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 Your Hey Mercedes weblog. The Cast: Robert Nanna Damon Atkinson Todd Bell Michael Shumaker Dan Keehn Chris Bickert Norman Arenas Ryan Snyder 
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November 4, 2000
Robert: A few things... Thanks to everyone who emailed me about "Rainbow Connection." But now I'm really confused because I don't know whether the version I heard was Less Than Jake, Me First & the Gimmie Gimmies, or Fifteen! Oh well... and also, I'd like to make it clear that I have never once posted to the Appleseed Cast webboard! I thank you. You should be out enjoying your Saturday and not reading this.... now get! get! November 3, 2000
Robert: I'd like to take this opportunity to remind Senator Keehn that it is a proven fact that Guinness gives you strength... it shant ever taketh away... Alas, the weekend has come upon us, my friends, and please... have some fun, OK? WOW. Two days in a row ending with a positive post. Keep smiling. Keep shining...
dan: ~~~Got home at about 4:00am........as always my fearless four-legged friend slumbered over to greet me with tired eyes. The only thing on my mind was getting into bed at that point. Next thing ya know I'm feeling for the alarm to hit snooze. I hate waking up to that stupid buzzer- aint! aint! aint! aint!- so I had my alarm set to a radio station that didn't suck, but then if a good song came on I would lie there and rock out a little in my sleep, therefore making the whole "alarm clock" thing pointless. So now I have a crappy station tuned in so when I'm laying there and New Kids on the Blizzock comes on I immediately wake and hit snooze, well that happened about ten times this morning. Now getting in the shower is totally sounding great so I put on a little seam to flush the kids out, light some essence of mur and start the shower..ahhh. I really feel pretty good today, I think it was the Geiness last night. I tell ya that stuffs like medicine! After all the morning stuff I head down stairs to nuke some coffee and out the door I go. This weekend I'm gonna be about 3 stories up working on my house so I think I'll lay off the adult beverage until that's done, I'm a little shaky of heights since I've had a reality check in July, but I'll release that story as soon as it gets back from the publisher......... peace
Jan: OK. This will be my last politically charged post of the day. Why has the traditionally liberal-leaning Chicago Sun Times endorsed Bush? This is nothing short of outrageous when you take note of their paper today. Huge front page headline: George Bush Admits to DUI. Very next page: Mourners flock to funeral (of young girl killed by drunk driver). Please people. Go vote. And realize that we are not voting to prove a point, we are voting to elect a president. Don't vote for someone just because Phil Donahue, Charleton Heston, or John Cusack told you to, OK? Read all you can and vote for what you think is right and for what you believe in. And as Michael Moore so eloquently stated, why in the world would you vote someone into office who has been arrested THREE TIMES? My incompetent colleague here has just ruined a bunch of very important files. He came over to me and my boss with a smile on his face and said... "I Oopsed." Strike fifty-three: He smiles as he admits screwing up. Strike fifty-four: He fucking said that he "oopsed!" Oh lord. Mr. Johnstonio signing off.
Jan: Grumble. Grumble. Hard at work. Ding. I look up and it's a delivery person with food. I don't even get up. I call to him: "What's the name?" It's a name I've never heard. This person is not on our floor. I pretend like I never saw him and someone else stumbles upon him and is forced to find the owner of this mystery lunch. I go back to my business... but first I post about it of course. Ding. Unbelieveable. Again. Feeling utterly helpless and clock trudges like a tortoise. Once again: fioushrounougksdlknlkjsisnrvinovsf This is what happens when i rest my head on the keyboard
Jan: Slower than molasses creeps this waste of a day. I need to get out of this clown suit and stretch out over my big bed and just let the exhaustion take over. It's an amazing and crucial time when your body just says "no more" and takes control. It's never fun losing control of anything, but to this urge, I cannot wait one minute longer - I want to give in. It will be just cold enough in my room to make that comforter feel like pure sweet heaven. Disconnect the phone. Stretch out and wait... Dream. You know, there was a time when i was working a similar, but much worse, job and - i learned to adore sleeping and dreaming because, sadly the dreams seemed so much more exciting than reality. I adored it a little too much and thus got out of that job as soon as i could and flipped the old polarity switch... Now I have you, wonderful blog... like a sponge, just taking it in, helping out with the struggle, smiling like a champion... and churning out something that hopefully can turn this intense hurt into enjoyable reading material! Woo, and also, Hoo.
Jan: As if you needed any other reasons not to vote for Bush: look here and here. I tell you, it would be a great thing if the bumbling governor would just knock himself out of the race with some more bumbles, so we could vote Gore v Nader without even batting an eyelash at this "vote for Nader = vote for Bush" thing. So I'd like to make my plea to the governor to do something really stupid in the next few days. it shouldn't be that hard, really.
Robert: No worries, my bipolar friends - I used your suggestion to conduct an experiment that subsequently failed completely under the weight of this misery! I'm also taking full advantage of my gemini qualities by having my imaginary friend Jan take care of all the negative posts today. You understand. Gotta look out for #1 if i want to keep this blog bloggin'... Does anybody know who does the "punk rock" version of the classic Kermit the Frog ditty "Rainbow Connection" that i heard the other day? It really reminded me as to what a great song that is. I wish more bands would cover songs like that (i.e. the Smoking Popes version of "Pure Imagination" from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory)... and lastly, I always thought it was cool to talk about DVDs and i actually own the Willy Wonka dvd. Sadly, there aren't too many extras on it (wouldn't it have been great to reunite all of the kids?), but it's definitely a classic movie to have, forever captured in glorious letterbox. Applause, applause. When i think of your kisses, my mind see-saws.
Jan: What the hell am I doing here? It's too early and i'm too tired. The coffee seems to be helping, but as with most things in life, it just lets you down in the end... I could have easily called in sick today, but i get this tremendous guilt like i'm doing it for a selfish reason. Why call in sick just to sleep later and then be lazy? It's much better to call in sick when you have a grand plan of action. Make the very most of that day and don't waste it... I had no plan this morning, so here i am decaying away at this joint. My all-time favorite co-worker* did a really awesome thing yesterday* that we have to happily* fix today. The best* part is that, he admits to screwing up and then laughs in that awesome* cartoon-ish way. I want to sit him down and calmly say, "look pal*, you made a big mistake that we have to fix, and there's really nothing funny about it. got it bucko?" I think i'd really drive my point home if i poked him in the chest as i said "bucko." That would really get him. By the way, I'm Jan Johnstonio. Yesterday I was Jackson Browne. I'm trying to be as blatantly un-sneaky as possible, but sneaky enough. Doo doo doo. *sarcasm November 2, 2000
Robert: My pal, John Cusack introduced Stevie. Again, I would have liked to see that... I think Jackson and I are going to take a break from the blog for the day. I've been alerted that the Hey Mercedes shirts have arrived at my house scot-free, so that's good news. You see how I end the day positively? You can feel it all over...
Jackson: My "pal" next door is cracking himself up reading some forwarded email list of jokes. Every minute, on the minute, he busts out in one of those Snagglepuss laughs. You know, where there's no vocals, just that suppression of air. It is by far the most annoying thing I've heard all day. And this day has been downright disgusting. One pitfall after another. Speaking of pitfall, gotta check and see how those Atari games are doing... Strike nineteen: Snagglepuss laugh.
Jackson: Damn. My associate here went to the Daley Center. and Stevie DID play "Sir Duke." Oh brother, that I would have loved to see. That's my all-time favorite Stevie song!... I walked over there, but it was a madhouse. i could barely hear or see anything, so i headed back rejected, got myself a salad and some chips and went to work. I guess I'll vote for Bush now. YEAH RIGHT. i'd rather spend an eternity strapped to this desk than vote for Bush... I'm not going to tell you who to vote for, but for pete's sake, do NOT vote for Bush! I thank you. This has been a presentation of "My two cents" with your host, Rock superstar, Jackson Browne.
dan: Can't wait to get outta here myself-my Ups driver calls me "disco Dan" disco for short and my dog Gretta aka Grets, notorious g.r.t , keeps running around with those packing peanuts in her mouth. I feel a headache comin on and it's slightly chilly in here..What's Jackson Browne doing on this blog???
Jackson: Wow, do i hate this job. I wish i was at my plush home writing songs like "More Lawyers in Love" and "Somebody's Baby (part two)." Due to a horrible mixup yesterday here, I'm being forced to do all of this extra work, which i love, mind you, and it's got me a little flustered. The lack of sleep sure didn't help. Speaking of which, I'm probably going to get even LESS sleep tonight, given the usual Bottle set times... which means I will be in another delightful mood tomorrow! Sleep is important. Humans need it to live. Right now, Stevie is probably swinging "Sir Duke" to thousands of screaming fans a few blocks away. I've got some filing to do. Oh yeah.
Robert: I would like to be among the first to wish a happy happy birthday to the funniest man in Chicago, Mr. Brian Shortall. I'd also like to extend my congrats that he will not be appearing in this movie, which he auditioned for. In other news... do you remember that scene in Reservoir Dogs where Mr. Pink and Mr. White are arguing in the warehouse? Mr. Pink is worried about turning Mr. Orange over to the cops and so he says to Mr. White: "If they get to you, they get closer to me, and that can't happen." Remember that? Well, it seems that there just may be an employee here that is privy to this here blog of blogs, which means all of my ranting may leak out and make it's way around the campfire. I'm really excited about this, as you can imagine.. but you know what... This is America and you are supposed to hate your job, right? So I'm just blowing off steam now and then... and it relieves me... and that, my friends is healthy. So will they deprive me of this virtual "spa?" We will see. ... but don't be surprised if i start posting under an alias.
dan: Next to where I work there's this tanning salon and I tell ya "those people" that tan ALL the time look like their faces are leather. Alan Thicke keeps trying to get free stuff from Reg...just got back to the keyboard from helping a customer and after the transaction I just said "take care" and this lady said "what for" what gives!
Robert: Yes, Dan. Many times... I was under the false impression this morning that the sun would already be shining down on happy Milwaukee at 6:20 AM when my train left. (I hate being in a train when the sun rises.) However, it was not to be. But I had a trick up my sleeve, and it involved the sleeves of the shirt that i wore yesterday to work. As soon as I got on the (dark) train, i put my headphones on (red house painters, grace cathedral park), i put the shirt over my head and voila, like in a birdcage, it was dark the whole way to Union Station Chicago - and i didn't have to listen to the wonderful cackling of caffiene-pumped rat racers. Woohoo! Now if only i can do something to neutralize the glorious cologne/perfume clash that was happening! yee-hah.
dan: Ever type something out and read it a couple times and then delete everything? Just in.......I am blessed with having an audio and visual unit here at work, however, I only get one channel. It's only good until the soaps start @ 12:30 and then I gotta turn the thing off before the love making scenes and the yelling at each other scenes start. But Regis is on and there's a Growing Pains reunion...yeah..Maggie? Is that you? Kirks got 4 kids! Tracey Gold's still kinda cute?
Robert: OK. In an effort to quell my usual "negative morning reinforcement," i'm going to try and only post positively the entire day. This will be an interesting experiment, because (and read the next line with caution): i am in the worst mood ever... but that's OK, because it's a new day and i have a whole new outlook. So far today... my cab ride was very pleasant. The one massive collision we just barely avoided was a delightful spin on my morning alertness. The cabbie gave me my change in 5 dollar bills that had been ripped in half and then taped back together! Woohoo! That was like twice the money. Then, when I tried to buy my morning muffin, the gal behind the counter had to ask someone if she could even take the ripped money. Happy day! But my pumpkin muffin was warm and my coffee is cooling and it looks delish... got a free ticket for Al Gore and Stevie Wonder at the Daley Center, but it's raining and Hootie and the Blowfish are going to be there, too, so i'm probably going to stay here and do what i love... work. yes! November 1, 2000
Robert: got some gum. super bubble. it's doing the trick... in a seemingly unrelated story, i think i've got a cavity... I'm leaving soon. I'll let you know how things go.
Robert: i need some candy. something nice and sugary. i enjoy Spree very much, but i don't know if i'm necessarily in that Spree kind of mood. Also, to fully enjoy Sprees, you need to chase each one with a drink of Sprite, and as always, throw the yucky orange ones away. blah. I'm in a pretty piss poor mood actually. i'm hoping some fine confection will lift my spirits just enough to get me to 4:00 when i can fall asleep on an amtrak... Nothing chocolate... I'm a big fan of cheap bubble gum. gumball machines, rainblo, double bubble, pal - gosh i just love that stuff. i mean Halloween was yesterday... someone here has got to have a damn bucket full of PALs, right? sugar will brighten my day. it must. if anyone wants to send me some halloween candy, i'll make sure and eat it, after my mom checks it, of course. feeling like a zombie. Standing on the edge of the Hoover Dam...
Robert: It is bringing me down. I'm trying to think of a hands-on collaborative experiment with this blog tomorrow or Friday. You know, something that will keep us all involved. I'm brainstorming a few ideas. Nothing seems to be jumping out at me. Damn these mood-dampening walls! Who was the person that did studies and came up with the most optimum working environment? And what environment was that person working in?
Robert: What a way to make a livin'. Barely gettin' by. It's all takin' and no givin'. Thanks to everyone who emailed me with book recommendations. I am eternally grateful. Also, I'd like to add that just cause I put an album in my top 10 list, doesn't necessarily mean i have it! More to come.
Robert: poihsfijigjaoirsg;aoirv;oghon]jre]ogj]qargrhgopijkm That is what happens when i rest my head on the keyboard. Argh, is this crappy. Must I be subjected to such devious and dastardly torture for the next three months? My enemy here was singing as he was trotting past my desk! Strike fifteen: he's a morning person. He was singing Phil Collins! Strike sixteen: he was singing Phil Collins... The phone rings. I wait. It stopped. I have been mercifully spared... I previously mentioned that i sit by a window. I'd like to clarify that this window does not provide a gleeful picture of bustling Clark Street. It gives me a view of the hallway leading up to the door to this floor. And even worse, there's one of those little bells there that people can ring when they want "service." I have learned to hate the sound of that bell. In fact I think I hear it all the time, even when no one is near it. I want to destroy it... I usually don't have a problem with the "customers" that come around. I mean, that's part of my job and i can suck it up and handle it. This is what gets me: When I'm hard at work on a project with a 12:30 deadline and I get interrupted by the "ding" - I have to put everything down and go to the window... and it's some delivery guy delivering someone's lunch! That just infuriates me. I also get upset when employees forget their "keycard" and have to ring the bell so i can get up let them in. They flash me this look like "Oops! I forgot my card! But it's ok cause you can let me in and you aren't possibly as busy as i am, doo doo doo." I'm bitter. I think I need some coffee. Hopefully I won't be tailgated on the way to the break room. Suddenly, that joe kicks hard in my veins. I cool down...
Robert: I think I have to be more wary of the fact that I'm such a great complainer. I just wrote a long diatribe about how much i hate work and blah blah blah, but i deleted it. The fact is: there will come a point in my life when i will kiss this mess goodbye... and i should think more about the inherent sweetness in that as opposed to the obvious torture of this. People ask us all the time how we can balance a job and a band. And the answer, my friends, is we can't! At least I can't. Every day I wake up and think I don't want to be working in brokerage, i want to be playing music in a band!
Robert: Ben Folds Five broke up.... Apparently the two members who aren't Ben Folds were uncomfortable with travelling long distances for recording sessions... In a seemingly unrelated story, I'm travelling to Milwaukee today for practice. More to come. October 31, 2000
Robert: Someone sent this to me, so since i'm so busy here, i figured i'd answer all the questions for everyone to see... you know, so i don't have to email it to everyone... 1. What time is it now? 1:54 PM 2. Name as it appears on your birth certificate: Robert Thomas Nanna 3. Nicknames: Bob and a long time ago i was known as Bub. 4. Parent's names: Robert and Diane. 5. Number of candles that appeared on your last birthday cake? 25 and it was a birthday cookie. 6. Date that you regularly blow them out? June 14 7. Pets: Unfortunately none. I do have some plants. 8. Eye color: Brown 9. Hair Color: Red 10. Piercing: None 11. Tattoos: Two. A treble clef on left ankle and "i was not born a man with a dream to just let it falter" around my left arm. 12. How much do you love your job: Read this blog and make your assumptions. 13. Birthplace: Chicago, IL. Resurrection Hospital. 14. Hometown: Chicago, IL / Lombard, IL 15. Current Residence: Chicago, IL 16. Been in love before? Yes 17. Been to Europe? Yes 18. Been toilet papering? Yes 19. Been toilet papered? My house. Never me personally. 20. Loved somebody/something so much it made you cry? Yes 21. Been in a car crash? Yes 22. Croutons or Bacon Bits? Croutons 23. 2 doors or 4 (on a car)? 4 24. Coffee or Ice Cream? Coffee 25. Blanket or Stuffed Animal: Blanket 26. Dumper or Dumpee? Dumper 27. Salad Dressing? Ranch 28. Color of socks: White 29. Lucky Number: 11 30. Place to be kissed: Lips 31. Movie: Life is Beautiful 32. Quote from a movie: Hey Mercedes 33. Foods: Veggie chili 34. Day of the Week: Thursday 35. Song playing at the moment: "My Ladies Can't Remember the Eighties" by Euphone 36. TV show: The Simpsons 37. Toothpaste: Colgate Total 38. Restaurant: Bangkok Cafe 39. Flower: Sunflower, if it counts. 40. Least Favorite Thing: See the rest of this blog and make your assumptions 41. Sport to Watch: Football 42. Fast Food Restaurant: Subway 43. When was your last hospital visit? Many years ago. 44. Favorite drink? Water 45. What color is your bedroom's carpet? No carpet. Wood. 46. How many times did you fail your Permit and/or Drivers test: None 47. What do you think of Ouija boards? I like them. They're that new pop band from Seattle, right? 48. Where do you see yourself in 10 yrs? Playing music somewhere 49. Who is the last person that you got mail from before this one? A mass mailing from Glue Factory 50. Have you ever been convicted of a crime? No 51. Which single store would you choose to max your credit card? Borders 53. What words or phrases do you overuse? Wait a minute. 54. Friend who lives farthest away: Hey Mercedes 56. Best thing: Music and being in a good mood 57. Bedtime: 5 PM 58. Who will respond to this fastest? I don't know 59. Who is the person you sent this to that is least likely to respond? Not applicable. 60. What time is it now: 2:08 PM - a successful waste of 20 minutes!
Robert: Oh my. Look what Vincent Gallo is saying about Christina Ricci. And what's this movie in production starring him and former pumpkin D'Arcy? I should be working right now. Also - does anybody know where i can find Elvis Costello's top 500 albums online (as documented in Vanity Fair)? Thanks.
Robert: Rad. I just got my copy of Ken Kesey's Sometimes a Great Notion thanks to ebay. I may actually go to lunch today so i can dig right in. I'm still awaiting my Ebayed copies of Rabbit Redux, Rabbit at Rest, and Infinite Jest... Does anybody know any other good books that I should read? I figured I'd make this question public... Just looking for some new stuff... My two favorite books of all time are Cat's Cradle (Vonnegut) and On the Road (Kerouac). Perhaps that can give you a clue as to what i've been digging. Thanks.
Robert: It's alive! ... alive! They finally figured out my computer problems so i'm up and running here, catching up on everything that i had missed out on. whew. It turns out that, instead of being connected to the wall, my computer was actually plugged into one of my co-workers' pants! That would explain why it hasn't been working... I don't really know what the problem was, but i'm sure it will rear its ugly head tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow, i'm going to be making that fateful trek up to Milwaukee again for practice. We have some new songs we've been working on and we have to make the decision as to whether they'll be ready for Thursday's show at the Empty Bottle. I have a feeling that we may want to wait until the Fireside show, but who knows, they may just be ready to roll... I should be posting this up on the HM site, but I'm planning on putting up all of the lyrics soon. People have been inquiring about non-EP live songs that are on Napster and transmission, so i'll comply, but i must warn you that some of the lyrics have changed since those shows were recorded! That is one of the downfalls of making these newer songs public before they are recorded proper... and that may be the reason why i'm concerned as to whether a particular new song is ready to be played on Thursday... Hmm. Perhaps I can make it happen. Back to work.
Robert: The thing that really bothers me is that if i hope to get any work done (it's sort of piling up. looks like my room), i have to go over to the next cubicle (the dreaded cubicle). I don't think i have any other choice at the moment. Wish me luck... and into the fire swamp...
Robert: Did you ever wish you could be in the band Wolfie? Now you can be. They are looking for a bass player to fill the absence left by mike who will focus 100% on his Mathlete project. Go to the Wolfie site to inquire. On behalf of the boys, good luck to Mike, to Wolfie, and to all of their perspective new members. Lucks all around.
Robert: Good morning. Happy Halloween. Thanks to my present company, this will surely be my scariest Halloween ever. One of my co-workers even brought her small daughter. That poor girl. She must be terrified. Hopefully my evil distraction will be in costume today... as a tolerable person! Har har. My computer still isn't cooperating. This one program i need to do any sort of work worky work type work is just not work work working. Yesterday, I set an all time record for doing... drumroll please... about a half an hour of actual work... This is just getting out of hand... Also, I received a few emails regarding my post about the 2010 release date of the Cannonball Run DVD. Apparently, two other sites have it listed as 12/24/2001, so who knows. Also, I don't want to give off the impression like this is my favorite movie or something. It isn't. I just think it's campy and funny and, personally, i think it should be available to the DVD buying public. I also want to see The King of Comedy and Barton Fink on DVD. Can we do something about that? Please. Make it happen. For me. More to come, of course. October 30, 2000
Robert: Dan. Kicking it. Good to hear from you, friend... I'm starting to get absolutely disgusted with my home computer hookup. I don't like it one bit. I had planned on this big Ebay blitz tonight trying to get rid of one of the piles of junk in my room, but nothing wants to work correctly. How am I supposed to upload scans of 50 separate ATARI games with instructions if it takes 3 minutes a file? That's 150 minutes! We're reaching Magnolia length here. I don't have that kind of time to invest in ATARI games. It's a losing bet. The Smiths "Paint a Vulgar Picture" is distracting me at the moment. I have such a problem pushing music into the background. Even when I'm driving... I got pulled over yesterday doing a U-turn trying to vie for a hot parking spot near Second City. I was already a little late for the show. Two coppers came over and I gave them this sob story... Me: "I'm really sorry. I'm late for a Second City show." Cop: "Are you one of the performers?" Me: "No, but my friend is." Cop: "Are you in a hurry?" Me: "Well, sort of..." Cop: "You know what you did is illegal." Me: "Yes. I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking straight." Cop: "OK" ... So I talked my way out of that mess. As I slowly backed into the parking spot, I slammed it into reverse and plowed into the trunk end of the cop car. I then flipped them the bird and laughed all the way to the Mexican border. Wait a minute. I'm pretty sure that last part didn't happen. Now the random play has thrown "Agnes, Queen of Sorrow" by Will Oldham at me and i'm going to try not to think about going to work. I will weep myself to sleep thinking of all of the fun i will have in the morn. Actually, I think I'll pause the song. "Agnes, Queen of Sorrow" is a better song for tomorrow morning, drying my tears, waiting for the 77. Sniff, sniff. Boo hoo for Bob.
dan: Well, finally I'm breakin through to the "Blogger" side of life...It kinda sounds like you (Bob) need to lay off the coffee & bisscotti combo. Maybe switch to Tab or something.. I had a rough day at work, I'm coming off of a busy weekend which involved a wedding on saturday and laundry and everything else on sunday- including watching those crapy packers lose! The wedding was fun and the dj's rocked. You should've seen 'em. They had all of these lights on this piece of trussing-It was like a miniature KISS concert. Well, I'm off to the brownbottle to have a couple keeold ones with my friend who just got done playing in an air hockey outfit from Tosa or somethin?! Cheers!!
Robert: Is it March yet? cause this just plain sucks. i should rename this weblog "I hate work. It stinks. Hear me complain." because i feel so numb while i'm here. It's a trap that too many people get sucked into. It shant be happening to me! ... I just found out the Stevie Wonder will be performing in Daley Plaza down the street on Thursday, but i think i missed out on the free tickets. I may roll by to see if i can hear him. By the way, my endorsement for best Stevie Wonder song is "Sir Duke."
Robert: I was going to mention that trying to teach someone that doesn't listen is a lot like pulling teeth. Now, since they're doing heavy construction work on the bathrooms, these loud high powered drills just hammer those dentistry visions home. And as can be imagined, it's a sickening sound, and a sickening feeling. I'm starting to feel the weight of Westley's wonton drinking on Saturday night. The Dread Pirate Robert Nanna would like to take a nap right now. We've got three and a half more excruciating hours to go... Work wasn't always this bad. Why i remember a day when my computer performed all of the necessary functions. I remember a day when i worked independently of unwanted comic relief. I was about to say "those were the days." But you know what? Those still weren't the days. You know when "the days" where? When i was on tour. When i was playing shows. Even when i was playing Travel Scrabble in a van! But, I know i only have to wait a few more months before i bid a fond fare thee well to the establishment here, but it just too damn far away. Come March, come. I need you now. A lot of people ask how we balance jobs and the band, and all too often, the quick answer is: we just can't... and thus, this is no picnic for our collective mental state. This ain't no picnic....
Robert: They are offering free flu shots today here at work. Maybe I should go, just so i can fake being woosey afterwards and they can send me home with their regards. Actually, I'm pretty queesy around needles of any sort so i plan on steering clear of the vaccination party. Speaking of the Vaccination Party, the weekend was a blast. For a costume bash somewhere far away, I dressed up as Wesltey (as the Dread Pirate Roberts) from Princess Bride, and my cohort was Buttercup. I scoffed at this idea at first thinking nobody would ever know who we were, and they'd think i was Zorro or something... But surprisingly, it worked. 90% of the guests knew i was Westley. Only about 7% knew I was Bob. So that worked out pretty well... The best costume there was a full body Curious George outfit. And there you have it. This day has been, thus far, a big fat drag.
Robert: Big Twin Peaks fan like i was? Check this out! Upcoming DVD releases of the Fire Walk With Me movie and the series! With a promising lineup of extra goodies, including deleted scenes and interviews with the cast. oh yes. that brings back some memories.
Robert: Back at work and the systems here are still giving me the ultimate business. I truly feel useless to the chore without the ways and means to make things happen. Meanwhile, my adversary, old crazypants, is plugging away, hard at work on some "important" project. Actually, he's probably just trying to find a new Looney Tunes screensaver... What glamour. Back in the day, I used to keep a top ten list of my "most listened to" records every week. This curious behavior was perpetuated by many early Sunday mornings of the 1980's, curling up with Casey Kasem, documenting every top 40 countdown... Anyway, I always wish i had a way to broadcast my lists just like Casey did. (I think maybe i assumed that i was listening to a top 40 of his favorite songs.) Well now i do, so you'll just have to sit back and take it! Being annoyingly compulsive about lists, I'll throw this up every Monday... Just to give you an idea of what's a-spinnin' on my turntables. You may notice that i've been in a very nostalgic mood, as over half of the albums listed were released prior to 2000. I really haven't been jarred by anything lately, so i've reverted back to the old reliables. They never let me down. Oh yeah, if i'd have to pick a favorite song of the week, it would have to be Radiohead's "Fake Plastic Trees." Again, I feel like a big poser, listening to the old reliable Radiohead, while the new exciting Radiohead is still making its impact. What-EVER. "Fake Plastic Trees" is one of the most gorgeous songs I've EVER heard. I don't even think Casey K gave it the time of day. He was too busy complaining about U2... But Bob, what about your weekend?
Robert: Top ten albums of last week: 10. ELVIS COSTELLO / BURT BACHARACH painted from memory 09. JEFF BUCKLEY sketches for my sweetheart the drunk 08. JETS TO BRAZIL four cornered night 07. KOUFAX it had to do with love 06. RED HOUSE PAINTERS old ramon 05. SHINER starless 04. RADIOHEAD kid a 03. JONI MITCHELL blue 02. ELVIS COSTELLO & THE ATTRACTIONS the very best of... 01. RADIOHEAD the bends |