12 Sycamore Trees

We are moving

2009-03-02T20:55:00.002-07:00

That's right people, we are moving. Please visit me at my new Squarespace location. I hope you will supremely enjoy it. Why move? Because Facebook outright killed this blog and I need something new to get me back into blogging. I hope for ALL of you that this will work. Thanks Don B for the highly creative prod to get back on the ole horse.

I want to e-thank blogger for hosting my blog for the couple years that I went here. We had some great posts Blogger. Thanks for getting me started.

Beverly Hills Terestrial

2008-10-16T15:58:00.003-06:00

Squirrel: dood guy just saw Beverly Hills Chihuahua and said it was awesome, you should totally check it out this weekend
Rabbit: Killer
Rabbit: Although I thought he was a cat guy
Squirrel: oh, sorry guess you hadn't heard, the dogs are only characters, it is done by cat actors
Rabbit: Oh, just like Shakespeare
Squirrel: yeah, but on a much more intellectual level, it's like if ET were real, which he IS but that's a completely different story
Rabbit: Like if ET were real, but Drew Barrymore was a cat, got it
Squirrel: EXACTLY!

Nuts!

2008-09-18T19:26:00.003-06:00

“God gives the nuts, but he does not crack them”

Franz Kafka quotes (German Writer of visionary fiction, 1883-1924)

People of Merica it is time we finally take a stand and get this whole nut insanity (NO PUN INTENDED) straightened out. I have been very intensely conducting a VERY loose survey regarding how the various types of nuts stack up against one another.

Well this is it, this is your chance to come in and defend your favorite nut while for the love of GAWD hopefully insulting your least favorite. Below you will find my ranking. Just because I don't mention your favorite here doesn't mean you shouldn't so take up arms and let's get to business!

One rule I am laying down is, I don't want to hear anything about "well this nut sux because I have to get the shell off, and sniffle sniffle sniffle. I don't care about the shell, all nuts can pretty much be purchase shelled. If you can't afford such shelled nuts, then what are you doing on the Internet!? Oh, and don't even start with, "well in a mixture of nuts this one is good, blahdy blahdy blahh". This is a nut on its own with no others to prop it up.

1. Almonds: Yes top spot for the following reasons; Love the texture, has a nice refreshing taste that isn't overly oily and can take on virtually any flavor and pulls it off with flying colors. A festival for the mouth. Huzzah! Huzzah! Oh and lastly, can anyone say Marzipan!!!!!

2. Hazelnuts: Very good, robust flavor, lots of applications. Comes in and takes desserts to the next level. THE NEXT LEVEL PEOPLE! Really popular in Germany and that makes me happy.

3. Macadamia Nuts: Wow, if you haven't been to Hawaii you have no idea how a nut can define a tropical destination. While being great plain or, my all time favorite, toffee covered the macadamia nut really stands on its own. The macadamia also traverses with ease the various sorts of chocolate out there. It works super nicely when "encrusting" meats such as fish or chicken as well. The least healthy nut BY FAR so watch out.

4. Peanuts: Okay, not too huge of a fan here but I gots to pay my respects to this one, I mean peanut butter, Thai peanut sauces (please go out right now and get some green beans and dip them in this, you will not regret it I promise you). Cookies, getting gum out of your hair, you name it the peanut is probably like 3 degrees of Kevin Bacon away from solving the task at hand. Often imitated, never duplicated (ya hear me cashew, you coward).

5. Walnut/Pecan: So, before anyone rakes me over the hot coals of shiva on this one. You do have to admit they are similar. I find the very thin skin on these nuts bitter so their use to me is limited. I love walnut in cookies and pecan pie ain't bad at all. Sorry guys you have much to compete with, nobody said it would be easy to be the best nut and neither of you are.

6. Brazil nut: Um wuh? Uh okay, a weird one but not the worst, I've had like 5 of these in my life so you know, whatever.

7. Cashews: Don't let the cashew fool you. It is a peanut impostor! It's like "hey, eat me, I'm like a big curvy peanut that is slightly creamier". Cashew, if I could end your existence I soooo would, you lackluster imitator.

Fin!

Quantum Leap

2008-07-08T08:07:00.002-06:00

Squirrel: are you going to the quantum leap convention?

Rabbit: oh please tell me you are serious

Squirrel: yeah, price of admission, a dead scott bakula dolly

Rabbit: hahaha

Squirrel: dressed in renaissance garb of course

Rabbit: yayyy

well it just so happens I was making one for my OWN uses

Squirrel: oh

GAWWWWD

Rabbit: thank god he is ok though

Squirrel: seriously! Who would save us from the troubles happening in the future-past

Le MegaMixe

2008-06-02T19:32:00.002-06:00

Many times I have been approached about the music I listen to. Okay, that's a small lie. The truth is many times I have run into people and have wanted (and in some cases needed) to expose them to the wonder that I call... "The music I listen to".

I have decided to embark upon the impossible. I shall go through my entire music library and hand pick the best of the best. I have a mere 11,000 tracks to go through so it shouldn't be too bad. All; my request of you is to provide any input you have on this task of tasks.

So far I have broken it out into 6 distinct areas. Please suggest any if I have forgotten. Also feel free to suggest if I am way off track in putting these artists where they are. Lucky posters will get a free copy of these discs when done. I anticipate doing only data discs this time so I can incorporate the maximum amount of music.

Alternative (Radiohead, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Gorillaz, Weezer, etc...)
Chill (Massive Attach, Portishead, Tricky, Thievery Corporation, etc...)
Classics (Depeche Mode, New Order, Bjork, etc...)
DJ/Club (Oakenfold, Tiga, Stardust, etc...)
Hard/Industrial (NIN, Front 242, 16 Volt)
New/Eclectic (Figurine, Peter Bjorn and John, Royksopp, etc...)

Any input on categories or tracks that you feel are musts for this please let me know. Until then I will be glued to iTunes. All input is "warmly" received.

TST

The Bee Gees saved my dog

2008-06-02T19:23:00.002-06:00

The question of the day is: Should one sing in a faux BeeGees voice to their pet? If you answered no to this question then may god have mercy on your soul.

Pants for a Bog?

2008-02-18T15:31:00.003-07:00

Gentlemen!

I say, Gentlemen!

Look!

Look down at your pants!

Would you describe the color as cranberry or anything of the sort?!

If you answered yes, you are wrong. Take those pants and nooooo, do not donate them, needy people need not look so tasteless. Take those pants and take the cursed chicken bones you bought from that lady in Jamaica and set them both on fire! Do it! Do it NOW! It is the only way you will escape my wrath!

S

To use or not to use, that is the... oh forget about it!

2008-01-29T20:40:00.000-07:00

Lately I have seem to be ending up in meetings where at the end of a PowerPoint presentation the presenter uses a famous quote. Recently this came in the form of an anonymous quote from the underground railroad. The meeting was about, telecommuting... The quote underground railroad, the meeting TELECOMMUTING.

Okay so in case this is not screaming out at you, why on Earth am I supposed to connect the two of these. Don't get me wrong, I am all for using knowledge gained in one area and applying it to another but this has gone to far. Please sound off if you agree. If you don't, please include your address so I can sneak into your house, enslave you, write down something profound that someone said who is trying to free you and then give that quote to a person to use in a presentation about the office coffee!

Somer synopsis says sally sucks strawberries

2007-10-25T09:31:00.000-06:00

The following is a highly complex and clever review of my latest mix disc "Somer". I think i may enjoy this review more than the mix itself. Only time will tell. Be forewarned; Zac IS a renaissance man. Some parts were, ehem, edited for all audiences

(1. Justice: D.A.N.C.E) The first song, Hanson's Revenge, gets a live blog breakdown, since the event is burned into my memory down to the second.

(0:00-0:16) hey cute intro, I wonder what this leads into
(0:17-0:32) oh ok same thing, repeated, and louder. Nice melody, but I hope this goes somewhere else soon
(0:33-0:42) uh oh now I'm worried, they're developing the intro and really bringing in the instrumentals to back this up-- oh shit was that the hook
(0:42-1:15) ok stay calm, just focus on the funky Daft Punk bass, and try not to think about how much you viscerally despise Hanson. oh maan this is really bad-- ok that was definitely the hook
(1:16-1:33) back to the intro for round 2. NOT TERRIBLE
(1:34-2:07) second, verse, same as the first, and if you're over 6, then go ahead and curse
(2:07-2:24) yayy is this what is referred to in music as a "bridge"? If so then I hope it takes me to the unfrosted side of the miniwheat
(2:24-2:42) aaaaaaaarrrrrgghhhga *click*
(2:42-end) I don't know SEAN because I've never made it that far

SS: Wow, so i guess that song is an hommage to Michael Jackson. So you were close!

(2. Figurine: Way Too Good) Awesome, very Postal Service. I am memorizing this song for singing purposes. Perhaps someday some lucky :) will get a rad serenade from me. Make his :) day.

SS: This sounds like Postal Service because it is exactly one half of them, the electronic one to be precise.

(3. Stars: Window Bird) Also awesome. I need to know who this is.

SS: And they are Canadian, works totally well for you mister!

(4. The Sounds: Rock 'N Roll) This one bugged me. The rhymes were disturbingly disjointed (am I missing the point here? it strikes me as lazy), the main melody is super unoriginal, and the chorus was yet another Pachelbel Cannn redux

(5. The Dandy Warhols: The Last High) One of my favorites on the album. Also gonna memorize this one.

(6. Bent: Handbrake) Wow sounds like Sean Lennon. Fun to sing along to, but ultimately forgettable.

(7. Tracey Thorn: Easy) I liked this song a lot more on my headphones than in my car for some reason (some songs are like that, aren't they?). Touching. Sad. Completely gay.

(8. The Soft Lightes: 1983) Another favorite. I love the neo 80s sound and the lyrics are refreshingly cognizant and life-affirming. Wait, is this a gay song too? I can't never tell if it's the song or just me.

(9. Unkle: Keys to the Kingdom) Rockin'

(10. Digitalism: Pogo) So Rockin'

(11. Naked Ape: Fashion Freak) Hahaha fuck you SO ROCKIN. you wouldn't believe how many people I almost kill when this song comes on in my car (hint: MANY)

SS: You should see the video for this. Zombie models cleaning a car while the band sits inside. Amazing!

(12. Vitalic: Poney, Pt.1) Great song. Dark, driving, brooding, creepy and hilarious all at once (I want to master some pseudo german matching the timbre the pony speaks). Love that whole Vitalics album.

SS: Based on a French childrens story about a pony who wants kids to know how miserable he is working in a fare.

(13. Tiga: You Gonna Want Me) Super dancy, super rad. Poney somehow fits with this really well. In my singing practice I am also trying to sound like a black woman.

(14. The Knife: Heartbeats (Rex The Dog Mix)) This wins the award of Most Listened To song. Everything about it rocks. The minute and a half intro, that chick's voice, the melody, the completely-not-overbearing neo-Cindy-Lauper instrumentals, the rockin' breakdown at the end.

Great job Sean! YOU FROZE MY DOUBLE DRAGON.

Zac

PS OK I went ahead and listened to the rest of song 1, and I thought the last 20 seconds was pretty good, like Daft Punk had kids that will ultimately grow up to disappoint them and those who depend on them. Perhaps.

Not being fair with fruit

2007-08-09T16:04:00.000-06:00

Today I have finally realized that I haven't been exactly fair with a highly popular fruit. I had long thought the apple was a complete waste. I have been known to openly challenge people eating them. Today I have realized that the apple is not really all that bad. I realized the a few weeks back that the REAL impostor is the watermelon. I mean, come on, who is it kidding. Compared with its melonic siblings the watermelon ALWAYS leave you wishing for better. Like, oh here I am eating a watermelon, sure wish it were honeydew. Watermelon you are on notice!

My new tumblr

2007-06-07T09:30:00.000-06:00

Awesome, so I have one now

My Tumblr

Does this mean the end for 12 Sycamore Trees?
No way, it just means lengthy thoughts go here and the more fun random ones which people really know me by go on the Tumblr

The REAL deal

2007-06-07T09:28:00.000-06:00

Agent2: Hey Agent1, you up for lunch on Friday?
Agent1 sure lets do it
Agent2: coolio. Already arranged with Agent3. 11:30 @ Bella Vista.
Agent1 kool, so you didn't go yesterday then?
Agent2: Nah, decided to reschedule instead.
Agent1 k, i got a message from him but i can never understand what he is saying on his phone
Agent2: awesome
Agent1 yeah, wonder if that is an add on to his service
Agent2: It's a form of encryption, to keep that government from stealing his secrets
Sent at 8:20 AM on Thursday
Agent1 oh that's right forgot about those, his sekrets that is
Agent2: The Japanese are always trying to steal his Guitar Hero secrets. And the Russians are after that Tetris skillz
Sent at 8:22 AM on Thursday
Agent1 i heard tetris skillz stealing is at cold war levels
Agent2: Only since we started building our Europe-based Polygonal Defense Shield. We didn't really leave the Russians any choice...
It's starting to look like Arkanoid out there.
Sent at 8:24 AM on Thursday
Agent1 i heard there's a new top secret tank being built, it is the shape of a disc with a pie piece cut out of it, who KNOWS what that will be used for
Sent at 8:28 AM on Thursday
Agent2: Yeah, but the Russians have a better version. It's got a BOW on top. How can you counter that kind of thing? It's so inhumane, I think it may violate the Colecovision Convention.
Sent at 8:32 AM on Thursday
Agent1 if only we had someone who could jump over obstacles and could swing on ropes to avoid aligators
he may be our only hope
Sent at 9:07 AM on Thursday
Agent2: I hear the Chinese have leveraged their ridiculous ping-pong powers into some sort of gigantic, flying deflector shield. Maybe we should look into that.
Sent at 9:20 AM on Thursday

Budapest

2007-05-08T07:57:00.000-06:00

What: The street by our hotel that is lined with awesome restaurants

Attendees: Roy and Yours truly

Comments: Not much to say really, I pretty much eat here every day. Thank gawd there are tons of restaurants.

What: Escalator down to the subway at Kalvin Ter (this is where my hotel is)

Attendees: Roy and Yours truly

Comments: This escalator is rocket fast. You really have to watch out or you will be destroyed. There are really corny adds for bad movies and businesses around Budapest.

What: Saint Stephen's Basilica

Attendees: Roy and Yours truly

Comments: This place was huge much like the rest. You can see this church from pretty much anywhere in Budapest. The decoration in the church is much darker than in the German churches.

What: Statue Park

Attendees: Roy and Yours truly

Comments: I am almost positive that this statue in particular was in the Goldeneye (game and movie?). The hands are probably about twice as tall as I am (that's 12 ft for people that don't know me, or my height, well).

What: Statue Park

Attendees: Roy and Yours truly

Comments: This statue was really huge, maybe 2 and a half stories? The lady said that it was a running joke, when the statue was in its original location, that the guy is saying, "Sir, you forgot your towel". Most of the Hungarians weren't really "down" with the communists post 1956 so there was plenty of internal mockery between them.

What: Hungary's Statue of Liberty

Attendees: Zoltan and Yours truly

Comments: This statue sits really high and is located at one of the highest points surrounding Budapest. You can see the entire city from up here. The statue was erected when the Soviets "freed" the Hungarian people from Nazi occupation. After the Soviets left Hungary in 1991 there was great debate regarding whether to move the statue or not. They decided to keep it but remove the Soviet statues that surrounded it to statue park.

What: Pariament Building

Attendees: Zoltan and Yours truly

Comments: This is probably the most captivating of all the buildings here in Budapest. The picture really doesn't do it justice from a size point of view. Zoltan said that during communist rule there were three large red stars on the points of the three middle towers. The Danube is what is in front of it.

What: Just your run of the mill Gypsy Circus

Attendees: Roy and Yours truly

Comments: Um yeah, so this was set up in front of the office here. There were small malnourished horses/ponies wandering all around as well as semi-violent dogs. We didn't go in. Zoltan said they (the gypsies) probably stole everything for this production.

Chiemsee [28 April 2007]

2007-05-01T05:02:00.000-06:00

What: Palace at Chiemsee

Attendees: Reinhold, Monika, Yours truly

Comments: This picture looks out from the palace. This is one of King Ludwig's unfinished castles. The palace is located on a small island and is surrounded by a very dense forest. The terrain around it reminded me very much of the northwestern US. This fountain started to go off after I had already put my camera away.

What: Palace at Chiemsee

Attendees: Reinhold, Monika, Yours truly

Comments: This is a picture looking directly at the palace; a 180 degree turn from the previous one. The palace is modeled after the one at Versailles, France. King Ludwig was obsessed with several people. A French king to name just one, which is what led to the construction of this massive palace. The main entrance to the palace located along the southern edge was really something out of this world.

Wasserburg [28 April 2007]

2007-05-01T04:51:00.000-06:00

What: Wasserburg

Attendees: Reinhold, Monika, Yours truly

Comments: This town was really charming and very small. Reinhold pointed out that it had a Tuscan influence. In fact he said that Munich was considered the northern tip of Roman architectural influence (not in those words of course). Many of the buildings in this town were painted vibrant colors. The town had a very Italian feel to it.

What: A really cool church in Wasserburg. Can't find the link for this one either.

Attendees: Reinhold, Monika, Yours truly

Comments: This was the only church that we encountered the whole trip that was gated off (this pic was taken through the bars of said gate). Note the yellow ceilings.

Regensburg [27 April 2007]

2007-05-01T04:21:00.000-06:00

What: Just your ordinary beautiful street in Regensburg. This was par for the course for walking around this town.

Attendees: Hanns, Klara, Reinhold, Monika, Yours truly

Comments: We walked around for quite a bit this day. The weather was completely awesome as usual and there were lots of birds chirping. Along the streets and in gardens there were massive amounts of Lobelia growing. This seemed to be the case for most areas in Germany that I visited. I told Klara that my mom, aunt, and grandmother plant lots of it during this time of year. She seemed happy to know this.

What: Regensburg Cathedral

Attendees: Hanns, Klara, Reinhold, Monika, Yours truly

Comments: This church was really big, but very dark inside so really none of my pictures turned out from the inside. This was highly disappointing as it was really nice in there.

What: A very old church in Regensburg, so old in fact that I can not find the link for it. This isn't the major church in town but is certainly the most ornate.

Attendees: Hanns, Klara, Reinhold, Monika, and Yours truly

Comments: I went to the back of this church and saw dates that went as far back as the mid 800's. There were also a couple of skeletons that were on each side inside glass boxes. This church had a mini church off to the right after you entered it. In the basement which usually is reserved for a tomb I found an even smaller cathedral which looked like it was reserved for smaller more intimate ceremonies.

What: Old stone bridge of Regensburg

Attendees: Clara, Hans, Reinhold, Monika, and Yours truly

Comments: This bridge was very old and spans the Danube river. There were some people sun bathing on the other side. Where this picture was taken was a very old restaurant that has been flooded many times. It had the most sour sauerkraut that I could ever dream of. I think they said it ferments for 10 years. My aunt Chris would love it! I literally felt it in my cheeks for the rest of the day

Munich [26 April 2007]

2007-05-01T03:25:00.000-06:00

What: Olympiapark, Munich

Attendees: Reinhold and Yours truly

Comments: This was the first day in Munich. We did the most walking this day and the weather was amazing, as were the sights. You can see the beginnings of a large hill on the right. Under this hill is all the debris from when Munich was bombed relentlessly during WWII. They covered it with dirt and now is a really nice rolling green hill with trees. The architecture here is really something to see. Also the BMW HQ is located next to this. This is a must see

What: Munich Residenz

Attendees: Reinhold and Yours truly

Comments: We went here the first day as well. I was getting very sleepy at this point. In fact I think I fell asleep standing a couple time. I was kept awake however by the awesome beauty this palace had. The picture to the right is the Antiquarium (Hall of Antiquities) which was the most notable sight in the palace. This place was huge. We headed to the Hoffbrau house after this and had some really good beer.

What: Frauenkirche - Cathedral Church of Our Lady

Attendees: Reinhold and Yours truly

Comments: Perhaps my favorite thing to do in Europe is to check out the churches. They are truly amazing especially when you consider they were built by hand. Pictures just really can't even capture the immense size of the interiors of these churches. They are always cold as the huge amounts of mortar used in their construction keeps them well insulated. There is usually a tomb/catacombs that you can visit which is always interesting which you can find in the back of the church.

Allianz Arena [27 April 2007]

2007-05-01T03:16:00.000-06:00

What: Allianz Arena, a very large sports complex located on the outskirts of Munich. My cousin Daniel says that it holds 67K people and the Reds play there. Apparently that team is really awesome. The shell turns three colors; Red, White, and Blue. Surely not in that order?

Attendees: Reinhold, Monika, and Yours truly

Comments: This place was really a marvel to look at, you can see through its semi translucent skin. On the way there Reinhold took his Benz to somewherez around 220kM/hr. I think this was the fastest speed that I have ever experienced in a car. The Benz handled it well of course.

Dinner at Klara's [26 April 07]

2007-05-01T03:06:00.000-06:00

Menu: Sauerbraten, potato dumplings, creamy cucumber salad, and cranberry sauce. Oh and of course Weissbeer.

Attendees: Yours truly, Klara, Hanns, Reinhold, Monika, Manfred, Susie, Daniel, Stephan

Comments: A very good meal and conversation. I think I may understand what Hans is saying, maybe not. Oh well, lots of beer, lots of food and laughs, can't ask for more than that.

Electro, and my love affair with it

2007-03-19T15:54:00.000-06:00

TST: So Sean what music do you prefer to listen to when The Robots are hunting all the humans down and trying to eat ALL brains?

SSS: I like Electro and all of its varieties

TST: Why is that?

SSS: Because it makes me feel like robots are hunting me down and trying to eat my brain.

TST: Wow, where can the rest of us get in on some of that

SSS: Go to the following link http://www.traviscastillo.com/

SSS: Go directly to the electro sections for a given year

SSS: Grab anything that has Tiga or Justice in the title

TST: Will it make us feel like Los Roboticos are going to eat our brains

SSS: Don't call them that, and yes, yes it will

You are not right, you are wrong

2007-03-13T21:38:00.000-06:00

While going up the elevator yesterday a tall man was riding it with me. He had a cyborg like apparatus hanging on his ear. It was then that I had a flashback PTSD style that went back to basic training. The elevator became hot, like those brutal 100 degree days running around Panama City. In the back of my head a voice became louder and Louder and LOuder and well you get the idea. The voice was my drill sergeant and it said this.

"IF YOU ARE STANDING HERE ON THIS ELEVATOR WITH A STUPID EAR APPARATUS ATTACHED TO YOUR HEAD, YOU ARE WRONG!"

"I HATE THINGS THAT ARE WRONG AND THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE AND I HATE YOU!"

I can only hope that he could hear my delusional thoughts. He needed to and so did I.

It's a real bad idea

2007-03-09T15:17:00.000-07:00

Everybody, PLEASE, do NOT go to war with yourself!

L'homme avec les grands écouteurs blancs

2007-03-05T08:03:00.000-07:00

Hey there, guy, guy with the huge white headphones with chrome studs on them! You win dood, you totally win. It was between you and the lady with a Christmas ornament pinned to the lapel of her camel skin trench. But you sir are the winner!

World's most important conversation

2006-11-10T09:37:00.000-07:00

Le Roi de Lune says:

is served

Agent Cooper says:

i made tea

Agent Cooper says:

not used to you making coffee again

Le Roi de Lune says:

it's ok

Agent Cooper says:

what now

Le Roi de Lune says:

so you're not interested?

Agent Cooper says:

WHAAAAT now

Agent Cooper says:

sorry no

Le Roi de Lune says:

well well well

Le Roi de Lune says:

look who's not interested now

Agent Cooper says:

it's me

Agent Cooper says:

it'ssssszzzzz

Agent Cooper says:

muh-eeeeeee

Le Roi de Lune says:

haha

Le Roi de Lune says:

see what happens now

Le Roi de Lune says:

so I postponed my thing until tomorrow

Agent Cooper says:

oh dear

Agent Cooper says:

hope it wasn't us

Le Roi de Lune says:

no no

Le Roi de Lune says:

I just wanted a bit more time

Le Roi de Lune says:

too many things are broken

Le Roi de Lune says:

need fixin'

Agent Cooper says:

oh i see, great thx alot

Le Roi de Lune says:

bye

Agent Cooper says:

Le Roi, don't go away mad

Agent Cooper says:

Le Roi, don't hate tha game

Le Roi de Lune says:

: Le Roi isn't here anymore, he's in tha god head

Agent Cooper says:

: we will see about that kitty kat, we will SEA!

Agent Cooper says:

: by the way, where did he find it

Le Roi de Lune says:

: it was inside itself, itself, itself

Agent Cooper says:

Does that mean the godhead can't think outside the box?

Le Roi de Lune says:

no, it doesn't speak to that point

Agent Cooper says:

krap, guess i need to invite it to YET ANOTHER meeting

Le Roi de Lune says:

yeah, email godhead@placeyoudleastexpect.com

Agent Cooper says:

okay, you win that was too funny

Le Roi de Lune says:

no, you win cuz you're too kind

Six Feet Under Postmortem

2006-11-09T10:28:00.000-07:00

So far I have completely enjoyed every product of Alan Ball. Six Feet Under is some of the best television every made. It has been off the air for a while now but I was able to find this very nice interview with it's creator.
A very good interview with Alan Ball on the series and what he is up to next.

BT - This Binary Universe

2006-11-08T15:05:00.000-07:00

So when I heard that there was a new BT album out I must admit that I didn't immediately jump into my car and head to the nearest Best Buy to pick it up. I was expecting more of the same poppy-electronic music that has been BT up to this point.

After hearing a small sample in a friend's car I was surprised and curious to hear more. I purchased said album "This Binary Universe" and brought it back to work for a listen. The packaging of the album is appealing and comes with a DVD that has the album in 5.1 as well as some animation work which I am sure will not dissapoint judging by the cover.

The album was far from what you normally get with BT. Brian Transeau takes us on a very spatial journey. The tracks mostly start out very basic and move in an out of syncopated beats that arise via overlapping samples. If I didn't know better I would say this album was on the WARP label at times sounding like Aphex Twin's Druqs and other times very much resembling Boards of Canada. By no means is this album a hack though. Acoustic guitars, strings, marimbas, and other instruments place this album in a unique space. One that i recommend one check out.

Have a Kick Ass Summer

2006-08-08T10:05:00.000-06:00

Another season is upon us which means another mix disc from the Cash-man. Have a Kick Ass Summer is its title and the contents match it well. I have left the track names and artist names out intentionally as I want to review this in a very artist agnostic manner. I include the "People that like this also liked" sections to further isolate the artist comparisons. In fact at first I wanted to make no reference even to "like" artists but simply could not avoid it. Okay enough, let's dig in.

1. We start with a strong retro-rock opening. What wonderful summer mix would be complete without a track lyrically covering the topic of a best friend. Furthermore, what is a summer without a best friend.

People that like this also liked: The Rentals

2. Continuing on in the rock opening. Vocals are great in this song. Nice play from male vocals to very comfy female ones. I believe this back and forth to be the core of what this mix is intended to be, that is. A game between male and female. Just a stab but that's how I took it. I love this band and need to get more of their stuff.

People that like this also liked: Villeneuve

3. Oh dear, throwing down this track is some serious business. Certainly my favorite Tears for Fears track ever from an all too small collection imho. This track is timeless, obviously. Also, I have always felt that this song feels like it's falling on you, sometimes heavy and sometimes light but always tumbling. One word, okay two. Hell yeah!

People that like this also liked: (Good music in general)

4. We now throttle back a bit. This track fits well here as it feels like it is tumbling as well. The simple piano sound is great with suprise appearances of accordion and strings. This track feels like a denoument.

People that like this also liked: Blur

5. Turns out I was right about the denoument we have now switched gears into chill mode. Nicely done! This remix is more upbeat than the original yet still very chill which is nice. Love the beats.

People that like this also liked: Garden State Soundtrack

6. We go into even more delicate territory. The sounds/beats are wonderfully syncopated here.

People that like this also liked: I am the World Trade Center (for vocals) and Aphex Twin (for random noises syncopated together)

7. We now are picking things up. This track is unlike any other that I have heard. I won't attempt to put it into a genre; okay disco funk. This song is catchy as hell and don't anticipate even trying to get it out of your head you won't want to either.

People that like this also liked: Felix the Housecat

8. We are now in the electronic part of the mix fo sho (stolen from previous track, sorry). A modern mix of Blue Monday to give the comfort of something familiar yet the interest of something new. This is a great lead in to the next track.

9. This track is supah nice. This is what would have happened if The Clash put out an electro track.

10. Continuing on in the electro vibe with a twist of disco we arrive at a Lords of Acid-esque product. Interesting to hear LOA sound in this context.

11. Okay, so further laying down the gauntlet we come upon a gem of a remix of the Yeah Yeah Yeah's. Please see previous shoe post on the author's feelings regarding this album. This track has the best lyric on the whole mix, "I wish I could buy back, the woman you stole". Oh my gawd it makes me want to scream!

12. Would it be a mix from Senor Cash without a Placebo track? NO! It wouldn't! So there. Being a seasoned vetran of the Joe/Cash mix disc anthology wars I will lay down this clever, YES CLEVER dammit, observation. This track is the watermark of the mix (i.e. hey listener you are listening to a mix disc by Cash so check it). This track echoes the feeling of the beginning.

People that like this also liked: Alpinestars

13. So we put away these feelings of looping back to the start of the mix by heading into a nice remix of Interpol. Ooh, this band has such a powerful sound. Hard to try to interpret anything beyond what the band wants you too here. This anchors any mix disc.

People that like this also liked: Joy Division (duh!)

14. Wow, how I love the Sundays. I find them particularly end-of-summer-ish. Hey that's almost akin to the placement of the track on this mix. Intentional? Surely that is too diabolical. Or is it?!!! Where is the mystery machine when you need it? The track of this song and its placement in the mix is highly suggestive. Are we ending a section of the mix?

15. Indeed we have changed gears into what I anticipate to be the last phase of the mix. Latin flavored guitar laden tracks and the end of the summer are such a perfect match. Touchez! I can't get images of spendid sunsets out of my mind. Thanks indeed!

16. This track is very stripped down and has lovely vocals.

17. Nice music but the lyric, "Today, I will step out of your past" is haunting. Is this mix gonna leave me haunted? Oh dear, have you been spying on what my next mix will be. Only time will tell or maybe the next track will?

18. Ah a remix of "If You Leave". Anyone that hears this and doesn't picture the end to a brat pack movie where 80's teens played games (male vs. female) is kompletely insane. Can't picture a more perfect end to this mix.

Dress Shoes

2006-05-22T10:43:00.000-06:00

So finally I want to use my blog for something that is actually "bloggy" or opinionated. On my way to the restroom this morning I passed a gentleman wearing dress shoes with tassels. The following interview was conducted by yours truly.

SB: So Sean, you know what's going on with Men's dress shoes what's your take on dress shoes with tassels.

Sean: Personally I hate them, I have no idea why anyone would ever consider such a shoe.

SB: Wow, that's a strong statement. Afterall, at least half of the business executives in the world wear them.

Sean: Yes and they also have bad haircuts, doesn't mean that we should defend THAT as well.

SB: The bad haircuts?

Sean: Yes

SB: So why all the hate for the tassels.

Sean: They just look silly. Back in the 80s when they were moderately famous by the likes of bad Michael J Fox movies I could stand them. Now they simply remind me of said movies; and don't give me the, "Oh but they are just a fancy loafer excuse". It is simply that, an excuse. Loafers are an exception and should never be considered the rule. I mean, come on, imagine the coolest person in the world. Are they wearing shoes with tassels? Don't even give it any thought, cuz they are most certainly NOT!

SB: Well that clears things up

Sean: Indeed

SB: What does GQ think of the issue

Sean: Follow this link http://men.style.com/gq/fashion/styleguy/shoes/469

SB: So how bout that new Yeah Yeah Yeah's album? The one that Cash Pazo turned you on to?

Sean: It is fuhreekin awesome. I listen to it constantly.

SB: What's in you CD player in your car?

Sean: The new Yeah Yeah Yeah's album.

SB: What are you listening to now?

Sean: The new Yeah Yeah Yeah's album

Sprung

2006-05-01T13:12:00.000-06:00

1. Fuzzy: Retro and lovely for the spring, a great opener to a spring disc

2. Seductress of Bums: This song is what is playing in those strange bars/cafes that exist only in Lynch films, so obviously i love it
2a) words can't express how cool that wavering guitar sound is. Ooh tha shivuhs.

3. I've got you under my skin: Wow, some Sinatra. Apparently this disc means business. This song, and most of his music, makes me think of taking a drive just for the sake of it. Ah and early spring, what better time to do so.

4. What else is there: Oh man speaking of a song that makes me think of driving but this one makes me think of driving through a storm. This song is intense and the vocals so incredibly unique. Love it, love it, love it

5. Crystalnight: Self explanatory, it's nighttime now, what i love about this song is it's simplicity, something i have been focusing very heavily on, okay enough about me.

6. In my arms: Ooh nice and funky, guess we have gone out on the town. I love the flow of this album, you have nailed it mister; you hear me NAILED it!

7. Tribulations: Continuing on with picking things up. Very nice, electro but not overly so, I do enjoy these parts of your discs, when they pick up steam and head into electropop bliss. So nice.

8. Gold Lion: Thanks for throwing something from the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs album on this, i have been debating buying it, maybe now i will. Apparently this band has matured yet kept the good raw things about their sound.

9. Drag: Rock lives, I have been more than happy to return to standard rock sounds there is somthing just so classic about it, and this song is so driving. Oh and I realize that now I am addicted to music that has good bass riffs, no wonder i am such a cure fanatic

10. Blood: Very nice, again lovin the heavy driving bass lines, very joy division/cure? Is that possible? I guess it is.

11. The youngest was the most loved: Hmmm not sure about this one yet, need to listen to this a couple times just like every time I hear something new from him. Each album almost escapes me but then after awhile grabs me.

12. Pledge of Allegiance: This song has such a raw sound which matches well with alot of the rock songs on this disc. How you ended up here from song 2 is amazing, but you did it.

13. Tourist: Ahh, so now we come back down or at least start to, this song makes me feel like I am gliding. Oh, and I like that.

14. Brothers on a hotel bed: I personally can't imagine a better song to follow the previous one, switiching these two would have been a mistake, DCFC is going to be one of those prolific bands we think back to and wonder what the heck we were listening to instead of these guys. ALOT of people will think this by the way.

15. Forest: Wow, this latin flavor of Forest feels so natural that it freaks me out to think that this song can be taken this far from its original state. Smith and company are truly sublime and so is this cover. Who would have thought RAIN forest.

16. It's a sin: Okay mister you almost went to far but a fish out of water mix of It's a Sin that is again soooo far from the original is like I am in a parallel world where all these edgy synthpop bands instead were simply relaxing. very nice. This feels like i am coming in for a landing and it's sunset AND I have a nice smart drink waiting for me back home. Lovely

17. Summer Rain: Ah the lip at the end of the slide down, i like it when a mix disc does that, i never seem to be able to do this, maybe I will simply kopykat you and do this myself as well. This is the strawberry after drinking the wine.

What a great piece of work mister. This will be in heavy rotation.

Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me - 5/5/1987

2006-03-08T09:28:00.000-07:00

The previous album Head On the Door began to shed some light on the fact that The Cure truly are masters of several styles of music. In albums previous to it we saw them focus on one style of music and do it well (Faith) or in some cases we saw them experiment with several styles never really going very deep in any (Three Imaginary Boys). Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me is by many considered to be their best album and quite simply is responsible for the largest amount of Cure fans being brought into the fold. I had to listen to this album many times as I kept just getting lost in all the songs never really coming to an analyisis on any of them. The last pass through I cam to the conclusion that this album has primarily three styles on it: Fast and Agressive, Pop, and dreamy chill-out. Much like it's more refined predecessor their foray into each of these flavors is good but this album in particular they display that indeed they have mastered each of these sounds. Their "best-of" release before this came too soon as I feel that KMKMKM capped off an era as the next album is truly more of a departure. I could see some of the songs on here on Staring at the Sea quite easily. This album means different things to different people which is certainly predictable as all of their albums affect people this way. For me this album holds my favorite slower songs like Catch, If Only Tonight We Could Sleep, Like Cockatoos, and A Thousand Hours (this one is arguably the bridge to the next album btw).

I could go on and on about this album which had up to this point prevented me from writing this post. This album is one of the Cure's best and most important and kicks off a string of 3 fantastic albums.

High Points:

Parliament Building

2006-02-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

Church overlooking the Duna (a.k.a The Danube)

2006-02-22T17:50:00.000-07:00

Heroe's Square

2006-02-22T17:48:00.000-07:00

Lighthouse south of Carmel, CA

2006-02-14T08:29:00.000-07:00

Rocky Point Observation Area

2006-02-14T08:27:00.000-07:00

The Head on the Door (13 Aug 1985)

2006-01-24T08:56:00.000-07:00

Ah, what can I say about one of my most favorite Cure albums. From the cover to the music this album is quality through and through. One may notice that drums play a more significant role in this album. This is most likely due to the entrance of one of the best Cure drummers of all time, Boris. This album is more evolved than The Top especially toward their pop sounds. Now having said that they experiment a bit more with pop songs that are morose which will become very important over the next several albums.

The Head on the Door is the first in a series of the most important Cure albums. Let's remember that after this comes Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me then Disintegration, which is then followed by Wish. The Head on the Door is the last album that is covered via Staring at the Sea (or Standing on a Beach depending on the medium). Wha't strange about that is this album is a definite turning point from The Top to Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me. The band again explores some different styles here from latin, middle eastern, and asian; sometimes all in the same song. Also on this album is the classic Close To Me. If there is another song in the universe that is even remotely similar to this song please let me know as I have not found it and couldn't even imagine it. The album ends with Sinking which is lyrically and musically fitting for the last track. Arguably this one could have ended up on Disintegration If you were listening to The Top and wondering, where the heck is this leading us, this is it.

Very High Points: Close To Me, Kyoto Song, Blood, Six Different Ways, A Night Like This

The Top (22 May 1984)

2006-01-23T08:52:00.000-07:00

Let's face it, the cover says it all for this album. At first listen you will find this album psychadelic to say the least. Some suspect this album was born out of one of the heaviest drug storms The Cure was ever in. Now, having said that this album to a seasoned Cure fan means much more than a drug induced exploration. Instead the band explore many different styles here from the ethereal "Dressing Up" to the hard edged "Give me it" which on the fan site someone wrote: "THIS SONG IS SO VITRIOLIC. IT MAKES ME WANNA
PUNCH MY TEDDYBEAR!" I most certainly agree, watch out Teddy.

The Top is one of the most debated albums in the band's catalogue some claiming it as the best and some the worst. Let's not forget some of the songs on this album which are fantastic, most notable Caterpillar and Shake Dog Shake. In my opinion you can scarcely call yourself an admirer of Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me if you don't adore Caterpillar! The Top basically is the band polishing off a variety of their styles, which they move forward with, before carrying on to create their masterpieces (Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me; Disintegration; Wish) Personally I feel that you can connect any of their albums back to this one. It is virtually the epicenter of their whole catalogue which makes this album very important to explore and understand as a "true" Cure fan.

"High" points : Shake Dog Shake, Give Me It, Dressing Up, Caterpillar

Wedding Location

2006-01-21T22:07:00.000-07:00

Japanese Whispers (12 June 1983)

2006-01-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

When I had the idea of listening to the Cure's albums back to back I hadn't expected to gain such a new look on one of my most favorite Cure albums. Unlike the previous albums Japanese Whispers does NOT start where the previous one left off. Japanese Whispers and it's predecessor are not even remotely the same. There are a couple moments that echo it but these are fleeting.

At first pass it was awkward listening to this album after the very heavy previous three. It took me a couple of attempts only to realize that this is a pop album. In fact if you compare this one to Three Imaginary Boys you are more able to get a feel for The Cure's pop skills, which are good and only get better from here. It seems as though after this album the band go back and forth between very poppy songs/albums to more melancholy ones. It makes sense to me that this album was one of my favorites when I was younger when pop music was all I really had the capability to appreciate. After all, how can a 14 year old appreciate an album like Faith? And if they could, you should probably keep a close eye on them. The previous album reviews have been more looking back i.e. Faith made sense because of it's predecessor. Japanese Whispers turns things on it's head because it makes you look forward for what's next. The Top and Head on the Door are such fantastic albums and most certainly continue where this one leaves off.

One thing I now notice about The Cure's music is it is timeless. None of this stuff sounds dated at all. It always has it's own space which is truly remarkable. It blows my mind that this is the stuff I was listening to at 13 and I can still listen to these albums and they are great now when I am 29!

High Points : Let's Go To Bed, Just One Kiss, The Walk, Lament, The Lovecats

Again the whole album is grrrreat.

Pornography (4 May 1982)

2006-01-13T09:45:00.000-07:00

Listening to this album seems like so much is happening lyrically and musically that it demands a second listen before you are done with the first song, which is one of the most strong openings The Cure have done on an album; One Hundred Years. In typical Cure style they have started where they left off on Faith, which was highly somber and brought you into a more panicked and tense atmosphere. This is the soundtrack to post armageddon with many people strewn about on the blood soaked soil. The cover fits this album perfectly. Again, in typical Cure style, they jump ahead musically in this album by a huge amount. It almost seems at time that this album is simply another layer of keyboards and guitars over the sound that was used in Seventeen Seconds and Faith. Up until this point the bass lines have been very important and in this album completely suport it like a pillar. This album would be a mere shadow of itself without Simon (the only original Cure member still standing aside from Smith of course).

Certainly this album is one of the most important in The Cure's discography. In fact it was one of the 3 chosen for the trilogy show. The lyrics in this album are severly disturbed and penetrating. "Leave me to die, you won't remember my voice" is truly haunting. While some are self referential, "Give me your eye's so I may see, the blind man kissing my hands". Smith really shows off his lyrical power in this album. In fact, this album is so thoroughly developed in all directions that it makes Faith look like an opener for it, GASP!

Most Cure fans immediately compare this one to their epic Disintegration. While Disintegration is most certainly more developed it isn't as focused as this album. After all, Lovesong derails the whole album while that never happens in this one at all not even close so don't even think about it. Many speculate that this album is the one that launched The Cure into the goth scene or maybe the other way around. Smith has stood by his belief that they never set out to be a goth band so I guess it is probably more the inverse where the goth scene more or less latched on to them.

High Points: One Hundred Years, Short Term Effect, Siamese Twins, Strange Day

Faith (14 April 1981)

2006-01-11T12:36:00.000-07:00

So it seems now that the Cure have linked their albums together end to end. Faith picks up on the gloomy trend where Seventeen Seconds left off and takes it to a soft and highly gloomy place. Like Seventeen Seconds this was one of the later albums I bought. I was always curious as to what the image on the cover was and had many theories. Faith is deliberately funeral themed. Consider the track titles after all: Drowning Man, Funeral Party, etc... The sound is also soft save "Doubt" which picks things up a bit and is arguably misplaced on this album. I had remembered reading that this album was written/recorded after "someone" close to Robert Smith had passed away. The image on the front is actually of the church where the funeral was held for this someone. Robert Smith was eventually married at this very church.

This album is incredibly tight musically and all the songs fit together so very very well, again with the exception of "Doubt". I would classify this album as one of the best from a consistency standpoing and flow from song to song. As a teen this album was majorly lost on me. Listening to it today it makes for a much much larger impact. I am considering listening to this album back to back with Seventeen Seconds Happily Ever After style.

High Points : All Cats are Grey, Funeral Party, and Drowning Man

Seventeen Seconds (22 April 1980)

2006-01-10T08:45:00.000-07:00

It would be hard to imagine how a band would transition from Boys Don't Cry to Faith. The Cure did exactly this with Seventeen Seconds. However, this is hardly just a transition album. Many die-hard Cure fans list this as one of their favorites of all time. I would agree totally. The jump in musical maturity from BDC to Seventeen Seconds is huge. In listening to this album you can see where the band is headed both lyrically and musically. Some of these songs could have existed on BDC while some most certainly could have landed on Faith. Personally I find this album leaning more toward the sound of Faith but balanced nicely with more up beat ones the keep the album moving. The Cure had release Happily Ever After in the US which was Seventeen Seconds and Faith on one album. I had searched endlessly for this album as a teen but to no avail. As I gathered Cure albums through my younger year, Seventeen Seconds was one of the last albums I purchased, which was strange as A Forest is one of my favorite songs. This was a big mistake and upon purchasing it I played it over and over and over again.

High Points of the album : Play for Today, A Forest, and M

Boy's Don't Cry (5 Feb 1980)

2006-01-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

It's hard to classify this one as an album, that is if you consider Three Imaginary Boys to be an album. Why? This is due to the fact that these albums have basically the same songs on them save a few new ones on Boy's Don't Cry; most notably the title track. They did leave some of the songs from Three Imaginary Boys off of it and in my opinion they were the right one's to leave off, can anyone say "Meathook" which doesn't even feature Smith on vocals. This album has a slightly more pop feel and Jumping Someone Else's Train is superb. Certainly a must have for any self respecting Cure fan as it is a nice transition to Seventeen Seconds, but more about that later.

Three Imaginary Boys (5/8/1979)

2006-01-05T08:24:00.000-07:00

On their current website The Cure lists this as their first full length album. I always love to listen to a band's first album as it is oftentimes the most untarnished representation of what they originally intended to sound like. This album is no exception. It is the most stripped down of them all containing simply drums, guitars, bass, and vocals. This album gets experimental in some areas pushing boundaries into sounds that were kept going forward while also exploring some that were abandoned (Meathook, So What, etc...)

This album serves as the foundation for Cure albums going forward feeling much like the hot sand in between your toes when you first go to the beach at first and then leading you to the track Three Imaginary Boys which sounds most familiar. Three Imaginary Boys is clearly the start of a thread that winds its way through all of their albums. Of course we will see about that as we stroll along through all of them.

The high points of the album: 10:15 on a Saturday Night, Grinding Halt, Fire in Cairo, and of course Three Imaginary Boys

Link to this album info: Three Imaginary Boys

The man at the bus stop is klearly a KGB agent

2005-12-30T08:22:00.000-07:00

After some careful consideration I believe that the man is indeed a KGB agent that defected from the Soviet Union at some point in the mid to late 80s. During this time I am quite sure that it was fairly easy to get caught in many a "catch 22". Perhaps this was even related to black market vodka trafficking?

Who that man is at my bus stop

2005-12-30T08:18:00.000-07:00

As some of you may or may not know there is a man that is always at my bus stop. He wears a black duster and has long thinning hair (not that I hold that against him). However, he is always there, no matter when I arrive. Plus he is there when I am leaving in the morning and when i exit the bus in the evening. This post will be the first in a series of "Who is the guy at my bus stop and what is his agenda".

My Home page background

2005-12-28T09:13:00.001-07:00

Top Musical Quotes

2005-11-01T09:11:00.000-07:00

-Listening to the barbed wire hanging (Underworld)
-Resplendent dream it overtook me, I had no choice but build it (Fischerspooner)
-Tonight I think I'll walk alone, I'll find my soul as I go home (New Order)

Sunnyvale Trip 05' - Downtown San Francisco

2005-10-25T09:15:00.000-06:00

This was taken from Coit tower

Blizzard 04' - Our front Door

2005-10-25T09:12:00.000-06:00

I took this the next morning before starting the first of 3 shoveling shifts.

First entry

2005-10-24T16:26:00.000-06:00

This is the first post. I hope it goes as well as it should.