Yup, it's been forever... sorry about that.
In case anyone is still checking in here, I just found a link to a great article and wanted to share it. If anything can bring me back to the blog, it's a chance to discuss and promote my beloved alma mater.
Read on. Wahoowa!
Jun 3, 2007
Apr 8, 2007
Weekend of Surprises!
On Saturday, I attended back-to-back surprise party events for some people very near and dear to me.
First up was a surprise baby shower for the one-and-only Kelly McMahon, which was an great reunion of most of the people I was closest to in college, all under one roof for the first time in a long time. See party photos here. Note: Macaroni & Cheese baby food is not as appetizing as it should be. Stick to the Mango.
Saturday night was a surprise dinner party event in honor of my parents and some close family friends to celebrate both couples' 30th anniversary. I had the tough role of stalling my parents while we waited for the rest of the party to show up and sneak to the private room, while trying to make up excuses/create a diversion when we had a couple near-spoiler moments! Luckily, all went well and it was a wonderful night of celebration highlighted by great wine and great company. Party photos here.
In the end, both events were big successes and a good time was had by all.
Finally, today we celebrated my grandma's birthday with a lovely family brunch at home. Happy Birthday, Ba! One weekend and so much to celebrate! I think it's time for a diet.
First up was a surprise baby shower for the one-and-only Kelly McMahon, which was an great reunion of most of the people I was closest to in college, all under one roof for the first time in a long time. See party photos here. Note: Macaroni & Cheese baby food is not as appetizing as it should be. Stick to the Mango.
Saturday night was a surprise dinner party event in honor of my parents and some close family friends to celebrate both couples' 30th anniversary. I had the tough role of stalling my parents while we waited for the rest of the party to show up and sneak to the private room, while trying to make up excuses/create a diversion when we had a couple near-spoiler moments! Luckily, all went well and it was a wonderful night of celebration highlighted by great wine and great company. Party photos here.
In the end, both events were big successes and a good time was had by all.
Finally, today we celebrated my grandma's birthday with a lovely family brunch at home. Happy Birthday, Ba! One weekend and so much to celebrate! I think it's time for a diet.
Apr 5, 2007
Vegas, Baby!
What I learned during my first trip to Las Vegas:
- There is an inverse relationship between my enjoyment of gambling and my luck/skill at actually winning. Translation: I loved it but I sucked.
- I don't like being boo'ed at the craps table after I roll a 7. It's pretty demoralizing.
- The Nevada Gaming Commission takes itself rather seriously (for good reason, I suppose). Oh, and FYI: you can't be barefoot in a casino. House rules!
- Though a map will make it appear like the Bellagio is merely a couple blocks away from Treasure Island, it may very well take you an hour to walk there. However, in clear and sunny weather, I could sit in front of that fountain all day long and be happy. See my first Vimeo clip here.
- Vegas is decidedly like Disneyland for adults.
- A visit to the Hoover Dam will result in no less than a thousand "dam" jokes. And they're all hilarious. No matter what.
- Taking the red-eye flight home and going to work on Monday was not as cool as I thought it would be.
- What happens in Vegas doesn't necessarily stay in Vegas. Especially when there are fotos involved! (Enjoy!)
To conclude, I'd like to say congratulations to my friends Drew and Mary Quinn and wish them the best for a happy future together!
- There is an inverse relationship between my enjoyment of gambling and my luck/skill at actually winning. Translation: I loved it but I sucked.
- I don't like being boo'ed at the craps table after I roll a 7. It's pretty demoralizing.
- The Nevada Gaming Commission takes itself rather seriously (for good reason, I suppose). Oh, and FYI: you can't be barefoot in a casino. House rules!
- Though a map will make it appear like the Bellagio is merely a couple blocks away from Treasure Island, it may very well take you an hour to walk there. However, in clear and sunny weather, I could sit in front of that fountain all day long and be happy. See my first Vimeo clip here.
- Vegas is decidedly like Disneyland for adults.
- A visit to the Hoover Dam will result in no less than a thousand "dam" jokes. And they're all hilarious. No matter what.
- Taking the red-eye flight home and going to work on Monday was not as cool as I thought it would be.
- What happens in Vegas doesn't necessarily stay in Vegas. Especially when there are fotos involved! (Enjoy!)
To conclude, I'd like to say congratulations to my friends Drew and Mary Quinn and wish them the best for a happy future together!
Mar 25, 2007
Listen Immediately: Amy Winehouse
I should have known that Amy Winehouse was worth listening to when I received two enthusiastic recommendations for her on the same day, then walked by a storefront emblazoned with posters of her on one of the few remaining record stores by my office.
My first thought was, a new female artist who is mainstream enough that she's being promoted front and center at a Kemp Mill Music while also being recommended to me by a couple serious indie music fans?
But as soon as I popped in her CD and heard the first track, I understood. This girl can sing, and not only does she sound well experienced beyond her 23 years, but she also sounds like she's living in the wrong decade. Her new album, Back to Black, is a soulful, jazzy, R&B masterpiece combining the old sounds reminiscent of Billie Holiday with the contemporary sound of someone like Lauryn Hill.
Winehouse, a native of England, has passion and attitude, and it comes through from the first note of her album. It's a bold feat to kick off an album singing, "They tried to make me go to rehab/I said no, no, no" as a defiant response to her previous management company's demands that she get help for her alcohol problems. Winehouse dropped them after that and released this record, which was the highest U.S. chart debut (#7) for any British female artist ever. She certainly proved that despite whatever personal issues she has to deal with, she has a firm grasp of her music career.
Visit MySpace for sample tracks. YouTube also has some excellent music videos. Like I said, listen immediately.
My first thought was, a new female artist who is mainstream enough that she's being promoted front and center at a Kemp Mill Music while also being recommended to me by a couple serious indie music fans?
But as soon as I popped in her CD and heard the first track, I understood. This girl can sing, and not only does she sound well experienced beyond her 23 years, but she also sounds like she's living in the wrong decade. Her new album, Back to Black, is a soulful, jazzy, R&B masterpiece combining the old sounds reminiscent of Billie Holiday with the contemporary sound of someone like Lauryn Hill.
Winehouse, a native of England, has passion and attitude, and it comes through from the first note of her album. It's a bold feat to kick off an album singing, "They tried to make me go to rehab/I said no, no, no" as a defiant response to her previous management company's demands that she get help for her alcohol problems. Winehouse dropped them after that and released this record, which was the highest U.S. chart debut (#7) for any British female artist ever. She certainly proved that despite whatever personal issues she has to deal with, she has a firm grasp of her music career.
Visit MySpace for sample tracks. YouTube also has some excellent music videos. Like I said, listen immediately.
Mar 4, 2007
To Love Somebody
I came across a nice video during some musical websurfing today. Check out two of my favorite artists, Ray LaMontagne and Damien Rice, performing a duet of the Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody" at a recent performance in France. Pretty sweet... Enjoy!
Feb 25, 2007
Music of 2006.
I'm long overdue on this post, but I figure it's better late than never. By now many of you music lovers have read countless Best of 2006 lists (Pitchfork, Harp, bloggers, etc.) so I'll spare you my own, especially since it's almost March now.
Rather than call this a true "Best of," or even my own personal Top 10, I'll just consider this post a wrap-up of the best of what I heard in 2006. The reason I say this is because I am well aware that for no good reason at all, there are many new releases that I failed to get my ears on or otherwise was not able to completely absorb (Ray LaMontagne, Damien Rice, and Lily Allen come immediately to mind). Actually, there are probably at least a dozen releases I am certain would qualify as fantastic music had I given myself the chance to hear all of it, and this is what is most frustrating to me.
On the other hand, I was able to hear many other wonderful things that I am happy to plug right now. In no particular order, here follows a quick list of my personal favorites that came out in 2006...
M. Ward :: Post-War
The man with the raspy old school radio-voice found a band to back him up on this album, and with rollicking guitars and some wonderful guest vocalists (Neko Case and My Morning Jacket's Jim James), the result is incredible and possibly my favorite M. Ward effort to date. He has a way of transporting the listener to a different time while keeping a fresh and current sound. Something about his music makes me feel nostalgic and thoughtful. On my first listen, the sense of familiarity and instant connection made me feel as if I'd heard the song years ago and the sound of Ward's voice was bringing me back to an old memory.
Band of Horses :: Everything All The Time
An amazing debut album from a new addition to the Sub Pop family. This one received tons of blogger press, but the hype was worth it in the end. They've got a kinda Shins-y sound with more reverb and big guitars.
The Decemberists :: The Crane Wife
The major label debut from one of my favorite bands was not a disappointment. Sure, it took me a few listens to get into it, and it's definitely not my favorite Decemberists album, but songs like "The Perfect Crime" are ridiculously addicting and I still heart Colin Meloy.
Cat Power :: The Greatest
This was one of the first new albums I heard in 2006, and I was hooked from the first note of the "The Greatest," which for me was hands-down one of the best songs of the year. After learning some background on Chan Marshall and the incredible journey she's been through -- and the state she was in while this album was being made -- I have an immense appreciation for her music and huge respect for her work.
Beirut :: Gulag Orkestar
Speaking of respect for musicians, Zach Condon is the man behind Beirut, and it's important to note that he's still a teenager (19) and he's set the bar high on his debut creation. He sounds like he's a musical veteran with the sounds and melodies he's created on this album, an indescribable blend of gypsy-folk, complete with accordians and horns and every instrument you can imagine except guitars. If you close your eyes you feel like you could be in a completely different time and place, maybe an intimate picnic somewhere in Eastern Europe.
Vetiver :: To Find Me Gone
When I first heard Vetiver's album, the lead vocals reminded me immediately of one of my favorite UK bands, Turin Brakes. This was another album I listened to based on blogger recommendations, and it was an instantly-catchy, no-nonsense folk/rock album with beautiful melodies.
Islands :: Return to the Sea
I played this for the first time with Auddie in the car, and her reaction was to say, "I feel like we're on a beach." Aside from the band name and album title, songs like "Jogging Gorgeous Summer" that feature Jamaican steel drums certainly invoke a beachy mood. It's rare that I'll blindly get an album based mostly on blogger hype, but after not hearing a single note until I first popped it into my CD player, I was pleasantly surprised with this album, which, I should note, is another debut effort (from former members of The Unicorns). It's poppy, fun, and immediately catchy.
Belle & Sebastian :: The Life Pursuit
I don't think I need to describe the B&S sound to anyone. I pretty much love everything they do, and this album was no exception. Sugary sweet as usual with uplifting melodies and bouncing beats, this is perfect summer driving music that is easily repeatable and instantly addicting.
Rather than call this a true "Best of," or even my own personal Top 10, I'll just consider this post a wrap-up of the best of what I heard in 2006. The reason I say this is because I am well aware that for no good reason at all, there are many new releases that I failed to get my ears on or otherwise was not able to completely absorb (Ray LaMontagne, Damien Rice, and Lily Allen come immediately to mind). Actually, there are probably at least a dozen releases I am certain would qualify as fantastic music had I given myself the chance to hear all of it, and this is what is most frustrating to me.
On the other hand, I was able to hear many other wonderful things that I am happy to plug right now. In no particular order, here follows a quick list of my personal favorites that came out in 2006...
M. Ward :: Post-War
The man with the raspy old school radio-voice found a band to back him up on this album, and with rollicking guitars and some wonderful guest vocalists (Neko Case and My Morning Jacket's Jim James), the result is incredible and possibly my favorite M. Ward effort to date. He has a way of transporting the listener to a different time while keeping a fresh and current sound. Something about his music makes me feel nostalgic and thoughtful. On my first listen, the sense of familiarity and instant connection made me feel as if I'd heard the song years ago and the sound of Ward's voice was bringing me back to an old memory.
Band of Horses :: Everything All The Time
An amazing debut album from a new addition to the Sub Pop family. This one received tons of blogger press, but the hype was worth it in the end. They've got a kinda Shins-y sound with more reverb and big guitars.
The Decemberists :: The Crane Wife
The major label debut from one of my favorite bands was not a disappointment. Sure, it took me a few listens to get into it, and it's definitely not my favorite Decemberists album, but songs like "The Perfect Crime" are ridiculously addicting and I still heart Colin Meloy.
Cat Power :: The Greatest
This was one of the first new albums I heard in 2006, and I was hooked from the first note of the "The Greatest," which for me was hands-down one of the best songs of the year. After learning some background on Chan Marshall and the incredible journey she's been through -- and the state she was in while this album was being made -- I have an immense appreciation for her music and huge respect for her work.
Beirut :: Gulag Orkestar
Speaking of respect for musicians, Zach Condon is the man behind Beirut, and it's important to note that he's still a teenager (19) and he's set the bar high on his debut creation. He sounds like he's a musical veteran with the sounds and melodies he's created on this album, an indescribable blend of gypsy-folk, complete with accordians and horns and every instrument you can imagine except guitars. If you close your eyes you feel like you could be in a completely different time and place, maybe an intimate picnic somewhere in Eastern Europe.
Vetiver :: To Find Me Gone
When I first heard Vetiver's album, the lead vocals reminded me immediately of one of my favorite UK bands, Turin Brakes. This was another album I listened to based on blogger recommendations, and it was an instantly-catchy, no-nonsense folk/rock album with beautiful melodies.
Islands :: Return to the Sea
I played this for the first time with Auddie in the car, and her reaction was to say, "I feel like we're on a beach." Aside from the band name and album title, songs like "Jogging Gorgeous Summer" that feature Jamaican steel drums certainly invoke a beachy mood. It's rare that I'll blindly get an album based mostly on blogger hype, but after not hearing a single note until I first popped it into my CD player, I was pleasantly surprised with this album, which, I should note, is another debut effort (from former members of The Unicorns). It's poppy, fun, and immediately catchy.
Belle & Sebastian :: The Life Pursuit
I don't think I need to describe the B&S sound to anyone. I pretty much love everything they do, and this album was no exception. Sugary sweet as usual with uplifting melodies and bouncing beats, this is perfect summer driving music that is easily repeatable and instantly addicting.
Feb 21, 2007
The Tighten Up Report
Since I haven't been updating WOFTP (new acronym, I guess) as often as I'd like, I thought this would be a good chance to introduce you to a new blog to add to your weekly reads. The Tighten Up Report is the brainchild of my friends Becca and Pepper. It is a wonderfully clever blog forum in which witty and thoughtful persons record "the spectacular failure of individuals and institutions to function at acceptable levels." Please check it out at your leisure... start with the first post to familiarize yourself with the format, and look for continuous updates from a variety of contributors.
Feb 19, 2007
Happy Birthday Huan!/Nam Moi
Any year prior to this one, I'd probably get called out by my dear brother for lumping his birthday shoutout with a Happy New Year (Tet) post. However, this year is different. Huan, who has been known in the past to celebrate in style and shout birthday reminders and announcements from the rooftops, is, by his own admission, "over it." To me, that is a true sign of growth and it means he is well-deserving of a birthday blog post! After all, everyone knows I hate to pass up a chance to post fun childhood photos (this one is circa 1985):
Happy Birthday, big bro!
For Part II of this post, I'd like to wish everyone a happy new year. It's the year of the pig, which, as my wise grandfather told me, means everyone should eat well and sleep well. Sounds like a plan to me! Here's also wishing health and happiness to my fam and friends.
Happy Birthday, big bro!
For Part II of this post, I'd like to wish everyone a happy new year. It's the year of the pig, which, as my wise grandfather told me, means everyone should eat well and sleep well. Sounds like a plan to me! Here's also wishing health and happiness to my fam and friends.
Feb 12, 2007
Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!
This post is dedicated to my wonderful parents who today celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. I couldn't be happier for them or more proud about this amazing milestone! Thirty years is a long time, but I'm sure for them it seems like only yesterday their lives together were beginning:
Congrats, Mom and Dad. I love you!
Congrats, Mom and Dad. I love you!
Feb 6, 2007
JT in the hizzle
I'm a little delayed on this post, but I knew I couldn't go any longer without writing about my experience at the Justin Timberlake concert last Friday at the Verizon Center.
I thought my teenybopper days were behind me, but when the opportunity arose to see my favorite original boybander-turned-legitimate-and-respected-artist/musician in his solo element, I couldn't pass up the chance. After all, FutureSex / LoveSounds is a pretty great album that's ok for even the hipsters to love.
After making our way to our seats and taking in a couple mediocre Pink songs, Steph and I decided it was time for a drink and a tour of the good ol' merch table. Ah, my favorite part of any concert. The only difference was that instead of looking at artsy t-shirts and posters from one of my random indie bands, we were presented with tour programs, key chains, shirts emblazoned with Justin's face, and my personal favorite, a pair of gym shorts with SexyBack written across the behind. Let's just say that after a few early evening cocktails at Fado, Steph could not resist the urge. I, however, kept my credit card in my wallet as I flashed back to 1999 and the Backstreet Boys Millennium Tour when I dropped $40 on an oversized t-shirt that ended up collecting dust on my shelf until I gave it away to some unsuspecting recipient.
Anyway, back to the show. By the time JT came on we were pumped. Despite the fact that he appeared only 3 inches tall from our vantage point, we screamed like little girls when he took the stage in his fancy suit and white sneaks. The stage setup in the middle of the arena was a little awkward -- there was no jumbotron and some of the screens occasionally blocked the view of JT -- but he did a pretty good job of making his way around to the different sides of the arena and playing to the crowd.
After a couple tunes, Justin does the "What up, Washington, DC!?!" speech to make the crowd feel special and explain how happy he is to be there. Then he launches into his responsible celebrity lecture about his visit to Walter Reed hospital and the troops, which would be fine for "Inside the Actor's Studio," but c'mon Justin, it's Friday night and we're trying to relax and be shallow and have a good time. Buzzzzzkill.
Oddly and without warning, less than hour into the show Justin disappears down the nifty circle-stage into the ground, presumably for a quick outfit change between songs...
Then clips of music videos project on the screen as a DJ (ok, pretty sure it was Timbaland) plays a mix of some crowd favorites -- Nelly Furtado, The Fray, someotherpopsongIdon'tknow, more Nelly Furtado -- and suddenly I feel like I'm watching a 99.5 commercial. Where did you go, Justin? Needless to say, my $7 lite beer buzz is donezo after this unexpected intermission that seemed to last forever.
As expected, Justin saved fan favorites "Cry Me A River" and "SexyBack" for the second half or the show, and he even got all profesh and sat behind a piano and strummed a guitar for a few tracks. Not bad, JT, not bad at all. But if I were him, I'd stick to the dancing, cause that's what he does best. I'm such a sucker for those choreographed moves, especially after getting sucked in to MTV's latest J.Lo-produced reality, "Dancelife."
While I regret not catching JT when he played the 9:30 Club (yup, you heard me) last summer, there's something special about paying an exorbitant amount for the big stadium show. There's just a certain camaraderie you can't help but feel when you're standing in that long bathroom line next to the girl with the homemade, shoddily puffy-painted "I Heart Justin" t-shirt. While you would probably never be friends with this person in real life, for that brief time you are under the same roof as Justin, you could be best friends. And that, my friends, is priceless.
I thought my teenybopper days were behind me, but when the opportunity arose to see my favorite original boybander-turned-legitimate-and-respected-artist/musician in his solo element, I couldn't pass up the chance. After all, FutureSex / LoveSounds is a pretty great album that's ok for even the hipsters to love.
After making our way to our seats and taking in a couple mediocre Pink songs, Steph and I decided it was time for a drink and a tour of the good ol' merch table. Ah, my favorite part of any concert. The only difference was that instead of looking at artsy t-shirts and posters from one of my random indie bands, we were presented with tour programs, key chains, shirts emblazoned with Justin's face, and my personal favorite, a pair of gym shorts with SexyBack written across the behind. Let's just say that after a few early evening cocktails at Fado, Steph could not resist the urge. I, however, kept my credit card in my wallet as I flashed back to 1999 and the Backstreet Boys Millennium Tour when I dropped $40 on an oversized t-shirt that ended up collecting dust on my shelf until I gave it away to some unsuspecting recipient.
Anyway, back to the show. By the time JT came on we were pumped. Despite the fact that he appeared only 3 inches tall from our vantage point, we screamed like little girls when he took the stage in his fancy suit and white sneaks. The stage setup in the middle of the arena was a little awkward -- there was no jumbotron and some of the screens occasionally blocked the view of JT -- but he did a pretty good job of making his way around to the different sides of the arena and playing to the crowd.
After a couple tunes, Justin does the "What up, Washington, DC!?!" speech to make the crowd feel special and explain how happy he is to be there. Then he launches into his responsible celebrity lecture about his visit to Walter Reed hospital and the troops, which would be fine for "Inside the Actor's Studio," but c'mon Justin, it's Friday night and we're trying to relax and be shallow and have a good time. Buzzzzzkill.
Oddly and without warning, less than hour into the show Justin disappears down the nifty circle-stage into the ground, presumably for a quick outfit change between songs...
Then clips of music videos project on the screen as a DJ (ok, pretty sure it was Timbaland) plays a mix of some crowd favorites -- Nelly Furtado, The Fray, someotherpopsongIdon'tknow, more Nelly Furtado -- and suddenly I feel like I'm watching a 99.5 commercial. Where did you go, Justin? Needless to say, my $7 lite beer buzz is donezo after this unexpected intermission that seemed to last forever.
As expected, Justin saved fan favorites "Cry Me A River" and "SexyBack" for the second half or the show, and he even got all profesh and sat behind a piano and strummed a guitar for a few tracks. Not bad, JT, not bad at all. But if I were him, I'd stick to the dancing, cause that's what he does best. I'm such a sucker for those choreographed moves, especially after getting sucked in to MTV's latest J.Lo-produced reality, "Dancelife."
While I regret not catching JT when he played the 9:30 Club (yup, you heard me) last summer, there's something special about paying an exorbitant amount for the big stadium show. There's just a certain camaraderie you can't help but feel when you're standing in that long bathroom line next to the girl with the homemade, shoddily puffy-painted "I Heart Justin" t-shirt. While you would probably never be friends with this person in real life, for that brief time you are under the same roof as Justin, you could be best friends. And that, my friends, is priceless.
Jan 30, 2007
Funny Faces Tracing Fun
So, a friend of mine showed me this sweet website the other day, which was featured on an M&M's commercial I haven't yet seen. If you are looking for a moment of distraction, please take a moment to visit the site, design your own M&M character, and do tons of other useless but entertaining things.
The M&M character creator immediately brought back memories of one of my favorite childhood activities -- the Funny Faces Tracing Fun book. Anyone out there remember? I either got this book from one of the many book fairs at school or ordered it from the Scholastic book order (Can we discuss how this was always the highlight of the month?? Damn, I miss elementary school!)
The good news is, a quick Google of the book turned up an Amazon link. The bad news is, the book -- which in 1987 retailed for $2.99 or so -- is now selling at $24.95. Seriously? And some of them are used copies? Does that mean they wouldn't even include the tracing paper? I'm a little upset by the profiteering going on here, as I would love to have a copy of this. I'm also hoping for the slim chance that I never threw this away and could possibly dig it up from an old storage box in my parents' basement... Either way, I made some pretty classic Funny Faces back in the day and I think everyone should have a chance to do the same.
The M&M character creator immediately brought back memories of one of my favorite childhood activities -- the Funny Faces Tracing Fun book. Anyone out there remember? I either got this book from one of the many book fairs at school or ordered it from the Scholastic book order (Can we discuss how this was always the highlight of the month?? Damn, I miss elementary school!)
The good news is, a quick Google of the book turned up an Amazon link. The bad news is, the book -- which in 1987 retailed for $2.99 or so -- is now selling at $24.95. Seriously? And some of them are used copies? Does that mean they wouldn't even include the tracing paper? I'm a little upset by the profiteering going on here, as I would love to have a copy of this. I'm also hoping for the slim chance that I never threw this away and could possibly dig it up from an old storage box in my parents' basement... Either way, I made some pretty classic Funny Faces back in the day and I think everyone should have a chance to do the same.
Jan 29, 2007
Pepper and Amex
My good friend Pepper recently scored a sweet gig writing the background music for an Amex commercial airing locally in Aspen, Colorado. The commercial itself was shot and directed by Pepper's friend Henry. Clearly, both are a couple of talented gents!
Anyway, this news is noteworthy for at least two reasons:
1. I love the My Life. My Card. campaign (which you may have gathered from a previous post);
and
2. Pepper is an awesome musician and I'm very happy and excited for him. In fact, to find out more about what he does and to hear more of his originals, hop on over to his website. Huge props, Pep!
Anyway, this news is noteworthy for at least two reasons:
1. I love the My Life. My Card. campaign (which you may have gathered from a previous post);
and
2. Pepper is an awesome musician and I'm very happy and excited for him. In fact, to find out more about what he does and to hear more of his originals, hop on over to his website. Huge props, Pep!
Jan 27, 2007
Ticketbastard
Since I've been on a concert hiatus for quite some time now, it had been a while since I had to use the dreadful Ticketmaster to make a purchase.
Today, however, in my quest to snag some tickets for the upcoming Decemberists show at the Strathmore, I was reminded of all the reasons why I can't stand it.
Let's first discuss the "word verification" page. This is the section you must pass through to basically prove that you're a human being and not using an automated program to buy tickets. All you have to do is prove that you can read and type crooked letters through a dirty window being blocked by a chain-link fence. Easy enough, right? On more than one occasion today, I needed repeated attempts to successfully pass through, during which time I'm sure the coveted tickets I was after were being given to someone else!
Once you pass the cryptic eye exam and are able to find tickets you actually want to keep, you are presented with the frightening time limits of Ticketmaster. First, you have 2 minutes to decide whether you want them. As I was consulting with someone as I was purchasing tickets, I definitely let a good set of tickets slip through the cracks as I was too slow to commit. Finally, once I managed to find another good set and got to the order page, I faced the daunting task of submitting all of my sensitive information in 3 minutes, tops. Okay, I understand it's perfectly reasonable for any competent person to do this, but when you don't have a stopwatch handy and you're double checking your credit card information and billing address (for fear of being rejected again if for any reason it's incorrect), it's a little nerve-wracking!
Lastly, and this is truly where the 'bastard' in Ticketmaster comes from, we all know about the horrendous surcharges Ticketmaster slaps on you on top of already rising base prices. In today's case, Decemberists tickets base price = $39.50 each. Convenience charge = $8.85. Processing Charge for total order = $4.00. Somehow I don't know what conveniences are being offered to me that could possibly be worth $8.85, unless someone is bringing me a pizza while I'm sitting here on my computer.
Anyway, enough complaining. I got myself some great tickets and I'm excited about seeing The Decemberists at a venue that is unlike the 9:30 club or any other typical bar/club spot for indie bands. Though admittedly, now that The Decemberists are major-label and selling their CDs in Starbucks, I shouldn't be too surprised that they're checking out such a sophisticated venue like the Strathmore.
On the other hand, I still long for the concert days when I could see my favorite little bands for the price of an average lunch. I still have fond memories of an Interpol show I went to in Richmond over 5 years ago. I strolled down some quiet alley, pulled out $7 in cash and walked right in. Oh, how I miss the good ol' days.
Today, however, in my quest to snag some tickets for the upcoming Decemberists show at the Strathmore, I was reminded of all the reasons why I can't stand it.
Let's first discuss the "word verification" page. This is the section you must pass through to basically prove that you're a human being and not using an automated program to buy tickets. All you have to do is prove that you can read and type crooked letters through a dirty window being blocked by a chain-link fence. Easy enough, right? On more than one occasion today, I needed repeated attempts to successfully pass through, during which time I'm sure the coveted tickets I was after were being given to someone else!
Once you pass the cryptic eye exam and are able to find tickets you actually want to keep, you are presented with the frightening time limits of Ticketmaster. First, you have 2 minutes to decide whether you want them. As I was consulting with someone as I was purchasing tickets, I definitely let a good set of tickets slip through the cracks as I was too slow to commit. Finally, once I managed to find another good set and got to the order page, I faced the daunting task of submitting all of my sensitive information in 3 minutes, tops. Okay, I understand it's perfectly reasonable for any competent person to do this, but when you don't have a stopwatch handy and you're double checking your credit card information and billing address (for fear of being rejected again if for any reason it's incorrect), it's a little nerve-wracking!
Lastly, and this is truly where the 'bastard' in Ticketmaster comes from, we all know about the horrendous surcharges Ticketmaster slaps on you on top of already rising base prices. In today's case, Decemberists tickets base price = $39.50 each. Convenience charge = $8.85. Processing Charge for total order = $4.00. Somehow I don't know what conveniences are being offered to me that could possibly be worth $8.85, unless someone is bringing me a pizza while I'm sitting here on my computer.
Anyway, enough complaining. I got myself some great tickets and I'm excited about seeing The Decemberists at a venue that is unlike the 9:30 club or any other typical bar/club spot for indie bands. Though admittedly, now that The Decemberists are major-label and selling their CDs in Starbucks, I shouldn't be too surprised that they're checking out such a sophisticated venue like the Strathmore.
On the other hand, I still long for the concert days when I could see my favorite little bands for the price of an average lunch. I still have fond memories of an Interpol show I went to in Richmond over 5 years ago. I strolled down some quiet alley, pulled out $7 in cash and walked right in. Oh, how I miss the good ol' days.
Jan 20, 2007
Smithsonian Exhibit Opening
This is just a quick post to let you all know that as of Friday, the Smithsonian's new Vietnamese American exhibit, "Exit Saigon, Enter Little Saigon," is now officially open for public viewing at the Ripley Center. Since I spent one of my recent summers interning for the Smithsonian and helping out with the origins of this project, I'm really happy and proud to see it finally come to fruition. On Thursday night I attended the "exclusive" reception to officially unveil the exhibit, and in addition to finally being able to see the final project -- an idea that first came to be over two years ago -- I was able to enjoy the company of CNN's Betty Nguyen who emceed the event, as well as recently-elected Senator Jim Webb of Virginia (his wife is a Vietnamese American), among many other family, friends, and local Vietnamese Americans.
But by far my favorite run-in was with none other than Project Runway winner Chloe Dao, who was just as cute and friendly as I imagined her to be. It was truly my reality-TV dream come true (yes I know I'm a huge dork for saying that).
The exhibit will be on display until March 31, at which point it will travel to different parts of the country. I encourage all of you in the area to check it out if you get a chance -- the Ripley Center is the small copper-domed building just to the right of the Castle building. For some background or additional info, check out the website.
Fun photos from the evening are to come. Check my Flickr for an update soon.
But by far my favorite run-in was with none other than Project Runway winner Chloe Dao, who was just as cute and friendly as I imagined her to be. It was truly my reality-TV dream come true (yes I know I'm a huge dork for saying that).
The exhibit will be on display until March 31, at which point it will travel to different parts of the country. I encourage all of you in the area to check it out if you get a chance -- the Ripley Center is the small copper-domed building just to the right of the Castle building. For some background or additional info, check out the website.
Fun photos from the evening are to come. Check my Flickr for an update soon.
Jan 14, 2007
Sesame Street Videos
I was out to dinner with Becca and Pepper last night, and after a couple glasses of wine we ended up on the topic of childhood television, which naturally led to a discussion of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, 3-2-1 Contact, and of course Sesame Street.
The rest of the night included lots of reminiscing over our favorite live Sesame Street film reels that showed us the wonder of how things were made.
If any of you watched Sesame Street in the late '70s through the mid '80s, you're sure to remember some of these. It's amazing how vivid all of these were in my mind. Watching them again today made me feel like it was only yesterday I saw them for the first time.
1) How Crayons are Made:
How delicious does the liquid orange color look? I want to make some fresh mac & cheese with it!
2) Saxophones!
Pepper and I seemed to be the only ones to really remember this theme song well, which led me to believe that 3-2-1 Contact may have been a bit more underground and on the fringe than its counterparts back in the day. Or maybe it was only intended for the geeks who liked science and such. Either way, it was a great theme song and a fantastic show.
There are tons of other great Sesame Street clips to enjoy and find on YouTube. Let's just say I've already spent at least an hour this afternoon watching them... Yet another reason why I worship the Internet. Enjoy!
The rest of the night included lots of reminiscing over our favorite live Sesame Street film reels that showed us the wonder of how things were made.
If any of you watched Sesame Street in the late '70s through the mid '80s, you're sure to remember some of these. It's amazing how vivid all of these were in my mind. Watching them again today made me feel like it was only yesterday I saw them for the first time.
1) How Crayons are Made:
How delicious does the liquid orange color look? I want to make some fresh mac & cheese with it!
2) Saxophones!
The best part is the honking and squeaking saxophone background sound effects.
3) "3-2-1 Contact!" theme song!
Jan 10, 2007
Flippin' Amazing
Steve Jobs' unveiling of the iPhone this week at the Macworld conference in San Francisco probably did not come as a big surprise to a lot of people.
Most of us knew Apple's next big thing was likely going to be a mobile phone device combined with iPod technology, but I don't think any of us could have imagined what the iPhone actually is -- an easy-to-use, intuitive, and attractive megadevice (mobile phone + iPod + handheld computer) with a revolutionary multi-touch interface that runs Mac OSX. Seriously? Yes.
I've been patiently waiting for my 3rd generation iPod to kick the bucket so I can justify a a new toy, and while a memory upgrade has always been a priority for me (20 gigs is not enough!), after watching the demonstration at Macworld, I want an iPhone immediately. It also helps that my current cell phone is on its last legs, so I can justify that upgrade, too! Unfortunately, eager consumers like me will have to wait a while, as the iPhone will not begin shipping until June of this year. It will be priced at $499 for the 4 gig model and $599 for the 8 gig, which sounds like a lot but is actually bang for your buck if you consider the combination of products. My guess is that Apple's exclusive partner, Cingular, will see a surge in subscribers, and the iPhone may even persuade me to make the switch from trusty Verizon.
I don't think I've ever seen a gadget that I find so appealing and just downright badass. The "cover flow" feature is particularly amazing, as it basically allows users to browse their iPod library by album art, essentially turning it into a pocket jukebox. The phone itself boasts visual voicemail and easy conference calling. And as an 'Internet communications device,' iPhone introduces rich-text HTML e-mail, the first HTML browser (Safari) on a mobile phone, Google maps, and automatic WiFi detection.
The iPhone is a sleek 1.6 millimeters thin with a gorgeous 3.5" display, and I could babble on about the rest of its incredible features, but I'll spare you any more of my cultish Apple worship. I challenge everyone with an interest to watch Steve Jobs' iPhone introduction during the keynote address and tell me you're not sold. Even haters have to be impressed with this.
Most of us knew Apple's next big thing was likely going to be a mobile phone device combined with iPod technology, but I don't think any of us could have imagined what the iPhone actually is -- an easy-to-use, intuitive, and attractive megadevice (mobile phone + iPod + handheld computer) with a revolutionary multi-touch interface that runs Mac OSX. Seriously? Yes.
I've been patiently waiting for my 3rd generation iPod to kick the bucket so I can justify a a new toy, and while a memory upgrade has always been a priority for me (20 gigs is not enough!), after watching the demonstration at Macworld, I want an iPhone immediately. It also helps that my current cell phone is on its last legs, so I can justify that upgrade, too! Unfortunately, eager consumers like me will have to wait a while, as the iPhone will not begin shipping until June of this year. It will be priced at $499 for the 4 gig model and $599 for the 8 gig, which sounds like a lot but is actually bang for your buck if you consider the combination of products. My guess is that Apple's exclusive partner, Cingular, will see a surge in subscribers, and the iPhone may even persuade me to make the switch from trusty Verizon.
I don't think I've ever seen a gadget that I find so appealing and just downright badass. The "cover flow" feature is particularly amazing, as it basically allows users to browse their iPod library by album art, essentially turning it into a pocket jukebox. The phone itself boasts visual voicemail and easy conference calling. And as an 'Internet communications device,' iPhone introduces rich-text HTML e-mail, the first HTML browser (Safari) on a mobile phone, Google maps, and automatic WiFi detection.
The iPhone is a sleek 1.6 millimeters thin with a gorgeous 3.5" display, and I could babble on about the rest of its incredible features, but I'll spare you any more of my cultish Apple worship. I challenge everyone with an interest to watch Steve Jobs' iPhone introduction during the keynote address and tell me you're not sold. Even haters have to be impressed with this.
Jan 2, 2007
Happy New Year!
Well, I'm back in the good ol' US of A after our exciting two-week vacation to Thailand and Cambodia. We arrived yesterday morning and so far I've been fighting the jet lag pretty well (I say this as my eyelids begin to get heavy before 8 pm). I even managed to go back to work today, which was slightly depressing but inevitable, I suppose.
From a tourist standpoint, the end of our trip was less eventful than our previous stop in Cambodia. Since this was not our first trip to Bangkok, we pretty much skipped over all the tourist sightseeing stops and spent most of our time shopping and eating. Bangkok and its enormous malls and department stores really do boast some of the best food courts I've ever eaten in, with choices of any kind of Asian food you could imagine, as well as other ethnic cuisines, Western options and tons of delicious desserts, too. My only regret is that I would have liked to try out the McRice burger at the Thai McDonald's but I never got around to it!
For the first time ever, I not only rang in the new year on an airplane, but I also got to celebrate twice -- once in local time as we boarded our first flight leaving Bangkok, and again in DC time as we were airborne from Tokyo to home. Auddie and I were slightly disappointed about the lack of enthusiasm (or even acknowledgment) from our fellow passengers, and I personally would have enjoyed a free champagne toast, but I guess our personal family countdown had to do. On the other hand, after finally arriving home and learning about the Bangkok bombings that had happened just around midnight at the Central World Plaza -- an area where we'd been just hours earlier -- I was slightly jarred, sad for those who were killed and injured on what should have been an evening of fun and celebration, but also relieved and happy that we left when we did.
The Bangkok photos are up and the whole vacation set is ready for complete viewing. Here's to what should be an eventful and exciting 2007! Cheers to all.
From a tourist standpoint, the end of our trip was less eventful than our previous stop in Cambodia. Since this was not our first trip to Bangkok, we pretty much skipped over all the tourist sightseeing stops and spent most of our time shopping and eating. Bangkok and its enormous malls and department stores really do boast some of the best food courts I've ever eaten in, with choices of any kind of Asian food you could imagine, as well as other ethnic cuisines, Western options and tons of delicious desserts, too. My only regret is that I would have liked to try out the McRice burger at the Thai McDonald's but I never got around to it!
For the first time ever, I not only rang in the new year on an airplane, but I also got to celebrate twice -- once in local time as we boarded our first flight leaving Bangkok, and again in DC time as we were airborne from Tokyo to home. Auddie and I were slightly disappointed about the lack of enthusiasm (or even acknowledgment) from our fellow passengers, and I personally would have enjoyed a free champagne toast, but I guess our personal family countdown had to do. On the other hand, after finally arriving home and learning about the Bangkok bombings that had happened just around midnight at the Central World Plaza -- an area where we'd been just hours earlier -- I was slightly jarred, sad for those who were killed and injured on what should have been an evening of fun and celebration, but also relieved and happy that we left when we did.
The Bangkok photos are up and the whole vacation set is ready for complete viewing. Here's to what should be an eventful and exciting 2007! Cheers to all.
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