All I want for Christmas are rabbit ears

In an effort to raise mullah for my pending move to Colorado, I decided to pick up babysitting jobs -- which has turned into quite a money maker as apparently there are few reliable sitters in my 'hood -- and, I've done away with cable. It was a plan I had for weeks but I kept avoiding the call to Comcast as I was fearful to cut the cord. The concept of saving $65/month was great in theory but when it came time to actually do it, I was hesitant. Last week I finally sucked it up and made the call but had to wait until Saturday for a technician to come by, pick up my cable box and flip the switch outside. The house was eerily silent after that. I was prepared, having downloaded a handful of podcasts and a new album (Bon Iver, who I now love, and will come back to) to fill the silence. I think it will be good for me having limited TV access (I have about 8 channels including a station that plays movies only in spanish) and in the end, it's all about Colorado and doing all I can to make relocation a reality.

I've been perusing various Best Of lists for 2008 and Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago kept popping up. Having read the album was best when listened to in it's entirety, I had it for two weeks before I allowed myself to listen to it, and yesterday was an ideal time to let it spin. I love the folky sound and wish I had a fireplace to snuggle up in front of when listening. Bon Iver is actually a three man band led by singer/songwriter Justin Vernon, who locked himself away in his father's cabin in the woods of Northern Wisconsin to recuperate from a recent illness and a breakup with his girlfriend and his former band. He had no intentions of writing and recording an album but For Emma, Forever Ago began to evolve during his cathartic time of isolation. You can hear and feel this isolation and healing in the album. It's perfect music for cold winter evenings at home and I can understand why the bloggers and music journalists are putting it high on their Best Of lists as it's a clean and concise album start to finish. Each song serves a purpose and fills a perfect spot on the record. And, I think Vernon is cute as a button with his shy smile and beard. This has nothing to do with his music, and everything to do with my tastes for seemingly shy and bearded musicians in plaid shirts with snap buttons.

I've been neglectful in general of new music in 2008. Before Bon Iver, I hadn't downloaded an entire album in many months. Perhaps though, it isn't just me, and there was a giant void of great new music in 2008. Regardless of the fact that there were new releases from My Morning Jacket and Ryan Adams & the Cardinals (which I haven't even bothered to listen to in it's entirety), there were very few other records that blew up my skirt and made me want to listen to them non-stop. My wish for 2009, besides of course finding a job in CO, is for some really great music to land in my lap and make me want to add it to a Best Of list this time next year.

The Mama in me

I had a maternal moment today. My "kid" JJ, the cat, hasn't been himself over the last several days. And when I say not himself what I really mean is he's been the cat I wish he were -- lovely, docile and snuggly. But, in JJ's case, that meant he was under the weather and added to the top of the list of suspicious symptoms was his loss of appetite and strange litter box visits. Normally JJ has a voracious appetite and his bowl requires refilling at a minimum once every two days and sometimes more often than that. When I noticed the level of food in his bowl hadn't changed after two days, I started to worry. By the third day when he wouldn't even take treats I knew we had a problem.

After sitting at my desk at work for about an hour this morning googling "loss of appetite in cats" concern started to creep in and I quickly picked up the phone and called the vet. We were able to get an appointment at 5:00 p.m.. My day was shot and my stomach was in knots as I started to worry about what might be the problem. Just as my mother is a hypochondriac about her own symptoms, which I am not, I was all worked up over JJ's. This, my friends, sounds silly but these feelings were a big deal for me. I rarely admit to having maternal instinct for another living thing and now I was in a tizzy over my mongrel at home. The mongrel, I might add, that wouldn't fit in my former cat's carrier (Lilly was a petite lady, while JJ is a fat arse mister at 13.5 lbs) which required a pre-vet visit to PetSmart so that I could pick out a new ride for his heinous.

He loved the crate, jumped in it as soon as I opened it up and declared it his own. The car ride, he hated. The yowls, howls and general catterwalling coming from the crate were nerve rattling. I felt terrible for him. Once at the vets office he was the perfect gentleman, purring all over the nurses and the doc -- until he spotted a dog and started to growl, hiss and curse him up and down. After a couple of tests we learned that JJ had a urinary tract infection and after a couple of shots and a series of meds over the next week he'll be good as new. The pros don't know how the cats contract these infections and he may never have another one, but it was relief to know the treatment was relatively inexpensive. After another loud car ride home he hopped out of his crate and ran straight to his food bowl and started to chow down. The vet said that just a ride in the car could stimulate endorphins and help his appetite. Crazy JJ is back and we left the docile, snuggler, sick kitty symptoms at the vet and this Mama couldn't be more relieved.

Golden

Click here to hop on over to Fuel for Friends and download Grace Potter covering My Morning Jacket's "Golden". Its no secret what a huge MMJ fan I am and I was skeptical that anyone else could bring the same loveliness to the song that Jim James does. Boy, was I wrong. Potter did that song all the justice it deserved. What a lovely voice she has!

Bowled over by Boulder

I find it difficult to post something new after a prolonged silence without an explanation but I trust that the handful of you that read No Filter check-in regularly enough to keep up with my random posts and that you've found your way back again today -- hoorah!

Some big things have happened over the last weeks (err, ok, months). In reverse order . . .

Obama won! As did many other democrats running for office across our nation. What a joyous day for me, and I hope for you too. As a native Virginian I was elated to see my state turn blue on November 4 and confirm that Mr. Obama would take the presidency. I cried from the relief and joy of finally casting my vote. I cried again when we took VA and I cried a third time when the Obama family walked across that very blue stage in Grant Park. It was true and we won -- we actually, positively, matter-of-factly won. I opened my eyes on the morning of November 5 swelling with happiness. It's our time and I'm just as proud to label myself a liberal today as I was some years ago when I realized I was one. Liberal is not a dirty word dear friends, and I'm taking it back.

And oh, my new love -- Colorado! I made a trip west to visit my good friends Amy and Mike in Boulder in mid-October. I fell in love with the place. I returned to Virginia reluctantly, comparing my feelings for being in CO to falling in love with a man and having to leave him behind. I know, it sounds silly, but I've never felt as at home in a place (other than my childhood home) in all my life. It took a lot of willpower to board the plane to come home. I give Amy and Mike a lot of credit for these feelings as they were excellent hosts. Mike drove us all over Boulder and the Front Range and Amy was kind enough to let me ride shotgun to take it all in from the front seat. My eyes are wide open for four straight days taking in every golden aspen, sparkling stream, peak, valley, elk, canyon, and winding mountain road. My favorite part of the trip was the day we drove into Rocky Mountain National Park. I will remember that day and the majesty of the Rockies for the rest of my life. I was rendered speechless several times -- and if you know me well, you know that is no small feat. The enormity of my surroundings humbled me. It's difficult not to believe in a higher power when you're there.

My decision to relocate was cemented after my trip. I was homesick for Boulder while sitting in my home in Virginia. Those feelings have fueled my motivation to find a job and move as soon as I can. I set a date in the spring, giving myself a solid six months to find employment. If, by that date, I have not yet found a job I will pick up and move west with the faith that I can rely on the hospitality of good friends, the love of my surroundings, a part-time job, and my savings account to get me through. This east coast girl is westward bound.

Winter tastiness

I don't know that I've ever posted any recipes here, probably because I don't cook very often, but I have a tasty and hearty dish to share. A good friend of mine made Greek Chili for us one night for dinner and since then it has been one of my go to dishes when I am having people over, especially when it's nippy out. I made a big pot for myself last night, freezing a portion of it for later. It's inexpensive, hearty and great for a crowd or a family dinner. Excluding the $6 hunk of feta, the total for the dish was $12. That's just $2 a serving and trust me, it's tasty and different.

Greek Chili

1 lb ground lean turkey
2 tsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
2 bay leaves
1 tsp black pepper
14 oz can italian style stewed tomatoes
14 oz can diced tomatoes
14 oz can artichoke hearts (without oil) drained
14 oz can garganzo beans (chick peas) drained
4 oz can sliced olives drained
Feta cheese

In a large pot or dutch oven, heat olive oil on medium and add garlic, thyme, and onions and saute. Add turkey and brown thoroughly. Add oregano, bay leaves, pepper, and all canned ingredients and cook for 10-15 minutes until hot. The longer it simmers the better it gets!

Serve over rice (optional, but encouraged) and garnish with feta. I also usually save the olives for a garnish but my friend throws them in with the other canned stuff. Serves 6ish when served over rice.

Dayman . . . Fighter of the Nightman . . . Champion of the Sun

If you're not watching It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia on FX, you're missing the best show on television. Hands-down hilarious. Watch it.

Amen brother

My Old Kentucky Blog is posting a series called the 10 Guidelines of Concert Behavior. You've read my rambles about concert etiquette here several times so you know concert talkers and douchebags are my biggest pet peeves. Thanks to MOKB for laying down the law!

He's covering one guidline a week and this week he's on number eight -- Thou Shall Not Sing Along Unless Explicitly Directed By the Performer(s) . Other guidelines have included, Thou Shalt Not Fart (there was a farter in front of me at the Drive-By Truckers a couple weeks ago and it was wretched) and Thou Shall Show Up On Time. Good times.

Cardinology

A new Ryan Adams & The Cardinals album scheduled to drop October 28 is called Cardinology. Hmm, I was just telling a new friend that I love his albums but his live shows, not so much. I downloaded live performances of a handful of the new tracks and I have to say, I liked what I heard. Fix It grabbed me from the first bars. There is some excellent guitar work about 3:00 minutes in. The downloads are available over at the live music archive but you can also find them here at Fuel for Friends.

While you're there, check out Heather's recap of the Monolith Festival at Red Rocks last weekend. There are a handful of great tracks up for grabs. I decided that next year I will be at Monolith. A fall weekend packed with great acts at Red Rocks. I'm so in. I was green with envy but am thoroughly enjoying two of the tracks she is sharing -- Sometime Around Midnight from The Airborne Toxic Event and I Woke Up Today by Port O'Brien. Great music for the fall.

Speaking of which, Okkervil River will be in Richmond Saturday, October 4. I don't know much about them but from the little I've heard I think I'd dig it. They get cred points from me for having an accordion! Have you seen them?

I have a new, and very dedicated, friend to see live shows with. Mike has way more ticket stubs to his name than I do and I'd say those are the best show friends to have. He's into some jam-tastic acts like Umphreys McGee but we overlap on a lot of other things and he'll check out just about anyone coming through town. A just announced Robert Randolph and The Family Band show on Halloween at the Charlottesville Pavilion sounds like a winner to me. I do love the slide guitar. I'm excited for a fall packed full of new and live music. Bring it.

Ignorance = fear

Almost 1/3 of voters say they know or believe that Obama is a Muslim. Ignorance in America runs deep and McCain feeds into the fear of the people, just as Bush did in 2004, with his attack ads targeted directly toward the evangelical voters. He might not be using terrorism as his method of provoking fear but trying to convince the American people that Obama is Muslim, when he's actually Christian, and the Antichrist they've been on the lookout for is inexcusable and sickens me.

Please read this Op-Ed piece by Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times who discusses this subject further and pass it along if you are so willing.

The segment below is also from Kristof's piece. And yes, he's talking about dear, old, friend of the evangelical, John McCain:

"Just imagine for a moment if it were the black candidate in this election, rather than the white candidate, who was born in Central America, was an indifferent churchgoer, had graduated near the bottom of his university class, had dumped his first wife, had regularly displayed an explosive and profane temper, and had referred to the Pakistani-Iraqi border . . ."

The Dem in Me

"The secret to our success as Democrats is to VOTE! "

This was a comment on a blog post I read a few weeks ago. I thought it so simple and so clear a statement I almost let it stand on it's own here. That was until I read this piece by Sean Penn over at Huffington Post.

I enjoy Penn's work as an actor but I think I enjoy his writing even more. The piece is about putting country first in the election. It's not a hokey statement about pride in country and patriotism but a statement in how important it is to step up in November. To do your part and vote. It's one of the simplest things one can do as an American. Be part of the process. Do something. Don't let the regime that has run our country into the ground for the last eight years keep it up. Greed and ignorance must not prevail. Educate yourselves and help educate others. Make informed decisions at the polls. Watch the debates and visit the candidates' websites and read for yourselves what their positions are. This is one of the most important elections of this generation. Know the facts and make a difference.

The Way That He Sings

Not since the says of Teen Beat have I had a true rock star crush. The Internet offers me lots more middle school locker worthy pin ups than the teen magazines of my past. The artists load their sites with slide shows and face books of their appearances. Not to mention streaming video. And, no, my crush on Jim James of My Morning Jacket is not quite as intense as the one I had on Jordan of the NKOTB but it certainly has a lot more to do with the music, and talent, these 20+ years later.

The long awaited My Morning Jacket show at the Charlottesville Pavilion was last Thursday and two of my Bonnaroo friends were along for the ride. We arrived on site ridiculously early because I wanted to be sure to have a prime spot. I wanted to be in the thick of things down front to watch Jim on his guitar. I ended up, after the crowd settled into the first song, about 15 people back. Awesome view of the band and a straight line of vision to stage right where he was positioned. I was ecstatic to be there, jumping up and down like a kid on Christmas and squealing with glee. This is what I've been waiting all summer for.

The show was heavy with songs from Evil Urges, to be expected. I was surprised the crowd, which I will come back to, was as into the new stuff. I really enjoyed hearing two of the songs in the finale, but most of the new material didn't get me worked up. Golden did. It's no doubt my favorite song and I was thankful to hear those familiar cymbal taps in the opening. Off the Record, the third song into the show, simply kicked ass. About four minutes in the guys jam, building up and then teasing the crowd with every fade. With 25 songs, the setlist was packed with goodies and if you've ever been to a My Morning Jacket show, you can fill in the blanks for yourself 'cause now, I want to talk finale.

The finale made up for anything I originally thought may have been left out. The finale was sick. I'd have paid the ticket price just to hear those six songs. The band returned to the stage with Wordless Chorus, moved into Highly Suspicious then on to Smokin From Shootin and Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt.2 from Evil Urges. Then, Mahgeetah, which was one of the first handful of songs that made me fall in love with the band in the beginning. I was singing and throwing my head around like a crazy person. There is a special kind of happy that washes over me when I'm at a show like that and I was drenched in it by the time they closed the evening with One Big Holiday. The perfect ending. I was off the charts excited to hear the distinctive opening bars. Awesome.

Before heading down to the Outer Banks for a couple of days for an annual end-of-summer beach trip I hopped on the Internet Archive and tried to find a recording of the show. The C'ville show wasn't up yet but the previous night's performance at Constitution Hall in DC was. I downloaded it to the iPod before running out the door. I was so happy to have had the forethought. I listened to the entire show and realized, somehow it was better than the show I had just loved. I realized it was the crowd. Even in a recording I could hear the crowd was really into the show and especially into the classic material. These were My Morning Jacket fans. The fans in Charlottesville weren't.

I foresee flack for this but seriously, the C'ville show was full of douche bags. I said it that night on the ride home. If you are from VA, perhaps you know the type of guy I mean. The guy that bogarts a kid's smoke, brags to his other ear plugged, douche bag friends about how cool he is for it and spills his beer on you and your friends. Oh, and he was probably wearing croakies or a visor-at-night and ended up standing in front of you. Worst, they were not at all into the music, these douche bags. Lots of loud talking. Backs to the stage. In the pit. I didn't get it. The crowd is very important. Don't get me wrong, the band put on a phenomenal show. They do not disappoint. Next time, though, I'm making the drive north to be sure I get the crowd I crave.

ask and ye shall receive

I have a movie buddy at work and each Monday we swap reviews of any movies we've seen. I was just telling her that I was in a movie rut and hadn't seen a film in months I cared to talk about. Over the long weekend I pay-per-viewed Smart People with Sarah Jessica Parker, Dennis Quaid, Thomas Haden Church and Ellen Page. Yawn. I found it to be depressing. This just added to my rut.

Then tonight, after throwing up my hands in frustration looking for jobs, I decided I'd see what was on one of the 42 HBO channels I get with my exorbitant cable package. I landed on Once. Holy crap, where was I when everyone else was seeing this movie? It was exactly what I needed. Reviews have called it a modern day musical, which would normally send me running. Great story, amazing soundtrack and I loved the ending. It's a simply beautiful and elegant instrument. As soon as the closing credits began to scroll by I jumped online, bought and downloaded the soundtrack. I am in love with When Your Mind's Made Up. It's lovely and full of vigor and passion. Ha -- I think I might be a little too into this movie. I suppose it was the right film at the right time.

Tomorrow night is THE My Morning Jacket show I've been waiting for, impatiently, for months. It's "an evening with" so no opening act to muddy the waters of excitement I am harbouring for this show. I trust it will meet my anything but modest expectations.
________________________________________________

There has been so much coverage everywhere else in our lives about the Dem and GOP conventions that I have chosen not to mention them in any detail. I will say that I watched each evening of the DNC last week and am cringing through the RNC this week. I feel that if I am going to make my argument for Obama I need to hear all angles. If you did not hear Obama's nomination acceptance speech find it, listen to or read it, and pass it on. This is a monumentally important time to pay attention to the democratic process and take action. Vote. Please.

finding the right lure

My patience is short. Looking for a job, though a challenging treasure hunt for the perfect position, is painful to me. You try to summarize your professional life into one, single spaced, wide margined, 8 1/2 x 11 masterpiece and send it out into the world like a worm on a hook, hoping to land the big one.

I feel like I'm chasing Moby Dick this time around. It all seemed simpler three years ago when I was looking for a job. Now, there are intricate and time sucking online applications, personality tests, essay questions. Last night I spent almost two hours applying to just two jobs.

I've enjoyed sorting through job descriptions. For the first time, I now have exactly what I want to do in my sights. I found a peach of a job, dropped my line and now am waiting for a bite. And waiting.

a Ray of change

Ah, it's strange how you can ignore some of your favorite artists for awhile, dedicating listening time to new things, and just one song can pull you back into the fold. Fuel For Friends posted a link to a new Ray LaMontagne tune and though I'd ashamedly fallen out of love with Ray, I knew I had to have it. I soon realized how much I've missed hearing his lovely songs. I know you'll love it too.

My parents today helped me make a huge decision. I've been thinking pretty seriously about picking up and moving to Boulder, CO. My very good friends, Amy & Mike, moved out to CO about this time last year and the more they talked about living there, the more I wanted to get out of the old RIC and try something new. I'd planned a visit for mid-October but after spending just a dinner with them when they were in VA in July, I decided that instead of just a visit, I was ready for a change in venue and that I'd stay.

So, ok, the decision was not that sudden. I put in my research and have been bombarding Amy with questions about her new hometown. I also got my resume in order and have been applying for jobs. My friends in and out of Richmond are in approval and full of encouragement. My friends in Boulder were especially encouraging with generous offerings of a place to stay until I could settle in. One of the last pieces I was missing to make the decision official was the support of my parents. I don't think I've been in need of it as much at any other point in my life. I laid down my plan for them this morning over breakfast, while visiting for the weekend, and they too were encouraging and immediately started planning their trip for a visit -- to a town I don't even live in yet! Their excitement and support made the decision official.

Next step. A job. And not just any job, but one that will allow me to continue doing what I do now. The number of really specific openings I've found have been encouraging. I also learned the recruiter networks in the Denver area are tight. My resume was passed from my friend in Bouler to the agency that helped her find a job. Within 24 hours I received a call from a recruiter who'd been passed the resume through a chain of three other recruiters who knew he was looking for someone with my experience and skill set. The job would require an hour long, one-way commute but I've decided not to rule it out just yet.

And, now, I wait -- and prowl the internet for viable job openings. I've found Indeed to be quite helpful. It's a job search engine that does all the internet prowling for you, collecting openings from other major search sites.

Lastly, I'd like to add how freaking excited I am at the prospect of having a state other than VA in my return address for the first time in my life. Simple pleasures from big decisions. Boulder or bust!

is it autumn yet?

Woo-hoo, new music. Thanks to No Filter friend Cliff over at Inbound Gowanus for bringing a new EP from The Avett Brothers to my attention. Ended up downloading both the new EP, The Second Gleam along with the The Gleam from 2006.

It'll give me something to listen to as I do whatever I can to avoid the overwhelming heat and humidity we've been experiencing over the last week. It's intense. Damn Virginia in late July and August!

Not much else to report on the home front these days. Continue to follow Obama's moves closely and rolling my eyes and gritting my teeth whenever I read any McCain news. What a nimrod. Or, as I read online today at the New York Times -- what a "McCranky". Seriously, did the McCain camp really think their comparison of Obama's popluarity to the celebrity of Britney Spears* and Paris Hilton* would sway voters? I find myself pondering, does Mr. McCain have anything positive to say about himself? I know I'm still waiting . . .

How could I have forgotten to mention . . . a new season of the Showtime series Weeds started several weeks ago. I waited in vain for five weeks before breaking down and ordering Showtime so I could watch the new episodes. I have not been let down. This, the fourth season, is as funny as the others with more jaw dropping twists after another. This past Monday's episode had me saying, "No!" and "I knew it" and "Hot damn". Not bad for a 30 minute show!

*This is the first, and last time, those two names will be appear at No Filter. It was hard enough forcing myself to mention them this time . . .

mad about Mad Men

I just recently discovered, through the miracle that is OnDemand, the AMC hit series Mad Men. The entire first season is available, as part of my monstrously overpriced cable package, commercial free. The series, set in 1960's New York City, is centered around a fictitious Madison Avenue advertising agency. From AMC.com:

The Premise: The series revolves around the conflicted world of Don Draper
(Hamm), the biggest ad man (and ladies man) in the business, and his colleagues
at the Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency. As Don makes the plays in the
boardroom and the bedroom, he struggles to stay a step ahead of the rapidly
changing times and the young executives nipping at his heels. The series also
depicts authentically the roles of men and women in this era while exploring the
true human nature beneath the guise of 1960s traditional family values.

The series is an intriguing look into 1960's America. Children pretending to be spacemen playing with plastic dry cleaning bags over their heads. Pregnant women openly smoking and drinking. Actually, everyone smokes -- and drinks hard -- in this series! I attempted to count how many cigarettes were lit over the course of one episode and lost count early on. There was a scene in season one when a gynecologist lights up mid exam -- after, in not so many words, calling his patient a loose woman for being single and requesting birth control. Children romping around in the car with no seat belt. Women demoralized and sexually harassed in the workplace. Elicit affairs. The list goes on.

If anything, watching this series makes me even more thankful to be living the life I live in the time we're in -- and not having to wear a girdle, oh my! It's refreshing to see a TV show, set in the 50's/60's that doesn't paint a picture of idyllic, perfect times. I am totally hooked. I've just two episodes left to watch of season 1 and just a few weeks to wait until season 2. Mad Men is my summer TV salvation.

While we're talking about great TV, I was incredibly disappointed to have missed the Discovery Channel series, Koppel on Discovery: The People's Republic of Capitalism. The four episode series discussing China's role in the global economy ran four nights in a row, two weeks ago and I was out of town and missed it. Alas, OnDemand let me down and I haven't been able to find it and catch up.

How, you might ask, do I know it's great TV if I've never seen it? Ted Koppel + The Discovery Channel equates to good TV. Discovery does not let me down. I've raved over their groundbreaking series here before -- The NASA Missions: When We Left Earth, Everest: Beyond the Limit, Deadliest Catch, Man vs. Wild (so what if potentially seing Bear in his skivvies is a plus) -- the list goes on. Discovery and I are old friends. This is real reality TV. The worst that could happen by overdosing on Discovery -- you might just learn something!

oh Brothers where art thou . . . next album?

Straight from the horse's mouth, this news from The Avett Brothers.

"We have recently begun working on a new full length album with Rick Rubin. The recording process has been, and will no doubt continue to be, an experience defined by heightened levels of commitment and conviction. It is our distinct pleasure and honor to be in such fine company as we build and bring this most current chapter of songs to fruition."

Woo-hoo!

mile high madness

If you've flown anywhere recently perhaps you too have noticed the infiltration of on flight advertising. I returned from the annual extended family vacation in South Carolina Wednesday night on US Airways and was annoyed by the pandering of credit cards by the flight attendants. "Sign up on board and receive a free domestic airline ticket . . . take applications for family and friends . . . this offer shouldn't be missed . . . you're stuck on this flight with no beverage and/or snack service, our business is floundering and we are doing all we can to bleed as much cash as possible out of you while we have you strapped into too small seats, sitting elbow to elbow with smelly strangers in bad jeans and tank tops." Where the hell is the mute button?

The next day I while catching up on current events, I find this article on the New York Times. Apparently I'm not the only one who is annoyed with the current ad situation on flights. From print ads on tray tables and overhead baggage compartments, to cocktail napkins, plastic cups -- even in the bathrooms -- airlines are pimping out as many solid surfaces as they can to make revenue. Just like at the movies, paying upwards of $10 for a ticket, and being force fed commercials before the show. I'm already paying you for my seat for the film, and I've shelled out exorbitant amounts for snacks at concessions, do I also have to sit through 5-10 minutes of advertising before the feature?

Enough ranting -- onto something good. As I may have mentioned, my friend Alyssa and I caught The Avett Brothers a few weeks ago at a local concert pavilion, opening for Blues Traveler (for which we bailed). While there she bought the Brother's 2004 release, Mignonette. With a whopping 20 tracks of goodness, I was glad she made the choice to add it to her library and to share it with me. One of the tracks we've both enjoyed is At The Beach, a catchy tune perfect for summer. Just like their 2007 release Emotionalism was the soundtrack of last summer's beach trip, Mignonette was my first choice each time I picked up my iPod on this year's trip. Life always seems a little bit better and the sun shines a little brighter when The Avett Brothers are playing. Ah, summer.

The National squared

I've been saying, "that was one of the greatest show's I've seen" quite a bit lately. Happened again Sunday night two weeks ago while walking out of the The National Theater after seeing The National on stage. As I'm sure I've mentioned I'd been waiting for this show since March so my expectations were pretty high. Boxer is one of the few albums I listen to without skipping tracks. It has prime placement in my car. It's simply a really great record.

I invited my aforementioned music pal Shaun to the show when I learned that Centro-Matic was opening. He'd shared some of their stuff with me but knew nothing about The National. He was cheering with the masses two songs in. It was an impressive show. Great energy on stage and one of the loudest crowds I've ever been in. I was most impressed by the violinist who was all over the stage raging on his instrument. It's obvious every member of that band loves what they do and want to share that love with everyone listening. If these guys are coming to a venue near you, don't hesitate. Grab a ticket and go.

This past Sunday my good friends Anne, Alyssa and I had a tickets to my first ever pro baseball game. Nationals vs. Orioles at the new National Stadium in DC (just realized, there've been a lot of National's in my life these past weeks) -- the final game in a three game Beltway Series that was 1 and 1. Whoa! I was like a kid walking into that place. It was a feast for the senses. The main concourse brings you in looking straight onto the field from far left and the stands open up around you. I'd never been so excited about a sports event.

We explored the stadium and the view of Capitol Hill from the upper levels and found our seats on the second level along the first base line. I was taking it all in. The theatrics of the start of the game and then . . . nine, anything but exciting, innings. Don't get me wrong, I paid more attention to those nine innings than all of the baseball games I've ever been to, but there were few hits and even fewer runs. The game went into OT when, at the bottom of the 9th, the score was stagnant at 1-1. At the top of the 12th, when the score hadn't changed, we all looked at each other, in the 90 degree heat, and decided to leave. I could tell Alyssa, the uber-baseball fan, wouldn't have minded staying but she knew we had no idea how long this could go on.

On the way home we heard the report from the game. The O's scored two runs in the top of the 12th and then, miraculously, the National's brought the game home with a two run homerun (is that even a thing? I'm no sportswriter). We couldn't believe we'd missed such a fantastic ending to a ho-hum game. There's always next time!

Correction: the O's scored one run in the top of the 12th and THEN the Nat's scored a two run homerun to win. Think I'll stick to writing about anything but sports going forward -- geesh!

For Rent

This one's for all my fellow renters out there.

Turns out, it actually is smarter to rent than to own.

Test yourself

I was entertained by this Independence Day quiz my Mom pointed me toward. The quiz includes 20 questions found on the actual US citizenship test with a few tricks added in. The email she sent claimed that 90% of high school seniors failed it along with 50% of Americans under the age of 50. I passed, missing seven.

In other news, I caught the Avett Brothers' show last week at Innsbrook Pavilion. I have such a crush on that band. Despite audio issues and severed banjo strings, I thoroughly enjoyed the hour set. The cello was beautiful. It's a much more prominent sound in their live shows than on their albums. Speaking of which, they're releasing a new record late in July.

After my griping about the heat a few weeks ago, I have to say, the night of this show was simply perfect. We've had a string of lovely 80 degree, low humidity days this week. Perfect outdoor show weather. Also surprising was the tasty beer I had, pulled from a tap attached to a truck. I'm always pleased to see a Leinenkugel in the lineup. Tastes like summer!

Tomorrow night I have a ticket to see The National at The National. I've been thinking about this show since March and am excited that it's finally here. I trust after the hours I spent listening to Boxer,hearing it live will be quite a treat.

it just keeps gettin' better

My summer show calendar, to your right, is steadily growing. Biggest news -- The Drive By Truckers with The Avett Brothers at the Charlottesville Pavilion in September! What a show it'll be. I'm still going on and on about the fantastic DBT show at The National earlier this year. A show at the Charlottesville Pavilion will be even better. It's one of my favorite area venues even though it's an hour's drive west. It's the only place I've ever seen Wilco and fond memories of those shows wash over me each time I walk under the pavilion.

A friend sent me this review of last weekend's Bonnaroo festival. Made me a little sad to have missed such a jam (ha!) packed Pearl Jam set -- and a My Morning Jacket show late night in the rain -- my little hippie heart weeps. The festival sounds like it's grown quite a bit in just 2 years. I don't remember very much "sound bleeding" between stages and tents, as referred to in the article. In fact I remember being surprised by how little there was, especially after going to the Virgin Festival where it was really noticeable. Thankfully, with three shows this week -- tomorrow, Friday and Sunday -- I can feed my need for live music.

After reading the review I found this article discussing the groundbreaking law that went into effect in California today legalizing gay marriages. Where have I been that I am just hearing about this?! This is phenomenal progress. Bravo, California. Bravo!

I heart spicy pie!

It's here!

With a skip in my step I made a special little trip down to the record store today after work. Evil Urges is here! I've become a snob around other recent album releases, refusing to download them and hitting up Plan 9 instead. I have to confess, I sometimes feel like a total tool in my polo shirts and business casual attire walking amongst the Richmond hipsters sorting through the bins of vinyl. What are you supposed to wear to the record store when your skinny jeans are at the cleaners?

I ripped into the album walking to the car and popped it in for the short ride home. I'd heard nearly half the album online, and was already happy with the new tracks, but hearing it as a cohesive mass is the best part of a My Morning Jacket album. I am on spin #3 and my favorite song of the record thus far is "Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Part 2". It's an 8 minute monster of a song that I am now dreaming about hearing, and seeing, live. This band's shows are always a treat for the eyes. Not in an Arcade Fire sort of way with a video, stages full of stuff and a bus full of band members, but with a brilliant use of stage lighting that is a show all it's own.

I decided that I don't need to provide a review of the album here. It'd be outrageously biased. I think you know already the rating I'd give it. Go now. Buy it.

I realized at work that if I were going to Bonnaroo we'd be leaving town right about now for the drive through the night to TN in the hopes of getting ahead of the crowd and claiming a great spot. Sigh.

It's almost a blessing that I don't have plans to be there as I am working on potentially the biggest project of my career. It's high profile, affects a significant number of my company's associates and, is "top secret". Shrouded in confidentiality clauses. I can't tell my friends, family or other co-workers what it is I'm working on. This, more than the difficulty of the work, is the hardest part for me. I admit to being an oversharer. I love to talk. When I was in NY and lost my voice and couldn't talk, I was a mess. It was torturous not to be heard. And now, I'm afraid to talk. Afraid my filter will fail me. I haven't had more than one cocktail at a time since the project was presented to me for fear that if lubed up with booze I won't be able to keep it all in.

Finally, I have to say it: it's hot. I know, it's June in Virginia. Get over it. But really, it's HOT. The thermostat broke 100 several times over the last week. The heat and humidity finally broke today and we saw a frigid high of 90. My pores weep.

Oh, those sneaky Heartless Bastards

About six months ago my friend Shaun shared quite a bit of music with me. All artists he thought I'd enjoy. And I have, slowly. Every time I have an itch to listen to something new in my library I refer to the playlist I created with the stuff he shared with me. It's like a treasure chest.

Over the Memorial Day weekend I started digging into the playlist and found, again, the Heartless Bastards when their track, Gray, came up in the shuffle. I always forget about them and their fantastic sound. Not this time. Heartless Bastards are two dudes -- Mike Lamping on bass and Kevin Vaughn on drums -- and a chick, Erika Wennerstrom on vocals, guitar and piano. This girl works! The band opened for Wilco in Charlottesville last fall. Shaun was a fan and we made a point to arrive early to catch them. Totally worth our time and a nice warm up for a phenomenal show.

Her voice is gloriously low, husky and full of power and set against some great bass guitar. I am drawn more to the edginess of their 2005 release Stairs and Elevators. The first track and the one that always brings me back, Gray, is my favorite of the album. Their most recent album, 2006's All This Time is softer and a little slower, but still has Erika's vocal power. I'm excited to have something to tide me over until the release of Evil Urges next week. Woo-hoo. Hot damn. Amen!

Running Mates

While perusing the pages of the International Herald Tribune this week an article discussing Obama's "top secret" search for a running mate caught my eye. He's chosen Jim Johnson, the former CEO of Fannie Mae, to begin evaluating potential vice presidential candidates. Johnson did the same job for Mondale in '84 and Kerry in '04.

Potential picks for Obama include, among others, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, who was one of the most successful mayors Richmond has seen in the last 20 years, and Virginia Senator Jim Webb, who was an essential player in getting the new "Post 9/11 GI Bill" passed in both the House and Senate last week.

Now that the race for Dem party nominee is finally nearing an end the next few months should prove to be very interesting. November is much closer than it seems.

Invisible War

I read an incredibly telling op/ed blog post by Timothy Egan in Wednesday's New York Times titled The Invisible War that I'd recommend. The post highlights what many of us already know, that the Bush administration has tried everything in their power to hide as much about the war in Iraq as possible. Also discussed are the sacrifices the American people aren't having to make in support of our troops and the ridiculousness of ole GW giving up golf as an act of solidarity for the troops and their families. How about giving up one of your daughters to the cause, GW? Or admitting you're a spineless money grubbing coward? The truth hurts, but lies, deceit and ignorance are are much more painful.


Of the 200+ comments following the post, I found this one from Adirondax to be one of the most succinct of the group. "Let's fight the first battles where they need to be fought. With words that frame the real truth, so that we can begin to have a productive discussion about where we are, how we got here, and what we can do about it now. "

New on the Tube

This is a sweet little video on the making of the new My Morning Jacket album Evil Urges and the creation of their 2008 tour.

I can't get enough of this band. This is, hands down, the #1 anticipated album and show for me this year. Though I doubt that is much of a surprise to anyone who knows me.

It's never too late

I knew I'd been away from the blogosphere for too long when I learned today, in a concert notice email, that Jim James and the My Morning Jacket boys are dropping a new record on June 10. They've been performing cuts from Evil Urges on recent tour stops -- and are slated to perform on SNL this weekend. Stereogum has a sweet sampling of videos from their recent stop in Houston. I let out a little squeal today at work when I read about the show at Charlottesville Pavilion on September 2. The perfect way to close the summer -- that hasn't even begun!

So, it's the elephant in the room. The masses are asking. Were the hell have I been?

I flew out to see my very good friend Jeremy in San Diego in March. It was the first stop on my week long trip to St. Maarten. I know. It's not logical to travel west to go east, but stick with me on this. The moment I landed, the weather moved in. There were severe thunderstorms and massive size hail. It was practically biblical. This is what happens when a member of my family travels. Freakish things.

St. Maarten was fantastically relaxing. And, did I mention free? As in all expenses paid sort of free. As in charge it to the room that I ain't paying for it, FREE. I am forever spoiled. When I left San Diego in my first class seat and while eating my first class breakfast I actually felt sorry for the chumps back in coach. I'd always been one of those chumps, scrunched into a seat, unable to stretch. But not this time. I was the one in the front of the plane. With ALL the leg room. And, the blankets. And, the actual warm nuts that are all warm and all mine. And, those very lovely double cocktails.

The Westin at Dawn Beach was typically lovely. We had beautiful weather. Spent some time at the spa. Got a little sun. Then, we ate. Vacation is the supreme appetite stimulant. Sit around, do nothing and suddenly you're starving. And thirsty. Jeremy enjoyed many mango daiquiris. I cranked back El Presidente. Uh, huh. That's right. I can have whatever I want at no cost to me and I'm ordering the official beer of Puerto Rico -- in a can. Classy.

The week I returned from my adventure in the Caribbean I got my first chance to see the newly restored National Theater which also happens to be the newest, and my new favorite, music venue in town. Several of my friends are loyal Drive By Truckers fans have been listening to them and going to shows for years. Until this show, I was a mere casual fan. Knowing only the songs I'd heard while with my friends and truly loving only one, I had few expectations for their live show. It started off slow and then exploded into a fantastically loud and fun southern rock onslaught. The guitar player who replaced Isbell was phenomenal. He was off to stage left and seemed to blend into the equipment but his sound was crazy. There was one other friend in the group who was losing his DBT virginity that night and his eyes were glazed over with love at the end. The encore was the highlight of the entire night. All eight glorious songs of it, including 18 Wheels of Love, my favorite. It's an ever changing story woven into song and Patterson Hood gave us an extended version, expanding on the story of Chester and his mom. Mama totally ran off with that trucker!

I've found myself on several volunteer assignments lately. And this past weekend's assignment tops 'em all. My friend Alyssa and I signed on to volunteer at the Richmond Ballet's Annual Kentucky Derby party at Rockett's Landing. They needed people to sell raffle tickets, assist with the silent auction and check people in. Al and I scored raffle ticket duty at a table facing all the action and right next to the bar. As there was another, much more pushy raffle ticket saleslady at a table closer to the food, very few people were buying from us. This left us ample time for several rounds of people watching games, eg. Who Would You Do? and the ever popular, How Much Money Would it Take For You To _____ ? Don't judge, I'm helping my community, while drinking bourbon drinks. Lots of 'em.

Don't think I'm that terrible. I've put my sweat equity into my community too. A rebuilding project, time at the Food Bank, helped out with the 10k, really early in the morning. I considered the bourbon drinks and fantastic people watching -- think cute male ballet dancers -- a reward for my selfless giving.

My final words in regards to my extended and unexplained absence is one part lack of inspiration and another part lack of motivation. I hope to have discovered both again. If you're still out there, thanks for sticking with me.

CHANGE

I wholeheartedly and unabashedly am endorsing Obama for the Democratic nomination. I cast my vote in the Virginia primaries and will do the same, God willing, in the general election in November. I find him refreshing, open, honest and fundametally different than the lying, scumbag administration our country has suffered and floundered under for the last eight years. I actually shed a tear the night when he took Virginia with such ferocity.

I can only hope that the superdelegates will do what the voters ask of them and show us real democracy in action.

Times they are a changin'.

What Jeff Tweedy listens to

I found this article in the New York Times about Jeff Tweedy intriguing. I am always interested to learn what my favorite musicians are listening to. He mentions Grizzly Bear, Dr. Dog, Battles, Panda Bear and A Hawk and Hackensaw.

Confirms what I suspected that anyone as cool as Tweedy wouldn't be listening to Top 40. Follow the masses and ye shall perish.

Jackpot

The drought is over. The show schedules are finally starting to pick up some steam again. I met up with a friend living in Virginia Beach for the Band of Horses show at the Norva in Norfolk two weeks ago. The show was great and I made a new fan out of my friend. He kept referring to "the wall of sound" you get at their show that you don't get from their recorded stuff, which is exactly why they're such a pleasing live act.

After this Thursday's Marah show at the 9:30 Club was cancelled I was determined to find some great live music and today, I did!

First up, a Hackensaw Boys show on the 7th at Toad's Place. The Drive By Truckers show later in February will be my first in the newly restored National Theater. And speaking of DBT, my friends the Stringers were excited to hear that Jason Isbell and his band will be in Charlottesville at the Satellite Ballroom on the 23rd and I'm really interested to hear The Whigs in the same venue on the 28th. They had the second track on the February issue of the Paste Magazine music sampler and I've since discovered other Whig's tracks I'd love to hear live. Fast forward to April and Mike Doughty and his band are coming to Charlottesville while two weeks later The New Pornographers will play at Toad's Place.

And, speaking of jackpot. March's show calendar might be quiet but my travel agenda for the month is busy. My dear friend Jeremy in San Diego who I know from Longwood has invited me to be his +1 on an all expenses paid, first class week at the Westin in St. Maarten. Jeremy is apparently a cracker jack technical software salesdude and kicked major ass in 2007 to win this trip. We've traveled together before when we spent a week in Paris our senior year in college exactly 8 years ago from the week we'll be in the Caribbean. And, Jeremy will celebrate his 30th birthday while we're there. It's a perfectly timed reunion for us and I am very excited. I get to fly out to San Diego to meet up with him for our flight back east to the islands so it's like I get two vacations in one . . . for FREE. 2008 is looking pretty good.

one

Today we celebrate the first year of posts at No Filter.

If you're out there, thanks for sticking with me.

this is not a list

I thought it over and came to a fast decision not to do a 2007 Top Albums list. I haven't the memory for it and I'm so fickle, what I may have loved earlier in the year I could hate now. So, I direct you toward No Filter friends, Pages Stuck Together and Inbound Gowanus and their respective Top Lists. I agree with them on the majority of their picks -- and discovered a little something from their lists too.

Trusting Democracy

I watched an HBO documentary Hacking Democracy (2006) about Diebold, one of only a few contracted vendors of voting machines, and the flawed backbone of our electoral system and afterward was pissed off (again!) at the greed and dishonesty of our current administration. This week MoveOn.org picked up on the cover story of Sunday's New York Times Magazine about the inadequat and highly insecure voting machines used by precints all over the country. I highly recommend that you read the Times Magazine article and watch Hacking Democracy, if you can find it.

Before you run off to do all of that, read this from MoveOn.org and if you feel compelled, sigh the petition. I did.

This Sunday's cover story in The New York Times Magazine makes plain the threat: The winner of the 2008 presidential election could be decided by flawed, insecure, and hackable electronic voting machines.

This is the most prominent news coverage this issue has ever gotten, so it could be our one last chance to get this right before the election in November. Congress is poised to consider a new emergency paper ballots bill next week—but we'll have to convince them to act right away.

Can you sign this urgent petition asking local, state, and federal officials to require paper ballots for our votes? Click here to add your name.

The petition says: "We must act quickly to secure our elections with paper ballots and audits before November."

Elections are run at the state level, so we'll deliver your signature and comments to local election officials in addition to members of Congress. Electronic voting machines are so unreliable and insecure, we might elect the wrong person president in 2008. As The New York Times Magazine reports:

[Voting machines] fail unpredictably, and in extremely strange ways; voters
report that their choices "flip" from one candidate to another before their
eyes; machines crash or begin to count backward; votes simply vanish. (In the
80-person town of Waldenburg, Ark., touch-screen machines tallied zero votes for
one mayoral candidate in 2006—even though he's pretty sure he voted for
himself.) Most famously, in the November 2006 Congressional election in
Sarasota, Fla., touch-screen machines recorded an 18,000-person "undervote" for a race decided by fewer than 400 votes.

caucus shmaucus

This website answered some questions I had about the caucus craziness that hit Iowa last week. My own politics for dummies.

hi-fi abuse

My stereo and I had a falling out. He said things, I said things, but the big problem between us is that he just stopped giving. Nothing he played for me was making me happy and so I just stopped turning him on. I was bored sick.

I actually found myself listening to . . . the radio. And that was even more depressing. I needed something to put me back to what was right in my life. Tickets for the Band of Horses show in Norfolk in two weeks helped. Now, M. and I have a second shot at hearing them live after our Charlottesville drama. It will also end the drought of shows on the agenda. The holidays are over and tours are on the road again.

Word that The National Theater will open in early 2008 was good news too. The new music venue is a renovated movie/vaudeville/concert theater from the 1920's that was saved by the city from demolition in the 1980's. They've ripped out the seats in the orchestra section, making it a standing venue, but installed 300 fixed-padded seats in the balcony for first-come, first-serve seating. I'm excited to see who they will bring to town. The promoters are the same as for the Norva so it is likely that The National's lineup will be similar. The Drive By Truckers were one of the first on the lineup and will be appearing in March. Not too shabby.

Santa took care of me too this Christmas with a shiny, new, 80 GB, iPod Classic. All that album art right in my pocket. I didn't know what I was missing with my 3rd generation technology. Things have come a long way. I forgot how much I missed having an iPod that works. Oh, Apple how you woo me.

All of these interesting things, but still, I'm bored. I need something new and exciting to listen to. I've been giving Sky, Blue Sky another run around and though it's growing on me, it's still not doing it for me. Illinois entertain me for a bit, though an EP can only get you so far. Andrew Bird and Josh Ritter, who can almost always change my mood, are lackluster for me at best. I am desperaterly seeking that album that I can't stop listening to. Surely 2008 will bring with it some tasty new talent to wake me up.

And, by the way, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

For last year's words belong to last year's language

And next year's words await another voice.

And to make an end is to make a beginning.

~ T.S. Eliot