Tuesday, October 29, 2002

Slap A Ham Records are closing down soon, so if you're a fan of good underground hardcore, grindcore or power violence, check out their site quickly because they're liquidating their stock. Dirt cheap too: 3 CDs for $25 for international orders. You don't find deals like that for stuff like this every day.

I just bought myself a bunch via Paypal. To give them at least some business while they're still here. Fingers crossed everything works out and I get them sometime soon. It's a shame they're shutting up shop, they are the home of the legendary Spazz after all (whom I first heard of through that 30-second song comp that came out on Fat Wreck Chords a few years ago), but at least the scene is more alive than ever.

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Monday, October 28, 2002

Mat seems to be having the time of his life in Thailand. He's got pictures, too.

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Yep. Late again. Friday Five #33:

1. What is your favorite scary movie?

That would be Ring, followed in second place by A Nightmare on Elm Street.

2. What is your favorite Halloween treat?

I don't have one. That's not to say that I don't like chocolate and sweets and stuff; I just don't have an out-and-out favourite.

3. Do you dress up for Halloween? If so, describe your best Halloween costume.

I don't, or at least haven't done for years. Too expensive in terms of money and time to come up with anything really good (or that hasn't been stolen by anyone else). Plus my physique doesn't really accomodate the best ideas too well. When I was a kid, though, I went as Batman one year. I think I was 10 at the time. It was a cool costume. I had the cape and everything, and a brilliant mask that my mum helped me to make (or rather, I helped my mum to make) out of newspaper layout card and black duct tape. It was sweet.

4. Do you enjoy going to haunted houses or other spooky events?

If we had them, I would, but over here people don't seem to go all out for the spooky experience, or even the really fun experience. It's just another excuse for people to get drunk here. That being said, I did see the coolest thing last Hallowe'en, when walking down Grafton Street I passed three geezers impersonating the Scousers (of Harry Enfield fame), curly wigs and fake tashes and all. That was inspired.

5. Will you dress up for Halloween this year?

Not this year. But next year I'm planning to dress up as Jushin Liger.

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Currently in the mail on the way to my doorstep as I type this:

The first and second seasons of Mr. Show on DVD. (I have heard many good things about this, one of only a handful of HBO productions that hasn't made it to these shores. Since I can play Region 1 DVDs on my eMac, I thought why not get it?)

Donnie Darko on VHS. (It's starting at the IFC next week, but I thought I'd get ahead of the pack and have a copy for my own home so that people will think I'm cool and cutting edge and stuff.)

The new Dave Eggers novel, 'You Shall Know Our Velocity'. (Again with the being cool and cutting edge. Not crazy about the way this book was published, which will undoubtedly result in a fairly insular audience and might alienate the world outside of North America despite the grassroots independent sentiments. You see, I was going to get this through the McSweeney's online store, but it's not really their store: it's set up through Yahoo, who were going to charge me $55 shipping for a $20 book. What's up with that??!! I searched with Google and found it on sale at Powells.com, $34 including intl. shipping. That's more like it. Yahoo should get their act together. And McSweeney's should look at setting up a proper e-commerce site. If you wanna be down with the people, don't rip them off.)

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Sunday, October 27, 2002

The Fugazi gig last night would have been excellent were it not for the 90 minutes we spent standing outside the Red Box in the rain waiting to get in, the 30 minutes the Connect 4 Orchestra spent on stage when all anyone really wanted to see were the headliners, the Red Box being an even shitter venue than before (now all people on the floor have the option of being drenched by the spilt drinks of drunk fuckwits on the balconies) and the show not finishing until well after the last bus had sailed on, leaving the Nitelink my only option home (and a dent in the wallet to boot).

Still, one shouldn't expect perfection. Had circumstances not conspired against, and Fugazi produced the same performance, no doubt I'd be raving about it as the greatest show of all time. Believe what everyone says about them: they are simply phenomenal live. A better live band than an album band, I have to say, now that I've finally experiened the Fugazi show; their latest album, 'The Argument', lacks a certain punch in my opinion, but live, the same songs have a totally different dynamic which does them much better justice.

After last night, work today was arduous. I know I said I wasn't going to write about work here anymore, but.....

Just one recent example of incompetence at my store:

The new Black Heart Procession album was due out yesterday. There was an ad in The Guardian yesterday for it (a HMV ad, specifically). Someone even asked for it today. But we don't have it. Why not? Because it's a chart title. And who orders chart titles? The m*****r. Why didn't he order this one? Presumably because he's an idiot.

So, children, the next time you walk into your friendly neighbourhood record store looking for a major new release and find the shelves empty, don't blame the staff - blame the m*****r.

The sooner I get out the better. I can't stand the incompetent slimy fucker.

But hey, let's not end on a bitter note. I have the next two days off, after all, and I also had a spot of retail therapy today: I got myself, amongst other things, the CD reissue of Sub Pop 200, the new Cave In EP, the new Sigur Ros album (which is very impressive, quite GY!BE-esque) and a 4-DVD box of the complete first season of TransFormers. Now is that sweet or what?!

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Thursday, October 24, 2002

I just remembered it's Mat's birthday today, so If you happen to bump into him somewhere in South-East Asia, wish him a good one for me, will ya? Much appreciated.

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The Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources, Dermot Ahern, is issuing a directive instructing the telecommunications regulator to introduce flat rate internet access in the Irish market.

It's about fucking time!

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I've been quite tired the last few evenings. Didn't feel like converting my thoughts into coherent sentences.

I've done some interesting things, and others not so interesting.

Regarding the latter; I paid off my credit card bill today, and my week has been so boring up until last night that I've completely forgotten anything else. I've probably saved you, dear reader, a lot of grief.

Regarding the former, I renewed my annual IFC membership last night and utilised it to see The Eye (which was okay, started great although it kinda slid towards the end, too obviously influenced by both The Sixth Sense and Ring) with Eoin the Film Student. I'm quite jealous of him: he's back at college, he has friends on the new editorial staff for the Observer so he's writing for the paper now, and he recently scored interviews with Neil Jordan and the guitarist from Interpol (who apparently exclaimed that his band is influenced by, amongst others, the Minutemen - I knew they were everywhere!). The lucky bastard. On the plus side, this will serve as a challenge to me to better myself.

While I'm on the subject of bettering myself, I have decided that - should my financial situation allow - I want to jack in my shitty job before Christmas. I despise the place so much now that I don't think I'll last until January. More time to write, chase interviews, etc. is very much desirable. And besides, I can hang out with Laura if she's up here in Dublin over the holidays. I'm gonna miss her when she leaves, she's one of my best friends in that hell-hole.

Other bits and bobs:

The first release on my media label - which has existed as a mere idea for the last four years - is actually in the works. I would love to make it a full-time hobby, sooner rather than later. More on this when I know what's happening.

Did you see Chris Jericho break the middle rope with his Lionsault at No Mercy? He could have been paralysed (like Hayabusa), or even killed. Actually, anybody in the vicinity could have been hurt considering the way the buckle flew off the post across the ring.

Note to Vince McMahon: pro wrestling and necrophilia do not mix. Maybe the sheer number of complaints the WWE has been getting will convince him that this statement is true.

The Fugazi show is tomorrow night. I'm not going to let work get me down for that one. It's going to be awesome, even if it's shit. Hey, I know they're not rock stars, they're just people like you or me, but whether they like it or loath it, one really can't resist putting them on a pedestal. Worship is probably too strong a word; they are most certainly to be greatly admired for who they are and what they do.

If anyone reading this and going to the show tomorrow wants to spot me, I'm the one with the Blogger messenger bag, like this one.

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Friday, October 18, 2002

Friday Five #32:

1. How many TVs do you have in your home?

Four, but only three are used.

2. On average, how much TV do you watch in a week?

I watch less TV now than I used to, mainly because I spend a lot of the time that I would have spent in front of the TV online. I guess three hours a day, maybe more maybe less, unless I have a day off, which would triple that amount (not that I'm always watching it, I'll just have the TV on while doing other things).

3. Do you feel that television is bad for young children?

I definitely think parents should monitor what their children are watching, but I don't think television is a bad thing for kids, at least over here. Channel 4's educational programming for one is a fantastic example of how brilliant television can be. Of course the Yanks are capable of it too - look at Sesame Street, over 30 years on the air and still great. Sure the whole Elmo merchandising mania thing might cloud your vision, but it shouldn't negate the show's ability to educate through fun. I mean, come on, what can be better than one-two-three fooour-five six-seven-eight niiine-ten, eleven twelve!?

4. What TV shows do you absolutely HAVE to watch, and if you miss them, you're heartbroken?

None really anymore. I've grown less and less attached to the box. I used to get really pissed if I missed the wrestling or something like that, but not so much anymore.

5. If you had the power to create your own television network, what would your line-up look like?

Ohh, I've thought about this one before: an anarchic mixture of pro wrestling from around the world, underground music, and the Discovery Channel. Who wouldn't want to subscribe to that??

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Thursday, October 17, 2002

It appears that this website is banned in China (c/o frownland).

Have I offended the Chinese government in some fashion? Boy I sure hope so. Even though I'm sure the test result was merely due to a dodgy connection. Still, it would be neat if a despicably malevolent dictatorship saw fit to prohibit this blog from crossing their borders.

Hell, if they haven't already, they may well do now. (You hear me?! Yeah, I'm talking to you! You give Communism a bad name! Boooo!)

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Tuesday, October 15, 2002

Three years old today.

This site has certainly come a long way. (If you were around when I started it, you'd know just how far; I mean, orange on black? What was I thinking??!!)

And yes, I was supposed to have a big relaunch today, but I've been too busy with other stuff to even think about getting a domain name (must suss out some reputable suppliers) or a suitable host (Cornerhost has been recommended to me in the past). I doubt that this situation will change for a while, until the new year at least. But it will change, I promise. I hate the pop-up ads as much, if not more, than you do.

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Monday, October 14, 2002

Bon voyage, Monsieur Honan!

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I received a nice surprise when I got home this evening: a parcel all the way from San Francisco containing the new Black Dice album, 'Beaches & Canyons', and the 2xCD Troubleman Mix-Tape. Sweet. I only ordered them five days ago. Midheaven mailorder rocks.

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Sunday, October 13, 2002

Yes, it's two days late, but I haven't been running at 100% capacity this weekend. Friday Five #31:

1. If you could only choose 1 CD to ever listen to again, what would it be?

If I can't choose an mp3 mix CD that I burned myself, then 'The Punch Line' by the Minutemen.

2. If you could only choose 2 movies to watch ever again, what would they be?

One of them I'm sure I haven't seen yet. The other one however simply has to be Billy Madison. It was on TV last night and it was as good as ever. It's one of those that just slips through the net. It doesn't make any sense, doesn't fit neatly into any single category and has some incredibly surreal humour for a major studio picture (and a supposed star vehicle to boot; probably the reason that Adam Sandler's career didn't really skyrocket until the not-as-good Happy Gilmore). I am amazed that it has yet to attain the cult status it so truly deserves.

3. If you could only choose 3 books to read ever again, what would they be?

I'm not the kind of person who re-reads books. I take the position that there's so much good literature out there that I shouldn't be wasting my relatively short time on this mortal coil with stuff I've already read.

4. If you could only choose 4 things to eat or drink ever again, what would they be?

I'm gonna have to give really general answers for this one: milk chocolate, bread, cheese, and Pepsi Max.

5. If you could only choose 5 people to ever be/talk/associate/whatever with ever again, who would they be?

I can't answer this question, since I'd need at least a limit of 10 before I could consider choosing who makes it. Suffice to say that if you think I'm gonna pick you, then I probably will.

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Thursday, October 10, 2002

The Enemy has returned!

Well actually, the site seems to have been up for a couple of weeks. I've just been too preoccupied to check it.

The world seems ever-so-slightly more balanced now, for some reason.

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np: The Rapture 'Caravan'

It's Thursday. I've had a crappy week. I expect I'll have a lot of these until January, so I doubt I'll be posting here as regularly as usual until then. Which is a shame, but since I've decided not to blog about work anymore, there's not much else to write about.

Basically, if something good or interesting happens, I'll blog about it. Just don't expect such things very often.

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Sunday, October 06, 2002

I've been listening to the just-released Dischord Records anthology box set since I got my hands on it last night. It's a truly beautiful thing. Most of the bands I'd never heard (or even heard of) before, which is where the 134 page textual and photographic document of the DC scene comes in handy. The last 24 hours have been an invaluable education for me. And I'm not even half-way through it yet.

Before I got a chance to be acquainted with the Dischord back catalogue, however, I went to see Triple Espresso at Andrews Lane with my mum. I was quite surprised. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was pretty damn enjoyable. There were two set pieces in particular that had me in stitches (in short, magic show and shadow puppets - make of that what you will). But I dunno about some of those newspaper quotes on their website. It's not exactly "a show for all the family". It's a bit too out there for kids to get it.

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Friday, October 04, 2002

Friday Five #30

1. What size shoe do you wear?

It depends on the type of shoe; normally size 10 or 11 UK (size 11 or 12 US).

2. How many pairs of shoes do you own?

I currently own something like five pairs of shoes, but that number includes my dress shoes, which I haven't worn in over a year at least. I only wear one pair day in day out.

3. What type of shoe do you prefer (boots, sneakers, pumps, etc.)?

Sneakers I guess, high tops. Something with support, and wide, because I have flat feet. Having said that, and I know it's most likely totally uncool to say this (not that I give a damn), I love Hush Puppies. They are without a doubt the most comfortable shoes in the world.

4. Describe your favorite pair of shoes. Why are they your favorite?

I don't really have a 'favourite pair' per se. The shoes I wear daily, my DC skater ones, I wouldn't wear them if I didn't like them.

5. What's the most you've spent on one pair of shoes?

I haven't spent more than £100 (or €100 or whatever) on a pair of shoes. Yet.

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Wednesday, October 02, 2002

I haven't written here in a while.

I haven't had the energy to focus my thoughts.

My job is driving me mental.

I haven't had a day off since last week, when I had one, and my next day - only one day - is on Friday. People who work weekdays 9-to-5 don't know how good they have it.

I have the utmost contempt for the general public, as I have mentioned here before, but my misanthropy has been magnified umpteen times in the last few weeks. My job is killing my brain cells. One of the things I hate the most is not being able to say to an idiot, 'Look, you're an idiot, get out of my face'. Not that I'd do such a thing if I was wasn't working there, but it would be better to know that I could without any repercussions, like getting fired.

Also, I do not like the m*****r. He's creepy and a bad person and not someone I want to work for for much longer.

I want to quit right now. However I cannot, at present, afford the luxury of handing in my notice tomorrow and locking myself in my room with my books and my writing pad and my computer for the next three months.

So today I formulated a plan to improve my mental health. Starting immediately, I am on the lookout for a job that has some value - whether relating to what I studied at university (I would love to spend even just a few weeks working in a library; in fact, doing so is a prerequisite for doing an MA or MLitt in Information Studies/Science) or something that has some redeeming cultural value (a bookstore like Waterstones - which may be a chain store, but it's quiet like a library).

Or really, anything to get away from the fucking hordes of idiots who stampede through Dublin city centre, day in day out, taking out their petty bullshit problems and inferiority/superiority complexes on (mostly) undeserving sales assistants everywhere. Basically, I want to work somewhere where the idiot quotient (or 'tard factor, as I've heard it referred to elsewhere) is significantly lower. I know that I will never be able to completely escape from the hell that is other people, so lower - rather than zero - will have to do.

If I don't find another job by the end of January, I'm quitting anyway. I should have enough money saved up by then to pay tuition fees, do some budget travelling, and live off of for the better part of a year at least.

Oh, and write lots. Lots and lots. And then more.

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random linkage:

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