Chuck Klosterman; Penman Extraordinaire

I first read Chuck Klosterman's Killing Yourself to Live about a year ago and my only regret is that it took me this long to read another work of his. It was the first reading experience I had that compelled me to do extra curricular research. Chuck makes an eerie conclusion that Kid A predicted 9/11. While reading that book, I listened to Radiohead and felt what a teen must have felt during the 70's listening to Dark Side of the Moon and watching The Wizard of Oz.



I'm 115 pages into Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs, and he has me wrapped around his little finger. Now, I realize that this book was written in 2003, and as a collection of non fiction pop culture commentaries, you would think his work would be dated. Oh contraire. He has the ability, like my other non-fiction idols David Sedaris & Augusteen Burroughs, to make you think "holy crap, my thoughts exactly!!" as you are reading their written words. And while I don't completely agree with everything he writes, like saying Coldplay is the "shittiest fucking band I've ever heard," the way this book is relating to recent discussions I've had is uncanny.

I will outline the similarities:

Exhibit A)
This weekend, Rob told me a story about a friend of his from college who wrote a paper on the song In Your Eyes, and how, by simply holding up a boombox, John Cusack entranced women all around the world to fall in love with him ... Well, Chuck begins this book by blaming John Cusack for completely ruining his own chance at love, by having tricked his girlfriend into believing in "fake love," as seen in Say Anything. (In this same chapter Chuck also calls Coldplay a mainstream knockoff of Radiohead ... Rob emailed me mere days earlier making a similiar argument!)

Exhibit B)
On Saturday me and Rob were also talking about movies and got on the topic of Tim Allen. If memory serves me correctly, I think we were discussing the merits of Tim Allen's famous-ness even though we could only remember 3 things he has done; Home Improvement, Toy Story and The Santa Clause. The Tool Man isn't exactly someone who comes to mind often, but Chuck illustrates the fact that Tim Allen is among the leading contributers of the widespread notion that guys only like beer and football. I chuckled to myself and kept on reading ...

Exhibit C)
Now this one just plain cracked me up. Rob's aunt recently gave his brother her Murphey Bed. A Murphey Bed is a functional sleeping compartment that also serves as a storage space, and conveniently folds up onto the wall! Genius. In a chapter comparing and contrasting Marilyn Monroe to Pam Anderson, and the notion of sex icons marrying athletes, Chuck points out the fact that Jane Russell was married to Bob Waterfield and slept in a Murphey Bed. Now this may seem trivial, but who even thinks about Murphey Beds these days?! Chuck points out the strangeness of this mental image, but it just made me want to sleep in a Murphey Bed even more.


Hmm ... I think I actually just illustrated the many similarities that Rob has to Chuck Klosterman but still, it's uncanny! One way or another, Sex, Drugs & Cocoa Puffs has been on my mind all day & with that, I'm going to continue reading. Stay tuned for more on the wonders of Mr. Klosterman...

Jack White, Legendary Musician of Our Generation.

The Dead Weather failed to dissapoint last night at The Bandshell in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. I am so happy to have seen them live, not only because of their unique 'take no prisoners' sound, but because Jack White is one of the greatest musicians of our generation. From The White Stripes' minimalistic edge to The Ranconteurs' power-pop rock twang through The Dead Weather's (I'm stealing this description from AMny) "scuzzy, spooky, '60's garage rock"; he is a creative genius. And while he fronted the White Stripes on guitar/vocals, and Meg banged away on the drums, Jack proves he is also a tremendous drummer. There is nothing more enthralling than seeing a pale figure dressed in black, adorned with top hat and feather, banging on his drums with mallets.



What's awesome about Jack White is that he completely commands the stage. When he lit Alison Mosshart's cigarette with a blow torch, you knew he meant business. His witty banter was on point at this show, and in his quirky shaky voice, he poked fun at the hipster enclave of Brooklyn by saying, "I bet you read Brooklyn Vegan ... any other vegans in the crowd out there? Come on stage and we'll kill a cow together." You can't help but think, I wish I could bust people's balls like that!

As insane as he is on drums, he is even nastier on the guitar. It's a sight to see, as he attacks both drums and guitar, and lets out his raw vocals. I do have to say, I agree with Rob when he said that the encore was way louder, and in our opinion, more powerful than the first set. But that may have just been a technical glitch with their amps. My short stature was also tried at this show, as we stood around really tall guys making weird squealling noises. Regardless, the encore ended the night on the powerful note we expected it to.



Now, the front woman of The Dead Weather is Bad-Ass. Alison Mosshart, also of The Kills, crawled and snaked her away around the menacing stage; taxidermy abounding and huge eye looming. Jack & Alison have great chemistry together onstage. A tad more believable than the we're-brother-and-sister JUST KIDDING we-were-really-married relationship of The White Stripes. Her voice has a haunted quality, so when she sings that she wants to hang you from the heavens , you'd better get out of her way. Dean Fertita of Queens of the Stoneage and Jack Lawrence of The Ranconteurs complete this troup of musicians.


(see the taxidermy!)

Jack made a comment during the show that Alison thought the crowd wasn't "feeling it." I think we proved them wrong by giving them the energy they needed so we could hear more. Either that or his "if you're not happy, you'll have to deal with her," threat, set us straight.

.Dave.Matthews.Band.

I'm feeling inspired as I sit here in my DMB Summer Tour 2010 t-shirt, & begin to tell the tale of my musical escapade. On Friday, me and my pals went to the Dave Matthews Band concert at Citi Field, it's always a thrill to see them live. I'll digress to a little backstory, which sheds light upon our love affair with Dave and Co.

Merrick, NY - 2001. When I was in 10th grade, me, Lindsey and our friend Rachel (who we saw at the concert for the first time in 4+ years!) used to hang out in Rae's den and play Under the Table and Dreaming or Before These Crowded Streets and dance like a bunch of hippy nutjobs ... it was a great time to be 15. (These were also the years we had co-ed sleepovers but kept the doors locked so the "boys couldnt get in!") These girls, plus our friend Hillary, introduced me to Dave ... and I am forever grateful. I've spent many a night, when feeling melancholy or down in the dumps, and always felt better after hearing i will go in this way, and find my own way out ...

Now ... back to the story at hand :)

Flushing, Queens - 2010. We tailgated with Korn and his family; big props to Momma Korn for hanging with us in the parking lot. It was nice to catch up as we eagerly anticipated the show. We downed a beer or 2, and with no bathroom in sight, realized we were in quite the quandry. Lets just say, we made use of The Space Between ... (see Roe's facebook pictures for more details)

After collecting ourselves, we made our way into the stadium where we ran into Rae and her posse, including her mom Nancy(!). I then had a bit of an unfortunate situation with my flip flop, which broke while we were in line for $6.00 pretzels. I can officially say that I've walked through parts of Queens and Manhattan, with one bare foot. My frustration didn't last long however, b/c no sooner than I was cursing the moment I decided to wear those sandals, the lights went up and Big Eyed Fish began.



(Photos from May 2010 Connecticut show, Courant.com)


For me, being at a Dave concert is a profoundly exceptional musical experience. Conditions for the ultimate journey include a) an open air venue b) plenty of room to dance and move c) enough room to master your electric air violin while not hurting the Dave fan to your left. Without sounding amazingly cliche and corny, there is just something that happens when they perform. It goes beyond the fact that it is music being played and lyrics being sung; something transcends and the air becomes electric. The entire band; bassist Steffan Lessard, our hero violinist Boyd Tinsely and drummer Carter Beauford are master craftsmen at their art. (RIP LeRoi Moore) Tim Reynolds brings his electric guitar skills to match Dave's acoustic; teddy bear trumpeter Rashawn Ross and sax player Jeff Coffin round out a band that I am inspired by every time I see.



(Boyd Tinsley, from whom we emulate the air violin)

We heard every song we hoped for, except Alligator Pie, but no hard feelings. Classic songs from Rapunzel and Ants Marching to Jimi Thing and Don't Drink the Water plus new favorites, Lying in the Hands of God, Why I Am and Shake Me Like a Monkey had us singing and dancing the entire time. DMB truley is a jam band, playing #41 for 20+ minutes. Ah, that song is incredible. It's songs like that and The Stone, Warehouse, Dancing Nanices, The Dreaming Tree ... the list goes on, that exemplify the emotional prowess they bring to music. They included in the first set one of my favorites, Gray Street; an incredibly sad yet inspiring song; Dave's aching vocals are meant to be heard live.




Needless to say we were beyond satiated when the show was over, although sad that we'll have to wait until 2012 to see them live again. They do deserve it after 20 years touring, and I cannot wait to see what they come up with next.

Good Old War, Good Old Time

Yesterday was a perfect day. I can't help but sit back after days like this and think, yeah, work may get on my nerves and I'm no millionaire, but when you can enjoy the free time you do have with friends and family, then that's what it's all about. Sorry for getting all sappy ... i just can't help myself :) So Keri came to my apartment around 1, and it was great because she hadn't been over since the winter. We chatted for a while and then walked down to Lindsey's, got snacks at the deli, juice box wine at the liquor store and headed to The Great Lawn to meet Roe. The 4 of us sat on a blanket, on a seriously beautiful day and talked for hours. Fun afternoon.




Around 8:30, me, Rob, Nicole, Lins and her bro Luke went down to Webster Hall to see Good Old War. I've anxiously waited to see them again for about a year. Last spring me and my friend Dan went to a Straight Light Run concert, and a fun trio of folk rockers from Philly opened for them. This fun trio of folk rockers, was Good Old War and a beautiful musical following was formed. My sister Kerry met us there with her friend Phil and his friend Chris, who is in a new wave band called TVTV. They're also playing Webster Hall in a few weeks. As we walked in we were greeted with the raw vocals of Audra Mae, who really looks like my friend Rachel from highschool! I ran into Audra in the bathroom and told her this more than once, lol, a few $3 PBR cans and I like to be friends with everyone! We were all blown away by the next band, Yukon Blonde, with hair all over the place they rocked the house down, in a classic southern rock way. Ironically enough, they are not even from the south, but way up north in Vancouver! They were incredible. They closed their set with all musicians from the 3 bands up on stage jamming together, a great thing to see.

Before Good Old War went on stage, I strolled over to the merch table to buy their latest album, and couldn't help but introduce myself to one of the band members, Daniel Schwartz, their unbelievable guitarist. He was super nice, even told me he liked my dress -- yeah, yeah I know, this isn't Almost Famous, but it was still neat! It's so cool when you actually meet and somewhat talk to members of a band that you listen to every morning on your commute, its a little surreal. They finally took the stage, and their performance exceeded anything I even remembered from last year. A nice mix of music from both albums & even a little accordion before getting off the stage to sing with everyone in the audience. Their sound is perfect for the summer, fun folk rock tunes that you want to sing out loud and dance around to. If that was the mandatory behavior of the evening, I think I passed with flying colors. All three of them are phenominal muscians. Daniel, not only plays acoustic guitar, but an electric guitar he has on a stand all tuned and ready for him to rip into during Weak Man, while his acoustic is still strapped to his body. I think my favorite song is either Looking for Shelter or Window, and I was happy to hear them both.



Right before we left, once again I couldn't resist the urge to say Hi to Keith Goodwin from the band, and snag a picture with my sister. It was a Kodak moment. One of the best/fun shows I've been to recently.




http://www.myspace.com/goodoldwar


After the concert I went with Rob to his cousin's apartment uptown, a dream apartment on the first floor with a patio and backyard, only few New York renters ever see. A nice place to unwind after an action packed day. I only hope that there are more weekends like this as the summer goes on. And even though I barely had enough strength to go food shopping today, it was well worth it.

Life Underground

The subway never ceases to amaze me. I was coming home from a concert last week at the Canal Room, so I got on the A train and took it to 14th and 8th to catch the L. I don't think I had ever been in that particular stretch of subway station, so as I walked the long and winding path to the L train, my eyes couldn't help but explore. A girl with pink hair over here, a woman eating a falafel over there and wait ... what's this ... a little bronze statue of a man with a money bag for a head?



As it turns out, there were many little statues all over the subway station; a bronze couple taking a stroll, more money bag heads, I was fascinated. I've been wondering about these little guys all weekend, so I decided to google "bronze statues at 14th and 8th," and lo and behold, they are part of a permanent art exhibit at that station called, "Life Underground," by Tom Otterness. They were commissioned by the MTA and were installed around 2000.



The pieces all follow similiar themes of corruption and an obession with money. Social commentary abounds, with one bronze police officer looking over the faceless body of a homeless truant. This piece in particular really exemplifies life underground for many people ...



Otterness also mananged to tie in functional aspects of the subway system with little statues of workers sweeping and holding oversized tools.



These pudgy little statues were a suprise to see in the subway as I was strolling along my way ... no matter where you are, there is always a form of expression where you least expect it.

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/artwork_show?21

Take a look, it's in a book ...

I really love to read. I think I always have. It probably explains why there was a summer in jr. high, when I read every single Danielle Steel novel I could get my hands on. While I don't read Danielle Steel anymore, I can't remember a time in the last few years when I haven't been in the middle of a book. Commuting definitely plays a roll in that, the train makes for a perfect read - except for when you're crying during The Kite Runner. It's comforting to me when someone takes out a book on the subway, kind of like you have a common bond. Even just plain old curling-up-on-the-couch-with-a-book is always great and lately reading before bed has crept into my nightly routine. There's a trick for insomniacs, try reading a few pages before bed and your eyelids will be drooping and your head nodding in no time!

I'll let you in on a secret, I have this fantasy of one day living in a great brownstown with my very own library, the kind that's built into the wall, and smells like old paper, maybe there'll even be one of those sliding ladders like in Beauty and The Beast ... Now, as much as I enjoy buying books to have, going to the public library is also a treat. Soon after I moved into my apartment, I realized there was a library on 96th and Lex. And, as it turns out in a crazy twist of fate, my dad told me that his mom, Jessie, used to go to that library as a kid! What are the odds. I never had a chance to meet her, but she is the woman behind my middle name, and I think it's so cool that we have this little connection.

96th Street's library is really small and the selection is missing some greats, but I've still managed good finds. The Color Purple by Alice Walker and Look at the Birdie by Kurt Vonnegut made my first round and now I'm reading The Wild Things by Dave Eggers. This novel is based on the screenplay he and Spike Jonze wrote for Where the Wild Things Are, which was based on the illustrated book of the same name. I haven't seen the movie yet, but after reading this book I'd like to. Dave Eggers is an incredible writer. (If anyone is looking for a great piece of non-fiction, please read A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius.)



I think what I love about reading, is getting lost in the book. The fact that this form of expression, which has no visuals except for what you create in your mind, can move you to tears or drudge up all kinds of emotions, speaks to the power of words. I am 24 years old and thoroughly enjoying a book about a boy named Max who runs away from home to be The King of an island of friendly monsters.

I'm glad I took this out of the library, but I think the next slew of books I get my hands on will be for keeps. I'd like to borrow a few words from Mr. Reading Rainbow himself as I finish, by reminding you all - there's nothing like a good book ... "but you don't have to take my word for it."

June is Busting Out All Over!

So me and Lins were on the same wave length (when are we not?) when we both decided to let the world know that June is here! For anyone whose ever seen the musical Carousel, "June ..." is a great little diddy, about the wonders of, you guessed it, June! And here we are :) I've been praying for this time of year for some months now. We had a brutal winter, and while the spring had its great days, it didn't want to commit and and stay warm. This Memorial Day weekend was really perfect, gorgeous weather all 3 days. Me and Roe traveled back to Long Island for a bbq at Nick's, complete with great food, a trusty keg and good old beer pong. Oh, & Lindsey introduced us to a great game, finger buster; get a few friends around a solo cup filled with beer, place all fingers on said up, show off those counting skills and you embark on a remarkable past time. I couldn't help from calling it ass buster, but either way it was fun.



A bunch of the old gang got together, both Copozzi twins and Ang, and like Chris said, Dave driving us home, felt like high school. Fun night. On Sunday, me and my sister went to the beach. Normally, its a 15 minute drive to Long Beach depending where you stop. After running into Dave and his jet ski on Merrick Road, it ended up taking us 2 hours to get to the beach. Mind you, every possible exit to the south shore was blocked off bc of that damned air show ... so I took a different route and called Marybeth for directions to Robert Moses, taking the back streets. Once we arrived to the beach the headache of traffic quickly faded. We had a relaxing few hours on the completely packed beach, and even got some color. For those that know me well, that means Ker got tan and I got red :P Our drive home was where the real traffic debacle awaited us. After getting over the bridge I saw that Ocean Parkway was open and cars were gliding right by. Thinking the airshow was over, I got on the parkway and drove over a half hour towards Jones Beach only TO BE TOLD TO TURN AROUND by state troopers! So me and a few hundred other cars U-turned around and drove all the way back to Robert Moses, over the bridge and onto another route. Now, all of this could have been avoided, had they put a lovely little sign that said, NO THROUGH TRAFFIC - IF YOU REALLY WANT TO GO HOME, DON'T GO THIS WAY! Oy, situations like these make me so grateful that I no longer have to drive and the MTA schleps me to and fro while I snooze or read.


Kerry letting the insanity of traffic get to her - quite entertaining!

Once we were home, me and Kerry took a bike ride, ate some Chinese food and called it a day. On Monday, Keri had a bbq and her grill-tastic boyfriend Paul whipped us up some phenomenal burgers. Bacon and cheese mixed into the actual burger meat. Genius. He also made some great corn on the cob with this spicy mayo sauce. It was good to be home, always special to see Amanda and Dee and of course Keri & the Ilasi clan. I didn't get to see my brother Matt's band P.O.O.P play at Spencer's bbq down the block, but I'll catch the next show. Oh speaking of shows, this weekend really kicked off with a tremendous performance at Local 269 on East Houston by The Asterisk. Rob, Paul, Ben & Brad, wonderful show, as always. A night filled with live music & friends, is always a great night. And fun to see Dan, even though I'm super jealous he's going to Hawaii soon!

The Asterisk*

In keeping with this music thread here, before Rob's show, me and Lindsey ate at Moby's vegan/organic cafe on Rivington St, Teany's - really tasty, and for the non vegans, they have a really cool chicken salad sandwich and lentil chili. yum!


As I'm sitting here writing this, Nicole's fan is peacefully blowing air my way, and I know I'll have to get an A.C. soon, and that's the greatest news! Good night and happy June!