Some Things I Excel In. Some Not So Much.

Off to San Francisco today. I expect a lot of sitting in pleasant pastures. 

Real English?
I'm hoping to get all over the city and find some pretty views after enjoying some pleasant walks...
That's the best I can do.

I have to check my bag in. Hair care product alone, I'm not able to keep to the the (2) Bottle of Liquids minimum. Are you fucking kidding me?

Kathy w/ a K

Kathy and Josh came and visited in December. Now I'm going to San Francisco to visit Kathy and Josh.

She left me her 2007 Best Of, "Toof." "Toof" references her missing front tooth that happened last year. She's getting it fixed.

I met Kathy at KUSF in the very early '90s. "Nevermind" had just come out. A few years before, Kathy's ex was the original label to first put out "Bleach." "Alternative" things we're very big. Kathy knew so much about music and I was amazed. I was dried up on VU, grunge and dub and really needed some serious musical guidance. So she and they began to show me everything. AMM, Uncle Tupelo, Caroliner Rainbow, The Monks, even Nick Drake... I was barely 21. I began private repeated listenings of "The Battle of El Goodo." Commonplace today, but these were all first told to me when nothing else like them were ever discussed before. I needed to hear them. Exactly those and just right then. Somehow I knew they existed. Etched into my mind, I can still see Eric as Music Director in the Music Meetings holding up, "The Mummies." I thought, "These are really important bands Laura. Pay attention." Shit I did. And then Eric would laugh about just what the fuck these bands were doing. We all loved it. Sometimes Eric and I would play music together. Mostly Neil Young. When Eric wore his Jandek shirt to the SF Jandek show, people asked who that was on his shirt.

So "Toof." Just the name alone makes me laugh for Kathy. She's tough as nails, breaks just like a little girl, loved Lennon. She was the girl in New Orleans who wore the black arm band when he was shot.

There's a Bright Eyes song titled Kathy w/ a K. It's her. She was first to tour manage him. She worried about how fragile and nervous he was, how he always sounded like he was going to break - which made her laugh - and now he's become a big-time (ahem)... heartthrob. Anyway, Kathy w/ a K always says things like, "A classic if ever there was one," and was the first to tell me about Lester Bangs. She's Southern polite and Brooklyn smart. She's incredibly petite, dresses in Converse, grandpa sweaters and wears wingtips for dress-up. I am amazed when she considers me a "girlie" friend and we share fashion tips and advise. She's been quitting smoking for years but presently smokes American Spirit Blue - an improvement from Camel Filterless (or whatever cigarette she would tear the filter off of). She loves bunnies and Winnie the Pooh. She'll give you socks for presents because she loves socks so much. My cashmere argyle are still a favorite. The recent pink and black striped thigh-highs are somewhat befuddling but I'm way down for them. Kathy would always pull some kind of sexy girl thing out - in Converse high-tops. But she always got her man: The smart music geek that had social disorders. That's what you get when you love song so much and you're as smart as shit like Kathy is. So Josh is her gem. He actually talks to her friends. Like me. He's even picking me up at the airport. We've reviewed going keyboard shopping during the week and he'll probably comment on how I need more RAM - my computer is coming with me. He's right.

Now she works for the Tenants Rights Union of San Francisco. For her, a dream job. This is after working for Homestead Records, booking folkprogrock festivals, bringing Ghost to America, Bevis Frond, Windy & Carl, Glenn Jones - and I'm totally blanking on everyone else. These are the Go-Tos. Obviously.

So to get her 2007 Best Of? I get excited for her lists. I still have the Best Of 2006 eMail saved in my Yahoo account.

Her notes open (centered as shown and in an Excel document):

"of course I wrote this brilliant thing about the How of listening changing the What, listening on the ipod, listening on the commute, not listening as often to complex long beautiful comtemplative [sic] stuff like richard bishop or william parker, not this time, not this year, not that I didn't, but rather I didn't all the time, what dominated was the commute ipod song not the challenging but rewarding, not the albums... then I accidentally deleted it. sorry."

I love that, "not the challenging but rewarding". Good shit Kathy.

I miss her complex comtemplative educational bits on this one. But still I'm listening to her show and I'm reading her notes. She's on the air to me. It rocks like the only person to talk about Lime Spiders to me would. She loves songs with energy and excitement. Passionate sincerity that seems melodramatic but it's just the point and I liken it to the true loyalty she gives to her friends. Like the pop-punk-not-trash-futility of Ted Leo & the Pharmacists. Think about just their name alone. Pharmacists. That's not for kids.

I don't doubt any of us who get a copy of "Toof" aren't thrilled to have it. It's the Kathy w/ a K show.

I'll close with her LCD Soundsystem comment (I tell you, I was surprised to see they made it, but LCD is way good music, she knows a good song and after reading her notes, I at least knew it was Kathy): "one of those singles-things: the album was way too... modern(?) for me". The song she listed? "All My Friends." Aside from the sentimental connotation this song has when reminiscing about an old friend, the lyrics had already reminded me so much of Kathy. The beginning... the part all about astrological charts and sex? That part is so Kathy w/ a K.

Good stuff.

Ditching On Campus. A Pop-Up Post.

I’m at work practicing my backstroke.

Apparently I like the color green. Walking in to work today I noticed I’m all dressed up in it with my big green bag, my puffy green jacket and my green “cashmere” sweater blouse – very girlie. Goes great with the black cords and checkered Vans.

My work is sick. We’re small to begin with but the majority of people here, aren’t here. Last count was 11 out. We’re maybe 30 deep. Maybe. Most endearing was the staff eMail sent by our Station GM. A chicly, swift woman, originally from Brooklyn. This is pretty much her station. She started it all in ’78 in the former woodshop of the Jr. High down the street. Her co-creator was once jailed for not releasing his Patty Hearst interviews to the FBI. First Amendment rights released him. They were KPFK back then (Pacifica radio). In ’84 we moved into the basement of the Student Union we now reside in. She is a personality Los Angeles loves to hate. I find her invigorating and love working with her during our drives. We rock it. Example: Her last 4-1/2 hour shift of pitching =’d $127,000. It takes a lot to get that right and it’s then that I’m like a cat ready to pounce. I become incredibly Stoic but my secret is… I am blissed out. Everything’s intense and focused. Eye of the MotherFucking Tiger. And I like being a cat.

Side note to mention: We raised 2.15 million dollars in 11 days. My boss said to me in all of her 14 years of being here (she is our GM's subset) she has never seen a drive run the way this was. It was obvious a new regime was in. She actually said regime. She congratulated me. This was my second drive as the director. How can I be soft about this? Because to hear that really made me happy. This place has put me through a lot. Example right now: Rolling Stone remixes. Please. Don’t make me say it again. Sigh…

So our GM’s eMail? Goes on and on about the flu shot she arranged and “asked” us to all take (she held my hand while I got mine) and that it was resilient for only one strain. So don’t blame her for half of work being out. Ego? On this one? Totally. How else is L.A. going to hate her? Apparently we are under siege of a different virus and everyone should duck. That’s me paraphrasing. Her endearing eMail? She consistently spelled “flu” as "flue". This is the woman Los Angeles loves to hate. L.A. is fucking stupid. They should love this woman without shame. She is crazy like a fox and has hired me to run the subscription drives. You have no idea… They’re missing out. Anyways, I decided she was referring to soot and how it’s akin to what the Industrial Revolution did to our world.

Then I started thinking about Globalization.

I’ve been having a religious experience with Wire’s “154”.
New Malkmus track at the station. New Monade too.

S.F. is next week. I’m so excited. I’m going to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. Lived there for a good 7 seven years and I never did that. 

Well, maybe just halfway.

California Winters

Saturday, February 9. Los Angeles, CA. 70° F.

So warm. The idea of the gym seemed like a waste. Calling Sevie seemed like a good idea.
Sevie is a Sherpa. Of sorts.

We drove up to Topanga Canyon, just 30 minutes up the coast. There were frogs. I climbed a very steep rock. 

Don't eat me.

Sounds.

I worked my way backwards with Dimlite. Middle and back rather. My first full length came after enjoying a fresh mind expansion from Rush Hour’s Beat Dimensions release. A title that came out mid last year. This collection showcased the top creative producers and beatheads. I don’t like to call these guys producers. Sound innovators? Sure are. Creatives is better. Geniuses is gushing.

A few really stood out. Less maybe. Dimlite did.

Starting as I did from his second release, This Is Embracing is so well constructed, smooth and incredibly complex. Knobs turning, pads beat with abstract precision. Each track layers sounds, clips, warps and tones that amuse, befuddle and warm with technique. I fell instantly in love with his music. Now just getting to his first release, Runbox Weathers, it’s very similar but so much rawer. You can hear his genesis and it’s very pleasing. “Oh? That’s your Point A.” It’s a pleasant, totally unexpected surprise. The sounds are simpler and the execution is too. It is therefore a dirtier release, while still magnificent. The ear and mind of Dimlite directs brilliant digits. 

So today we meet Misel Quitno. A non de plume for Dimlite’s nom de plume. The evolution continues. It’s just like in your dream.  The prettiest one. Invoking Raymond Scott in a neo soul super space, a delicate unreleased '80s French soundtrack, slightly fusion, psych folk acoustics, musique concrete, songful science fiction... Misel Quitno is regality expressed as an artist. Classically glorious in ingenuity.

At special times, you notice something familiar, soon realizing it was Dimlite you were thinking of. But the reunion of what you're hearing now, shows the bloke's moved into a different neighborhood. Same family, just years later with new shoes and new fall semester clothes.

I want to marry him and have French babies with him. Neither he nor I are French.

Like Two Bitter Strangers. A Correction.

Terror Twilight is a great album.

Capistrano Swallow, Answer to Your Inner Voice

I've started taking meditation classes.

Like real meditation.

Turns out the teacher is a disciple of Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda. A couple years ago I got halfway through his book, Autobiography of a Yogi. I didn't realize this was the study I was signing up for. This pleases me though. It's the practice my dad studied when I was a kid. I didn't realize that either. I have always said the dad I knew then is different from the dad I know now. Both are good dads to know but the the former had a really mellow vibe. It was great to have it around when I was little. One thing he would say about the teachings that's always stuck with me is that they believe we don't have a body. I think I'm smart but I couldn't get that. Fortunately, our teacher reviewed this philosophy in our first class. It makes sense now. I get it.

I'm hoping this helps with my hopelessness. That doesn't make any sense. Just give me the truth. I signed up when for the first time in my life I realized I couldn't figure something out. The pain seemed excruciating. But I finally knew I just needed to sit.

Chips and Dips.

Love the new Hot Chip. Didn't expect anything less. Every time I see those geekfunkfuckers I dance for hours and declare at their exit, "YOU'RE NOT DONE YET!" I am not alone.

One of the frontmen is around my height. He's little. He's the higher tone. He's the funkiest of the bunch.

I had to mention a point about why Hot Chip is good and why Vampire Weekend is annoying. My immediacy... sorry that my post is elementary.

Considering Hot Chip's, "One Pure Thought." The song is Zulu. Afreakan. These guys clearly have roots in music. Not fad. Even starts off with guitars rather than groove. But the music isn't simple. You're drawn in by the changes and the fun hooks. Traditional Hot Chip. I feel like I'm talking about Barbie or something. It's got a groove. And I can really get down to it. But seriously - I think it's in a harmony within the song. They do a little chanting riff comprised of "I won't be on my way, I won't be on my way," and then lay octaves above with a melody that trails down. It's so pretty and it's a smart blend. Intriguing.

And jokes. There's a thing about sense of humor that really connects me to things. Seems strange to put it into music though. Right? Music is just our emotional tone. Literally. But! If you can put some wit and a wink into a song and still pull it off, it represents genius. You're not telling a poo joke just for a laugh. It's poo with point.

That's Hot Chip. They're music is regular dance. But IDM as it is intelligent. But their brand of IDM features no krinking juxtapositions to MAKE you feel IDM'd. That's the wink. It's just dance funky but the cliche is so dead-on that their excellence in technique makes it go to "the next level." Voila, C'est IDM. Whatever.

Give the same to Vampire Weekend, and it's a bunch of snotty kids who enjoy their dad's African section in his Hi-Fi collection. Their youth is their novelty not their craft. Nothing changes in the music. It's note for note practically.

Yes. I am playing on my own simile. It is trite? No. It is complete.

Their publicity kit states, "Will make you 40% happier." Or something like that. Definitely the 40%. My work's music librarian was saying, "Yeah. And that's it."

Exactly.

"I'm only going to Heaven if it feels like Hell. I'm only going to Heaven if it tastes like caramel."

I love Hot Chip.



While we're here, take a moment for this, Planning To Rock.

Conflict Of Interests.

Woke up with this thought on my mind...

Why is it that the truth scares us, but to lie makes us feel safe?
Until we learn the truth.

Interesting what we do to protect ourselves.

Put It To Me Rose Marie.

"I'm Not There." The soundtrack is an indie rock festival at Chapel Hill. "I'm Not There." The soundtrack is the music department at my radio station. "I'm Not There." The soundtrack is available as part of the Eclectic Pack from our Music Director.

Packs at work are created during our subscription drives so people can get on and off the phone with us quickly, knowing they're selecting a "sealed with approval by KCRW" premium for their support. This, along with the other benefits of membership and support to us is enough for many members. But the packs specifically... We move calls, they get stuff. It's a win-win. What does this mean to you? It means that many times in a day as advertisement of our Eclectic pack I'll hear Richie Havens jam out, "Tombstone Blues," or Jim James (backed by Calexico) ominously howl, "Goin' To Acapulco." However, I'm surprised by just how much my timbers shiver to this latter track. On principle, I am not a fan of Jim's band. To know me is to know this is not a statement of elitism. Just taste. Of fact. They are the American Coldplay. They are unimaginative and predictable, charming by a dull halcyon effect. Not fair to the human psyche. Pandering. But this song is getting me. I vividly remember how solemn and bizarre a scene it was on screen and how those images were so visceral accompanied by that song. It is Dylan imagery after all. Just how poignantly obtuse do you want it? It heavied a cool evening. Enjoyably.



For certain, the soundtrack isn't a solid hit for me. I'm glad we mostly play just those tracks. If they threw in some of the Yo La Tengo, Charlotte Gainsbourg or Malkmus AND Lee Ranaldo's (my fave Youth) version of "I Can't Leave Her Behind," (a version sung so nicely by Malkmus, using the SM canorous twang, softened with his late-in-life submission to romance, a bit of sincerity for the heroine and some reverence for the author)... If we played some of those, I would be wholeheartedly proud of my station's accomplishments. In the meantime, I really do adore my workplace. I'm grateful. We're a group of bright and energetic folk. Even the lame ducks are at least birds of a different feather. Furthermore, they allow and pay me to exert control while wearing Vans. I'm totally into it.

Here's a site with all the CDs we have available. It's a shiny but very new creation of ours - listing CDs on our site - so forgive if it navigates like a 15 year old girl driving stick. It's Beta and made in something like 10 days.

So back to Dylan.

Along with the accompanying new friendship of the gifter (once an unnecessary nemesis), another late happening I've enjoyed as a work perk has been a brand new copy of, "The Johnny Cash Show: 1969 - 1971." It is outstanding.

The broadcast studios were obviously located in the Lord's backyard, while his big Dad-In-the Sky BBQ'd franks, dogs and poured pop for the guests. I don't use that lightly and I mean it specifically. Music has an ineffable backstory that shakes and tickles from invisible staves and Johnny Cash collected this phenomena in his show. Yeah - he was party planning with the Lord.

Narrated by Kris Kristofferson and opening with a young yet arriving Dylan, no' doubt - this DVD and performance is tops. I feel so bright eyed by things like this, I wish there were a way we could kiss time. I guess that's why we make stuff.

I've enjoyed learning that Dylan's brilliance was somewhat calculated by him. Meaning - Dylan pretty much knew what was available to him and that in the beginning, the trail was probably so brightly lit that Dylan smirked with the excitement, exposing his own inside glow about the deal. It can be seen in this performance.

To make us present now, I'm going to SF in a couple weeks to hang with my original music posse. Goin' to have some fun. We'll be seeing Six Organs of Admittance. And I'm reading The Picture of Dorian Gray. I've never loved a gay man more than I love this writer. He is so horrible. Quel philosophe. In the next two weeks I'll also be enjoying the last two shows of this season’s Arthur Magazine Sunday Festivals, but still, I’ll be surprisingly envious of my SF friends. They're going to Terrastock 7 in freakin' Louisville over my birthday weekend - which is also the first day of Summer. It'd be kinda cool to see all that music on the Summer Solstice, ya' know? But considering Kathy has booked previous Terrastocks as well as tour managed a lot of these bands, she deserves this trip. Me? I'm just not financially set up for it yet. However, I too deserve the show and I'd let you take me for the ride.

HOLYSHITIVENEVERDONETHATBEFORE

All of 'em...


And I can already see my next word, NAESOREF.

One Wafer Thin Mint.

Brownies, muffins, lasagna, salad (whatever), chicken mole enchiladas, coffee, Mani's, olive bread walnut rolls, sourdough, egg bagels, ice cream, saag paneer, tzazaki, mousaka...

These are my days. Day two. So many carbs and coffee. When did my fantasy become my horror?

Are 11 days of binge eating really so bad? Generally, I eat salads everyday and I was once obsessed to popularity with broccoli. We are all so healthy.



Today I told someone, "Take it down. Now." And I was talking about his attitude. I couldn't believe I said it. I must remember to focus. But it was true. He wouldn't get over the idea that a volunteer, "might need to take their medication." He wasn't insulting her. This was his concern. I told him I thought she was a creative. Episode Abstract: "I saw a crazy woman. She rushed by us and sat down in her green jacket. Then... She was gone. I went by your desk... and now there's a green jacket at your chair! I saw a crazy woman put a green jacket on your chair!"
He sure did. It was me. I own a green jacket. "Take it down. Now."

Furthermore, it's the dead of winter and my beach is packed. Mr. Cho thinks I should get my hose out and start spraying from the second floor.

My one concern tonight? How to get the cat food to last through till tomorrow.
And we're going to run out. Rufus is going to kill me.
And I have got to wash the dishes.