Because I’m a total sucker for things Dinosaur and Steampunk, I pretty much completely caved and bought this Clockwork Dinosaurs t-shirt which combines the best of both. Available on Shirt.woot.com today for $10 (free shipping; $15, free shipping after today). Yes, I realize I don’t need any more t-shirts — but they’re giant mechanical steam-powered dinosaurs - how could I possibly resist? Kudos goes to Drakxxx, the designer who won this particular Shirt.Woot Derby. Nice work man. Keep it up.

And I have to say, I’m excited about this one. Actually ordered it on vinyl last week and I can’t wait to throw it on the record player. Hopefully, “The Hazards of Love” will live up to expectations and previous albums.

Every once and awhile an album will come out that I’m so looking forward to that I’ll actually make my way to a store, or order it online, in its physical format… its funny how the move from physical medium to digital has been so fast and sweeping. It make yearn nostalgiacly for those days in the 90’s when I would save up some cash from my minimum wage job, head out to store to pick some CDs up, and cloister myself in my bedroom… slowly opening each album in turn, putting the cd in to play it all the way through, and examining the album booklet in detail while listening.

I think, in addition to the argument about sound quality, we are seeing such a strong niche movement in the revival of lps and turntables… people miss that physical experience of handling and unwrapping the album, placing it in the player, sitting back in one place, and experiencing the musicfor itself, rather than just as a soundtrack to our own lives. And perhaps that is also why the division between top 40/mainstream music and indie ie becoming more noticeable…. almost as if there’s an invisible line being drawn between people who want to appreciate music as an art form, and those who want to experience it as a disposable commodity to provide a backdrop score to their exercise routine or their daily commute.

Anyway, apologies for the rambling. If you want to pick up the Decemberists’ “The Hazards of Love” on 180 gram vinyl, head on over to their online store to order. In the meantime, if you want to listen to the album for free, check out the download/stream of their live performance of the entire album at SXSW on NPR.com.

I don’t know about you all, but watching President Obama get sworn in and Bush flying away led me to one cathartic conclusion: a great sigh of relieve. Think of it: it doesn’t matter what happens going forward, because we have at last arrived at this place. I think that’s what drives me so crazy about people already syaing things like, “well, its just a matter of time before Obama screws up” or “he’s going to have a hard time living up to the expectation he’s created”; chill the eff out and enjoy the moment folks. We’ve ended eight years of the worst administration in the history of this country, and begun a new administration that has excited and inspired people like almost no other before it. Enjoy the moment. Breathe it in. Allow yourselves to be contented and lifted by the fact that we have at last begun a new chapter, and it is as of yet unwritten.

A shameless mash-up of at least two other idioms that I just came across and rather like:

“This shit is pajamas.”

I encourage you all to slip it into your daily communication  in the year ahead.

OK, so this is probably really old, but I came across it quite randomly today. As a fan of Dave Eggers, nonprofits, and educating the youth (not to mention Pirate wares), I feel compelled to share. Its only 18 minutes long, so pour yourself a cup of coffee, kick back and prepare to be inspired.

This, my friends, is why I quit reading mainstream comics years ago. I get a regular e-newsletter from Marvel Comics that I almost never read (I’m just not motivated enough to unsubscribe). Today, on a whim, I opened the latest issue of said newsletter, and through a series of clicks, I landed on their official Incredible Hulk biography/encyclopedia entry. Read this and tell me if it makes any sense to you. The plots and retcons are sooo convoluted and spread out over multiple series that even the author of the OFFICIAL bio gave up on trying to write it in a way that resembles a coherent concept. And if that guy can’t explain it in a way that doesn’t sound batshit insane, what are the rest of us supposed to do with it? How could anyone possibly defend superhero comics as a medium when retcons get retconned, and to no benefit of the history or the story of that character other than to suit the whims of the current writer.

And before somene starts in on me, yes, perhaps I’m expecting a bit much of superhero comics, but people get paid to write these things! These are professional writers! I wish they’d all take a cue from Joss Whedon’s run on Astonishing X-Men…. of course, I’m sure the events of that storyline will be revealed to have taken place in a child’s feverish dream in three years… a child who will kill the X-Men!! Duhn Duhn Duhhhhhn.

We’re going to see Flight of the Conchords in concert tonight in DC, and I’m psyched. And yes, I just said “psyched.” Deal bitches.

Here’s a little something to a) clue you into FotC, or B) to get you in the mood.

MotherJones.com has a pretty good interview with my favorite comic, Lewis Black, on their website. Worth checking out.

I actually got to see Lewis Black in Connecticut a year or two ago, and if you ever have the chance, I highly recommend it. I think he’s about to start another tour soon. One of the rare comedians who can actually make me laugh til I cry, while also stimulating my intelligence.

10 recently watched films (in no particular order):

1. I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (DVD)
2. Persepolis (Theater)
3. Sunshine (DVD)
4. Vantage Point (Theater)
5. Transamerica (DVD)
6. Saved! (DVD)
7. Stay (DVD)
8. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (DVD)
9. Once (DVD)
10. Walk the Line (DVD)

Of those, 5 I would recommend to acquaintances:

1. Persepolis
2. Transamerica
3. Saved!
4. Perfume
5. Once

5 Band Names I Would Use if I Were an Indie Rocker:

1. Yoda’s Lawyers
2. The Triceratops Connection
3. No Drummer No Cry
4. Roving Band of Badgers
5. In Case of Fire Escape

The electric company finally rolled in at 1 am last night and repaired the damage they had done on Monday. In honor of me finally being able to go to sleep, here’s this little gem.