I'm going to write a post about the insanely funny, embarrassing, I didn't know I was starring in a bad romantic comedy experience I had tonight.
But I'm in Amsterdam, it's 12:30 am and I need to go to beddie bye so I can go to a meeting in the morning.
Tomorrow.
For now, I give you Jeff Tweedy singing Radiohead. Because that's a spectacular thing.
Update: I think I'm going to let that really, embarrassing thing die and not tell the story. For now.
It feels a bit like cheating to write an end of year blog post when I haven't been posting much, but I'm a sucker for tradition and a touch obsessive compulsive, so it's going to happen. And, well, I'm resolved to get this blog going again in 2009, so consider this a new beginning.
Anyway, this is my, I believe, fourth end of year post. I generally wait for Kristen to tag me, but she's pretty much abandoned her blog as well, so I'm not sure I can wait that long.
Here we go.
What did you do in 2008 that you had never done before?
The Olympics are a phenomenon that just passes me by -- like the Super Bowl, bowling, Lost (sorry, Kristen) and the Jonas Brothers. But this ad made me feel happy and patriotic. Best rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" EVER. Apparently Coach K played the song for the U.S. men's basketball team during practice for inspiration.
Nice.
It blows my mind that this preview of the film that Liz Phair made to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Exile in Guyville only features interviews with GUYS.
That album is the ultimate pissed off, slightly f*cked in the head chick album (screw Jagged Little Pill, the character that Liz Phair plays in Exile in Guyville could kick Alanis Morrissette's Dave Coulier-loving ass).
You should have interviewed ME, Liz. I would have told you about the tape that David made me, which lyrics reminded me the most of Andrew, how others thought of me when they heard the CD -- the me that I wish I had the balls to truly be, in 1993 and in 2008.
(But I do love the fact that one of those guys is John Cusack. Someone, at some point, sang those lyrics alone in their room to their Lloyd Dobler.)
Update: Thanks to Tim F. for pointing me in the direction of this piece from Ann Powers at The Los Angeles Times.
"Double-consciousness is what Phair expresses on “Guyville” – the impossible position of a woman trying to be true to herself in a man’s world. These songs don’t vacillate between desire and contempt for the men they address; they tangle these feelings together until they can’t be undone. In a song like “Flower,” with its unprintable lyrics, Phair showed how girliness is obscene and profanity is sweet. “Mesmerizing” presents seduction as an act of violence and a longed-for goal. In “Glory,” Phair’s crush comes on like a lizard and a king."
It's the fifteenth anniversary of the release of Liz Phair's Exile in Guyvillle and Taylor Coates at This Recording has a great rundown of the CD's tracks.
I still have the taped copy that David made me and played for me in his dorm room, comparing Liz's potty mouth with my own.
That tape sits in a box in my bedroom closet, but the tracks — downloaded from iTunes — are on my iPod, some of the few that never get passed by when the machine's in "shuffle" mode.
Nevermind came out when I was in college, but EIG is the more defining of the two for me.
Maybe it's a girl thing. (Can't hear "Flower" without thinking of 'drew.)
Update: Speaking of Nevermind, Gawker posted this video of Paul Anka (who, by the way, is Jason Bateman's father-in-law, covering "Smells Like Teen Spirit.")
Jake and I met this afternoon at the National Portrait Gallery so we could go see Recognize: Hip Hop and Contemporary Photography.
Best moment = little kid pointing to portrait of Ice-T and saying, "Ice, Ice Baby," and his 40+ year old white dude dad saying, "That's a different Ice," and smiling while he mussed the kid's hair.
I was particularly fond of the portrait of Big Daddy Kane . . .
But Jake really liked the portrait of LL Cool J, including the seal (in the upper right hand corner there), complete with boxing gloves, beat box and Kangol cap.
All three are by Kehinde Wiley. The show runs through until October 28, but if you want to see the Stephen Colbert portrait, you need to get to the Gallery by April 1.
Jake tells a story.
Jake admires the basket of eggs to his right.
Jake wonders if Alison is listening to him or just objectifying him.
Jake tires of being a male model.Kristen knows she can get me to post when she tags me on a meme, although this time around she acknowledged that she might be pushing my aversion to "wonder of me" posts a bit too far.
Boy, did she ever.
I started this one the other night and needed to abandon it because it was just too gross. And, well, it's still pretty gross.
100 Amazing Things I've Already Done
This list is meant to be in response to those lists that are often generated about the things you want to do before you die to justify your time on the planet; the kind of list that will inevitably make you feel like sh*t as you look at your watch and realize that time is ticking and the top of Mount Everest isn't getting any closer to sea level.
So, yeah, this is a list of 100 thing that I have already done. Some are more impressive than others, some are about what has shaped me as a person, but all are things that I can pull out as story fodder ("Did I ever tell you about that time . . . ?"). There is a bit of starf*cking going on in here, so excuse me.
Enjoy. I tag everyone who feels the need for a little self affirmation. You can write the list in your notebook if you feel like it.
I have . . .
I have made my yearly pilgrimage to Columbia, Missouri for the True False Film Festival.
Some of the best parts of the trip so far have been the March into March parade through downtown Columbia; and
But I also loved the girls of Girls Rock! who managed to make me laugh and cry and inspire me to 1) do things I am bad at more often (W?), 2) download some Bikini Kill, 3) ask, "Yes, how do you tune a taco? 
If these photos were MP3s, this post would be one of the less impressive posts on This Recording.
I missed the Wilco shows at the 9:30 this time around because 1) I didn't manage to remember the day the tickets were going on sale and 2) the shows apparently sold out in 15 minutes.
I'll try to convince myself that it's okay, because I was on a red eye from San Francisco on night #1 and I spent night #2 hanging out with W learning about the relationship between Riot Grrl strippers and Crime and Punishment's Rodion Raskalnikov (in brief, it's the transitive property of deviance, dumb a**).
But I'm a little bummed that I managed to miss a live performance of "When the Roses Bloom Again," (a song that will always make me think of Joe Flood) and, well, Mr. Tweedy remains my most persistent rock star crush.
Swoooooon.
I'll have to comfort myself with this recording of the show (and interview with Tweedy), courtesy of NPR.
When I was in Seattle last week, Hillary brought me to the Library Bistro, which happened to be across the street from my hotel. She knew I was a single malt fan, so she did her research and discovered that the Bistro had one of the city's best collections. (Thanks, Hillary. I liked it so much I went back the next night to take pictures -- and to have another drink.)
Steve would have needed a drool cup.
Speaking of single malt, John Mayer won some points with me for delivering a "drunk driving is not cool" message and for being a scotch man (Lagavulin, no less). Next time you need a ride, John, just call me.
Everyone's abuzz about Radiohead playing live on Current TV on New Year's Eve (although "live" might mean that the band members will not be dead, as the show will be pre-recorded).
I think the more exciting -- or, at least, interesting -- news is that Radiohead recently partnered with Best Foot Forward to do a study about the environmental impact of the band's recent tours. As a result of the research, the band is going to make an effort to do the majority of their shows in city centers (to increase the likelihood that fans will travel via mass transit) and will be shipping their equipment by sea -- instead of air. And they're asking their fans to pitch in either by using mass transit or by carpooling to shows.
You can read more details about the report on Radiohead's blog.
Kristen posted her annual End of Year meme and tagged me to do it as well. I have been posting these now for a couple of years, always prompted to do so by Kristen.
1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make new year's resolutions. I make resolutions every day to take care of myself physically and emotionally. There is a reason I make these resolutions every day: I don't keep them.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A whole bunch of folks had babies these year, but the person to whom I am closest was Amy, who gave birth to Jonas Aidan -- who resembles an old Chinese man more than most babies do -- on November 8.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
no
5. What countries did you visit?
I did less international travel in 2007 than I did in 2006. I spent a few days in Switzerland (Geneva) and a few days in England (London) in March and, in October, I went to Greece. All trips were work related and two out of three of those trips were with the great Johnny B.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I have a few . . .
I'll always remember June 16, the day I visited my grandmother after her apartment fire, because it will be difficult to ever get the sight and scent of her apartment out of my mind, as well as the sadness of seeing her on the balcony of her temporary living space, looking lost -- and old.
On a happier note, I'll remember April 8, the day Andrew and I met up at the Sackler. He was giddy (as much as Andrew can be giddy) about the pottery and I was giddy about spending time with him again.
Finally, I'll remember October 6, the day John and I explored Athens with Michael Darragh. I knew I was getting ready to move on, but I loved seeing something new with John, who has helped me to see so many other new things, often inside myself.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I really do think I grew as a manager. I wasn't always "nice," but I was always incredibly invested in giving my team the opportunity to strengthen their skills and, therefore, their value to the group. I think that's rare. Rarer than it should be.
Beyond that, and despite the fact that not being able to work with John every day SUCKS, I see the new job I will be taking on in 2008 as a big achievement because it is getting me back into advocacy work.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Folks, I ate like a pig.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
This year, it became pretty clear to me that I am getting old. Everything is falling to pieces. No major illnesses or injuries, but a general state of decay has set in. Lordy, it ain't pretty.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I love the brown jacket I bought at Anthropologie, but my Nikon D40x makes me swoon. Just ask Wyatt.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Al Gore for keeping up the fight, John Edwards for his populist message, Elizabeth Edwards for telling cancer (and her critics) to f*ck off, Wayne Coyne for continuing to have more fun than the rest of us, Jon Corzine and Martin O'Malley for fighting the death penalty, Heather Armstrong for her persistent honesty and humor. There are probably others. There are some good folks out there.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
How about appalled and angry? Ann Coulter is, and always will be, scum. She's just embarrassing.
14. Where did most of your money go?
eating out and clothes
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I don't think I got excited enough this year, but I got excited when I got the invite to go to Greece and I got excited when I met the folks with whom I will be working in the new year.
16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
Don't give me a hard time, but Not Ready to Make Nice by the Dixie Chicks had the right amount of righteous indignation to get me to sing along every time I heard it. It was released in 2006, but I bought the CD this year.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
I wish I had taken care of myself more: emotionally and physically.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
20. How will you be spending New Year’s?
I think I will be at Julia's.
22. Did you fall in love in 2007?
I was already there.
23. How many one-night stands?
zip
24. What was your favorite TV program?
I love How I Met Your Mother, although Kid Nation was a sincere source of fascination.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't hate people. I dislike a few, but they're irrelevant.
26. What was the best book you read?
Homicide By David Simon and The Assault on Reason by Al Gore
27. What was your greatest musical (re)discovery?
I love Grinderman. That's damn good car music.
28. What did you want and get?
a reason to leave where I was29. What did you want and not get?
a reason to stay where I was
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
I don't think I went to the movies the entire year. I just don't enjoy it anymore. But my favorite rentals were a cheery group: Little Children, Dogville, Half Nelson, The Chumscrubber, In the Heat of the Night, Sherrybaby, A Scanner Darkly, The Baxter, The Statement and Inside Man.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I honestly can't remember (what I did -- I am well aware of how old I am.) I'm at the point where I'm not a big fan of birthdays.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I could have used some more time with friends and less time working.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
This was the year of the headband.
34. What kept you sane?
That's awfully presumptuous of you . . . I guess Steve did the best he could.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I watched every episode of Homicide this year and I fell in love with Kyle Secor (aka Baylis). Someone needs to give that man (and Andre Braugher) a job.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?37. Who did you miss?
I missed Chris. But I took care of that, didn't I?
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I really like Cooper. He tells great stories (I like stories involving his son in which he adopts a voice that sounds like Beavis -- or Butthead, I can't tell -- with a lisp) and, in general, is just a f*cking charming guy. Plus, he was apparently a rock star in a former life. I hope we stay in touch . . . and I wish him the best.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Sometimes doing what's right for you hurts more than doing the wrong thing. (I think I knew that already.)
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I try to keep the house nice and neatSatisfaction calls itself "people-powered customer service" and allows consumers and companies to connect to solve problems, share ideas and communicate. It's a great idea, but it needs to engage more companies and, unfortunately, more customers (according to Compete, they're at about 12k per month). It's going to need some level of critical mass before more companies join. Judging by the dialog on the Timbuk2 page, it's time they did.
They want to hear what you think over at Hey! Nielsen as well (found via Pete Blackshaw's blog). You can sign up for an account (I did) to offer up your opinion on television, music, movies and web sites. Pete says the content from the site will be shared with "big decision makers" in the entertainment industry, so if you're feeling the need to tell the world how much you love How I Met Your Mother, head on over.
Catlick Records is doing its part to help raise money for J. Robbins' baby boy, Callum, with the release of the compilation CD "For Callum."
I just ordered my copy via Dischord (thanks to the fact that I subscribe to the site's RSS feed). Go ahead and order yours and help Callum and his other little buddies afflicted with Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
Come on, look at this kid. How could you possibly turn down the possibility of helping him out?
Or, come on, face it, you had a big whopping crush on J. when you were in college -- just like me. How could you have avoided it?
Buy it.
Fimoculous reader Daniel thinks that Charlie Rose's interview with the Beastie Boys was his worst ever.
I disagree.
But I'm biased.
(in three parts)
I didn't manage to head off on my trip yesterday until after 3:00 o'clock and then spent the first couple hours of my trip staring at the back of the car in front of me, so I didn't get down to Chapel Hill until 9:30 or so.
My late arrival meant that Crook's Corner -- where I was planning on getting my first plate of shrimp and cheese grits -- was closed for dinner. I considered the possibility of banging on the front door and explaining to them that I had driven all the way from DC for that damn plate of shrimp and cheese grits, but my dignity got in the way.
Unfortunately, the standard that had been set in my mind of of shrimp and cheese grits meant that the offerings of pizza, Mexican fast food and sports bar menu items that were available to me at that hour of the night just weren't going to hack it. So dinner amounted to a glass of Laphroiag and a chat with Ray, the bartender at the hotel bar.
Ray, whose sister -- also named Alison -- recently passed away from ovarian cancer, informed me that The Franklin Hotel opened on New Year's Eve. If you have a reason to be in Chapel Hill, I'd suggest you check on availability and stay here. It's a really lovely boutique hotel right in the midst of Franklin Street -- the pedestrian hub -- and the rates are shockingly low ($143/night), for a traveler accustomed to paying NY rates.
Actually, because the hotel was so nice and because I'm not willing to head out of town without that damn plate of shrimp and cheese grits, I'm spending another night. I'm aiming for a lazy morning in the room and then a trip over to Durham for a trip down memory lane (I lived there nine years ago). I'll come back to Chapel Hill this afternoon for a stroll on Franklin Avenue and then -- YES -- dinner at Crook's Corner. I picked up the schedule at Cat's Cradle but the band that's playing tonight doesn't look or sound like something that's going to float my boat.
Where's Superchunk when you need them?
Good luck to all the folks in line for the iPhone.
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