Robert:

1. Go read the news.

2. Hey Norm! Sorry for not blogging yesterday. I'm sure you understand.
posted by Robert at 10:36 AM ***

Norman:

Oh, man. I've been spending the week at my best friend's house taking care of my 4 year old godson while his mother and father were in the hospital having Godson #2. So welcome to the world, Chaitan Harrison. I went to the hospital today to see him and I'm one proud Godpapa.

If the past few days has accomplished anything in my paradigm, it's given me a newfound appreciation for single parents. I've never spent such a long amount of time on my own taking care of a child, and its pretty insane, really. Ras is dependent on me for everything: Changing clothes, tying shoes, reading books, cooking food, entertainment, lending a shoulder to cry on, wiping tears, playing Rescue Heroes, cleaning up, brushing teeth, and... Wow. But you know what? It's pretty brilliant to know that, at the end of the day, there was pretty much nothing else that I'd rather have done with my time and energy because I love him so much.

Now, in the spirit of Bob's obsessive lists, I'll continue on in lieu of his absence from blogging yesterday.

1. The new issue of MOJO has Richey Edwards from Manic Street Preachers on the cover. For those who don't know, Richey was the Manics' second guitar player and primary lyricist for much of the first few albums of their career. He had a lot of problems (anorexia, alcoholism, self-mutilation) and his lyrics reflected that. And then, on February of 1995, he walked out of a London hotel and was never seen again. There's an amazing book about the story called Everything, which I've probably read about eight times anyway, but I'm looking forward to reading the latest. If you've never heard Manic Street Preachers, they are probably one of my biggest inspirations both musically and lyrically, really. Start with "The Holy Bible". It's kinda like watching a really disturbing movie.

2. Being that I like to think that I am theologically aligned with the culture jamming and media criticism movements, I find myself almost ashamed to admit how much I've been enjoying The Real World Chicago. Okay, okay. Part of it has to do with the fact that I miss Chicago and that just seeing them ride the El or eat at Pacific Cafe makes me thrilled. But then again, I wonder: If I still lived in the city would I have been the one who spraypainted "VIACOM GO HOME" on the side of their building? Oh, the contradictions I live with.

3. Speaking of TV, I have to mention that I was caught in the web of a late night infomercial for Epil Stop & Spray, a hair remover that supposedly takes off any body hair (including facial hair) by simply spraying it on and removing it with a towel or cloth. No kidding. They showed footage of a man using a roll-on version of the product on his face and neck and then wiping his beard away. And it leaves you smelling like citrus. If this is true, my life might not get any better.

4. Bob, I know. I still owe you a mixed CD, but I've decided to make you a new one. Just a sec on that one. I'll hook you up, Snoopy.

5. Time for sleepy night-night. I'll stop talking like a 4-year-old once this babysitting gig is over.
posted by Norman at 12:50 AM ***

dan:

I'm just glad I don't work that hard...and I still have my feet ..

I might add that I'm glad I don't have many problems anymore..
posted by dan at 11:40 AM ***

Robert:

11. Just got to tell you that Trader Joe's is one of the coolest places on earth.

12. And... I got an awesome 330 page "Songs of Paul Simon" book, with complete tabs, an intro from the big man, a ton of pictures, and even some handwritten lyrics. Total price with tax: 27 cents... Salvation Army, Villa Park IL. Oh yes. Once I peruse through it, I'll talk more.

13. It's disgusting outside. There's little I hate more than dirty snow.

14. Can I get a confirmation that Fred Armisen is in an Old Country Buffet commercial?

15. And I'm out.
posted by Robert at 4:23 PM ***

Robert:

Me and the major could become close friends...

1. Woke up in a bad mood. I'm working on it. I'll be back. Perhaps contructing a snowman and fastening it to my landlord's car will cheer me up.

2. Bah humbug.

3. I'll be heading out to the burbs today to pick up some interesting packages, including one that contains the card game of the century, Fluxx. Actually, I've only heard that it's the bees knees. But now I can find out for myself. Boys, here comes tour fun.

4. Remember when we used to play Uno in the van, and i would insist on playing, even though I was driving... and usually it was through rain or rough terrain? Kids, don't try this at home. Especially since we enforced the rule that if you can't play, you keep drawing until you can... So you have to imagine a driver trying to hold a (frequently) large fan of Uno cards while cruising at a mean 70 mph. Very dangerous. Those days are over.

5. This morning, it's mocha-chino. With the maker. Maybe French Toast?

6. We had some great band-only rules to Uno. For instance, if you were handed a Draw Two (or Four) and the first card you picked up was actually a Two (or Four) then you could play it. Yawn. Bah Humbug.

7. Saw a fabulous set of Improv Hijinks last night at Improv Olympic. Bravo.

8. I forget what 8 was for.

9. Hilarious that Honker would give you such a specific hangover. I had a lowly Light at IO and I still feel groggly. I think I'm just congested. Did you hear The Faint is touring with No Doubt? Hot.

10. For my next blog, I will need a suggestion from the audience...
posted by Robert at 11:21 AM ***

dan:

it's snowing...exciting hey? I've got the kind of hangover where your nose feels like someone punched you..damn you honker ale!
posted by dan at 9:39 AM ***

dan:

wed.

I've been picking my geetar up more these days which is a good thing.

I've neglected her for too long.
It's nice to sit by the stereo and figure out riffs and what not..

Is it true that when you don't care about how long your hair is getting and you don't shave anymore and you feel more comfortable in a box on a hill or in a valley eating wild berries and bark that you don't care anymore?

just wondering, I need a hair cut, and I did shave today electronically...
posted by dan at 8:45 AM ***

Robert:

Plans have changed, darling. This thing's bigger than the both of us.

1. I'm listening to the Thin Red Line soundtrack. I'm eating an egg/hashbrown/veggie bacon sammich, with some veggie bacon on the side. I'm drinkin coffee. And it's... gulp. 6:47 AM?!? What the? Have I become a morning person? Well, maybe. I mean, the sun isn't even up yet. Let's just say that I enjoy making a lot of breakfast.

2. Speaking of eating (And I find that I'm usually speaking of eating), I never told you about my stellar dining experience at the Taj Mahal last Friday... Simply fabulous, all around. I started the evening off with a delightful bottle of Indian beer, Kingfisher. My date thought it was absolutely revolting, but I found it has a nice dark rich flavor without being too heavy (like Guinness or other beaver b beers). Our appetizer was (surprise) the vegetarian sampler, with samosas, vegetable fritters, fried cheese things, and Naan. Fatas-great... For the main course, I chose the Aloo Gobhi, also known as Cauliflower & Potatoes, and my lovely date got a mushroom/spinach/garlic delight. We went at both dishes with near-crazed passion. We then topped it off by watching 5 hours of Animal Planet. Altogether an amazing night.

3. Why is it that I live in Chicago, yet my favoritest Indian restaurant is in (ugh) Bloomington? Will wonders never cease?

4. Last night, we used my Christmas-Gift-From-Dad-Entertainment book to enjoy a 2 for 1 deal at the Thai restaurant, Tie Me Up Noodles - on Diversey. I had the Vegetables Yakisoba along with my BYOB and we laughed hysterically at the State of the Union Address.

5. It's supposed to snow today! 4-12 inches! I may get to sled this year after all.

6. New to the Pod: "We'll Manage" - Ron Sexsmith, "March of the Pigs" - Nine Inch Nails, "Jamie (acoustic version)" - Weezer. Speaking of Weezer - Damon, blog you pig.

7. Are you a Crocodile Hunter person or are you a Jeff Corwin Experience person? You can tell a lot about someone from their answer. I have no idea what. And I have no idea what I'm talking about.

8. Yeah, I rocked some Balderdash on Sunday, but it was a close close game. In fact it came right down to the last question for myself and Mr. Incandenza... Some highlights "Deipnophobia" - is it - The fear of sharing table condiments? The fear of dinner conversation? The feeling that God is afraid of humans? (or my personal fave) The fear of unstressed syllables? The answer to come.

9. That's all anyone's looking for - a safe place to sled.

10. Dan, you awake? How's that drum machine treating you?
posted by Robert at 7:11 AM ***

Robert:

I want to start a new life. With my valuable hunting knife.

1. I told Damone that if he doesn't blog when he's on tour with Weezer than I will personally whip his ace into shape. I'm sure there will be much to talk about, doctor. Tell Rivers that he's more than welcome to jump on the wire... that is if you can track him down. That squirrelly kid.

2. Someone emailed me asking me if i'd retell the Riot-house STD story, so here goes. It was after our show in Los Angeles at the Palace, and after their legendary appearance on The Craig Kilbourn Show. Immediately after my nightly std cameo - the plan was to hit the Troubadour to see the end of the Hot Water Music show and then head over to the Continental Hyatt House, where STD had 3 rooms upon the 11th - specifically nabbed for a semi-party - to coincide with the airing of the Kilbourn show... So after the HWM show (which was incredible) it was off to the races... There was about 70 people in one room about to watch the telecast, when some security thugs came to our door telling us to keep it down. I'm sure they were shocked to see the number of people we packed in there. So, we tried our best to remain quiet... but you know that when you get 70 people in a room, add some brewage, it's going to be mad... and it was. Right before STD took the stage, Richie Gunn looks at me and says, "So, are you going to blog about this?" Well here it is jagamuffin... (intermission)

3. Poor Billie. Always wants to get outside. She sits up on the window ledge and meows at birds and bees and cows or whatever decides to show up on our back porch. Little does she know that it's a dangerous dangerous world out there. It only takes one cow, Bill, trust me.

4. I have a plan for Infinite Jest. I will be starting it over. I will be keeping a nice little logbook as well, just so I can keep track of all of the years, characters, big ridiculous words, etc. It may seem like too grand of an undertaking, but I figure a good half hour a night should do her. Reading is fun.

5. So I'm in the hotel room and the song starts. Every one is quiet, eyeing the screen. Immediately I spot it, right there on national TV! "Hey, there's my amp!!", I exclaimed. I was greeted with a host of "SHHHH!!s"... (intermission 2)

6. Is "Full Disclosure" like the coolest Fugazi song or whatsville?

7. I put up a bunch of new shows. More getting confirmed by the truckload.

8. As soon as the show at the hotel was over, I took off - and on my way out, I saw the security crew on the way in. Many more of them. Large men. And suddenly there were 10 more of us in the elevator going down. I remember remarking that it was pretty tame for your run of the mill Riothouse bash a la Almost Famous... but as I said a few days ago. Nary the same one. Same location, different staff, no more party central.

9. Sure, it's a record heatwave so why is my apartment freezing? Up with the thermostat. Up with you.

10. I want out! I want out! I want out! I want out!
posted by Robert at 3:37 PM ***

TBELL:


Well, I still got all my fingers.. that's cause we decided against ice skating..

Listening to GBV isolation drills..

Watched The Majestic last night. A little slow but not bad. I'd probably disliked it if I did'nt see it at home on VHS without dropping 10 bucks at the theater. Thanks Lukas!

Wish me luck on the drive home on Thursday, looks like Chicago area will be under WINTER STORM WATCH, Tomorrow afternoon through Thursday. Ugh.. negotiating through the Chicago Edens in snow = no fun.

On a good note, just heard from Bix. He's on his way in to record shop with Lukas and I and it's turning into a beautiful day here in Brooklyn. Whoo hoo!

posted by TBELL at 10:19 AM ***

TBELL:

So here I am. Dan I believe you're right. About this time last year I was still shoveling my van out every-other day. This has been a pretty weak winter, but I'm not complaining.. it's supposed to be 58 degrees here today in Brooklyn. No kidding.. warmest day all week. I'm meeting Miss Katie up at work tonight and we are going ice skating in Central Park... well.. She'll be skating. I'll be the one being dragged.

If I come home missing fingers, it's cause I stepped on my hand.

Speaking of records: The Notorious B.I.X. (that's Bix) will be in town tomorrow and we will be attacking the city tour-record-buying style. He was always the guy that if all else failed, would never let me down to go record shopping with. No matter how broke we both where. We are teaming up with Lukas and he's taking us all day tomorrow! Whoo hoo!

Speaking of records (No kidding): FYI, those still looking for the super OOP rare "ooh do I love you" 2 xcd.. I've stumbled across one on Ebay, pretty cheap so far. Lots of rare previously unreleased (still) stuff on there.. just tryin' to help..

Did I meniton I f*cking hate AOL?

Saw I Am Sam (really good, a tear-jerker, amazing soundtrack, Sean Penn was fantastic as usual) this weekend, also rented The Glass House (average). More shotgun reviews soon..



posted by TBELL at 12:03 PM ***

Robert:

Nobody blogs on a Sunday...

1/2. I'm away from home until tomorrow night, so I'll be a bit slow on the email / blog tip. But come Tuesday... you better watch it, bucko. Now back to the Discovery Channel. And eventually to a rip roaring rambunctious game of Beyond Balderdash. Late.
posted by Robert at 2:16 PM ***