I switched from the old Blogger (née Blogspot) profile to this new, fancy Google+ profile. Next, I need to update the look of Action City. The header image is from the Tennessee state fair, which was easily the worst state fair (or fair of any kind) that I've attended. Maybe all of the energy is spent on music festivals or Vols games, but it was just as sad as that dry-docked bumper boat ride would indicate.
I think I might keep that image, though, because it's a pretty good metaphor. The boats are colorful and inflated, but their environment has grounded them, despite their best efforts.
The previous premise of the blog was more diary-like. I'd ruminate on stuff that seemed important to me at the time. Sometimes I'd edit, sometimes I'd let it ride. The current idea is to expose you, the reader, to things that I enjoy. Mostly, that'll be music. Probably some beer, too.
To your health!
November 25, 2013
November 21, 2013
Chris Elliott: A Television Miracle
I don't remember this, but it's all kinds of genius.
I think this is the way with Chris Elliott - he did so much great stuff in small doses, usually as part of a bigger thing. His own show didn't last very long, but I remember lots of it. I'm not sure if it was too far outside of the well-drawn lines of what sells, or if it was just ahead of its time, but it was (mostly) great.
Also, how many sitcom scenes become popular musical groups?
I think this is the way with Chris Elliott - he did so much great stuff in small doses, usually as part of a bigger thing. His own show didn't last very long, but I remember lots of it. I'm not sure if it was too far outside of the well-drawn lines of what sells, or if it was just ahead of its time, but it was (mostly) great.
Also, how many sitcom scenes become popular musical groups?
November 19, 2013
Cornelius - I Hate Hate
I had this song on some compilation record from the mid to late 90s (Grand Royal?) and it stood out then, but it could exist in just about any era. Short, sweet, and to the point - it's Cornelius.
My first exposure to Japanese punk was Shonen Knife. I still have the record - Sub Pop 100. Crazy bit of vinyl there.
My first exposure to Japanese punk was Shonen Knife. I still have the record - Sub Pop 100. Crazy bit of vinyl there.
November 18, 2013
Because Dad Says No
One of the most powerful tools I, the parent of a toddler, have at my disposal is bribery. Really, it's one of many diversionary tactics, but I find it more powerful than redirection or threats. It comes into play most frequently when we're out shopping, and recently, it helped to calm a small storm of emotion at a local farm supply store.
Eli was able to pick a small toy animal in exchange for his cooperation, and so he chose a small tortoise. He referred to it as the baby turtle and waged quite a reasonable argument to also buy the larger tortoise (the mama turtle) so that the baby wouldn't be lonely at home. I held my ground.
Weeks later, at the same store, he asked me if we could get the mama turtle, and so I offered him the terms by which I would agree, and he followed them to the letter. On our way out, we picked up the bigger tortoise. I asked him, "What if we got the dad turtle instead of the mama turtle for the baby? He wouldn't be lonely then." His response: "Nah. The dad says 'no' all the time." He's still a little too young to catch the irony there.
On further reflection, I realize that in lots of popular culture (especially Disney), the dad seems to serve a solitary purpose: to say 'no'.
Sure, the focus is usually on the independent spirit of the child, but there needs to be a foil to that spirit, and that is the responsibility of the dad. The mom nurtures, the dad says 'no'.
It's not some kind of power trip thing, though. Maybe it will be when he's 16 and knows everything, but for now he's only 3 and simply has an underdeveloped superego. It's not a fun job, either, to constantly be the villain; to force bath time, bed time, wearing pants in public, etc. It's not bad right now as expectations are pretty low for toddlers in general, but at some point, he'll have to be accountable.
He seems to be bridging logic gaps by the minute, and he speaks in a sophisticated enough manner that I have to remind myself that he's 3 on occasion. For now, I'll just keep denying his requests to fall into peril, write on the walls, or spit without prejudice. It's my job.
Eli was able to pick a small toy animal in exchange for his cooperation, and so he chose a small tortoise. He referred to it as the baby turtle and waged quite a reasonable argument to also buy the larger tortoise (the mama turtle) so that the baby wouldn't be lonely at home. I held my ground.
Weeks later, at the same store, he asked me if we could get the mama turtle, and so I offered him the terms by which I would agree, and he followed them to the letter. On our way out, we picked up the bigger tortoise. I asked him, "What if we got the dad turtle instead of the mama turtle for the baby? He wouldn't be lonely then." His response: "Nah. The dad says 'no' all the time." He's still a little too young to catch the irony there.
On further reflection, I realize that in lots of popular culture (especially Disney), the dad seems to serve a solitary purpose: to say 'no'.
Sure, the focus is usually on the independent spirit of the child, but there needs to be a foil to that spirit, and that is the responsibility of the dad. The mom nurtures, the dad says 'no'.
It's not some kind of power trip thing, though. Maybe it will be when he's 16 and knows everything, but for now he's only 3 and simply has an underdeveloped superego. It's not a fun job, either, to constantly be the villain; to force bath time, bed time, wearing pants in public, etc. It's not bad right now as expectations are pretty low for toddlers in general, but at some point, he'll have to be accountable.
He seems to be bridging logic gaps by the minute, and he speaks in a sophisticated enough manner that I have to remind myself that he's 3 on occasion. For now, I'll just keep denying his requests to fall into peril, write on the walls, or spit without prejudice. It's my job.
November 17, 2013
Tricot - 99.974℃
I'm digging this band from Kyoto. The drummer has that rhythmic psycho thing a la Greg Saunier (Deerhoof) but it's more under control. They'd sound a bit like Hella if not for the lyrical vocals countering the chaos. I'm catching a dash of Souls (Swedish band nobody remembers) as well, but regardless of the input, the output stands on its own.
The trouble with this type of music is that it can very quickly all start to sound the same. The language divide makes it just a tad more difficult to grab onto something, but so far they haven't lost me. That energy is luminous.
The trouble with this type of music is that it can very quickly all start to sound the same. The language divide makes it just a tad more difficult to grab onto something, but so far they haven't lost me. That energy is luminous.
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