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Grammys are for Schmucks

My favorite five albums from 2005:

5. Tournament of Hearts - The Constantines
Their last album (Shine a Light) was phenomenal, so I wasn't too surprised that this one didn't live up to that mark. In general, it's more stripped down but remains effective. Still, the more I listen to it, the more I like it.
Give a Listen: Soon Enough

4. Silent Alarm - Bloc Party
I think this one came out last year? Yeah, real early I think- back when I lived behind the indoor go-cart warehouse. Anyways, it's a spectacularly solid rock album from some Brit lads. Tons of energy and bravado and enough cockney sway to gargle with.
Give a Listen: Like Eating Glass

3. Bang Bang Rock & Roll - Art Brut
This album should be blasting at every party across the world. An upstart near-spoken-word punk band from the depths of London that doesn't mess around with any frills or foofarah and doesn't take themselves too seriously. They're just playing...for the kids.
Give a Listen: Formed a Band

2. The Mysterious Production of Eggs - Andrew Bird
Get your songs out of my head, Bird-man! These addictive little dittys are actually thoroughly enjoyable and the guy's a hell of a whistler. Great for kicking your feet up in your rocking chair on the porch while you wait for the snacks. Yes, there will be snacks.
Give a Listen: MX Missles

1. Come On Feel the Illinoise - Sufjan Stevens
Don't let the long-winded song titles scare you away- Sufjan will do you right. This album is a wonerful journey of complexities and subtleties crafted by the best bard in the business right now. I can only hope he continues to make such incredible music...
Give a Listen: Chicago

posted by Jason | 6:41 PM
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Creative Cramping

I got the double-edged sword comment from my Design Layout professor today as I was leaving class: "I'm expecting really great things from you on this next project." Good to know she likes my work so far, but it only adds another scoop of pressure pudding to my already overflowing pile. The project seems like it will be fun and creative (designing a brochure for the Pacific Science Center using icons from our last project), but I don't know how much I'll be able to do with it with only a couple weeks. Thankfully we don't have to write the copy for it. Sometime this week I'm gonna try and get into the Center for free with the "I'm a Graphic Design student working on a project...ignore the ski mask" trick. I'll let you know if I succeed in duping these 'scientists'.

posted by Jason | 6:30 PM
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St. Nick on Vacation



Or possibly it's just Rabindranath Tagore back from the grave...

posted by Jason | 6:33 PM
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A Spoonful of Shame

Nanny McPhee looks like a horrible gaudy rip-off of Mary Poppins filmed in a terrible resolution. Also, Mary Poppins was hot.

posted by Jason | 1:32 AM
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Sorry, No Envelope

My favorite three films from 2005:

3. Capote - I feared this was gonna be another hyped biopic, but was pleasantly suprised by the introspection and emotion shown in the story/character. Most of the credit should go to Phillip Seymour Hoffman for his (as usual) amazing performance.

2. The New World - I was waiting for this one all year long and actually didn't see it until yesterday, but it was released in December... I haven't felt so lost in a film in a long time. Not confused, but completely enveloped in an atmosphere and age of history for a couple hours. Malick's direction is so breathtakingly beautiful that dialogue is hardly needed for the majority of the film.

1. Munich - Capote suprised me, but this one knocked me over. The film is both exciting and harsh and raises some interesting questions about the violence over Israel. When Spielberg is on his game, he puts the majority of all other modern directors to shame.

See them all, stat!

posted by Jason | 11:35 PM
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Push the Button



Being that my caffeine intake has taken an increase since I moved out here, I thought it about time that I find myself a grinder. I'm not sure exactly what makes a grinder a good grinder, but a friend told me that Starbucks had their's on sale. So, I threw on my jacket and walked over to Lower Queen Anne and saw this one on sale for $20. However, it had some scratches on it, so I decided to check a few other Starbucks to see if there were any more immaculate copies. I should mention, too, that Starbucks aren't nearly as numerous as some might have imagined (myself included). Also, it was a nice day, so I didn't mind walking for a bit. Well, none of the other stores had the grinder on sale. So, about four Starbucks and two miles later my brilliant mind deduces that the shelf copy is merely a display and not the one you get if purchased. I walk back over to the first store and the cashier..oh excuse me- barista tells me it shouldn't be on sale anymore. So I gave him a black eye and he gave it to me for the sale price (actually half the sale price since I had a gift card from Jeff & Andrea (my bro/sis-in-law) from Christmas.) They have another grinder that costs $125, but I can't fathom why someone would spend that much on one. Does it come with a little canary that things Starbucks theme song when you turn it on? Hey, why doesn't Starbucks have a theme song?
Speaking of Jeff & Andrea, I think it's safe for me to say now that come August or so, I will be an uncle! Maybe even the wacky uncle who lives in Seattle...

posted by Jason | 12:21 PM
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Revenge of the Wildcats

K-State 59 - KU 55

Yahoooooooooooooooooo! First time in 11 years, baby! (Of course it happens to be right after I move, but who cares...Man, I wish I could've been in the Ville tonight)
K-S-U Wildcats!

posted by Jason | 1:48 AM
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The Sweet Sound of Success(ful Ears)

Yeah, ears! You thought you had the upper hand but you're no match for a giant syringe of water and hydrogen peroxide! Now that I can hear and it's actually not raining today, I'm gonna get outside for a bit.

posted by Jason | 12:33 PM
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Forgotten Five

1. Take a book you've read. now take the main character. put them in a band. what would the band's name be?
Let's go with Yossarian from Catch-22 and his band Ouroboros

2. What instrument would that character play?
Yossarian would be the Tambourine player.

3. Who else would be in that band?
Aardvark on drums, Major Major Major Major on bass, Orr on rythym guitar, McWatt on lead guitar, Milo Minderbinder on vocals, and Colonel Cathcart as their Manager.

4. Would they stay underground or get popular?
They'd start out underground, but Minderbinder would start controlling everything and they'd become a bland popular group. Orr would leave shortly thereafter. Yossarian would like to quit, but he has to do a few more tours before he could. Eventually, he would find a way out and join up with Orr in Sweden to form a new band - paciFIST!

5. Why did you choose that book?
It's one of my favorites.

posted by Jason | 10:42 PM
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Back Tracking

And so ends my unconsciously self-imposed blog silence. I had a fun few weeks back in Kansas City but I'm back in the Emerald City now. I mostly enjoyed seeing all my friends and family and just being able to turn my mind off for a while and not have to think about much. That being said, I was also eager to get back here to start workin' on some of my personal projects as well as my new classes. The wierd thing is I'm not really sure when I'll be back in KC again. I'm living on borrowed money as is and until I start pulling in some extra income, any travel plans are grounded. Hopefully I'll be able to scrap some together to see Pirotte get married in Chi-town this summer. The holidays were nice if somewhat uneventful. But, like I said, the enjoyment I got from being able to kick back with any and all my friends was immeasureable. My second quarter started this afternoon, but I'll reserve my comments till the end of the week. Meanwhile, my left ear decided to quit working a few days ago, so I get to spend more fake money at the doctor's tomorrow to see why it's being such a little bugger. You will obey me ear canal!

posted by Jason | 10:07 PM
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