Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Coachella 2008



The Swell Season
You're probably wondering where I've been. Well, last Friday I hopped on a plane to Palm Springs and ended up in Indio, Ca. for the Coachella music festival. I would have had this post up faster but I returned home to a computer full of viruses (damn torrents).
I really didn't want to go to Coachella, but I was somewhat forced because of the prize I won fron 101X. It was already paid for and I could not send someone else in my place. If I didn't go, I would still take the tax hit at the end of the year. So, I went.

Day 1 went something like this:
Showed up around 5:30 and saw the last couple songs by The Breeders. Then watched Tegan and Sara. I saw the Raconteurs for a couple songs before I decided I would have a better time walking around looking at people. I then went to check out The Swell Season, which was probably the best, most surprising act at the festival. Walked back to the main stage and sat down. Some guy asked me if I would sit at the corner of their blanket because a girl was lying down and was scared someone would step on her head. I hung out with them for The Verve and Jack Johnson. We left about 11:30 and then sat in the parking lot for two hours trying to leave.

Day 2:
We were a little more prepared for day two. I bought some ear plugs and some Miller Lite tall boys to drink in the parking lot. I showed up at 4:50 to catch Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks. Then watched a few songs by Dwight Yoakam before heading over to watch Death Cab for Cutie, then Rilo Kiley then Portishead. We left early on Saturday to make sure we didn't have the same parking lot problem.

Day 3:
Stars ->Gogol Bordello -> My Morning Jacket -> Sons & Daughters -> Roger Waters - > Justice.

There were a couple of other bands on the smaller stages I would have liked to see, but I didn't want to show up in the heat of the day. I'd rather hang out at the hotel swimming pool.

p.s. That's a picture of the Swell Season BTW. To see more pictures check out my flickr.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Hugs not drugs

Story

Ok, so this has absolutely nothing to do about Northwest Austin, but I've about decided not much goes on in our parts, (which can be a good and bad thing) so I've decided to branch out and cover some more areas, especially when good stories pop up. No pun intended.

So what's up with this? Was it a male or female teacher? Did it involve an unwanted booty grab? a boner? hair sniff? neck kiss? hip thrust? ear lick? quiver?

Inquiring minds want to know.

I wish I could retroactively get some of my teachers fired for getting into my space.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Real Emotional Trash

When Stephen Malkmus made a Myspace page and had to put band influences he wrote "Stephen Malkmus." The guy invented indie rock. And you can quote me on that and use it in your MA dissertation.

So I checked out Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks last night at La Zona Rosa. This is probably the only show I've seen lately that I would have actually paid to go to. Unfortunately, none of my friends know of SM. The show would have been perfect if it weren't for whoever let out two nasty farts during the show and if he would have played at least one Pavement song. I heard he's been doing that, even though when they broke up he said he never would.

His latest album, "Real Emotional Trash" is a treat. I can hear hints of old songs,but I can't think of the names of them now. And Janet Weiss' voice on "We Can't Help You," makes that probably my favorite song on the album.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Photo booth Pub Crawl


Photobooth
Originally uploaded by iamcootis
Went out on a photo booth pub crawl last night. We stopped off at all the bars that had photo booths and did all kinds of random pictures. I won for nudity because as you can sort of see I have a picture of my butt there. I had to pixel it out because I don't want a lot of perverts looking at my bum.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

AMD starts lay-offs

Story

I know a couple people who work here, but I don't know if they were laid off or not.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

1,2,3,4 Feist is such a bore


Feist
Originally uploaded by speedye
Went to Stubb's to watch Feist last night. And she has become very popular because...... The fact that she can have a sold out show completely baffles me. She should be playing in a coffee shop in front of ten of her friends. I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only person bored to tears because everyone around me seemed to be enjoying their own little conversations, not paying any attention to the music. She definitely needs to wrap up this solo thing and head back to Broken Social Scene. If anyone is interested in a listenable, female, singer-songwriter check out Maria Taylor.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

At least I won't have to waste my time with this

ACL lineup

Hopefully Beck, David Byrne and Conor Oberst will have an after-show I can attend. I don't know how they can seriously put The Mars Volta as one of the headlining bands. I practically had to force someone to take those tickets off my hands last week. There are about 12 bands on the list that I kinda, sorta want to see, but it won't be the end of the world if I don't. I'm sure they'll all be coming back to Austin sometime soon anyway.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

78729...Looks like I'm in the clear

Story

I'm not even on any of these maps. I'm right on the Travis/Williamson line. Which means, all the benefits without the taxes.

Doesn't that AIDS map look scary?

This has been a pretty great weekend

Wow..I've been more productive? this weekend than I have in a long time. Friday, I went to the store and bought a copy of Stephen Malkmus' new album, "Real Emotional Trash," because I'm going to go see him perform next weekend. For some reason when listening to the title track, I just want him to say "transport is arranged."

Saturday, I had planned on going garage sale-ing, but sleep seemed more important that early in the morning. When I woke up I head out to Jerry's Art-a-rama (the girls who work here are so cute) to buy an easel and a 48 X 36 inch canvas. I've decided to take on a big painting project, now all I need is a subject. Then Johnny, Evan and I went out to Bull Creek Park to climb around. After this, I came home and mowed the grass and finished reading a book. Saturday night I went to Austin Karaoke with the Burning Ranch Production company to sing some karaoke. I think my new signature karaoke song is "Suzie Q." I'm reviving Creedance Clearwater Revival.

Today, Sunday, I went to the Roy Kizer municipal course to play golf with some Yelpers. I shot pretty good considering the condition of their greens. You would think a course that charges $45 a round could afford to water them sometime. After that we went to Freddy's and sat on the patio and drank margaritas.

I'd say that's a pretty primo weekend, but next weekend is gonna rival it. I've got some pretty good stuff on the agenda.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Kids in the Hall


Kids in the Hall DSC_9686
Originally uploaded by john t miller
I saw the Kids in the Hall last night at the Paramount theater. They should probably change their name to Middle-aged Gentlemen in the Hall. I was but a mere babe when they started coming on HBO in 1989. I remember watching cabbage head guy and the crushing head guy. Those things were all very funny to an 8 year old. I would imagine anyone younger than me wouldn't have a clue who these guys are. The theme music really took me back to a better time, sitting in my parents living room watching our 25 inch, 500 lb, wooden-cased television. I think most people in the audience had that same time-traveling experience.
My favorite skit from last night was the 'I think my imaginary girlfriend is cheating on me.' Coming in a close second was 'the time machine.'

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

I can't wait!

Story

When I was a senior in high school it costs me $9 to fill up my tank. The last time I went to Costco (the cheapest gas in town) it cost me $37. I sure which our government, gas companies, car companies and everybody else who is in bed together would all get AIDS. Something must be done about the rising cost of gas.
I would love to ride a scooter and/or a bicycle to work if I could guarantee that I wouldn't be splattered all over 360. If I had any authority I would make a commuter rail line right down the middle of 360 and Mopac and 35 and 290 and 183.
Since that will never be done, I'll just have to buy one of these when they come to the U.S.

I guess we have some time to kill


Colin Meloy
Originally uploaded by Epyon MX
Saw Colin Meloy last night at La Zona Rosa. It was a pretty good show despite having to pee every five minutes and he would stop to cough every other song. The crowd seemed pretty meager, but what should one expect for a Monday night.
He played mostly old Decemberists' stuff which is good because I'm not even sure if I've heard the new album and/or anything he's written solo. I actually think he's better solo. I guess this goes to prove my thoughts when I first heard the Decemberists. It's all about his voice.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Burrito Jam

So last Friday I attempted to eat a 5 lb. burrito for charity. Our company has this yearly shindig where we see who can eat massive quantities of food in 20 minutes. I came in 20th place out of 20.
I kinda had the "slow and steady wins the race" idea going into this, but it didn't work out so well, when someone finished the burrito in 15 minutes and I still had about half of mine to go. I pretty much quit at that point. No reason to try to hurt myself.
The burrito was about 95% rice, 3% beans, 1% cheese, .5 % chicken and .5% tortilla. I think I may have done a lot better if there had been more beans and less rice. After the event I went home and crashed into bed and slept for 3 hours.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Getting Rid of Credit Card Solicitations!

This may be the best thing that has happened to me yet this year. I Googled how to get rid of credit card solicitations and voila! A government site that tells you how to do it. Apparently the government does do things? Now if they can only figure out if Roger Clemens did steroids or not my life will be complete.

Oh no! That monkey has a gun!

Story

I think this may answer the evolution question.

Garage Sale Grabs of the Week


I went garage sale-ing this morning and found some pretty cool stuff. The coolest has to be this $4 bullet trash can which you won't find anywhere for less than $100. It looks somewhat vintage and rusty, but I figure I could possible fix it up with some paint or a design.

I also picked up five books for $4. I'm thinking some of them might be chick lit., so I might be giving those away. I got an Atari 2600 for a $1, a large stretched canvas for $1, and two thin carrying cases for canvases. This one woman was also selling a buttload of full set sports card for pretty cheap, but I didn't have enough to purchase all the sets so I didn't buy them. It's possible I could have turned them around for a couple hundred on eBay. All in all, it was a pretty good Saturday morning.

Friday, April 4, 2008

It's not 1850 anymore

Story

Robbing a bank just sounds stupid. If you're going to do it at least do it intelligently, like manipulating software or digging a tunnel under the vault.

Anyway, this happened in my neighborhood. Now, I've heard of two other bank robberies that have taken place within a mile since this time. It's a very safe neighborhood as long as you don't work for a bank.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Painting 1 at AMOA


nude
Originally uploaded by iamcootis
I finished up my first painting class last night. For the past few months I've been taking Painting 1 with Phillip Wade through the Austin Museum of Art. I would definitely recommend this class to anyone who is interested and has a few hundred dollars lying around. I was the only guy in our class and probably the youngest as well.

My favorite painting was of a nude, and I would like to do more, so if anyone wants to pose for me let me know.

Check out more of my art here.

Wasn't there a movie that started out like this....

Story

Where everyone in the world starts dying and Dustin Hoffman has to save the day?

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Didn't know you were pregnant? Srsly?

Story

Ok, this has absolutely nothing to do with NW Austin, but I just have to comment on this anyway. How can you be pregnant for nine months and not know it. I guess I could understand if you were horrible obese and it just didn't show, but seriously.

I think it's definitely time we start teaching "real" sex education classes to junior high students. Just think about it, if you learned about sex in junior high, it would probably be the only thing you still used as an adult. I'm pretty sure I'll never need to use my paper mache mummy making skills or write another book report or do long division by hand. So, let's please start teaching these little morons about sex. I'd much rather my tax money go toward that, then going toward raising their neglected babies who'll most likely grow up and try to sell my children crack.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Happy April Fool's Day!


100_0057
Originally uploaded by iamcootis
One of my co-workers out of town today, so we left him with a surprise in his cube. We wrapped everything in tin foil.

Also, today was my year anniversary for starting Bikram Yoga. I guess the joke was on me a year ago when I walked into Yogagroove. What a cruel joke to play on myself. I guess I'll be sweating balls for the rest of my life.