Wrapping it up

I've been wanting to talk to you, sweet blogger, for way too long.

It appears that many have fallen--behind and out.
Hillary Clinton, Barak Obama, and John McCain. All else seems beyond repair.

As most of you know, I'm not a Republican, so I'm really left with two possibilities. I was (eek) pleasantly surprised to see that McCain came out ahead on Super Tuesday. Let me go ahead and explain myself in as few words as possible: a minor baby-step away from the Christian Right; waterboarding is torture; he won't win over many hearts because he's dull as all hell?

I'm happy to say that there is a tough choice ahead for the Democratic Party. We have two good candidates, for two different reasons. A co-worker pointed out that if Clinton wins the election, we will have 22 years (minimum) of Bush or Clinton. A good argument for "real change"?

I didn't vote on Super Tuesday, but in the end my vote would have been cast for Obama. I like Clinton's healthcare policy better and I wish Obama would discuss policy a bit more, but in the end, he won me over. His campaign slogan sells, and he makes us all believe again. That's something that the world needs. We all need to believe that America can and will change. We need it more than Gore needs fresh air and better weather.

Perhaps when there is a candidate, I'll get more hyped up. In the meantime, I'm listening intently. We have a chance again. We might be heard.

Cat Power: Terminal 5

I'd been anticipating this night for so long; it came and went not nearly quick enough.

Chan played with the Dirty Delta Blues Band in the middle-of-nowhere space, Terminal 5. I purchased Jukebox immediately upon release and was excited to see her announcement for a show at Terminal 5. This was my first visit to this converted dance club, and I was pleasantly surprised upon entering the venue. The lighting was sweet and the bars were plentiful; the second floor had a nice atmosphere with couches galore. We entered the venue at 7:45pm, with our 7:00pm tickets.

After a long wait, the show began with Appaloosa, a man with a laptop and a french girl in short shorts. We sat on the couches and listened to the trip-hop beats, while waiting anxiously for Cat Power to come on stage. When Appaloosa left the stage, there was little applaud and more waiting. I don't know how long it took for Cat Power to come on stage, but it sure wasn't quick.

Theo and I pushed our way close to the stage, waiting patiently for Chan's arrival, while being pushed left and right by a nasty New York crowd. We had the pleasure of listening to an indi-rock couple behind us argue insensibly. At one point she said, "I just want Cat Power to come on stage." I turned around and said, "Don't we all." She must have shot darts out of her eyes, so I turned around and pretended that I didn't try to stir the pot.

Cat Power began her set with "New York, New York", and this was the most exciting moment of the evening. The crowd did not do, as crowds almost always do, any moving or shifting once she got on stage. There was no energy and even being as close as we were, her words were muted. I tried to dance a bit, move around, but it felt wrong with all of the statues around me.

Now, I had heard all the buzz about Terminal 5 having terrible sound, but I thought that they were just referring to the odd space having little acoustic value. Unfortunately, the ear-crushing feedback came almost immediately. Theo and I decided it was high time to have a cigarette break only three songs into her set. After the break, we went upstairs to a couch, hoping for better sound and more space, and it happened!

We got a nice spot on a couch, near another couple who were plenty nice. There was no view from here, but we had comfy seats and the sound improved ten-fold. You could hear her voice, and while the feedback was still terrible, it mattered less on the couch. Chan took opportunity after opportunity to complain about the spot lights (which were killing us upstairs) to the sound (which killed the crowd). At one point she said, "We're almost done," giving the crowd a sense of relief.

But, with all said and done, I stood up and found a space on the balcony. Chan's sensual voice, and the Delta Dirty Blues Band's music, gave me an experience not to forget. She has talent that is unquestionable, even cleaned up and pretty.

I'd definitely want to see Chan again, but at a smaller and more intimate venue that allows for a more energetic audience. She marched on, despite the feedback, lighting, and terrible acoustics.

So now I have two $100.00 presale Beastie Boy tickets for March 4th at Terminal 5, hosted by Moby. I had no idea that Terminal 5 would be so terrible. The reviews don't do it justice. Look back here for more news, as these might be up for grabs!

[pictures taken from my iPhone]

California on my mind

an endless moment

it's 3am
the clock is blinking 4:47

the room is not empty
there is noone around

flipping through pages
searching for an answer

looking for inspiration
sniffling at love

there's a huge hole
black and growing larger

endlessly gaping
you're not here to fill it

i talk aloud
and feel more empty than before

10/05/03

Sigur Ros

It seems that I did not mention the surprise Sigur Ros appearance I witnessed last (gasp) year (October '07?).

There was a church-- the old kind, the kind that smells beautiful. They played only a few songs, and there were only about 40 people. We sat up front, wondering how those sounds were coming out of him. They played an acoustic set. It was heavenly.

Sometimes I want to go back to this evening. I want to see them again.

Babble, babble, what?

Clarity unwelcome when I've
only duped myself; the days
can change in any motion,
but the seasons remain intact.

The trees will grow stronger,
despite the number of rings or
leaves-- it’s the inevitability
amongst the forest land.
The rivers will continue to pull,
water from point to point, slamming
against the rocks and life whom,
unknowingly, block the route.
The need for life to resume, heeding
through the roughage, is visible
and constant.

In some worlds, days
don't stand still, but here-
we stand or move on our
own accord.

Arcade Fire

I was introduced to Arcade Fire in 2005. As soon as I purchased Funeral, I listened to the album obsessively for a year. Not only is the album beautiful, but for me listening to it was a very personal experience. It touched me in ways that were unfathomable (I was going through a rough period in my life). Recently their newest album, Neon Bible, was released. I went to buy it immediately, but as I took a quick listen in the store I was sorely disappointed. I put the album down and left the store a very sad girl.

Well, up to date, they are playing in New York this week and I couldn't get tickets. My friend, Vadim, had tickets and fortunately someone who was going backed out. When I got the call last night I did my "I'm going to see Arcade Fire" dance. Theo drove with me into city because we haven't been able to spend much time together. As we were waiting for Vadim a fellow approached and asked if we needed a ticket. I said, "Sure, how much?" He said, "Take it." (Obviously not a New Yorker. My friend Vadim charged me $45.00; now he's a New Yorker.)

Hands down, the best concert I have ever been to. The projection was incredible. The performance was brilliant. The new songs were original and fun. I was glad to actually hear the new album in concert, otherwise I would have always believed the new album to be shit. I will say, I was really hoping that Bowie would come out, but he was nowhere to be found. Perhaps soon enough.

I didn't bring my camera, and my camera phone was dead. I left there picture-less, but happy as could be. I'd love to catch them in concert again, and hopefully next time sit (read: stand/dance) next to Theo.

Needless to say, I highly suggest purchasing both Funeral and Neon Bible if you have not already done so.

Kansas and Missouri

You know, my job isn't particularly interesting. To a deskworker it might sound fun, but in all actuality-- traveling is hard. The fascinating thing about my job is that I do it. For one, I get motion sickness, yet I fly at least once a week. On top of that, the idea of flying freaks me out. Airports I find to be hellish and hotel rooms are germ pools. Car rentals are annoying, and reading directions everywhere you go gets old. I sit in malls everyday, for god's sake.

Whine, whine, whine.

In any event, it's very much true that I hate about 90% of the states in this country. I hated them before I knew anything about them, and I hate them even more when I get there. All this time I was planning on journaling my trips. I did it for the first couple of trips, but stopped soon after. A travel blog might be good, but why do that when I can blab about anything on this blog.


Right now I'm in Kansas City, Missouri. Why the hell is Kansas City in Missouri and not Kansas, you may ask. The answer, of course, I don't know. When I got here I had a million different things to say, but now that the day is over I just want to sleep. That has to be the ultimate reason that my job gets hard. I'm always worn-out.

Well, I had a connection in D.C. The security guard directed me to leave security and go into another gate to get to my connection. I asked him if he was serious and he got very mean. I barely made my connection.

The airport had a new Car Rental facility. This means that many people were confused with change. That was brilliant to witness.

Kansas looks like it's under construction, but not in that bull dozer type of way. There is.....

too tired to keep writing... I'll finish soon.