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These sites usually talk about other things besides music
These sites mainly talk about music
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| My ears are having a love affair with these songs |
| Thursday, December 29, 2005 |
Music blogs, such as Gorilla vs. Bear and Torr.org, make me very happy, because they sometimes feature artists that I would never come across (or maybe not discover until months down the line). There are a few songs I discover on my own, but since I work in an office job, most new music is found on the Internets.
I'm not going to list my favorite 2005 albums, but I will list my Top 13 Songs of 2005 (alphabetical by artist). These are the songs that I never got tired of hearing or turned off the radio. They all appeared on CDs that were released in 2005. Most, if not all, can be found on the artists' Myspace page or by searching the Web.
Bloc Party -- "Luno"
Calla -- "Swagger"
Dears, the -- "22: The Death of All the Romance"
Death Cab for Cutie -- "Soul Meets Body"
Franz Ferdinand -- "Eleanor Put Your Boots On"
Jaymay -- "Letter"
Nada Surf -- "Always Love"
Nine Inch Nails -- "Only"
Tah-Dahs, the -- "Mix Tape = Love"
Tapes 'n Tapes -- "Cowbell"
VanGaalen, Chad -- "Clinically Dead"
Viking Moses! -- "Sandstorms"
Voxtrot -- "Raised by Wolves" |
posted by pimplomat @ 8:59 AM  |
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| Happiness is key to success |
| Wednesday, December 28, 2005 |
The Guardian recently published a story about the key to success.
"Happiness, rather than working hard, is the key to success, according to research published today. Cheerful people are more likely to try new things and challenge themselves, which reinforces positive emotion and leads to success in work, good relationships and strong health, say psychologists."
This is something I've learn to believe in over time. Too many people think that if they HAVE something, that they'll be able to DO something, and then they'll BE happy. I believe that chart needs to be looked at in reverse. You should first BE, then you'll DO, and then you'll HAVE.
Trust me, look at life in reverse sometimes, and you'll see and experience wonderful things.
Yes, yes I know, this post is kind of Stuart Smalley in appearance, but I had to get it out there, if not for you, then at least for me. We all need to be reminded of things every now and then. |
| posted by pimplomat @ 2:17 PM |
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| The Stella kept flowing and it was heaven |
| Tuesday, December 27, 2005 |
Christmas came and went and for the most part was pretty low key. Last night, though, Owen Wilson came into the bar. He drank water, and was taller than people say he is. Also, his nose didn't look as crooked in real life. Some of the girls in the bar went Owen-crazy. I didn't get any pictures though. Sorry.
However, you probably don't care about that. You probably want to read about the meeting between Long Division, Wee Demon and me. Well, the first annual blogger meet-up was like Paris 1919. Much was said that can't be repeated here (except for this: Wee Demon...what you said about RW is forever etched in my mind), but here's image proof that it actually happened. Behold the first band photo of The French Apes. Oh, Wee Demon, we forgot to tell you that you're in our band now.
After this wonderful experience, Wee Demon left us to go see a person that dabbles in the musical arts. Long Division, her husband and myself were left to our own devices, which usually means more drinking. We went to another bar around the corner, where Long Division proceeded to meet tons of new people and make new friends. Here is her and my friend Val, getting quite close to one another.
We closed down the bar, Long Division and her husband disappeared into the night, and I made my way back home. Alone. (cue violins)
And now some pictures.
Long Division and her husband. Notice the Lone Star beer. You know you're in Texas now.
I hang out with rock stars.
Goodnight. |
| posted by pimplomat @ 9:04 AM |
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| Our blogging heads will explode |
| Wednesday, December 21, 2005 |
I used to get excited about Christmas because of the gifts. However, that doesn't excite me anymore. What excites me now about the holidays is seeing old friends when they come back to town or meeting new people at dinner parties.
The other night, my upstairs neighbor had her annual Christmas dinner party and poetry reading. Her husband is an English Lit professor, and he educated us about the poetry of A.E. Housman. It was great; I felt like I was in college again. I was the youngest person there, but that didn't stop me from meeting new people and learning new things. The food was great, and there was plenty of wine for everyone to have multiple drinks.
And I'm sure there will be plenty of drinks to go around when Long Division and I meet up at some dive bar here in town. She and Wee Demon will finally meet. Long Division, Wee Demon and me...it will be a blogger roundtable. Anyone else on our blog rolls is welcome to come and drink with us. And then we can blog about it. Or not. We could just keep our meeting a secret. And let you wonder what we're saying about you all, our readers. |
| posted by pimplomat @ 10:28 AM |
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| I took a test |
| Friday, December 16, 2005 |
I took one of those OK Cupid tests, and here is how I scored (thanks Donna for the link).
True English Nerd
You scored 88 erudition!
Not only do you know your subjects from your objects and your definite from your indefinite articles, but you've got quite a handle on the literature and the history of the language as well. Huzzah, and well done! The English snobs of Boston salute you.
You can take the test here.
It's kind of silly, but I'm kind of bored at the moment.
In other news, I bought an autographed copy of Storytelling by Belle and Sebastian at a used CD store yesterday. That was a totally laser beats shotgun moment. |
| posted by pimplomat @ 1:43 PM |
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| Regifting |
| Thursday, December 15, 2005 |
I had the this item on my desk. It was given to my co-worker from Disney for Halloween. She didn't want it, so she gave it to me.
When I was gone last week, she took it off my desk to use as a secret Santa gift for a party she's attending. She said she took it because I hadn't taken it home already and she didn't think I wanted it.
Just because I didn't take it home doesn't mean I don't want it! It's a candy dish for crying out loud. And it had candy in it.
Now she's saying, "It wasn't yours to begin with." Once you give someone something, isn't it then that person's property?
I mean, WTF? |
| posted by pimplomat @ 2:55 PM |
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| Favorite band |
| Wednesday, December 14, 2005 |
The other night, my housemate and I were talking about how we discovered our now favorite bands.
So, since I have nothing else to write about today, I'll tell you how the Cure became my all-time favorite band.
It was 1987, and I was a freshman in high school. KEGL-FM used to play "alternative" music back then, and it was playing "Just Like Heaven" by the Cure. However, I didn't know it was the Cure, because like most stations, the DJs rarely tell you who you're listening to after the song is played (DJs, why do you do this crap?). I kept thinking it was Modern English, until one morning the DJ finally said it was the Cure. I remember buying the 7-inch single somewhere after this and really enjoying the b-side, "Breathe."
Well, my grandparents gave me $10 for something (probably mowing the lawn), and we went to the mall. I quickly made my way to Camelot Music to buy Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me on cassette tape. To my teenage horror, I discovered the tape cost $14. It was a "double album," so the store increased the price, because, you know, cassette tape costs a lot of money.
I didn't want the $10 to go to waste, so I ending up buying Standing on the Beach. I remember some girls in 8th grade talking about this album, and thinking, "If 'Just Like Heaven' is good, then the songs on their greastest hits album must be good, too." I bought the tape, and listened to it on the way home. Once those first notes of "Killing an Arab" started, I knew right then and there that the Cars would no longer be my favorite band. I decided to own each album from where these hits came. It's been a love affair ever since.
And that's my story. Feel free to add your own story about how you discovered your favorite band on your blog/live journal. This will especially work for those that don't know what to write about or update much (I'm looking at you C&N).
Countdown to party: 2 days. |
| posted by pimplomat @ 1:21 PM |
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| Playing Teacher |
| Monday, December 12, 2005 |
I just found out today that my coworker does not know the music of The Beatles. Or The Rolling Stones. Or The Kinks. Anything basically from the 1960s, she's uneducated about it, and she's not super young (she's 28).
I don't think you know happy this makes me, because now I can teach her about all this wonderful music. I'm bringing in all my Beatles' and Stones' albums tomorrow. I'm going to school this girl right. I love playing teacher.
She doesn't know who David Cross is either. One thing at a time. First the Beatles, then David Cross. |
| posted by pimplomat @ 10:52 AM |
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| Happy Birt.....oh nevermind.... |
| Thursday, December 08, 2005 |
Since it's after midnight, it's now officially my birthday. This is the first time that I have nothing planned for its celebration. I believe my friends may take me out, but that is not certain. Much like the rest of the holidays, my birthday has become nothing too special. I wonder where all the charm and excitement went and why it left.
I finished Henderson the Rain King tonight, and it was wonderful. It now ranks up there with Steppenwolf (and other works by Hesse) in terms of books that I feel can be life altering to those who take the time to read them and learn from them. I especially enjoy books that tackle dualities in life. In Henderson, Bellow covers the contrasts of fear and love. This is of particular interest to me, because I feel that too many people live their lives by and in fear.
Everything--every action, emotion, thought, etc.--arises from either fear or love. And to go through life in constant fear, in my opinion, is to live a sad life. Henderson says in the book, "Whatever gains I ever made were always due to love and nothing else." That is what I'm striving for, to move through life expressing nothing but love, BEING nothing but love.
I'm doing more creative writing lately, and that makes me happy. I know why I am, and I hope it never ends. |
| posted by pimplomat @ 11:29 PM |
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| Back from Florida |
| Wednesday, December 07, 2005 |
So, I was actually in Hollywood, Florida, and not Fort Lauderdale as expected. I did visit Fort Lauderdale for about half a day for work related activities. Otherwise, I was mainly in the bar at the hotel with other event attendees and journalists.
I met some new and interesting people, and I made some good contacts for future trips, so in the end I'm glad I decided to attend the event.
I brought pictures back for you all. Happy? Good, I knew you'd be.
My oceanview room was nice.
The hotel tries to woo me with champagne and chocolates. It worked. I put out for the hotel.
King Tut hosted our first night event. I've been told he's the original "king of bling."
This was food at an event. I'm not sure what the food actually was, but judging from the time put into presentation, I'm sure it was a tasty treat.
Freaky plastic babies. I've been having nightmares about these things for days.
This is the bull that threw me. What? Fuck you. I can go to Florida and ride mechanical bulls. I have no shame.
But I am ashamed for not having proper beachwear. |
| posted by pimplomat @ 6:26 PM |
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| Fort Lauderdale |
| Friday, December 02, 2005 |
This weekend, I'm going to Fort Lauderdale for work. It's tough, I know. I hope there will be lots of umbrella drinks served to me.
Would you like some Fort Lauderdale factoids? Good. I knew you would.
(Stolen from the Internets and not fact checked.)
Location
Greater Fort Lauderdale, right in the center of the Gold Coast, stretches along 23 miles of the Atlantic Ocean, midway between Miami and Palm Beach.
Size
Greater Fort Lauderdale sprawls across 1,200 square miles. Greater Fort Lauderdale is therefore large enough to house 76 different golf courses. This county contains 28 cities and is home to about 1.2 million residents. The largest city and county seat, Fort Lauderdale, has about 150,000 residents. Because it has 300 miles of navigable waterways and harbors 40,000 yachts, it has been referred to as the "Venice of America" and the "Yachting Capital of the World."
Climate
Temperatures in this tropical climate average 77 degrees year round with 3,000 hours of sunshine on average each year. Winter temperatures average 68 degrees while the summer brings on temperatures around 84 degrees. The month of August is the hottest, whereas January is the coolest. The months of August and September bring the heaviest rains.
Beaches
The Fort Lauderdale area boasts 23 miles of sandy beaches that border the Atlantic.
Vegetation
Greater Fort Lauderdale has 505,600 acres of Everglades, containing sawgrass and seasonally covered by slowly moving water. You may roam through this marshy land on an airboat. Off the coast of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, 15-20 foot deep coral reefs can be found in the Atlantic. However, coral reefs are not considered "vegetation", but the skeletal deposits of polyps.
Shopping and Dining
Greater Fort Lauderdale houses the world's largest discount mall. Named after the vegetation found in the Everglades, Sawgrass Mills includes many outlet stores that are sure to impress. Out of Greater Fort Lauderdale's 2,500 award-winnning restaurants, you are bound to find a wonderful dining experience. You may choose from waterside dining, elegant dining, or simple casual dining. |
| posted by pimplomat @ 1:43 PM |
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