What's also unusual is that he's been blogging a lot more in the last week or so. You'd expect him to slow down during the postseason, but he's blogging more often. Less about food and more about behind-the-scenes stuff like Manny in the locker room and text messages from friends from ASU. He also writes about going out to get sushi with Saito and joking around with Kuroda.
So the mag at the printer and I'm trying to catch up on what's been going on over the last few weeks. One item to check out is the Ted Leo EP inpired by RNC-related bullshit in St. Paul. Two new songs, two covers, two good causes: Democracy Now and Food Not Bombs. There's more info at Ted's site and you can buy the EP from Touch and Go.
1. Dodgers fleece blanket (Hollywood star edition) 2. Charley Harper ABC's book from Saelee 3. Footy jammies from Kumquat 4. Hak gwai pongyau from David and Sun-Min 5. GR56 being at the printer so I won't be a deadbeat dad anymore
We've uploaded hi-res PDFs of our pages onto our printer's system. Now we're printing proofs for one last run-through before signing off on them... In 12-13 hours, LGM will be turning them into a magazine.
Look at what I got in the mailbox. The last playoff game I attended was the Dodger's only post-season win in the past 20 years prior to this year's campaign. That was a couple years ago when Limatime gutted the soft-hitting Dodgers into a win against the Cards at Chavez Ravine. The current squad is running hot thanks to hot pitching, maturing youngsters, and the additions of Casey Blake and Man ram. So I'm amped to see them in the NLCS... Bring on The Phils or Brew Crew.
What does payback sound like? A lot like tinnitus. Last night I left the office during deadlines to see My Bloody Valentine play the Santa Monica Civic. My friend Wayne bought me a ticket months ago, and he offered to pick me up after he and the Ella sisters had dinner. Perfect: Leave at 9:30 or so and get back in 2 hours or less, right?
We got there just after the second opener finished. I would have like to have caught Spectrum, but I was satisfied just to bump into friends on the way in. A bunch of people from UCLA were there (Gaby, Jens, Ajay...), the fabulous Lana Kim, and one of my favorite artists Shizu Saldamando, too. Man, I should get out more!
And the show was incredible. After a long buildup of mellow music and darkness, MBV came out with dizzying strobes and the loudest fuzz ever. You've probably already read about it in music blogs, etc. The music sounds as gorgeous and powerful as ever (if you don't have Loveless burned into your brain, go get it now.
An online video can't possibly do justice to the band's live show, but here's a sample from their latest tour anyway:
The actual volume was shocking. I could feel my skin ripple. The final song included 10-15 minutes of white noise that was like being outside at an airport. I think that's the song that did the most damage.
Right after the show, I went back to the office to do some work and Eric told me that I was talking really loud and not responding to his questions, which he asked numerous times. Crap!
Despite wearing plugs, 24 hours after the show, my ears are still ringing like crazy. Talking on the phone is really difficult. At least I can kind of hear bass again and treble sounds don't crack up mid-air. The weird part is that when I was listening to the radio or watching baseball this afternoon, I could hear what sounded like tinny music coming out of someone else's headphones echoing from the opposite side of the room. Are my ears too sensitive now?
But that show was worth it. You can't replicate the feeling with a bootleg because your speakers just aren't that loud. You can't feel the lightness in your chest--the sort of feeling you have when you're sleep deprived or in love. Amazing.
The only other times my ears have been this worked were after seeing the Butthole Surfers at the Roxy (circa Locust Abortion Technician, I think) and Sonic Youth at Iguana's in Tijuana (for Goo). Those times, my ears healed up in a week. If this one lasts longer, I'll probably go to see a doctor. By then, the mag will be in solid hands at the printer.
On nights and weekends during deadline, I've been taking shifts watching Eloise so Wendy can concentrate on the GR56 layout. One of the times, I walked her to the Giant Robot shop on Sunset. I think Eloise dug all the colors, and Katie was excited to see other GR folk.
Unlike GRSF, GRNY, or Sawtell--which have crews--whoever's at GRSL is solo. It's practically GR Siberia! Underrated and often forgotten, but I still dig it. Sometimes you can find stuff there that the other shops don't have any more, too. Unfortunately, no cat butt pencils sharpeners this time.
The demolition part of the renovation is finished and steps are being taken to being pouring a foundation. As the old structure was being stripped, it was discovered that master bedroom was built above a wood porch, which was rotting. As a result, it was strongly suggested that we expand our slab (which was going to cover the new kitchen, family room, and master bathroom) to cover it.
The additional work will add to the ever-rising bill, but that's how it goes when renovating old houses. Actually, the original structures are typically well built. It's the additions that are often sketchy--and our home was no exception. The frame above shows where the family room and kitchen will go.
And the work goes on... At least with the demolition complete, there shouldn't be any more surprises. This is view is from Eloise's room looking through the main bathroom into the master bedroom and beyond.
The other day, Mr. and Mrs. Monkmus dropped by the GR office the pick up the latest issue. (Yes, the one that features a Q&A with the amazing filmmaker.) It's deadline time so I couldn't really hang out as much as I would have liked, but I promised that we'd get some food after GR56 goes to press since we're practically neighbors now.
KXLU's annual fund raiser is going on right now. From my college days of going to Jabberjaw, Raji's, and Al's Bar to today's shows at The Echo and The Smell, LMU's radio station has always been a real cornerstone in L.A.'s punk and indie music scene. Without stations like KXLU--and none are really that close--I'd probably be reviewing much crappier music. I just pledged some dough (tax deductible) and so should you.
It doesn't hurt that the Part-Time Punks show is an excellent listen and guest huckster Kevin Bronson just said on the air that GR is a great magazine...
Haven't seen Fully Flared yet? No, you weren't out of the loop and lame for missing the best skate movie of the year. You were just waiting for the deluxe bonus edition with extra footage, deluxe book, and fancy box, right? The trailer is up NOW on the Lakai site.
