Ok, since I haven't written anything for a long time, and H is out tonight sitting in ridiculous seats at a basketball game, I figured I'd give her and hand and live blog the Oscars, since she won't be able to do it herself.
Let's see, 7:27 - Some people were wearing stuff. Mickey Rourke is awesome. I hope he wins just to hear his speech.
7:30 - Wait, Hugh Jackman is hosting? I'm done.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
I know it's less than a month into the new year. . .
. . . but I'm pretty sure I already have my two favorite albums of the year.
I know I'm far far far from the first to say this, but Animal Collective's latest album, Merriweather Post Pavilion is incredible. From track 1 ("In the Flowers") to the final song ("Brother Sport"), I don't think there's a minute where I'm not just totally enamored. I recognize a lot of these songs from the shows last year, including "In the Flowers," the first single (from I gather) from the album - "My Girls," and my personal favorite, "Summer Clothes."
I mean, how can you not like that? And really, you should go to the youtube page for that video, and click on the "Watch in HD." It's beautiful. (maybe a post in the future will be about my current addiction to HD youtube videos.) And listen with headphones. or very loudly. That's how it should be heard. TRY NOT DANCING IN YOUR CHAIR, OR GETTING UP AND SHAKING YOUR RUMP. I'm hoping to see these guys again on their current tour, it'll be part of Flenker's 2009 vacation plans, since they're aren't coming anywhere near me. Oh well, I think it'll actually work out splendidly.
It's really early to say this, the year isn't even 1/12th over, but this could be the best album of 2009 already. Really. If you haven't listened to it, do it now, please. By any means necessary. And should you hear this album through "illicit" means, just promise that you'll eventually buy it for real. Because dammit, you should. It's the best album of the year!
And I mean that as no slight to this next album. They (he?) put a valiant fucking effort into it, and is rewarded with a very very solid spot at #2 for 2009. Of course I mean Emil Svanängen, aka Loney, Dear, and his latest album, released today, Dear John.
This album has a slightly different sound from the previous releases, but it's a totally natural progression, not a shock to hear. And it's done so well. The "older" sound is still there in some songs, the quiet, desperate at times vocals with minimal instrumentation, but some hints of almost, but not quite, electronic sounds come out in some of the tracks, like the above "Airport Surroundings." Emil (yes, I feel like I can call him by his first name. He's given a hug to one of my best friends in the whole wide world, who has in turn hugged me. it's like he's hugged me through her) creates an album full of beautiful songs, shows off a wide vocal range, and just makes me want to pack up and move to Sweden (don't think I haven't considered it) Malin Ståhlberg, if you happen to be reading this, I love you. Move to Kansas City, we'll have a magical life together, we'll make music, start a family, and just be happy together, I'm sure of it. I'm going to most likely be at the Des Moines show, you can just hitch a ride back here with me, and we can conquer the world.
So, in summation, Animal Collective and Loney, Dear are awesome. Each and every one of you reading (all 3 of you) should listen to them over and over and over again, see them in concert, and spread the good word of this righteous music.
I know I'm far far far from the first to say this, but Animal Collective's latest album, Merriweather Post Pavilion is incredible. From track 1 ("In the Flowers") to the final song ("Brother Sport"), I don't think there's a minute where I'm not just totally enamored. I recognize a lot of these songs from the shows last year, including "In the Flowers," the first single (from I gather) from the album - "My Girls," and my personal favorite, "Summer Clothes."
"Summer Girls" performed at Coachella
Animal Collective - "My Girls" video
I mean, how can you not like that? And really, you should go to the youtube page for that video, and click on the "Watch in HD." It's beautiful. (maybe a post in the future will be about my current addiction to HD youtube videos.) And listen with headphones. or very loudly. That's how it should be heard. TRY NOT DANCING IN YOUR CHAIR, OR GETTING UP AND SHAKING YOUR RUMP. I'm hoping to see these guys again on their current tour, it'll be part of Flenker's 2009 vacation plans, since they're aren't coming anywhere near me. Oh well, I think it'll actually work out splendidly.
It's really early to say this, the year isn't even 1/12th over, but this could be the best album of 2009 already. Really. If you haven't listened to it, do it now, please. By any means necessary. And should you hear this album through "illicit" means, just promise that you'll eventually buy it for real. Because dammit, you should. It's the best album of the year!
And I mean that as no slight to this next album. They (he?) put a valiant fucking effort into it, and is rewarded with a very very solid spot at #2 for 2009. Of course I mean Emil Svanängen, aka Loney, Dear, and his latest album, released today, Dear John.
Loney, Dear - "Airport Surroundings"
This album has a slightly different sound from the previous releases, but it's a totally natural progression, not a shock to hear. And it's done so well. The "older" sound is still there in some songs, the quiet, desperate at times vocals with minimal instrumentation, but some hints of almost, but not quite, electronic sounds come out in some of the tracks, like the above "Airport Surroundings." Emil (yes, I feel like I can call him by his first name. He's given a hug to one of my best friends in the whole wide world, who has in turn hugged me. it's like he's hugged me through her) creates an album full of beautiful songs, shows off a wide vocal range, and just makes me want to pack up and move to Sweden (don't think I haven't considered it) Malin Ståhlberg, if you happen to be reading this, I love you. Move to Kansas City, we'll have a magical life together, we'll make music, start a family, and just be happy together, I'm sure of it. I'm going to most likely be at the Des Moines show, you can just hitch a ride back here with me, and we can conquer the world.
So, in summation, Animal Collective and Loney, Dear are awesome. Each and every one of you reading (all 3 of you) should listen to them over and over and over again, see them in concert, and spread the good word of this righteous music.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
get pitted, so pitted
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
I've got 100 resolutions
well, not really. I've got about 0. Not my thing. But I do like reminiscing, and this song brings back some memories of my DJing days at Iowa State.
So, in the next few days, there will probably be more reminiscing, and, since everyone else is doing one, and it makes for an easy post, I'll probably have my top 10 albums of the year. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow or Friday. Yeah. This was a pretty good year as far as albums released goes.
Of course, in the next few weeks, I'll be preparing everyone's favorite, The Flenkys! So if anyone would like to make any nominations, or if you have a good category in mind, send them my way!
This year was a very transitional year for me personally, you know, with moving and getting a real job and my first apartment on my own and a dog and what have you. Things are looking up, though, I've made some great friends, and still have some excellent friends from my past, spread all around the country. (and isn't it funny that my friend that lives the furthest away is making her second trip already, and the rest of you have yet to come. . .) So things are going alright. I'll look back more on the year in the future. A lot happened.
Until next time, enjoy your day, make the most of the leap second (it already passed, but I think you can observe it in any second over the next few hours) and be safe out there. I will try to be safe while spending New Year's in my apartment. Which will be infinitely better than my New Year's Eve last year.
And everyone, cheer on the Hawkeyes tomorrow morning as they take on the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Outback Bowl! It should be a good game, and here's to hoping that Iowa rings in the new year with a WIN!!
So, in the next few days, there will probably be more reminiscing, and, since everyone else is doing one, and it makes for an easy post, I'll probably have my top 10 albums of the year. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow or Friday. Yeah. This was a pretty good year as far as albums released goes.
Of course, in the next few weeks, I'll be preparing everyone's favorite, The Flenkys! So if anyone would like to make any nominations, or if you have a good category in mind, send them my way!
This year was a very transitional year for me personally, you know, with moving and getting a real job and my first apartment on my own and a dog and what have you. Things are looking up, though, I've made some great friends, and still have some excellent friends from my past, spread all around the country. (and isn't it funny that my friend that lives the furthest away is making her second trip already, and the rest of you have yet to come. . .) So things are going alright. I'll look back more on the year in the future. A lot happened.
Until next time, enjoy your day, make the most of the leap second (it already passed, but I think you can observe it in any second over the next few hours) and be safe out there. I will try to be safe while spending New Year's in my apartment. Which will be infinitely better than my New Year's Eve last year.
And everyone, cheer on the Hawkeyes tomorrow morning as they take on the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Outback Bowl! It should be a good game, and here's to hoping that Iowa rings in the new year with a WIN!!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
I'm really not a crotchety old man yet. I promise.
Yeah, it's been 2+ weeks since I last wrote posted. And I'm ok with that. You know why? Because no one wants to read about me sitting on my behind. There hasn't been much action in the past few weeks (not like there was really much action in the weeks/months preceding that, but I digress), though there has been some plans made for action in the future. Like a January visitor to help celebrate 28, and possibly a springtime trip to New York City. oh, and I'll be getting a dog in a few days.
But I'm still trying to figure out what, if anything, I'll be doing on New Years. Part of me wants to just sit at my place alone, struggle to make it until midnight, and fall asleep. (in actuality, I give this the highest odds of happening.) I'd like to make a trip somewhere, since I now have the 2nd off of work, but don't know where to go. Maybe Tampa for the Outback Bowl, or Chicago to see some friends, or elsewhere. who knows?!
Otherwise, things are quiet here. I have yet to do any Christmas shopping, but have an outline of what I want to get for most people on my list. It will just be a matter of getting the items in an orderly fashion, without inflicting bodily harm upon myself or others during the act of acquiring said items. I would consider doing my shopping online, but I'm getting to the point where I'd have to pay more to get the packages in time.
In sports news, Iowa's Shonn Greene received the Doak Walker award, given to the best running back in the NCAA. I was hoping he'd be invited to the Heisman presentation, but knew he'd have about a 0.3% of winning, since he's not a QB that plays in a league that barely plays defense (I'm looking at you, Bradford and McCoy). The Royals signed Kyle Farnsworth. great. awesome. He can throw 97 mph. And tackle dudes (see video below). That's about it.
Umm, what else. . . Oh, the weather is kind of ridiculous. Monday, it was 60 degrees. Tuesday, we got an inch or two of snow in a decent-sized snowstorm. Last night it was raining, this morning I had a layer of ice on my car (and some on the parking lot, which I found and promptly slipped on), and then the temperature got into the mid-40's. Now there's this forecast for the weekend/early next week
Taken from wunderground.com. Yes, the high is supposed to be 61 on Sunday. And the high on Monday is forecasted to be 16. That's gonna be hell on my joints.
But I'm still trying to figure out what, if anything, I'll be doing on New Years. Part of me wants to just sit at my place alone, struggle to make it until midnight, and fall asleep. (in actuality, I give this the highest odds of happening.) I'd like to make a trip somewhere, since I now have the 2nd off of work, but don't know where to go. Maybe Tampa for the Outback Bowl, or Chicago to see some friends, or elsewhere. who knows?!
Otherwise, things are quiet here. I have yet to do any Christmas shopping, but have an outline of what I want to get for most people on my list. It will just be a matter of getting the items in an orderly fashion, without inflicting bodily harm upon myself or others during the act of acquiring said items. I would consider doing my shopping online, but I'm getting to the point where I'd have to pay more to get the packages in time.
In sports news, Iowa's Shonn Greene received the Doak Walker award, given to the best running back in the NCAA. I was hoping he'd be invited to the Heisman presentation, but knew he'd have about a 0.3% of winning, since he's not a QB that plays in a league that barely plays defense (I'm looking at you, Bradford and McCoy). The Royals signed Kyle Farnsworth. great. awesome. He can throw 97 mph. And tackle dudes (see video below). That's about it.
Umm, what else. . . Oh, the weather is kind of ridiculous. Monday, it was 60 degrees. Tuesday, we got an inch or two of snow in a decent-sized snowstorm. Last night it was raining, this morning I had a layer of ice on my car (and some on the parking lot, which I found and promptly slipped on), and then the temperature got into the mid-40's. Now there's this forecast for the weekend/early next week
Taken from wunderground.com. Yes, the high is supposed to be 61 on Sunday. And the high on Monday is forecasted to be 16. That's gonna be hell on my joints.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Iowa bound
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Test
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Friday night challenge (live blogging the death of innocence)
Since I have nothing better to do tonight, I think I will celebrate the opening night victory of the Iowa men's basketball team with the addition of brandy to egg nog.
The players:
While I've been waiting for the pictures to upload, glass #1 disappeared into my belly. Glass #2 - commence.
Keep checking back for an exciting night, as I attempt to pretend like this is not a pathetic night.
***Update #1 - 10:33 pm CST***
After 2 glasses with the nog, I realize I will not be able to handle much more of it. Back up must be called. Back up in the form of apple cider.
(yeah, that's the best picture I could take. my camera's LCD screen is busted. Sorry)
now this is dangerously delicious
***Update #2 - 10:58 pm CST***
Drink number 4 brings me to one of my favorite parts of any night - sweatpants time!! hurray!
though as Haley brought up, it's kind of surprising I'm still wearing pants. Gives me a lot to think about right now.
**Update #3 - 12:00 am CST**
defeat. The nog did me in. Even though I switched to the cider, the amount of egg nog I had earlier filled me up too much. And I'm not sure if the two are getting along very well. Oh well. And I've barely gotten a quarter of the brandy gone. Such is life. I guess I have more to have some other time.
Such is the end of my night of solo drinking.
The players:
While I've been waiting for the pictures to upload, glass #1 disappeared into my belly. Glass #2 - commence.
Keep checking back for an exciting night, as I attempt to pretend like this is not a pathetic night.
***Update #1 - 10:33 pm CST***
After 2 glasses with the nog, I realize I will not be able to handle much more of it. Back up must be called. Back up in the form of apple cider.
(yeah, that's the best picture I could take. my camera's LCD screen is busted. Sorry)now this is dangerously delicious
***Update #2 - 10:58 pm CST***
Drink number 4 brings me to one of my favorite parts of any night - sweatpants time!! hurray!
though as Haley brought up, it's kind of surprising I'm still wearing pants. Gives me a lot to think about right now.
**Update #3 - 12:00 am CST**
defeat. The nog did me in. Even though I switched to the cider, the amount of egg nog I had earlier filled me up too much. And I'm not sure if the two are getting along very well. Oh well. And I've barely gotten a quarter of the brandy gone. Such is life. I guess I have more to have some other time.
Such is the end of my night of solo drinking.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The return of an old favorite
no posts lately. No big surprise. Nothing of note has been happening here. Really. There was that election thing last week, which was cool. There was a little football game this weekend that was rather exciting. . .
I've been going back and reading through some of my older posts. I used to write some alright stuff, you know! Maybe I'll try to get back to that. Starting today!
It'd be neat if I had a photo story to post. I don't.
Something I do have, though, is a backlog of movies that I've seen and haven't discussed. You know what that means. It's time for everyone's favorite movie reviews!
I'm pretty sure the last one I saw was Vicky Cristina Barcelona, when I was in DC. It's the latest Woody Allen movie, with Scarlett Johansson and Javier Bardem. Of course I was going to like it. I just didn't know how much I would like it. It was great.
The movie, if you haven't heard about or seen it, is about a couple of girls (Vicky and Cristina) in a city (Barcelona). Vicky (a very pretty Rebecca Hall) is a grad student, with a fiancee back in the states, using her time in Barcelona to study, umm, Spanish stuff? The Catalan Identity, according to imdb. Good to know. Cristina (Johansson) is just kind of along for the ride. Bardem plays an artist, meets up with the girls, romantic comedy hyjinx ensue.
The settings were great, and the music was perfect. Classic-style Spanish guitar played a pretty big part of the movie, and made me want to go buy a classical guitar. (Note: I have yet to buy said classical guitar.) There were some kind of cheesy parts, as were to be expected, but the acting was great, the story was solid, and the cinematography was great. I would highly recommend checking it out if it's still playing anywhere, otherwise you'll have to wait for the DVD (set to release in January, which coincidentally lines up with a couple of birthdays, I can think of one person who will be getting it). It's an excellent movie, definitely one of Woody Allen's best in maybe 15-20 years. At least my favorite in that time period. That's why I'm giving this movie a whopping 5 Flenker Thumbs Up!!!!
My dad was down on the field, a place I really wanted to be. Alas, I was a little ways away, watching on TV.
I've been going back and reading through some of my older posts. I used to write some alright stuff, you know! Maybe I'll try to get back to that. Starting today!
It'd be neat if I had a photo story to post. I don't.
Something I do have, though, is a backlog of movies that I've seen and haven't discussed. You know what that means. It's time for everyone's favorite movie reviews!
I'm pretty sure the last one I saw was Vicky Cristina Barcelona, when I was in DC. It's the latest Woody Allen movie, with Scarlett Johansson and Javier Bardem. Of course I was going to like it. I just didn't know how much I would like it. It was great.
The movie, if you haven't heard about or seen it, is about a couple of girls (Vicky and Cristina) in a city (Barcelona). Vicky (a very pretty Rebecca Hall) is a grad student, with a fiancee back in the states, using her time in Barcelona to study, umm, Spanish stuff? The Catalan Identity, according to imdb. Good to know. Cristina (Johansson) is just kind of along for the ride. Bardem plays an artist, meets up with the girls, romantic comedy hyjinx ensue.
The settings were great, and the music was perfect. Classic-style Spanish guitar played a pretty big part of the movie, and made me want to go buy a classical guitar. (Note: I have yet to buy said classical guitar.) There were some kind of cheesy parts, as were to be expected, but the acting was great, the story was solid, and the cinematography was great. I would highly recommend checking it out if it's still playing anywhere, otherwise you'll have to wait for the DVD (set to release in January, which coincidentally lines up with a couple of birthdays, I can think of one person who will be getting it). It's an excellent movie, definitely one of Woody Allen's best in maybe 15-20 years. At least my favorite in that time period. That's why I'm giving this movie a whopping 5 Flenker Thumbs Up!!!!
Monday, November 03, 2008
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Dear History,
Click here for more videos from Vote For Change
Here in Kansas, us voters are able to go to the polls early, and lucky me, one of the early voting locations is about 4 blocks from my apartment. I voted last Monday, during one of the "down times" they had - I only had to wait in line for an hour. And while some people around me were kind of talking out their ass about things, some facts just straight wrong, and things that just plain didn't make sense (example, word for word - "You can get cancer from having too many genetics." WHAT?!?!? I don't even know where to start with that, let alone what it's supposed to mean), everyone was pretty positive about things, and seemed to be on the same page, everyone was hopeful. It was pretty great to see that in a state like Kansas. Of course, I don't imagine it's the same west of here, the exception being Lawrence. I mean, Sam Brownback is a senator here.
Anyways, this is just a reminder for everyone to go out and vote on Tuesday, if you haven't already via absentee ballot or early voting.
Also, sorry for the infrequent posting. I've been kind of "busy," insofar as I've been "doing stuff" and not "writing blog posts." Like playing guitar. Or going to see TV on the Radio, for free, on Halloween night (pretty sweet, I'll probably have to do a post on it). Or other things that I don't quite want to go into detail on here yet. I feel bad, though, I'm not just neglecting one blog, but three. And today's laundry and football day, so I don't know if I'll get any more done than what I already have. Life is hard sometimes, you know?
Sunday, October 19, 2008
it's late, something something, title, something.
It appears the link to "Alone Again Or" that I had in the last post no longer goes to a valid location. Sorry about that. Just go to youtube and search for it, it's there. Listen, and love. Love. ha
Umm, yeah. Not much to report around these parts. The weather is getting to be prime Flenker weather, though today it did get into the 70's, I think, but I can deal. Cooler temps are in the future, and I am ready. I even got a new coat. Yes, I just got one last year, but this is a fine looking coat, and really, it's nice to have some sort of rotation. I can't seem to find a picture of it anywhere, but I'm sure one will get taken soon, and I will post it for all to see.
Ooh, I did invent an emoticon. You see, Wednesday night was a night full of BBQ, gambling, goddamn shames, a broken car, and cigars smoked on someone's porch. It all started at my friend's birthday celebration, at Arthur Bryant's BBQ, at a location that happened to be in a casino. What luck! My friend was feeling the Jack Itch, the only cure being a healthy dose of 21. I had been dealing with a case of it myself, so I was more than happy to go along. And damn, did I get my ass handed to me pretty hard. I've never lost with a 19 so many times in one night. I was glad I was able to pass my luck onto my buddies after I left the table. Just to make sure no one went home happy with themselves.
Anyways, after the casino, another friend was attempting to parallel park the birthday boy's car. She was not succeeding, mostly because she was having trouble moving the car around. I got out to check what was going on, thinking maybe there was a flat tire. But no. The tires were kind of pointing at each other. And that's where the new emoticon comes in, as a representation of the wheels :/ \. They looked exactly like that. Not really condusive to making a vehicle move. (Since initial conception, the icon has changed to this: /-:(-\. I think it tells the whole story.)
So yeah. We then went and smoked birthday cigar. Not victory cigars by any stretch of the imagination. More like cigars of defeat. But either way, they were delicious.
Umm, yeah. Not much to report around these parts. The weather is getting to be prime Flenker weather, though today it did get into the 70's, I think, but I can deal. Cooler temps are in the future, and I am ready. I even got a new coat. Yes, I just got one last year, but this is a fine looking coat, and really, it's nice to have some sort of rotation. I can't seem to find a picture of it anywhere, but I'm sure one will get taken soon, and I will post it for all to see.
Ooh, I did invent an emoticon. You see, Wednesday night was a night full of BBQ, gambling, goddamn shames, a broken car, and cigars smoked on someone's porch. It all started at my friend's birthday celebration, at Arthur Bryant's BBQ, at a location that happened to be in a casino. What luck! My friend was feeling the Jack Itch, the only cure being a healthy dose of 21. I had been dealing with a case of it myself, so I was more than happy to go along. And damn, did I get my ass handed to me pretty hard. I've never lost with a 19 so many times in one night. I was glad I was able to pass my luck onto my buddies after I left the table. Just to make sure no one went home happy with themselves.
Anyways, after the casino, another friend was attempting to parallel park the birthday boy's car. She was not succeeding, mostly because she was having trouble moving the car around. I got out to check what was going on, thinking maybe there was a flat tire. But no. The tires were kind of pointing at each other. And that's where the new emoticon comes in, as a representation of the wheels :/ \. They looked exactly like that. Not really condusive to making a vehicle move. (Since initial conception, the icon has changed to this: /-:(-\. I think it tells the whole story.)
So yeah. We then went and smoked birthday cigar. Not victory cigars by any stretch of the imagination. More like cigars of defeat. But either way, they were delicious.
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