Pseudo-Something

Found this video on Twitter today (via Greg Holden), and have watched it a kajillion times since. You should, too. Think you might like it.

Ian Axel’s “This Is The New Year”

Coming back home for Christmas is akin to getting lost in the Bermuda Triangle, or at least how I’d imagine it to be. Sitting in my old room, and though it’s seen over five years of changes, the familiarity of this house makes life away from here seem almost imagined.

One of those amazing moments when all five of us here at home had been in our own little worlds (two asleep even), but somehow ended up in the same room at the same time for a few minutes of perfection. Yes, at 2:00am, lucid and laughing about who knows what. Stepping out from his college finals week cave, one of the roommates deadpanned, “There’s too much fun going on out here. I can’t be miserable… having a hard time being depressed.” Laughed some more before we all dispersed again. Tis the little things… love this house.

TV’s been on in the background while we’re labeling / stamping envelopes for Christmas cards… there’s a commercial for a pen! Because that’s a product necessitating post-midnight advertisement. Followed by a commercial for “The Clapper”, and after a commercial break-commercial break, it’s “The Clapper Plus” featuring a remote. Boy oh boy!

Amusing quick read of the evening: Readers by Author – Stereotyping People by Their Favorite Author, from Lauren Leto’s blog.

And then this video as the must-see of the evening (morning?). Considered the opening song a take it or leave it at first non-live listen several months ago, but then he played it like this at the beloved Hotel Cafe back in October. Was a little dumbstruck, to say the least. Someone recorded the video below during one of Bobby Long’s concerts last week, almost exactly the way I remember it from the Hotel Cafe show. It’s one hell of a medley, a rather piddly sounding word for such passionate playing. In case I haven’t said it enough, Bobby Long is insanely talented. Simple as that.

It’s been awhile. Have started and scrapped numerous entries… still feeling as though everything and nothing is going on all at the same time. Rather than blather on about such nonsense (hello, Twitter, that’s what you’re for… in a succinct 140 characters or less), sharing someone else’s words, simply because they struck me so this lazy Sunday afternoon. From an album, Gregory Alan Isakov’s This Empty Northern Hemisphere, that has gently wedged its way to the front of my preferred music line time and time again throughout the past year.

“Big Black Car” Gregory Alan Isakov

you were a phonograph, i was a kid
i sat with an ear close, just listening
i was there when the rain tapped her way down you face
you were a miracle…i was just holdin your space

well you were a magazine, i was a plane jane
just walking the sidewalks all covered in rain
love to just get into one of your stories
just me and all of my plane jane glory

Lyrics carried over from gregoryalanisakov.com.

Hot weather always brings these fucked ole tunes, always in the background, in fucken mono. Fate. Like, notice how whenever something happens in your life, like you fall in love or something, a tune gets attached. Fate tunes. Watch out for that shit.
Vernon God Little, DBC Pierre

Passed this while driving home, shortly after watching sunset at the beach. Pulled up to the house, ran in to grab a camera, then hoofed it down the street to get some shots before the colors faded. Not exactly the most eye catching scene by day, but brilliant at this hour.

Once upon a time, there was a band. If you’re reading this, you probably already know the history. I’m too lazy to write about it at the moment (there’s a ton in the archives here anyway)–if you don’t know and would like to, just say the word.

Lee was in town for a quick visit, so a semi-reunion took place in a rather familiar living room. Reminiscing and music went late into the night, the sun showing up as we said our goodbyes.

Waves aren’t typically this big around here, only every couple years or so. Happened to be US Open finale weekend as well–ocean put on its best show at The Wedge.

Princess and the Pea–wasting time before the beach.

That speck left of center is a person.

See the cluster of bodysurfers? Fins mandatory… duck dive your heart out.

Converge

Stage Right

Stage Left

In great company.

Pumped!

I think the greatest performances always elude the camera, the tape recorder, the pen. They happen in the middle of the night when the musician plays for one special friend under the moonlight. They happen in the dress rehearsal just before the play opens.
-Stephen Nachmanovitch

Photos taken Thursday, July 23rd at Comic-Con International. First time I’ve ever been to the Con, wasn’t terribly keen on taking photos today–so much to look at, and we rarely stopped moving. The place is gigantic and overflowing with absurdity. Did a shitty job of capturing the feel of the event. SO MANY PEOPLE, out of this world costumes, collectible anything and everything, plus ridiculously talented folks and the fans who love them.

Typical marine layer-y morning. San Diego Convention Center looks like a spaceship.

Somehow no costumes in this bunch–exhibit floor was suffocatingly packed.

Can’t remember which building this is… a hotel across from the convention center?

Such intricate items on display.

Star Wars was everywhere, no big surprise.

Do not touch.

Steampunk

Lilja wants these to mount on her wall.

Tabletop doodles are a little different here.