I don't know what started the Mountain Goat's fixation with satanism, (first their album, Heretic Pride, then their new EP, The Satanic Messiah), but it's hilarious and they need to keep it up. If it's not a joke, then more power to them. I am a proud heretic, myself!
So this week totally snuck up on me. This is an events week. On Monday Rob and I went to see Ralph Nader speak at the Baghdad on Hawthorn. I have to say, I wasn't really that impressed. I totally dig his politics, but his attitude leaves a lot to be desired. He could take a cue or two from Dennis Kucinich, who shares a majority of his ideals, but knows how to play the game. Nader is running on this platform of "both candidates will do terrible, terrible things for our country and only I and the green party know what we really need. And yes, I actually have a chance of winning, although my policies are miles to the left of the democratic candidate". Don't you understand? If Obama endorsed gay marraige, or actively said "no more war in the middle east. PERIOD." He would have no chance of winning? Kucinich recognizes that his politics are more liberal than most of the country and uses the Democratic primaries to get his face, his message, and his platform out there. He is an amazing man with amazing ideals and I admire him.
Nader has popularity in Portland, I can't deny that. Nader has done a lot of amazing things for our country, and there's no way I can deny that either. But he is bitter and jaded and wants to fix a flawed system without participating in the system at all. I agree that our political system is fucked up. Obama's policies HAVE become more conservative has the race has gone on, and I'm disappointed in him for that. But when he and McCain are the only two plausible choices we've got, what do you really want me to do, Nader?
Whatever. I'm not a political analyst and that whole tirade just came out of my butt. Nader will continue doing what he's done for the past 20 years and who am I to take away an honest man's hope?
Moving on. Last night (Tuesday) was what really snuck up on me. THE MOUNTAIN GOATS. What? How did it become late October already? I don't even know. I blame the muffins. This was an all-ages show at the Wonder, and since the show in Eugene last year was so awful, I was a little wary about another all-ages show. Not to say that I wasn't excited, because I'm excited for any chance to see the Goats, just wary.
Their tour-mate(?) and opener was the singer-guitar-virtuoso Kaki King. Tiny. Amazing. Adorable. Those are three good adjectives to describe her. Her set was really good, a little more instrumental than I usually like. I was annoyed at the audience, especially those in the bar, who were loud and talky, even during her quiet songs. I would like to hear more Kaki, I think.
Next up came the Mountain Goats portion. A-Fucking-Mazing. Someone on the Mountain Goats forums put it this way: "After all we've been through, you're this happy to have me back? Fuck it! Here's every barn burner you want and we're turning it up to 11." Just about every hit that gets yelled out at their concerts was played. Some just on the setlist, some in response to yelled out requests. Some I'd expect to hear: Palmcorder Yajna, Dance Music, This Year; some I was surprised that he played: No Children, Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton, Going to Georgia. The set was nicely broken up by a solo set in the middle (including some not-to-be-named songs I didn't know JD was capable of singing when not slobbering drunk), and a few songs by JD and Kaki, including a Morrissey cover. Five song encore to end the night.
JD was happy, engaging, hilarious, Peter Hughes was spot-on, dapper, a handsome devil, and Wurster was energetic and happy, as always. Such a perfect show.
And that's not even the end of it. As we left the venue, right by the tour bus, was JD himself, giving hugs and signing autographs. We got hugs! From JD! And he signed Rob's copy of the Satanic Messiah (the second to last copy EVAR).
This week isn't even over yet. Saturday we're going to see Conor Oberst (Lead singer/etc of Bright Eyes) at the Crystal Ballroom. Wheee!
Today I'm taking a sick day, partially because we didn't get home until 1:30 am, when I thought we'd be home before midnight, partially because I'm feeling a little under the weather and Rob's feeling way under the weather and needs taking care of. So here we are at 1:30 pm, watching Four Wedding and a Funeral on On Demand. I'm going to make soup a little later and enjoy this lazy day. Mmm.
edit: I think I really need to mention how the Mountain Goats took the stage after Kaki King, as it was priceless. After's Kaki's set was over and the stage had been re-set, the lights went down, the disco ball started glimmering, and "December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)" could be heard softly from the speakers. As the music crescendoed, from behind the curtains came first Peter Hughes, strutting his well-dressed, pin-stripe-suited self. Next was John Wurster, also be-suited, carrying a beer and smiling jauntily. Last was John Darnielle, smiling his usual Portland smile, wearing a suit jacket plastered with death metal band patches.
Hail Satan! (I haven't had a Mountain Goats post in ages!) Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The Mama Skill Saturday, October 18, 2008
I don't understand the way life slips out from under me so easily. I'll get all on top of my shit. I mean, ALL on top of it. I'll clean the room, clean the kitchen, play with the cat, cook a huge meal, AND have a date with my sweetie, and those are the days I feel the best about life, the most fulfilled. And then a couple of days will go by and the clothes will pile up in the hamper, Rob's and my dishes will pile up on the kitchen counter, and turds will pile up in Cubby's litter box. And then I'll have a day off and fix it all again. Don't even ask how long it's been since I really, truly crafted.
I have learned so many important skills in the past year: I can now cook several very delicious dishes that contain sauces, spices, fresh vegetables, and nothing from a can (I don't think it matters that they're mostly one pot meals, do you?), I can sew curtains, I can make a home with people I love, I can be a responsible pet owner. But on the days that I work 8 hours in a khaki, polyester encasing, all I want to do when I get home is strip and attach myself to the laptop or TV. I usually have the energy to come up with a good dinner, usually not consisting of leftovers, but not much else. On the days that I have lunch at 10 or 10:30, I barely have energy even for that. We'll get to 7 o'clock, I'll realize that I haven't eaten anything of substance besides mini muffins and Triscuits in over 8 hours, and my brain will shut off. Those are the nights we have spaghetti, or just go to McMenamins. After dinner we usually watch TV until I can't stay awake any more (usually about 45 minutes to an hour - I can't easily stay up past 10 or 10:30 these days).
I need to learn a new skill. A mama skill, though I am not really a mama (besides to my cat and roommates). The skill to get off work, and still find energy to make myself feel fulfilled and make my house livable. I need more planning ahead. To decide in the morning what will be for dinner so I can stop at Freddies when I get off work, and not take a second trip later in the evening. To find a nutritious snack to eat when I get off work so my blood sugar doesn't whither up and die right around the time I should be cooking dinner. To do dishes before I'm too tired to keep my eyes open, and to reward myself with TV once everything I wanted to accomplish is done.
Last night Rob opened a bottle of Drop Top and found this prost under the cap: "A prost to doing nothing on your day off." He showed it to me and scowled, a mock annoyance at all of my days off he's had to sit through where I feel like I have to catch up on everything. If I can master this skill, maybe I really can do that with my days off. Nothing.
And you blew it. Friday, October 3, 2008
Wow dudes, I'm so sorry I've been such a wang about keeping you informed.
Life is good and grown up and stuff. We have framed artwork in our bathroom, which means we are officially grown up and that this is officially a home, not just an apartment where our stuff lives. Really. There's framed stuff all over the walls (and not just in the bathroom!), house plants, a planter box on the patio full of pansies Rob's brought me back from the farmer's market I have to work through every week, curtains (!!!), and a new member of the family, Cubby.
My job at the muffin shop is sort of balls. I enjoy the work, enjoy making stuff for people and having them smile and tell me about their day... My bosses just aren't that nice. I think brusque might be the best adjective to describe them. I'm sort of half-heartedly looking for other work, but I'm starting to get used to this job so it wouldn't be the end of the world if I didn't get hired somewhere else.
Also, I'm sort of humoring the idea of going to grad school for teaching again. I've been tutoring and it's made me realize how absolutely awesome high school math is and... I really need health insurance. So, who knows, really. Don't bug me about it, the registration deadline for PSU's teaching program isn't until December 1st (which I'm well aware is less than 2 months away).
Tonight Rob and I are going to go to Norm's Garden (inappropriate nickname censored), and then to LC to see SLiD. And be jealous that I'm not singing a capella any more... I should arrange. Then I could still be involved.
