c101

I always said after covering countless city council meetings that I could write about dirt and make it interesting. Today, I intend to hold true to that statement. Dust. Been thinking about Dust a lot lately. Probably because I now have a new magazine in the mix called Cabinet. It is made for C$ school of thought. Perhaps a bit esoteric, but nonetheless fascinating - all the more so because of it's inherent obscurest leanings, with just a pinch of wankerism.

Anyway, dust. Quantitatively, dust is a general name for minute solid particles with diameters less 500 micrometers. Particles in the atmosphere arise from various sources such as soil dust lifted up by wind, volcanic eruptions, and pollution. Dust in homes, offices, and other human environments consist primarily of human skin cells, but also contain small amounts of plant pollen, human and animal hairs, textile fibers, paper fibers, minerals from outdoor soil, and many other materials which may be found in the local environment. And this fascinates, from the Biblical, 'Ashes to ashes, dust to dust'. To the usage of dust as a world in the Dr. Seuss classic, Horton Hears a Who! My point is that dust is yet another reminder of what we are, where we are headed and simply how unbelievable it is that we are millions of tiny specks of living dust on a giant speck of dust called earth.

On that note, let's listen to tunes that give perspective of our insignificance. Ah hell, let's just listen to some grooves. Here's the DJ Cam Quartet with 'Boss Guitar' and a classic from Sebadoh 'New Worship'.

The DJ Cam Quartet - Boss Guitar.mp3

Now, I know what getting old feels like. It happens real subtle, y'all. But, if you pay attention you can see it. Want to know how I noticed? Zombieland. My sissers came and visited this weekend and we went and saw the latest Zom-Com movie. The movie is solid. Woody? Superb. Good action, funny stuff, good pacing, all the things that make a movie go. Even a great cameo by Bill Murray. 

All was great. Except..except for our ironic, withdrawn 'Columbus'. The more I dwell on his character, arc and his dialogue the more I hated him. But I have a sneaky suspicion his character - his very face - is the same sort of Michael Cera character in Super Bad that some casting agent was like - oh yeah, the misunderstood 20-year-old's will cream in their pants over. All I could think of is how exhausting these guys must be. If I were Woody, I would have shot Columbus in the face - regardless of how lonely I was in a post apocalyptic world.

That's my two cents. While you dwell on that, listen to some tunes. Here's (quite fittingly, I might add) Stakk Monkey with 'Dorkin'' and Volcano Choir 'Seeply Mouth'.

Stakk Money - Dorkin.mp3

Volcano Choir - Seeplymouth.mp3

Sinkholes. I have been talking to Dale about them for years, but once again last week, the sinkhole reared its ugly head. Don't believe me? Check it out here.I can't remember when I first read an article about sinkholes, but to sum, the infrastructure of the United States is falling apart. Most water pipes were built 60 years ago, but were only built to last 50 years. That kind of math isn't going to work out well for us. Read more here. And by all means keep an eye out people - sinkholes!!!!!!!

Also, I have spoken about it before, but I need to reiterate the power of Radio Lab. I listened to one of it's best episodes this week - parasites. This episode has wide-reaching implications. After listening, it will make you wonder who is steering your ship. Seriously.

Perhaps that free will thing we keep hearing about ain't really as free as we think. In no more than an hour, you will learn why cat lovers maye be powerless to love the crazy things that Kitters does. Or maybe you want to learn about the importance of outhouses, to fixing allergies with the all-powerful hook worm (isn't he addorable?). This episode is a doozy.

As for tunes, I want you to hear Major Lazer. Fresh hipped me to it. It ain't a perfect album, but it has some absolute gems. Here is "Hold the Line" Feat. Mr. Lexx & Santogold (A C$ Favorite) and "When You Hear the Bassline" feat. Ms Thing. 

Hold the line feat. mr. lexx & santigold.mp3

 

Oh Mad Men. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. As anybody who knows C$ - C$ loves him his serials. The Sopranos, the lovely Dexter and now, Mad Men on AMC. It stands to reason I love this show, considering Matthew Weiner was a writer and executive producer on...The Sopranos. Once again, real recognizes real.

Where to begin with my description/love/fascination/addiction to this series? For those that haven't seen or heard of this show (you miserable bastards, you know who you are), Mad Men is set in the 1960s and focuses on the Madison Avenue advertising firm of Sterling/Cooper. But the real star, of course, is Don Draper (Jon Hamm), a man with a mysterious past and an innate ability for advertising and philandering - not necessarily in that order. Despite Don's flaws, his intelligence and insight make for fascinating show after show - sprinkle in some great character actors, give them a great script week after week and you have greatness.

Don't believe me? Take a look at how Don nails the pitch to Kodak - giving it's 'new' slide projector a new moniker, the Carousel. I believe that Don's ability to draw on his life and apply it to pitch after pitch is the impetus of the show. Isn't that everybody's pitch? Mixing and matching one's passions and career to make whatever we are selling (don't be fooled people, no matter what you do, you are selling). Don shows the true creativity behind a good ad and shows that art and creativity can be found in what many would describe as the darkest corner of capitalism.
 
Please, do yourself a flavor and watch this show. And by all means go to the site and create your own Mad Men avatar. Hell, leave it on the starting screen and just rock the tune. Dah, da da, da dah da dah da dah....

Let's take two songs from the Mad Men season 1 soundtrack, first is a sneaky caper tune called 'Lipstick' by David Carbonara and the theme song, from who else but our pals RJD2 and Aceyalone 'Beautiful Mine'. Drink an Old Fashioned, smoke a cigarette (or 40) and enjoy!

David Carbonara - Lipstick.mp3
Aceyalone & RJD2 - A Beautiful Mine.mp3

Hi b-holes. So, I wanted to steal some of Fresh's thunder and share some new items on the glorious Web 2.0...or is it 2.4. Based on these two sweet programs, you might just agree. First up, is Simplify. Basically, it means I can access your iTunes if I show you mine. Quid pro quo, Clarice. So, contact your pals gets to sharing.

Second up, is regarding your financials. Please check out Mint. It doesn't matter if your financial situation is shambles or you are taking daily dives in your money bin - this site is pretty damn cool. And fear not, from everything I have read, your financials will be safe with Mint. Basically, Mint allows you to get your money/assets/bill organized and if you are anything like me, a checkbook ain't happening. I'm signing up today, so check it out and follow suit. I suppose I could talk about Drop Box, but I think all my pals are already using it. Still, I'll include a hyperlink all the same...here.

As for tunes, how about Lake with 'Madagascar' reminds me of some smoothed out 70's groove and Javelin 'Tell me, What will it be (take 2)'. Gems!

Lake - Madagascar.mp3

Javelin - Tell Me, What will it Be (take 2).mp3

First, isn't 38,000 feet somewhere between the Rockies and Seattle lovely? I thought so at least. And I guess my trip and a certain someone's closet got me to thinking - don't we all have too much crap?

I'm not saying I could approach the discipline of owning just 100 things, but it does certainly make one think. Even if I narrow my worldly possessions to 500 things, I still think that would be something. Don't me wrong, I am not naive enough to say that we can do without material possessions. I'll even take it one step further - I think it is healthy to work and set goals based on said work - material or otherwise. But, in very simple terms - I think all of us could manage just fine without so much crap. Don't you think? Do I need 30 pairs of pants and shoes? Do I need three TV's? I think you get the point.

So, take some time and look at the things you have. Take a gander in that closet, turn your clothes around on a hanger. As you wear a shirt, turn it the other way as I sign you use it. Then come back in 3 months and see how many shirts still are hanging the original way, those that are, give 'em to Salvation Army and enjoy a tax write off. Less is more, y'all. Less is more. Here's a fella that really took in the nth - a guy named Dave - maybe we all can get to a 100 like Dave...

Anyway, let's move to the music. First, please check out Los Colorados doing an incredible cover of 'Hot and Cold' - not a fan of Katy Perry's version, but these guys rawk it.

Also, I'm going to repeat myself. Please people, for the love of all that is good - listen to the new Grizzly Bear, Vecktameist. I am hopelessly addicted to their new album...a sophomore release no less. Here's two more too back up my bold statement.

Grizzly Bear - All We Ask.mp3
Grizzly Bear - Ready Able.mp3

Let's get existential people. I was lucky enough to visit our nation's capital this past weekend, so that means taking some time to absorb some of our nation's history. And when you are talking memorials, you are of course, observing death. And in the case of D.C., most memorials deal with death on a major scale.

And no memorial is more death on display than the Holocaust museum. Sure, we all know the story, but to see all the old glasses, the combs, the shoes that were left by the victims - visitors get even closer to the story. I'm still not back to myself and I am three days removed. I suppose something would be wrong with me if I wasn't, but I'm still constantly wondering, 'Why?'

One has to wonder how genocide can take place just 70 years ago, but just take a look to the forgotten continent, Africa, and it is happening right now. Upbeat thoughts, right?

Well, I leave you with this. We have the power to change our habits. We really do. Here's my favorite little philosopher/existentialist from the the 60's, Donovan with 'Happiness Runs' and Chad VanGaalen with 'Wing Finger' - we all are a part of everything, take solace in that, I know I do.

Happiness Runs.mp3

 

So, we all have heard about people kicking the bucket in 3's, but just like many urban legends, how much truth is there? Well, my fine-feathered friends, quite a bit - especially in the world of celebrity. Look at the passing of MJ, Farrah and and Ed. Of course, one could argue that probability dictates that people die all the time. Thus, celebrities have to croak too.

Of course, it's not just death that can be applied to 3's. Just plain bad stuff can happen. My theory is bad things happen sometimes, but I think that bad things happen more often based on our outlook - Martha Washington (who knew?) said it best, "The greater part of our happiness depends on our dispositions and not our circumstances."

So, is there some validity to bad isht happening in 3's? You tell me...Here's the underrated Grizzly Bear with 'Cheerleader' and Millberg 'It was the End'.

Cheerleader.mp3

It was the End.mp3

There was a gap in my life, but I aim to fill it. A need for a creative outlet. I haven't written in so long, it is disturbing. So, what is a C$ to do? Get back on the horse and gets to riding. So, without further ado...

MJ. Poor, poor MJ. I don't know about the rest of you, but I spent much of my 1983 and 1984 dancing in my living room to 'Billie Jean' off of Thriller. Hell, I even loved the goofy duet of 'The Girl is Mine' with Paul McCartney. There was simply no music that even came close to the music found on Thriller. And I think the argument could be made that there still hasn't been anything that comese close. Thriller just may be the pinnacle of pop and I, for one, will miss the King. Sure, he was freaky and white even though he was really black and had WAY too many plastic surgeries, but c'mon, when you are known in every corner of the world and your steel-working Pa beat the crap out of you, you are going to be a bit odd. MJ was an incredible artist and Off the Wall and Thriller are masterpieces. Simple and plain.

So, please take a few minutes and dwell on the true loss of MJ. Still don't believe me? Check out his performance on Motown 25. It doesn't get cooler than that.Here is 'Rock with You' and 'The Lady in My Life' - say what you want, nobody understood a groove like MJ.

The Lady in my Life.mp3
Rock with You.mp3

Well, I would be remiss if I did not pontificate on the recent election of Barack Obama as our 44th president. First, how great is it that we finally gave another race a shot at running things? I think our global stock sky rocketed based on our election of President Obama.

Sure, many argue that the 47-year old lacks any real experience. And this is valid to a degree, but I ask you, is there really any real training for the presidency? I think it is safe to assume that there is no job like it, so really, how much is Obama hurt by campaigning longer than he has actually been a senator? I, for one, am very excited at the prospect of Obama and what can be accomplished and I haven't felt some optimism about our leadership in a very long time. Throughout his campaign Obama preached change and guess what? I think he is dead on. We are embroiled in two wars, one of the worst economic crunches ever - isn't change the best idea? I sure think so. Now, the hard part - leading us out of this mess. I question how much worse things can get, so I am very hopeful Obama can turn things around. We shall see, won't we?

Here's some songs I like...Here's the Cold War Kids with 'St. John' and Broken Social Scene with 'Anthems For A Seventeen Year-Old Girl'.

Saint John.mp3
Anthems for a 17 Year Old girl.mp3