anti-social. That's not exactly true. I just get in a mood every now and then and at the very least it gives me something to write about.
But, hey, at least it's finally starting to feel like summer. I think I just need to relax.
I just don't have anything to say.
The movie Revolutionary Road was quite possibly the worst movie I've seen in the theaters in many years. If it weren't for the Jason Biggs helmed "Loser", I might say ever. There were good performances, don't get me wrong, but the movie was just there. And oh so whiny. Starting about half way through the movie I started visually cheering for Kate Winslet's character April to kill herself. I think this simultaneously cracked up my girlfriend at the time and also made her question who is this crazy person she is sitting with. When she finally does die at the end of the movie (spoiler alert!) due to a self abortion stab wound...well, I was pretty pleased about that development.
I guess the reason that I bring it up is because although the movie kinda sucked, the theme sort of stuck with me. There's this sort of restlessness that boils just beneath the surface for these characters. Everything appears to be perfect on the surface, they've moved out to the burbs, bought a wonderful house, he has a wonderful job. But it's not right. Because Leo's restless, man.
I feel really restless right now.
I have this house, and to be honest, it makes me feel trapped more than anything. I love it; don't get me wrong. I take immense satisfaction in the fact that I own the place I lay my head down in every night. The day of my closing is easily in the top 5 happiest days of my life, probably top 3 even.
But, fuck, man, now what?
If I bolt now, or within the next two years, I am taking a HUGE hit. What I was so foolish about, and I think many others as well, is exactly how much a house really costs. I had no idea about equity. I figured if I paid $20,000 in mortgage payments in two years, I'd be able to sell the house and make a small bit of money. How foolish in retrospect. I pay off a whopping $100 in principle every month, and I'm really getting nowhere to show for it.
I think that under the right circumstances that I would enjoy Syracuse very much, especially now in the summer when the winter is a distant memory that I don't have to worry about for a few more months.
I think that what it boils down to is that I'm going stir crazy from the life I have decided to live the last few months.
Dedication is apparently a double-edged sword.
I have a few things planned for this weekend, so I'm hoping that will alleviate some of the growing tension I have been feeling lately within myself.
Many people will say that a large problem with America these days is that no one has any discipline. Everything and everyone is me! me! me! and now! now! now! I agree with the sentiment, but I'm also realizing that I am falling in to that trap of wanting what I want RIGHT NOW without having to wait for it.
Except that I will. Wait that is.
Looking at my blog it's easy to think that this is driving me crazy and I'm slowly killing myself by being anti-social. That's not exactly true. I just get in a mood every now and then and at the very least it gives me something to write about.
But, hey, at least it's finally starting to feel like summer. I think I just need to relax.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Frustration
Happy 4th of July!
Mine was not the best. I skipped out on a trip to LA that I would have loved to have taken due to money reasons. This was smart, because I really couldn't afford it at this particular time. After that, I was left with two options; go home to PA and have a good time or stay in Syracuse and keep the diet/exercise plan working.
I chose the latter; which was smart, but made me a bit lonely. It was a tough decision, actually, because I much rather would have been social and had a good time, but I felt like I'd be cheating myself because I set a goal and I need to stick to it.
The faster I get this over with the faster I can start dating again and having a life again and the sooner the better.
So, instead of just doing it normal - I went a bit overboard. You might remember last week I was a little disappointed that rain prevented me from reaching 30 miles for the first time.
No problem this week. I ran 40.1 miles. Yesterday afternoon I was tired, as the bulk of the running came from Friday to Sunday. Mentally I had come up with every excuse why I didn't need to do one last run, and I think they were all valid. But I went out there and pushed myself.
This morning was the worst. There was only a 10% chance of rain but it was raining when I woke up this morning. I always run on Monday morning because that's the day I "weigh-in" and it's important for me to get the week off to a good start.
I wore a light sweatshirt on account of the rain. So, I start off the run and this is a good idea because the wind was blowing and it was drizzling and it was keeping me warm. But within 10 minutes the sun was out and I was roasting and sweating my ass off. No fun. Add in the fact that my legs were slowly beginning to plan their coup against me and it was the worst run I've done in months. I think I can admit that I over-did it over the last 7 days.
But I finished and weighed in.
Weight Loss: -1.8 pounds
Weight: 206.8
Not going to lie - I'm disappointed. 40 friggin' miles and I didn't even lose 2 pounds. Hence one of the reasons the title of the post is frustration.
Needless to say I'm taking a big break. That's right, approximately 36 hours off. That's a big break for me.
Mine was not the best. I skipped out on a trip to LA that I would have loved to have taken due to money reasons. This was smart, because I really couldn't afford it at this particular time. After that, I was left with two options; go home to PA and have a good time or stay in Syracuse and keep the diet/exercise plan working.
I chose the latter; which was smart, but made me a bit lonely. It was a tough decision, actually, because I much rather would have been social and had a good time, but I felt like I'd be cheating myself because I set a goal and I need to stick to it.
The faster I get this over with the faster I can start dating again and having a life again and the sooner the better.
So, instead of just doing it normal - I went a bit overboard. You might remember last week I was a little disappointed that rain prevented me from reaching 30 miles for the first time.
No problem this week. I ran 40.1 miles. Yesterday afternoon I was tired, as the bulk of the running came from Friday to Sunday. Mentally I had come up with every excuse why I didn't need to do one last run, and I think they were all valid. But I went out there and pushed myself.
This morning was the worst. There was only a 10% chance of rain but it was raining when I woke up this morning. I always run on Monday morning because that's the day I "weigh-in" and it's important for me to get the week off to a good start.
I wore a light sweatshirt on account of the rain. So, I start off the run and this is a good idea because the wind was blowing and it was drizzling and it was keeping me warm. But within 10 minutes the sun was out and I was roasting and sweating my ass off. No fun. Add in the fact that my legs were slowly beginning to plan their coup against me and it was the worst run I've done in months. I think I can admit that I over-did it over the last 7 days.
But I finished and weighed in.
Weight Loss: -1.8 pounds
Weight: 206.8
Not going to lie - I'm disappointed. 40 friggin' miles and I didn't even lose 2 pounds. Hence one of the reasons the title of the post is frustration.
Needless to say I'm taking a big break. That's right, approximately 36 hours off. That's a big break for me.
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