The Stars Burning Holes Right Through the Dark

The All Time Low Times The All Time High of All Time Equals Good Times


Yeah, I've been fighting with an Excel formula all week long and I just gave up. Sort of like I gave up on this blog. Like I dumped it right, like a girlfriend...but then you're right back at her doorstep even though you know you shouldn't be but you're there anyway. Kinda like I shouldn't be posting a new blog. =countif(this:blog, "lame")+(counta(Todd:A, "dork")). I don't know...I have an idea... but I don't know know.

The Drink Glass and Rolling Papers


Hi Haters! Summer is just about over and its about time that I rape my budget and throw all my coin away at the local H&M for my 2008 So Sick Fall/Winter Collection. So. Or maybes I could follow my heart and skip a student loan payment...or find a cougar willing to be my sugar momma splurge and head over to Phipps and cop one or all of the following:

I remember when my college roommate would prepare Maruchan Ramen Noodles in the sink...the same sink I used to wash my hands when I finished..playing..rock|paper|scissors..whateva. He would just turn on the hot water, pull up the stopper, and toss in the cube of noodles. Sick. That's how this blog tastes right about nizzow! If it weren't for Chin Up Chin Up balancing my equilibrium I'd probably bulemiate on my keyboard right now.

Speaking of...this weekend I did quite a few chin ups [shots] of various alcoholic beverages and consumed numerous lagers and ales with no hitch...and nothing to tow. I did, however, fulfilled my dream of doing a stand-up comedy bit which featured more theatrics than the Biejing Opening Ceremony. Though, at some points it felt as if I was eugoogoolizing someone. I was wet [wasted] but dry [not-funny].


So...I've got somewhere else to be

The Nights Are Like Lucid Dreams, Or My Dreams Are Like Lucid Nights...Or Whatever


Maybes 'whateva' is almost expired in my opinion. From now on I will use 'what-have-you'.

The Cool Nerds: Semi-Autobiographical, sans Cool

Ixnay on the erdNay and orkDay. I know you are but what am I? Whoever smelt it dealt it.

The Calm Before The Fuck

I don't know where I fit in this venn diagram...

This blog has become a trailer park, but not the type you are from. I'm talking typing about full of video clips from the internets and upcoming movies...not what I wanted it to be. Lets get back to the basics...more douchery! Yayyy!!!!!!1


Yeah..so..and..getting out of the hospital after 2.75 days isn't all its cracked up to be. Sure, there is the fact you're not receiving intravenous therapy but who is to say I don't want that? It is so convenient. Sure there is the fact some chick does not check on you every 4 hours, but who is to say I don't want that? I do, but she will have a script to follow that does not include the word why, and leaves when I say 'be gone, B.' I'm going back!

If you can read (which I highly doubt. I'm all-in that you can't. does that mean I win? maybe I'm good at gambling. king me) If you can read, as you can see, above I stated, remember when I said I was in the hospital for almost 3 days? Let me clarify that for you...its true! Let me give you a little insight...I'm out! I don't like my business in the streets. When I returned to work the GM jumped down my balls like he was glad to see me, so I lied to his pasty face that 'I'm glad to be back' although I was wanting more IV love. I took that lying tone throughout the remainder of the day..the day that consisted of the same monotonous-corporate wannabe-world class-passive aggressive-small talk I hate. I want to tell the all to 'calm the fuck down.'



I really like Fiction Plane, every song. This one is an old one, but its still good

The Continuous Life Moving Through Light


A quick preface, in which one should receive a timely update in the matter of my life...still a dork.

Shit, this writing strike that I have been piggybacking is now over. When readers asked why I haven't updated this blog, my reply was that I was expressing solidarity with the WGA. My debunked excuse did not travel far as it is obvious that I and the members of the WGA operate in seemingly different worlds...and then there is the fact that I do not receive compensation for this regurgitation of complete lameness from one may not ever recover. I have no protest and will just allow nature to take its ill-advised course on a poorly designed, though eco-efficient slow train to crash and burn...this is my mind.

I saw In Bruges with Colin Farell, Ralph Fiennes and Brenden Gleeson this weekend. Not 'with' them...they starred in the film which was shot 'on location'. Aren't all movies filmed 'on location' anyway? I believe what is meant is the filming is done where the actual setting of the story takes place, in this case Bruges, Belgium. Never heard of it, right? Pretty much the premise of the film. There's a lot more to it though, Colin Farell's reluctance and Ralph Fiennes' intensity are fucking hilarious and Brenden Gleeson's humaness balances them both for a largley entertaining and enjoyable veiwing at Midtown Art Cinema with old bears who reached extreme decibles with the slightest giggle. Okay, I exaggerated the latter but the movie is brilliant. If you go, make sure you pronounce In Bruge like 'broozh' so you don't look like an ass. I didn't mispronounce it, I'm just an ass...wysiwyg [what you see is what you get].

Of the actors, actresses and films nominated in next week's Oscar presentations, I'll be rooting for; Emile Hirsch for Best Actor from Into The Wild [shafted, although I did not see Daneil Day Lewis in There Will Be Blood], Javier Bardem for Best Supporting Actor from No Country For Old Men, Ellen Page for Best Actress from Juno, Juno [credit Diablo Cody for writing] for best original screenplay, and The Darjeeling Limited for Best Picture [again, shafted. I haven't seen There Will Be Blood]. Seriously, I think No Country For Old Men will win. Juno was good and all, but I'm just saying...

Normally I listen to bands that not many know exist, and then when they break through I'm so done with them. This time, Meet Me In St. Louis met their demise before I could get a good word out about them. The lead vocalist dropped out months ago and more recently the drummer threw his sticks in. I've fancied them for some time now and will onward because they still kick the shit out of my playlists.


good to be back

The Planets Don't Give A Shit, They Have Their Own Gravity


I can dance, I just had a few $1 Guinness and the dance floor was too small. We just caught the last few songs of Shiny Toy Guns' performance and encore at Park Tavern hosted by 99X. There were a number of reasons we missed the bulk of the show (sorry Shawn) and one of the reasons was the stop at City of Ink to get some kick ass ink. Corey Davis was the cool artist who grabbed my puny left arm and etched the dragonfly just above the elbow. I know what you're thinking, dragonfly? I kind of borrowed the design from Coheed & Cambria, but its more than a band tattoo. And I'll have to get back to you with a deeper meaning. It is still formulating in the vague machine I call my brain. I shall post a picture of it after healing is complete.

There I was standing downstage right from the bar; dance floor. Remixes of Bloc Party and Killers are blaring and I'm taking it easy on them. Then, out of nowhere my 'friends' start pointing and laughing. I glance in the direction of their extended fingers and land on my gyrating hips. They don't stop, the hips don't either. I didn't give a shit. I give them a 'whatev!' and realize that I am one of the only dudes dancing. I now rely on the head-nod because they obviously weren't ready for me.

Made In The Dark from Hot Chip makes me move. I think I heard one track from them a while back and didn't think I'd be a fan, but here I am. 2008 seems to be my year to delve deep into the electronica arena, which already puts my machine into a sci-fi state. You are warned. Last post I mentioned the more donwtempo tracks from Made In The Dark, but Shake A Fist, Don't Dance, Ready For The Floor and Bendable Poseable are in heavy rotation.

I got my phalanges on Daft Punk's Alive 2007 and can't take my ears off of it. Hu-man...Ro-bot. Every track Bruce Lee kicks the shit out of my brain. I enjoy listening to it and find myself smiling much of the time like when I heard Touch It/Technologic for the first time...and the fifth consecutive time. Plug it, play it, burn it, rip it, drag it, drop it, zip, unzip it...Technologic! Face to Face/Short Circuit, Prime Time of Your Life/Brainwash are also favorites.

Sticking to the electrionica theme...I'm falling for MGMT (no, not management. I do not like those guys) and their release Oracular Spectacular. Andrew and Ben have put together something wonderfully enjoyable and catchy. Electric Feel has to be the most played track on my new 80GB Zune (thanks babe). A while back I made an investment into a pair of Shure ear buds but have since upgraded to the Bose brand which outshines in more ways than one. MGMT has to be one of my most fulfilling discoveries though.

Promise & The Monster is Billie Lindahl, a lovely (sounding at least) woman with beautiful music. Transparent Knives is very impressive and dreamy. I admire her voice, but when you admire something it normally means that you would like to have the same trait. Maybe I don't admire her voice after all, its pretty and sounds nice. I need all of the edge I can get, (right Shawn?) Thats that.

I can go on and on about the indie music I love but I surmise that my ramblings on such isn't the most interesting bit in this very un-interesting blog so I'll save some for next time.


Happy New Year,
Love Todd

The Clockwork Just Doesn't Add Up


...dude! Its like been a month of semi-professional procrastination only a gent such as myself can successfully pull off, or put on. The illegitimate excuse I will use from my arsenal of excuses would be that I was just too busy becoming a bad ass. In my experience the nice guy that I am is bringing me a lot of shit luck and not getting me anywhere. This bad ass thing is harder to pull of as one may think. So far my resume contains:

• partaking in the murder of numerous packets of Orbitz chewing gum
• planning on planning to get a rebellious tattoo inked into my arm
• planning the second tattoo before getting the first
• waiting 3 days before Christmas to do Christmas shopping
• leaving my office a mess while I'm out for vacation for the next 2 weeks
• that experience with Peroni ... probably shouldn't be on this list
  

The Reasons I Hate Nancy Grace Are Far More Numerous Than The Reasons I Love You


I'm coughing after a certain paranoid member of my family sprayed down this Marriott unit to death with dysinfectant. I would have done the same...minus the ethanol cloud. This family member, after discovering that the windows of the room don't open, tosses a fit..."what if something happens? Then we are trapped..." These comments and actions are coupled with the rule of never sharing toothpaste because germs will be transferred and always unbuckle your seatbelt when you're pumping gas, "in case something happens". [Sarcasticly-Nodding-and-Doing-the-Sarcastic-Eye-and-Mouth-Thing] I completely understand and I love my family member. [Seriously]

[So] we are going to my Grandmother's house for Thanksgiving. This is a major family event and it most always turns into a week-long affair, as is the case this year. The drive from Atlanta to Greenville South Carolina on Friday night was the first leg of the trip. I was suprised I didn't get pulled over by Carolina's Finest as I was utilizing the techniques I picked up from those 80-90mph rendezvous with the 75/85 Connector. [will she stop with the spray!] We made it in no time because of this and I was going on my 30th sleepless hour. I survived with a Rockstar, Dr. Pepper, Giant Chewy Sweetarts and Twizzlers...cuisine of a dork on road trips. A little Radiohead and a lot of Modest Mouse were also of assistance. We crashed at my brother's for the 10 hour uneventful layover.

Morning was cold and was also the time I wished for a family of my own. I wish I invited [I did, but too late] a friend up...and wished they came. I'm not the type to look back so our 2nd leg of the trip began with reassigning travel partners. After I reluctantly lost the one-sided debate [six against one, I felt like Kucinich] my car was left behind and I ended up in the Range Rover under one condition, my music plays...early and often. It did...just early.

The often was occupied by Arrested Development. This was one of the best shows, I'm not sure why it only lasted 3 seasons. Great cast [David Cross [who is the man] Michael Cear and Will Arnett just to name a few] and great writers....just poor marketing. Not many people knew or know about it.

We make it to my hometown of Newport News, Virginia. Crossing the James River bridge is a sight. We get to City Center in Oyster Point, Virginia and I was impressed. A lot has changed. Within a couple of hours I'm involved in a conversation with an older family member. I mention how I'm ready for family, he talks about fishing, his arthritis and we dance around the subject of his son. Theodore was my cousin. He was a Marine deployed in Afghanistan. From what I understand, he was participating in an undercover assignment and because of his appearance he blended in with the villagers. Long story short he was killed in his vehicle by an explosive device.

...okay

Not to take anything away from 50 Foot Wave because I really really like them, but they sound like a more uptempo Silversun Pickups. I despise comparing bands...especially the good indie ones because they are all very different. Golden Ocean is their release and it is hideously awesome.

I've had my first experiences with Radiohead. A friend was very adamant that I give them a listen because Radiohead is the 'best band ever'. I like them...but noithing special. I don't know what it is.

AaRON [Artificial Animals Riding On Neverland] is probably what Radiohead was trying to accomplish. [I'm only kidding!] They are nothing like Radiohead...because AaRON doesn't suck. [I'm joking] Just smooth indieness. Michel Gondry is responsible for Radiohead's so called 'success'.

'Hay, que gente' is what a friend or something would often say. I never found the meaning of it, but Kings Of Convenience [Riot On Empty Street] makes me want to say it and it feels like it applies. You almost beat me to them Gina...not quite.

Small Leaks Sink Ships [Until The World Is Happy; Wake Up You Sleepyhead Sun] is like going to recess in elementary school. When they pop up in my random playlist there is just a new energy pumping through the ear buds. Dear Dictator and Truth Of Transition are perfect examples.

I'm really into The Shape Of Broad Minds [Craft Of The Lost Art] and the title of their release is the sum of everything. I stopped listening to hip-hop a while ago but these guys may bring me back into the fold.

American Gangster fucking sucked....and you know it

The Vicarious Liver...Liver, Like One Who Lives; Not Liver Like The Organ...


That's the best title ever! But anyway, let me fill you in on the past month or so.


First of most, someone hit my fucking car. It wasn't bad at all. The Cirrus was parked on the street and someone backed out of their driveway and smashed the rear door in. With the existing damage to the passenger side door(s), I'd say my car resembled a delicious shit samich...sandwich. To the D..to the E..to the L-I-C-I-O-U-S. I don't even like Fergie.


If you read back through the posts, you will see that I am not a virgin. . .to this type of thing happening. I have a collection (of 2) notes left on my windsheild because of damage to the Chrysler. Talk about Shit Luck.


Okay, okay, while the damages were being repaired I was given a rental. A Ford Taurus. My car will punch the Taurus in the freakin face and piss on its cloth interior, video tape it and post the whole thing on YouTube.


I have to say that I listen to the best music! My previous post I mentioned how I wanted to get lost in Bloc Party...did that. Then there are some supreme remixes of A Perfect Circle that are highly intoxicating. 3 Libras is already an awesome song, just think of it with an epic feel....I guess.


Meet Me In St. Louis is one of my favorites at the moment. Great indie music for that ass. Variations In Swing is their release that has me addicted. Nice melodic songs like I Beat Up The Bathroom,I'm Sorry and Come To New York,There Were Fewer Murders Last Year are well balanced with I've Got Knives In My Eyes and Right This Way,You Maverick Renegade. I love this band!


Mobius Band's Heaven kicks the piss out of children and leaves bottoms red....its tough coming up with adjectives other than awesome and great, but how lame can I get? Either way, A Hint Of Blood, Leave The Keys In The Door, and Tie A Tie are magical mood setting songs, and not the mood you are thinking about. More on that latera.


Who or what the fuck is This Town Need Guns? Shitty rock band that I think is cool just because they are indie....NOT. These guys make me feel as though I've learned to fly, but don't want to because just the fact that I know how to and can is better than actually doing it so I keep it a secret and not tel anybody, but then one day I fall in love (with a girl of course) and I want to show that person something very special and I want to fly away with them, but I'm not sure if it will scare the crap out of them....I'm not sure if it will even work out so if we break up they will probably out me...soi decide to keep it to myself....that's how This Town Needs Guns makes me feel. If I Sit Still Maybe I'll Get Out Of Here and Its Not True Rufus, Don't Listen To The Hat are made for dreamers.


Dreaming and Moods as I've mentioned above. A few friends are going through it and I advised them to find something they love...not me...and lean on that to get their minds off of the woes in their lives. For me, it is obviously music and movies. They clear my mind and allow me to dream, dream of where I'd want to be and what I'd want to do and who I'd want to do it to...just kidding. Lets say I wanted to become a concert promoter who put on large events kind of like Coachella or Bonnaroo every year with an amazing line up of the best indie shit, I'd call it Dorks Are The New Brad Pitts and George Clooneys and Other Really Hot Guys Like Danny From So You Think You Can Dance Indie Music Fesitval...presented by Mt. Dew. And I wanted to live in Japan and drive a Scion really fast past people stuck in traffic with The Shins playing extremely loud. At some point I'd want to make those really, awesomely, cooly dreams come true. Then I'd start planning. And before you know it, I'm not thinking about my ex-boyfriend...or they aren't thinking about their ex-boyfriends, bills, jobs and things that don't really exist because they are beautifuler than anything.


Chances by Robocop Kraus from Blunders And Mistakes is what I wake up to.


clever got me this far...then tricky got me in

The Worst Audience Participant Cirque du Soleil Ever Had


Into The Wild, starring Emile Hirsch, directed by Sean Penn at MAC was my destination Sunday morning. It was a spectacular film concentrating on the life journey of Christopher McCandless. For the second consecutive weekend I was late for my matinee, but I must say I've become quite sublime with speeding through the connector. I can't seem to find Across The Universe (haven't given it an honest search) or The Darjeeling Limited. I guess the latter hasn't been released yet so it looks like next Sunday I will be seeing Michael Clayton...maybe.

I purchased Death Proof, the second half of Grindhouse. What genius. The dialogue and car chase...awesome. Its one of those movies you can revisit every now and then and continue to get a rush. Not too many knew about its release, I guess the marketing could have been a little better. I'm sure everyone will catch on and it will have a sort of cult following. Can't wait to purchase Sunshine, I hope it contains some good extras.

I have repopulated my time consuming mp3 player with amazing music. I have Alterkicks' indie-upbeat release Do Everything I Taught You. Good stuff.

Bloc Party has a few unreleased tracks from Weekend In The City. One in particular, Rhododendron, makes me want to carry around their entire discography and lose myself in it.

Lampshade has a shadowy sound that is dimly appealing to me for some reason. The lyrics are so realistic I guess. They make sense. Most of the tracks from Because Trees Can Fly are on my Sleep playlist.

One of my favorites is Last November. They pretty much take care of any emo thirst I have, but can't do it like The Early November...not to compare them or anything. Still great songs for wishful thinkers and romantics...none of which describe me. All The Gory Details....

Then there is Maserati. I've read about them a while ago but just got around to checking them out. Great music, but suprised that there were no lyrics. They are great to listen to when driving down the connector...without traffic. Aren't they from Atlanta?

When you are parked on the connector however, The Robocop Kraus' Chances is what I suggest. Good moods all around.


it should be my name on their lips

The One Who Told You So


There were more shit-storms at work the past two weeks. I was not completely immune to this round of disturbances but succesfully avoided any collateral damage. Last week there was a major corporate visit...I'm talking el vice-presidente, very major. He was not completely satisfied and scheduled regular visits for the remainder of last and this week.

Secondarily, there was an incident. I was not involved nor witnessed this occurence, but somehow interest was pointed towards me. The initial meeting was not nice...at all. After a vague and awkward introduction, the sit-down began. I was not prepared, stumbled over my words, and because I had no idea what was going on I withheld information. At the conclusion I exited, sighed, and called a co-worker to give a heads-up of the events.

The exchange was a hilarious and included the most vulgar double entendres. As only Pesci and an idoit such as myself can pull off, I mentioned how they were breaking my balls and how my ass was chewed out without any explainations. After a pause, realization, and laughter I cleared things up a bit and received the assurance that they were in my corner... only to be told they'd have to call me back because they were on their way to an orgy. Funny guy.

That eased the tension a bit. After cancelling all of my classes this week there was another improvised two hour meeting with the same party. After being briefed, I was well-informed and prepared. For the first time I knew what was going on and became fully cooperative and at times, threw a few managers under the bus. The day ended with my participation in a very interesting and productive root cause analysis to minimize the posibility of this incident from occuring again.

Sunday morning I went to the MAC (Midtown Art Cinema) and was engulfed in a documentary about Donald Crowhurst called Deep Water. Look him up on Wikipedia and you would want to see the film.
I hear a lot of buzz about The Valley of Ellah so I'm going to check it out next Sunday.

I'm sure I've mentioned Moving Mountains shattering faces, Pela dislocating mandibles, and Shapes & Sizes extracting fingernails one by one in previous posts but I thought I'd bring them up again. As far as indie music goes, this is how it should be done. Mobius Band electrocutes nipples and are worth an honest listen.


what have we

The Way You Take It


Eastern Promises with Viggo Mortensen was the violent, throat slashing, nude fight scene, stab in the eye movie I saw last night at Midtown Art Cinema. The film was okay I guess, I was more excited about the trailers.

Wes Anderson, Owen Wilson, and Jason Schwartzman have conspired to create The Darjeeling Limited along with Adrien Brody. I am a huge fan of Wes Anderson films and have collected most of them, Bottle Rocket is hard to find. I also have a liking for Owen Wilson, so much that I made a get well card for him. I will be seeing The Darjeeling Limited...if it is showing at the Midtown Art Cinema. I'm confused about the opening date.

The other trailer that caught my attention was Across The Universe. The Virgo mentioned it to me some time ago and I was curious as to what she was talking about. I now see, and from the looks of things it seems as though I will enjoy it. I just have to find out where it is showing.

Pela sounds like a mixture of Modest Mouse and The Killers and I like. Minus The Bear is still high in the rotation. Moving Mountains, Shapes & Sizes, and Pinback are becoming well liked.


been a while, hasn't it?

The Ass I Kick, The Names I Take


A flippin' 14 hour work day that I owned so bad. For any other being, it would have been an admirable feat; for I, it is the essential normalcy. The catastophic shit-storms that would have rendered most humans powerless [and smelly], I turned the tide and became the force majeure [and shit free]. The ineffable dialogue, the witty/sarcastic humor and quips, all with the backdrop of my overall lameness...an insatiable life I lead.

Indie music! Meneguar, My Brightest Diamond, Explosions In The Sky are part of the new rotation. I also picked up a mixtape, Hey You, Play This In Your Car Stereo Vol. 1, and loved Starfucker, Acres, Eskimo & Sons, and Typhoon. If you dare, give them a try.


does anything I said seem relevant at all?

The Broken Frame


I saw a broken picture frame and my machine began turning. Will the colors escape a painting as waves crashing through levees? Will the scenes depicted emerge from their containment and become a demension without boundaries. Can photographs become life again? Gravity would be Earth's frame keeping it's beauty encased. The oceans don't spill, we fall but we don't fall.

I have no gravity. It seems as though my frame is nonexistant. That's why I'm such a dork, I figured it out. The union of an ostentatious imagination and the audacity to allow it to escape leads to the conclusion of my lameness. Yes, this I know...but will it end?

No Shit by Eskimo & Sons I love. Its the only song I've heard from them so far but I will continue my search. I think I have a great playlist of 286 songs, my favorites being Minus The Bear, !!!, Soular, and Tegan & Sara. Check them out.

The Universal Upside Down


4 , 3 , 2 , 1

Windows down and I'm driving the speed limit for once, I want to savor this Summer night. Its no more that 75F and the breeze feels as if the Atlantic was just 2 miles away. Driving down curvy, tree-lined East Ponce outrunning the pursuit of the Lunar Object, I'm enjoying the indie-electronica outfit Apparat.

The preceeding night involved a visit to my favorite place to view films, Midtown Art Cinema on Monroe. Its a wonderful location that features independent or lesser-known titles which in this case was Rocket Science. Its a film for those with peculiar tastes in movies so it suited me well.

I have revamped my physical mp3 player with some pretty nice music. As Tall As Lions, Klaxons, I Am Robot and Proud, and my favorites thus far Air Traffic and Scouting For Girls. I've also updated some of the mainstays such as The Snake,The Cross,The Crown, Keane, The Shins and Chin Up Chin Up with some older and newer releases.

begging for more

The Cut & Paste


84mph crashing through raindrops, at this speed windshield wipers are not necessary. The silver sky struggles to hide the G2 Star with cumulonimbus pillows. A vacant mind, liberated of cares or worries in either of the three human tenses - I'm travelling through them. As Tall As Lions' self-titled is performing at pleasant decibles. I was thinking of you...just before I missed my exit.

September is here, like an unexpected guest that you attempt to make feel welcomed. Their presence is appreciated, though you wish they came later but you knew they would come soon.


stay,go