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| September 2006 | |
| In the Name of Love September 26, 2006 Tuesday 9:23 PM  Last week, a U2 concert DVD came out. It was from their ZooTV tour from way back in 1993. I saw that tour back when I was in college in Madison and it's really what turned me on to them. Watching the concert now, it seems extremely ahead of its time. The visuals and themes were about the saturation of multimedia that's thrust upon us on a daily basis -- and how that media can be manipulated to sell any idea, big or small, despite any truth or credibility. 1993 was way before DVDs, the internet, cell phones used as media centers, digital photography, satellite radio, and cable TV as we know it today. Even though I love their new stuff, I'd say this ZooTV period is by my favorite phase of their ever-changing career. Today, they released a huge 350 page hardcover book called U2 By U2. It's their story in their own words with their own personal photographs. It's an amazing piece of work. I see these beautiful photographs, shot intimately from their personal photographer over a 30 year period, and it just deepens the adoration I have for these four men. Glancing through the book, I noticed they talk in depth about each album, each song, and each tour they've done as well as the stories of their lives at the time, their relationship with each other and the world around them. It warms my heart to see them speak so fondly of each song, each movement, and each reinvention -- almost as if they're talking about their children. It's good to know these songs mean as much to them as they do to me. I wonder what happens to ones psyche when it's submerge so deeply in art such as this. I remember earlier this year doing a count, thanks to my old iPod, and realized I had listened to just one of their songs over 300 times in just over two years. What happens to ones heart, soul, and brain when music, art, video, and even the over-saturation of multimedia takes hold over a lifetime? I have no way to answer that, if course. I do know that it, somehow, adds a piece to the puzzle of who I am, and I have to partially thank Bono, The Edge, Larry, and Adam. In the name of love... Tuesday's playlist: 1. John Williams - Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith 2. Christina Aguilaria - Stripped 3. The Dixie Chicks - Taking The Long Way 4. U2 - The Achtung Baby Working Tapes |
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| The Ol' Orifice September 18, 2006 Monday 8:50 PM My obsession all summer has been The Office. Not my office, where I work, but the TV show. I caught an episode when the fall season started last year and thought it was pretty clever. Then I caught the Christmas episode, which might just be one of my favorite 20 minutes of TV of all time. Right around the time that aired, they released the first season on DVD (only six episodes) which I don't even remember being on TV. I bought the disc on a whim and have been hooked ever since. I caught up on all of the episodes I'd missed thanks to iTunes and watched those all summer long. Last week Season 2 came out on DVD (22 episodes this time!) and I can't get enough. The more I watch it, the funnier it gets. It's got an incredibly dry sense of humor which I find brilliant. I haven't liked a sitcom since Seinfeld ended (and have to admit, I'm almost annoyed by it now in syndication). This is one I can relate to and speaks directly to me. Let's see, it takes place in an office that looks pretty similar to one I work in -- although I'm sure most office workers would say that, has it's corporate branch two hours away like we do, and has its warehouse connected to it, just like we do. It deals with things I deal with, or I should say have to deal with, on a daily basis, like sexual harassment (we've had the speech), a firing (been through that), Christmas parties, booze cruises (been on two so far), casino nights, performance reviews, Bring Your Daughter to Work Day, etc. I watched the British version on DVD, and really think this one surpasses the original. On Thursday, the series starts back up, and I couldn't be more excited for it. Last season ended on quite the cliff hanger and I can't help but wonder what's going to happen with Jim and Pam. You'd think after working in an office all day long, I'd want to get away from one. I guess it's just nice to laugh once in awhile, see the humor in my day-to-day grind, and realize that these types of scenerios are pretty universal to the white collar crowd. "I'm the king of forwards. It's how I like to conduct business....everybody screwing around." - Michael Scott Monday's playlist: 1. U2 - All That You Can't Leave Behind 2. Johnny Cash - American III: Solitary Man 3. Johnny Cash - American IV: The Man Comes Around 4. Madonna - American Life 5. Johnny Cash - American V: A Hundred Highways |
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| Video Podcast #4: Find The River September 13, 2006 Wednesday 9:16 PM I've really been getting into this video podcasting thing. Over the weekend, I decided to go for a 20 mile bike ride to get a new light for my bike. I decided to videotape my journey, and do a different kind of podcast for me -- one away from my computer. This is my video podcast where I've actually shot a bunch of footage and edited the clips together. I guess this officially makes it my first real movie, shot on my Canon mini DV and created and edited together in iMovie on my MacBook. Even though it's not the most ground breaking video in the world, I'm pretty proud of it since it's officially my first. There's so much more I want to do, but this is a great start. I used the journey in this video to showcase the small towns where I'm from as well as some sights and sounds of this beautiful state of Wisconsin where I live. You can view the video in the above link or go to my Media/Podcast page to view it from there in QuickTime as well. Otherwise you can see it here, at YouTube, and check out my YouTube channel, which I'm excited about filling with additional content as time goes on. Check it out and let me know what you think! Today's playlist: Justin Timberlake - Futuresex/Lovesounds |
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September 11, 2006 Monday 9:21 PM photo date 9/2/06 I've been trying to wrap my mind around this day -- to be reflective without getting too depressed. But it's hard to do. I woke up this morning and it was still pitch dark at 6:00 AM. It was dark, gloomy, and rainy all day long. Even though I know this morning five years ago to be bright and sunny, the rain is the essence of this day. With my supper tonight I turned on CNN, and almost immediately turned it off. I just don't need to relive those images. I don't need to see the dust and fire, hear the screams and sobs again. I just don't want to face it today. I see images of today and they make me angry. I see Cheney with tears down his face and it infuriates me knowing he's made millions because of the repercussions of that day. I see good ol' GW, going through the pomp and circumstance of today. I wonder if he's aware that the number of casualties of his war is now equal to that of 9-11? As he polticizes this day (the bravado of this guy never fails to amaze me), I wonder if he's surprised that the American people fell for it, fell for the connection of one group of terrorists over another? Hey, they all have brown skin, that's good enough for that cowboy, right? One lie after another, sheriff, the end always justifying the means. I think of the sate of our world, the fuck-up that's become our -- scratch that -- his war, the joke that's our national security, and the mess that's around a year later after hurricane Katrina. People have been speculating if our worlds a safer place since 9-11. I think all we did was aggravate a hornets nest while alienating the world around us. Some would say this kind of talk in anti-American. That cunt Ann Coulter would call it treason. But I love this country and am disgusted by what the powers-that-be have done to it. My anger is what makes me an American. This fire within me is what makes me proud to be part of this land. Not those fuck ups running this place into the ground. How long before a war with Iran? How long before 9-11 becomes the catalyst for that? And maybe some WMDs as the excuse again? How much longer must we soil the memories of the fallen from five years ago? Many who literally fell from the sky... How long must we sing this song? Despite my anger on this day, my overriding thoughts are that of love and peace, believe it or not. Five years ago today amongst all the madness, I stopped over at my parents' after work. My sister was living with them at the time while they were building their new house. My oldest nephew was about 18 months old at the time. As my sister and Mom panicked, went into town, and waited in line to fill up their cars with gas, I babysat my godson. I turned off the TV, put on his Tellitubbies video, and played toy cars with him. I felt his love, innocence, and unconditional trust that day. I remember his big blue-eyed smile and his little car noises as he ran the toy car up and down my back. And as I think back to that horrible, horrible day, that's still my strongest memory from that day. So on my ride home from work this afternoon, I stopped over at my sister's. She wanted me to look at something and give her some design advice on it. As I got there, my thoughts of 9-11 disappeared as both of my nephews bombarded me with questions, toys, kisses, hugs, their endless energy, one bright blue-eyed smile and one brown-eyed mischievous grin. Somehow or another, their love and innocence will always be part of this day for me. Look at that...I somehow did manage to wrap my mind around my feelings for this day. "Heaven on earth Today's playlist: U2 - All That You Can't Leave Behind |
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September 5, 2006 Tuesday 8:12 PM I hope you had a great Labor Day weekend. On Friday, I created a new video podcast. I meant to post it here sooner, but I got caught up in the hubbub of a family wedding followed by a couple days of hardcore relaxing. You can click on the previous link or go to my Media/Podcast page to view it from there in QuickTime. Otherwise you can see it here, at YouTube, or check out my very own YouTube channel. At the moment I have my three video podcasts posted as well as a few short clips I shot with my Sony CyberShot back in May of 2005 at the U2 concert in Chicago. The clips aren't anything great, but this YouTube thing is now a place to put all my loose odds-and-end videos that are too big to email my friends, and just a little too cool to simply delete. This YouTube thing has opened up yet another avenue of self-expression for me; I just think it's the coolest thing. My video camera was getting dusty, but I now have a bunch of video ideas rushing in my head, the first of them being an experiment with a few Mentos and some Diet Coke. I'm amazed by how drastically the web is changing each year, and some of the cool new things that are out there. I'd love to hear your comments on my podcasts! P.S. Be sure to check out the August archives. When one door opens..... |
