Very Good Height

Podcast Episode 2

2007-03-03T16:51:00.000-05:00

As part of my ongoing effort to keep things relatively fresh around here, here is another podcast which can be found here. It's a 40 minute mix of Hip Hop tracks I'm been digging on lately.

p.s. I saw TV on the Radio last night at Avalon, and it was sort of a letdown. I've only seen them once before, and was hoping that the second go round would be better. I didn't realize how LOUD they are. The vocals were far too often drowned out by screeches and high pitched wails. I have no problem with loud, but was expecting them to be able to recreate some of their earlier songs with the gentle touch found on their first two albums.

Adventures in Podcasting!

2007-02-15T07:40:00.000-05:00

I had a snowday yesterday and threw together my very first podcast. It clocks in at 40 minutes and was my soundtrack to the ice storm that raged outside throughout the day. I'm still a newbie when it comes to this podcasting thing, so for now, you'll have to visit my .mac page to hear it.

So check it out. I hope you like it. I thought it was a pretty decent mix.

It contains: Peter Bjorn and John, Explosions in the Sky, Ween, Marissa Nadler, Howlin' Rain, Damien Jurado, and a few others...

Very Good Height Podcast Episode 1
Hope you like.

RIP

2007-02-01T19:17:00.000-05:00

I loved Molly Ivins. I was deeply saddened to hear of her death. She was such a welcome voice, and my favorite thorn in the GWB's side. Although I never knew her personally, I feel like I did. Maybe because she reminds me of a much more articulate version of my grandmother, and my gradmother is one helluva firecracker. Let me tell ya.

RIP Molly. I, for one, will miss you dearly.
Here is the last piece of hers that I read. She was so wonderful.

We need more soliders like her. I realize that referring to a 65 year old woman as a solider is a stretch, but she has been sticking her neck out for longer than most of those that may reading this have been alive.

Molly always got me excited to try to add my voice to the opposition. So does this guy.
Sage Francis - Slow Down Ghandi.mp3

Sorry again

2007-01-31T18:04:00.000-05:00

Moved again. Finally settled in my new place, with a new computer (MacBook, SICK!!!!) which i'm slowly becoming acclimated to. I'll try to update this thing 3 or 4 times a week.

I got in a car accident today so I'm not in the mood to babble. If my mood were truly dictating what I post, then you all would be subjected to something very loud and slayer-ish. Here's some Twilight Singers instead. I love the Twilight Singers. Happy thoughts. Kitties. Balloons. Makers Mark. You dig?

Feathers.mp3
Forty Dollars.mp3

Watch out for black ice. Shit'll kill ya. Or your front end.

06 hip hop

2006-12-14T16:49:00.000-05:00

I'm going to try to remember what decent hip hop was released this year. I wasn't blown away by much, but I have been digging Cadence Weapon's "Breaking Kayfabe" for a bit. He's a smart dude. Used to write for Pitchfork, and certainly has a unique flow. Most impressive to me is his production prowess. Everyone is still gushing over the Neptunes work on the Clipse joint (so overrated, my god) for no reason. Cadence's futuro-funk is hot stuff. Fishscale was sick, but that was expected. New artists like Cadence blowing you away unexpectedly is what this music thing is all about people. 30 Seconds is taken straight out the Sage Francis playbook, skewering consumer culture.
Check it.
Black Hand.mp3
30 Seconds.mp3

besties

2006-12-06T17:35:00.000-05:00

Chicago's Bound Stems put out a great album in 06 called Appreciation Night that I feel went largely unnoticed by many of the blogs and such that I (we, probably) all peruse daily. At first it seemed a little too derivative of Broken Social Scene, but ultimately grew on me. I think what impresses me most about them is their musicianship and flashy time changes they incorporate in their sound. The first half of the album is especially enticing. Definitely one of my favorites of the year...
Please Wake Up, Ma and Pa Are Gone.mp3
Andover.mp3

For those on the East Coast, they're comin' atcha. Check thier MySpace page for info.

Year end stuff...

2006-12-05T19:18:00.000-05:00

I don't have a list, or even that many albums that spring to mind right off the bat when thinking of "Best of 06". I won't bore you with a list (because I'd probably need to edit it everyday), as you could get one almost everywhere else. What I'ma do is think of one album on my way to work (released this year), play it front to back, get laughed at while standing at red lights head boppin', then post some songs from it as if it were one of my favorites of the year. So you'll just have to come back tomorrow and the day after and so forth...

OXFORD COLLAPSE! Humorous power pop with catchy hooks, but also somewhat complex instrumental interludes, this SubPop band's "Remember the Night Parties" is still as fun today as it was the first time I heard it a few months ago. Read the Pfork review for a more nuanced view, and a string of run-on sentences. Yes, I think it warrants a "Best of 06" tag. But do you?

Please Visit Your National Parks.mp3
Return of Burno.mp3

mastodon. i like!

2006-12-03T19:29:00.000-05:00

Mastodon's Euro tour with Tool will not reach as far east as Kazakhstan, but luckily for that country's inhabitants, and the rest of the world, they've decided to document some of it and offer it on YouTube. They're actually really funny guys. If you've ever wondered how an album is crafted, I suggest you peep the "Making of Blood Mountain" clips that also can be found at that link.

I hadn't been into metal for years until I stumbled upon "Leviathan",
their ode to the search for the "White Whale". Brutal, yes, but very melodic and as a concept album (Moby Dick), really cohesive. Some people who can't do "screamy" wouldn't dig, but if you can see through the guttural yells underneath lies some very heady stuff.

Blood Mountain, the latest and major label debut, picks up where they left off. The production is tight, and the dueling guitars lay down some serious grooves. Bran Dailor is also my new favorite drummer in the world. Check out him recording the drum tracks in the video clips. Wowser.

Crystal Skull.mp3
Hand of Stone.mp3

sexytime explosions

2006-12-01T16:52:00.000-05:00

The new Explosions in the Sky is due out early February, making it the first big album release I'm giddy over. Some people call it pretentious. Some call it boring and repetitive. I call it beautiful. Hopefully "All of the Sudden, I Miss Everyone" is as dope as it's album art....

Feel the thunder.
Glittering Blackness.mp3
A Song For Our Fathers.mp3
happy weekending...

tis the season

2006-11-29T18:55:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder what it would be like to have your portrait painted by one of your favorite MC's?

Neither have I. For those of you who have, here's your chance to help
out a great, hard-working group of musicians who've already endured the tragic paralysis of a band member, and now have to deal with the nightmare of having a tour van robbed.

Subtle has had a rough year or so.

From Dose One's Myspace bulletin:
"i had a dream about doing a fund raiser, the day after
where people send in a donation, return address, and a photo...
and i do a portrait of them and send it back to them,
so thanks to astropitch, we are going to make this happen...."

Subtle - The Mercury Craze

There you have it. Help them out and have a portrait of yourself to give to your mom for Christmas. We all win. Buy For Hero: For Fool here.

love 'em or hate 'em, they sure write a lot of songs about drinking.

2006-11-28T19:38:00.000-05:00

Blogosphere darlings, and fervent Springsteen admirers, the Hold Steady's new album is peppered with anthemic, bar floor smelling ditties. Whomever claimed that the Killers new album hearkens back to the days of Asbury Park should be shot, because this LP screams Boss. Just drunker.

Lead singer Craig Finn's mono-baritone delivery is gruffy, yet emotional and for some reason oddly familiar. I've had Boys and Girls of America in my weekly rotation for a month now, and I'm convinced that songs like Party Pit and Stuck Between Stations are going to be the internal soundtracks to the (fond?) memories of high school parties past.

Some might find their subject matter sophomoric and silly, (the word drunk is uttered upwards of a million times and one song is about a girl on mushrooms) but no one can deny their authenticity. I get the feeling that these guys are writing about what they know, and what they know is, well, having a fucking blast.

I'm still trying to figure out the new and "improved" hosting service I've been at odds with, so I couldn't actually post MP3 files, but check out theirMySpace page.
The Hold Steady on MySpace.

Back Soon

2006-11-28T10:35:00.000-05:00

I've recently settled my dispute with EZarchive (my hosting service, those bastards) and should be able to start posting some jams today or tomorrow. During the hiatus, I've amassed a collection of tunes so delicious, the extended absence will surely be erased from memory, and all ill-feelings harbored expunged.

I promise.

I suck.

2006-09-18T16:02:00.000-04:00

I know, it's been awhile. Actually it's been more than a month at this point I think. I apologize. I went away for a bit changed residencies a couple of weeks ago, and started work again so I've been lax on the new music. Shit done changed 'round here, but I'm back. Here are some tracks that have nothing to do with each other.

The new Yo La Tengo album is amazing. It's one of the few albums by an established "favorite" of mine that has lived up to the self-generated hype in my little head. This track is gorgeous, and it made me realize how gorgeous life can be this past weekend. You know, one of those fleeting epiphinies we're all prone to get once in awhile. A big thanks to my stupid sister for getting married on the night YLT plays in Boston.
Yo La Tengo - Black Flowers
*EDIT* This link had to be removed due to copyright issues. Lovely world we live in, indeed.

For those of you who don't know Sam Cooke (you should be ashamed), here's a goodie. Also is one of my favorite Apollo Sunshine covers (playing Wednesday night at the Paradise).
Sam Cooke - I'll Come Running Back to You

That's all i got today. I'm tired. Any requests for later in the week? Holla...

steppin' out

2006-08-14T08:39:00.000-04:00

My lovely lady friend and i are headin' west to the city of angels for a week or so, so I (probably) won't get a chance to update. Planned trip highlights include: a) seeing the Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, Zach Galifinakis, Bob Odenkirk, et. al. show, at the Troubador tomorrow night, b) Amoeba Records, c) drinks at the Dresden, d) and meeting the waiter from Chuck Klosterman's hypothetical movie script, which I anticipate, will not be hard at all.

Two L.A. songs, including my favorite Kozelek track.

Murs - L.A.
Red House Painters - Cruiser

metric...

2006-08-09T10:44:00.000-04:00

i effin' love this song. and emily haynes.

Metric - Calculation (Theme)

don't forget, tomorrow in government center (boston) tv on the radio plays fo' free at 6. you also have the option of ragin' with the hot topic set immediately afterwards while the yeah yeah yeahs play all the hits. yawn. actually, that's not fair (as my friend pointed out) because i totally sing "maps" for hours after i hear it on the radio.

Comets on Fire

2006-08-08T11:04:00.000-04:00

Today is the day, friendlies. Well, for those of you who have been clamoring over the arrival of the latest Comets LP. My favorite of the Ben Chasney projects, Comets on Fire blend an interesting mix of 70's psych-rock, sprawling guitars and full tilt spazz, which never lacks intensity or direction.

Avatar is a departure from 04's Blue Cathedral, though. It's tamer, for one thing, but also much tighter musically. Fans of Cathedral will certainly dig it, especially those that are into Sunburned Hand of the Man. Folks that found Blue Cathedral too "out there", will probably give them a second chance with this offering. I'm a longtime Comets/Six Organs fan, and this just might be my favorite studio release from a Ben Chasney outfit. I'll sing it's praises all day long.

Lastly, if you get the chance, see them live. I promise you will not leave disappointed.

Comets on Fire - Sour Smoke
Comets on Fire - Dogwood Rust

The Long Winters

2006-08-03T16:20:00.000-04:00

I know they've been peppering the blogosphere like mad all summer long, but if you're the type to grovel over who has it first, then you probably don't read this anyway. I think I heard through Stereogum, but I've been hooked on this catchy brand of guitar power pop thoughout these non-winter months. The Long Winters do it right. Vocally similar to and intelligent like an Okkervil River record, but not as depressing. They manage to pull off tragedy without the gloom, and veil it under a warm musical veneer. Check out Fire Island, AK.

The Long Winters - Fire Island, AK
The Long Winters - Rich Wife

late review

2006-08-01T15:52:00.000-04:00

my new friend Sam offers this of the Silver Mt. Zion show at the MidEast last week. I post this because he's a cool cat, and because it's only their second show in this country. ever.
so thanks Sam.

I was really disappointed when they finally came on at 10:30PM, thinking to myself "What the fuck? Where is the grand piano I know they are carting around for this tour and why are there two guitar amps up there? What the fuck is ASM without a piano?" But I totally forgot about it when they started playing. Efrim--you know, the singer with the beard and the wild mane of brown curly hair--tuned his guitar and cutely told us that they were all nervous for their second time playing in America. Some anonymous voice from the crowd told them they shouldn't be, and they were right. They opened up with God Save Our Dead Marines, which was about 10 minutes of epic, jaw-dropping amazingness ending in the whole band singing together in chorus. When they were over, another anonymous got in a loud, quick "holy shit!" before every one started expressing the same sentiment with their applause. The rest of the show was pretty much more of the same for another hour and fifteen minutes. They played God Save Our Dead Marines, two new ones (called Blind, Blind, Blind and A Million Died to Make This Sound, the latter of which was as impressive as their opener), I believe For Wanda (which was relatively boring compared to the rest of the set without as strong of a rhythm component when the drummer picked up a guitar), and one or two others I didn't recognize. It was pretty amazing, and I was more impressed than I was with the album mostly because just to feel the sound they were making and be in the same room was pretty overwhelming; for a while I just kind of closed my eyes and forgot where I was and enjoyed being surrounded by sound.

A Silver Mt. Zion - God Bless Our Dead Marines

CWK

2006-07-27T16:40:00.000-04:00

I made the right choice. Cold War Kids blew me away like few live bands have in the past 5 or so years. I had only heard Hospital Beds, and the 9-5er's anthem, We Used to Vacation before heading to TT's last night, but their arsenal is rock solid. Openers Midlake did their thing exactly as I had expected them to, which is to say, conventionally. Not that they sucked, but it wasn't anything exciting. I do enjoy their new album, but live, they just seemed to be going through the motions.
The energy of a CWK set is uncanny. Guitarist Jonnie Russell and Bass-slinger Matt Maust almost impaled each other several times on the mini-stage, and drummer Matt Aveiro slammed the skins like a madman. The highlight for me was how true to album form frontman Nathan Willet's voice holds up in the live setting.
Sound Team headlined, but their merch lackey was a douchebag and their new album kind of sucks so we bounced. There is no way they could have followed Cold War Kids with anything other than mediocrity.

Seriously. Best show of the summer thusfar. See them.

You think you got it bad...

2006-07-25T16:20:00.000-04:00

Yet again, I've fallen victim to cruel scheduling. Had tix to see A Silver Mt. Zion, whom I know I probably won't catch again anytime soon, but chose to swap 'em for a chance to see my summer band crush, Cold War Kids next door at TT's. Last time they were in town was when I had Radiohead tix, so I missed them that go round. Also, Midlake is supporting their (finally!) released Trials of Van Occupanther. Sound Team headlines.

Come forth, Bostonian VGH loyalists, and say hey.

Sound Team - In The Dark No One Can Hear You Sweat
Midlake - Head Home

Baumer

2006-07-23T18:03:00.000-04:00

Jeff and John last week in Noho.

I have 2 tickets for A Silver Mt. Zion on Wednesday night at the Middle East, for those of you in the Boston area who would be interested. 10 bucks each. If you are planning on going and do not have tickets, please let me know as I'll meet you there and give you mine sans Ticketmaster charges. please please please.

Wilco

2006-07-18T17:51:00.000-04:00

We were fortunate enough to catch Wilco in pretty much their only East Coast appearance, save for several dates with our friendly Canadian neighbors. Besides Radiohead in early June, this was all I really had to look forward to in terms of "summer shows". The drive out to the Pioneer Valley was well worth it, as Chicago's finest slogged through a familiar, yet inspired 2 hours of all the jams you'd expect to hear off Yankee Hotel and Ghost, some oldies and some newbies. I finally figured Wilco out while seeing them for the 4th time, and perusing the audience. They're like that dude you went to high school with who was friends with everyone. You know, the guy who drank Busch cans with the football team, taught the stoners how to roll Bob Marley spliffs, nailed that hot goth chick that no one else dared to talk to, and tickled the intelligistas by slamming the valedictorian in a debate about T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land". Wilco is just that accessible, and dynamic. Everyone can like Tweedy and company. It's that easy.

The show itself was great. Tweedy (who resembles Richie Tenenbaum nowadays) was chattier than I had remembered in past Wilco experiences. For some reason, for a band that rarely strays from "stock" setlists, save for a configuration of old tunes that cycles through night to night, they keep it pretty fresh. From what I remember, of the new songs rolled out, "Impossible Germany" was a powerhouse musically. Nels, Jeff and Pat raged a three part guitar jam, that would have been par for the course at a Phish show. Highlight of the night, as with any Wilco show for me, was "Misunderstood". Cause you know I'm just a mama's boy.

Kristy has the "Baumer" pictures, but she's gone. I'll post them when I can.

Here's some live Wilco, from "Kicking Televison", arguably the best live album of the past 10 years.

Wilco - At Least That's What You Said
Wilco - Hummingbird

BFF

2006-07-13T16:34:00.000-04:00

In honor of Mr. Adam Saltzberg's latest East Coast jaunt, and latest foray into utter debauchery.

Ween - It's Gonna Be A Long Night

UPDATE. I listened Cookie Mountain front to back last night and it finally got through to my stress addled brain. I'd strongly suggest checking it out.

TVOTR

2006-07-12T14:48:00.000-04:00

No-wave revivalists, avid accapella rockas and genre benders, TV on the Radio are back with the oddly titled "Return to Cookie Mountain". As a follow up to 2004's 85% brilliant Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes, it's a raw, polyrhythmic trip that is eerily pretty throughout. Much like Drums Not Dead before it, Cookie Mountain is heavy on the percussion. Unlike Drums, the album lacks any lineage, which plagued (for me) their last effort. As a whole, it doesn't flow like it feels like it should. I suppose for a band that tip-toes around the confines of categorization this may happen organically. Either way, I am enjoying the album. It's dense and still contains many of those anesthetic three-part vocal harmonies like "Ambulance" (which is one of my favorite tracks of all time). If you're into Desperate Youth, my guess is that you'd dig it. I just wish I dug it more.

I can't, however, deny how cool they look on stage.

TVOTR - Wolf Like Me
TVOTR - Playhouses

gasp

2006-07-11T15:59:00.000-04:00

my humblest apologies for the unannounced hiatus. I've been busy doing other, less enjoyable things. As for the foreseeable future, it appears that I've had an enormous chunk of time freed up for the bloggin'. so hooray for that, i say without a trace of sarcasm. fo' real.

welly well. how about a healthy serving of melancholy for a rainy afternoon?
Guillemots - Made up Lovesong #43
The Jim Yoshi Pile-Up - A Toast to the Happy Couple

have you ever felt like you need to belt out obscenities at maximum volume? i have.

RIP Syd Barrett. Why couldn't they have taken Don Henley instead?

shine on.

2006-06-28T14:51:00.000-04:00

Teen heart throbs, and overall swell guys, Apollo Sunshine are out west spreading their infectious freakness. Those smug bastards of San Fran who saw them play the other night with Cold War Kids are indeed the objects of my envy. Now a trio again, and fresh off their annointment as "Best New Band" by the Boston Phoenix, an Apollo live show ain't to be taken lightly. As a witness to the epic Thursday night Harp sessions of 2005, all I could advise you to do is wear garters because the chance of your socks being knocked off is inexplicably high.

Tour info here.

Apollo Sunshine - Phoney Maroney
Apollo Sunshine - Ghost
Apollo Sunshine - I Was On The Moon

best part of wakin' up.

2006-06-27T16:10:00.000-04:00

Does anyone else feel like their days are affected by the first thing they listen to en route to work? I've been noticing it alot lately. It's an odd phenomenon, letting your ipod dictate the fate of your day, but it's become increasingly true for me.

Mr. Pod randomly decided it would be an Animal Collective day yesterday, and for that, I think him/her/it. I think it's their catchiest, and best off the new album Feels. My students had to ask me to stop whistling it several times throughout the day. Not because I'm a bad whistler, but because they're autistic and hate noise.
Animal Collective - Turn Into Something

Sorry for the unannounced hiatus. Life is out of balance and I'm trying to even the scales. Liars live review later tonight, perhaps.

it seems like all our friends have gone

2006-06-23T09:11:00.000-04:00

I'm teeming with giddiness in anticipation for the Liars show at the Paradise tonight in the Bean. It's been a solid 4 months now since Drum's Not Dead has been a constant on the ipod, and I still can't get enough. How it transpires live is what I'm most curious about. My experience with bands that heavily rely on looping is shoddy in a live setting for the most part, but for some reason I'm thinking that tonight will be quite the exception.

I have an extra ticket if anyone is in the Boston area and wants it for 12 bones. Holla.

Liars - Hold You, Drum
Liars - Drum Gets a Glimpse

Brookland/Oaklyn

2006-06-21T08:24:00.000-04:00

I had no idea who Tarsier was prior to her collabo with Alias, and had only read about their joint project on the Anticon website. What began as a long distance exchange of ideas (Alias is in Oakland, Tarsier in Brooklyn) morphed into the exchange of concrete vocal and instrumental tracks. The result is a rather beautiful, Bjork-eque soundscape, heavy on synth layers and sporadic live instrumentaion. Speaking of the Icelandic princess, I'd go out on a limb and say that if you are a fan of Mrs. Matthew Barney, you'd probably dig Tarsier's voice. Her style and timbre is strikingly similar. As with most Anticon releases, it's chock full of guests.
Snag yourself one here.

Alias and Tarsier - Cub
Alias and Tarsier - Rising Sun
Alias and Tarsier - Plane That Draws a White Line

Liars at the Paradise on Friday night. I'll be the one with the ear to ear grin on his face for the duration of the evening. Give me a pound.

Sam Champion

2006-06-19T17:36:00.000-04:00

Sam Champion isn't new, but they are to you. I've known Noah Chernin is a rock god and Ryan Thorton is a monster behind a drum kit from my days as a RANA groupie. It's so nice to see Noah rocking on his own, and not just rocking a tambourine during a RANA song. Pump ya fists to this.
Sam Champion - All of Our Tomorrows

You dig?

Happy Father's Day

2006-06-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

My old man has good taste in music. It could have been easy to feed me a steady diet of Tears for Fears and Huey Lewis and the News, but my dear old dad always insisted I be raised on Tom Waits, Richard Thompson, and Lou Reed. I know exactly where my musical snobbery stems from, and for that I am greatly indebted to him. One of my fondest childhood memories was when he bought his first CD player and let me jump on his bed bangin' "Rock Lobster" out of his Klipsch speakers.

Life's not as easy nowadays, but that's not to say that we all can't forget about our troubles and blast Rock Lobster, evoking simpler times.

There was a request for some Richard Thompson, and I know my daddy would appreciate it on Father's Day.
Richard Thompson - When I Get To The Border
Richard Thompson - 1952 Vincent Black Lightning
Richard Thompson - Beeswing

I know it's been all over the place, but the eMusic Pitchfork compilation is totally worth the download.

Jim O'Rourke

2006-06-15T15:53:00.000-04:00

Mr. O'Rourke has long been one of my faves as both a producer and fake member of Sonic Youth. I feel his solo work is far short on the props it deserves. Plus, I saw Grizzly Man last night and he and Richard Thompson wrote and performed all the music for the film. I recommend if you are a bearophile like myself. ANYWAY, I hope you enjoy these three tracks as much as I do. And save the bears.
Jim O'Rourke - Get a Room
Jim O'Rourke - Halfway to a Threeway
Jim O'Rourke - Please Patronize Our Sponsors

Sonic Youth on NPR tonight, speaking of. Live from DC.

Instrumental Wednesdays

2006-06-14T15:49:00.000-04:00

Listening to this song on a train leaving New Delhi, on a several mile long stretch of shanty towns, served as one of the more powerful moments of my life thusfar. The sights and sounds of 20 or so minutes of my train ride touched me like nothing else. The sensory/emotional overload was viscerally overwhelming and certainly something I'll never forget. Ever. Any of you ever share something similar? This song is as beautiful as it is terrifying. Much like life, sometimes.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - (untitled 1) (From Slow Riot for New Zero Kanada EP)
Another Bad Plus interpretation of one of my favorite songs. It's still amazing to me what a piano trio is able to churn out. See them live, if ever the chance.
The Bad Plus - Flim (Aphex Twin Cover)

Out.

like prefontaine, but decidedly more "rocking"

2006-06-13T17:07:00.000-04:00

The Joggers sound more like Modest Mouse then, well, the last Modest Mouse album. With a Cape and a Cane plays like Lonesome Crowded West, in the sense that it's great start to finish. They also perpetuate the indie-rock "must have at least one guy with a beard" corollary, which I wholeheartedly support.

I like my hook-laden rock from the Pacific Northwest.
The Joggers - White Madam
The Joggers - Wicked Light Sleeper

why don't you leave a comment? yeah, you.

Apollo Up!

2006-06-12T22:11:00.000-04:00

From Nashville, so you know it gotsta be the jam!
Coming to your town, if you reside in the Midwestern sector of this fine country.

Apollo Up! - Walking the Plank
Apollo Up! - Invisible Syllable

Their newest full length, Chariots of Fire, is out this month.
I'm diggin' it.

Jamie Lidell

2006-06-08T16:06:00.001-04:00

To pit an older Jamie Lidell solo album against his newest, Multiply, is akin to picturing Squarepusher putting out an album that sounds like Antony's "I am a Bird Now". I'm sure there is an explanation, but I haven't stumbled upon it. Either way, the whiteboy-soul route he's gone works well, and he's crafted a great summer album. Prince, he ain't, but my British homeboy does indeed have soul. Some would even say, by the pound.
Touring with Beck this summer...

Jamie Lidell - Multiply
Jamie Lidell - What is it This Time?
Jamie Lidell - What's the Use?

Instrumental Wednesdays

2006-06-07T18:22:00.000-04:00

A taste of the subcontinent and something that is far too nasty for a home.

Bill Laswell and Karsh Kale teamed up for this project a few years back. As with any Laswell collabo, well, it's as sick as it gets. After living in India for long enough to appreciate a master tabla player, this stuff is the real deal. Mr. Las has long been one of my favorite bass players, and tracks like this remind me why.
Tabla Beat Science - Sacred Dub

And this? Post-rock doesn't do it justice. Saw them open for Prefuse 73 in Northampton last year and almost had to be peeled off the ceiling. Go here. Now.
Battles - B+T

666

2006-06-06T18:01:00.000-04:00

and what a day it was! i didn't get the memo soon enough, but today all of america was implored to stay home from work and listen to SLAYER all effin' day long. now THAT's a cause i can rally around. this is the 13 year old in me talking, mind you.
check this shit out, in all it's metal glory.

www.nationaldayofslayer.org

"The objective of this day is for everyone within earshot to understand that it is the National Day of Slayer. National holidays in America aren't just about celebrating; they're about forcing it upon non-participants."

Amen to that!!!

something wicked this way comes....
Slayer - Raining Blood

Radiohead 6/4/06

2006-06-05T20:49:00.000-04:00

1. There There
2. 2+2=5
3. Lucky
4. 15 Step
5. Arpeggi
6. Kid A
7. Dollars & Cents
8. National Anthem
9. Nude
10. Videotape
11. Paranoid Android
12. Spooks
13. The Gloaming
14. House of Cards
15. Idioteque
16. Bangers 'n' Mash
17. How To Disappear Completely
Encore
18. Airbag
19. Street Spirit (fade out)
20. Bodysnatchers
21. Everything In Its Right Place
Encore
22. 4 Minute Warning
23. My Iron Lung
24. Karma Police

I'll admit it. I felt like a little kid clamoring in anticipation for this one. Those feelings were ubiquitous among the thousands cramming into the big white tent on the Boston waterfront, judging by the crowd's electricity throughout the evening.
The new material held it's weight when stacked against the old-schoolers that the band plodded through. Particularly tasty was Bangers n' Mash, which found Thom on a mini-drum kit while singing. I was surprised by the stripped down approach they seem to be employing for the next full length. Most of the new songs seemed like they would be perfectly OK on OK Computer. Not necessarily a bad thing when you know what to expect from Thom's solo joint.
One thing is for sure, Radioheadhead's are a intense breed of people. Equal parts aging hipsters, teeners, frat dudes, and everyone in between, these people came to get rowdy and lap up every second of their favorite band in the world.
Judging by Thom's banter, and the band's body language, the appreciation was enitirely reciprocal.

Highlights: There There opener was HUGE. My favorite of the evening. Idioteque was predictably loud and intense. How to Disappear Completely was eerily gorgeous, and slightly extended. Street Spirit (Fade Out) was the best of the Bends fare.

The stage/backdrop was amazing (see above Kristy photo). As if anyone needed their attention kept by pretty lights and frighteningly filtered live video feeds of the band.

good night. real good night.
Radiohead - How to Disappear Completely
Radiohead - The Gloaming
Radiohead - There There

thom yorke

2006-06-04T14:45:00.000-04:00

tonight's the night in boston folks. judging by the setlists we're in for a great night, regardless of the weather in the northeast.

SO...the eraser. say what you want about leaks, but when a long awaited solo album from the frontman of one of my favorite bands squeaks through, i'm all over it.
and i'm glad that i was, because it is amazing.
and yes, of course i will buy it when it hits shelves.

you're welcome...
Thom Yorke - The Eraser
Thom Yorke - Atoms for Peace
Thom Yorke - And it Rained All Night

black keys

2006-06-01T16:12:00.000-04:00

Certain genres of music lend themselves to be played more frequently in different seasons, and my favorite season for music is the mutha-effin' summatime! For some reason, bad ass blues played loudly with the windows down in the Subaru just oozes with summer fun. Not that anyone who saw me in my Subaru bangin' blues out of the two speakers that actually emit sound would ever think to themselves "now THAT, is badass". Either way...get bluesy. Some Black Keys for you.
Girl Is On My Mind
If You See Me
The Lengths

just got my illegal little hands on the eraser. so far so good. i'll keep you posted.

3fer

2006-05-30T22:24:00.000-04:00

Too tired for explanations. The Waterboys cover rocks though. There's your explanation.
Morrissey - To Me You Are a Work of Art
Rana - We Will Not be Lovers (Waterboys cover)
Bob Dylan - One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)

ta ta.

liars

2006-05-27T08:26:00.000-04:00

I'm still very much stuck on Drum's Not Dead and recommend it to all y'all. The percussive thread that holds the entire album is quite unique, and very cool in my humble opinion. It also makes for my favorite album of 2006. Still.

Drum and the Uncomfortable Can
A Visit From Drum
The Other Side of Mt. Heart Attack

Grizzly Bear

2006-05-25T17:09:00.000-04:00

Unlike his truthiness Stephen Colbert, who refers to them as "godless killing machines without a soul", I am quite fond of bears. Something about their fierce balance of fluffiness and murderous rage rings true with me for some reason. From all walks of beardom, be it Polar, Brown, Black, Kodiak, Koala or Panda....I'm a fan. I'm also a fan of Grizzly Bear, the lo-fi electro pop outfit from Brooklyn that everyone seems to lump into the Animal Collective category, although I think they have a completely different sound altogether. These tracks are from 04's Horn of Plenty. Blog buzz tells me that a new full length is on it's way soon.

La Duchess Anne
Deep Sea Diver
Campfire

Mo' Instrumental Wednesdays

2006-05-23T22:12:00.000-04:00

Random does you well sometimes. Especially instrumentally random. Leave your words at home.

Vintage Herbie from the post-Miles era don't get much funkier than this banger. Off of "Thrust", which far too often gets overlooked in the shadows of "Headhunters". Don't engage in an argument about this with a Berklee kid. Made that fatal mistake once.
Herbie Hancock - Actual Proof
One of my favorite guitarists ever.
John Fahey - Come Back Baby
Much like the Brad Melhdau cover of "Exit Music", The Bad Plus rendition of "Velouria" by the Pixies is astounding. Almost as good as their take on "Flim" by Aphex Twin, which I now have to post next Wednesday because I will probably listen to it everyday until then. It's just that good.
The Bad Plus - Velouria (Pixies cover)

Mark Kozelek

2006-05-21T22:02:00.000-04:00

Wednesday night at the MFA, Boston. I'm not sure what to expect in terms of RHP/Sun Kil Moon material, but hopefully he mixes it up. There are a slew of RHP tunes I'd die to hear acoustic. Even though the Modest Mouse cover record failed to amaze, there were some interesting interpretations.
Sun Kil Moon - Dramamine (Modest Mouse cover)
Red House Painters - Smokey
Sun Kil Moon - Glenn Tipton

If you're in Boston, and you're interested in attending I'd advise you to snatch tix ASAP. It's a small venue.
ciaoser.

it's all sunshine...

2006-05-17T15:19:00.000-04:00

Fumbling over words that rhyme...

Dalek is as esoteric is it comes in hip-hop these days. Socially conscious lyrics over horror beats. This one is the most user friendly. What can you expect from a hip hop collective on Mike Patton's label? LP's available here.
Dalek - Speak Volumes
From the Bean....off my favorite hip hop album of last year.
Edan - Funky Voltron (featuring Insight)
and from the first and last truly great Def Jux release, The Cold Vein
Cannibal Ox - Iron Galaxy

enjoi

Cold War Kids

2006-05-16T22:49:00.000-04:00

Heard these children born of arms struggles and potato vodka on myspace after reading about them in practically every music blog that I know. I must admit, I'm very intrigued. I need to cop the EP's they released before I can really formulate lavish praise.
The dude's voice is stellar though. Their site is here. Also, they're on tour with Tapes n' Tapes around the East Coast. They'll be in Boston the night I have Radiohead tickets, so I'm outta luck.
All of these tracks come courtesy of I Guess I'm Floating, which is an awesome blog that you all should read everyday.
Hospital Beds
Pregnant
We Used To Vaction

i got nuthin'

2006-05-16T15:54:00.000-04:00

for those about to mope...
Lou Reed - Sad Song
Ween - It's Gonna Be Alright

mogwai knock socks

2006-05-15T08:06:00.000-04:00

They proved to be as loud, beautiful, frenzied, and Scottish as I had always imagined them to be. Despite the 6 day rain binge Mother Nature has wielded upon us, and the Sunday night showtime, they mixed equal parts new and old material and put together an amazing 2 hour set.

They have a unique way of completely frying your synapses with hyper-speed interludes, but then nurturing them back to normal with serenely gorgeous pieces. Interesting fact: much like everyone in the Sun Ra Arkestra is a percussionist, everyone besides the drummer plays guitar (or bass) in Mogwai. My ears are still ringing, but I, for one, am a happy young man today.
Some of what transpired last evening at the Avalon:
Friend of the Night
I Know You Are But What Am I?
Tracy
Glasgow Mega Snake

Ween car rides yield Ween posts

2006-05-10T23:35:00.000-04:00

If I don't convert 5% of the folks that actually read this time wasting vortex, I've failed miserably. Miserably. I miss these guys.
Stay Forever
What Deaner Was Talking About
Birthday Boy

and I bid you goodnight...

Instrumental Wednesdays

2006-05-10T16:27:00.000-04:00

Marching onwards with the Radiohead fever, here's Brad Mehldau doing his haunting version of Exit Music. Actually seeing this cat perform this song live (5 years ago) will probably always rank high amongst my favorite live music moments. Prodigious pianists (??) covering songs you love is fun stuff. Next week I'll throw up the Bad Plus rendition of "Velouria" by the Pixies.
Brad Mehldau - Exit Music (For a Film)
Boom Bip is at the forefront of the instrumental hiphop movement (to me at least). His collabo with Dose One, "circle" is pretty intense stuff. Feast your ears...
Boom Bip - Eyelashings
I'm bailing on my mom to FINALLY get to see my Scottish brethren Mogwai. This is the first time in 4 years of digging them hardcore that I'll have the opportunity to see them live and direct. There will indeed be a Mother's Day next year, but will there be another Mogwai Mother's Day? Not so sure...
Mogwai - Burn Girl Prom Queen

Radiohead madness

2006-05-08T22:56:00.000-04:00

Since I'm the only person I know fortunate enough to land tix for a show without being raped by ACE or some bloke on ebay, I figured I'd give back to the peoples.
Yes, I'm very excited to join Thom and the chaps on the Boston Harbor in June, but tix for upwards of 800 bones seems a bit much. Glad ours were face value, for sure. There was a great post on Stereogum covering the debacle. I just hope that all the new material is worth the headaches and obscene amounts of loot people are paying.

Skttbrain (Four Tet RMX) because I love Four Tet.
Pyramid Song because Wayne Coyne loves it.
Exit Music (For a Film) because it's beautiful.

The Drones

2006-05-04T07:09:00.000-04:00

I really don't know much about this band at all, besides that they're from down under and they rock, classically.
Shark Fin Blues
http://www.thedrones.com.au
check it

they calls it like they sees it

2006-05-02T18:02:00.000-04:00

this is the first of a torrent of ween posts. why, you ask yourself? because they bloody rule and have always had a knack for striking a chord in the deep recesses of wherever my feelings come from. heady shit from heady dudes. tour dates here. and a big F.U. to those who are going to the Red Rocks show. grrrrrr.
If You Could Save Yourself (You'd Save Us All)
gotta run. more later?

case of the mondays

2006-04-30T21:34:00.000-04:00

some hip hop to start off your week. no reason in particular. haven't posted much at all and am completely braindead from a weekend with my head in the clouds the entire time. so there.
spreadin' the jams like a butta knife...

Still the greatest song ever written about consumer culture, by anyone. Says more in 3 minutes than an entire Adbusters mag. Sage is righteous.
Sage Francis - Narcissist

Enter here for a chance to win Ghostface's robe! I really hope some suburban white kid wins it. Irony wields it's ugly head in the form of a plush purple pimp robe.
Ghostface - Jellyfish

The new Murs album is out, and imho it's better than 3:16. Check it. Also, if he comes round your way I'd urge you to see him. He puts on an amazing show and jumps around more than the average emcee.
Murs - Murray's Revenge (The End)

and if you think you got it bad...you don't.
Cage - Shoot Frank

wilco

2006-04-27T23:48:00.000-04:00

in a Wilco mood tonight...from Summerteeth:
My Darling
When You Wake Up Feeling Old
Summer plans here.

Bollocks to the Arctic Monkeys

2006-04-26T21:02:00.000-04:00

The king of rock battle in the UK has been won by those Milquetoast Monkeys (whose album I still can't enjoy front to back) critically, but Test Icicles put out a rager of an album which sounds like some early Mike Patton project mixed with scary, 80's Iron Maiden riffs, with some sprinklings of old school hip hop beats thrown in to throw you off. It's understandable for the album to pale in comparison critically to the Monkeys, but if you're in the mood to wild out Brit style, dig this:

Circle Square Triangle
What's Your Damage
All You Need is Blood
Party On Dudes (Get Hype)

Test Icicles? Do band names get any better? Pick up the album "For Screening Purposes Only" here.

Beck does Nick Drake

2006-04-25T23:03:00.000-04:00

I noticed these on his website awhile back, but stumbled upon more accesible versions. I think he does it damn well.
Per request...
Parasite
Which Will
Pink Moon

Instrumental Wednesday...

2006-04-25T19:03:00.000-04:00

a one and a two and a...

El-P is the brains behind Def Jux and his production talents are well known dating way back to Company Flow in the early to mid-90's. Little known are his arrangment talents with living, breathing humans. Thirsty Ear's Blue Series tabbed him, along with NYC jazz heavyweights William Parker and Matthew Shipp (among others) to record a jazz album. This is my favorite track off of High Water Mark.
El P - Sunrise Over Brooklyn

From the "Reads the Books" EP (collabo with The Books)
Prefuse 73 - Pagina Dos

And the song that will be playing when my first son, Kingsley Zissou Quagliozzi, is brought into this lovely world.
Mark Mothersbaugh - Ping Island/Lightning Strike Rescue Op

life it ain't that funky, unless it's got that pop

2006-04-24T22:33:00.000-04:00

Belle and Sebastian were the first pop band I truly loved, and this song was the first track off the album of the same name that got me hooked in high school. I still think B&S are the finest pop-storytellers around. The Life Pursuit is decent, but I haven't given it the chance it probably deserves.
Belle and Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister

Death Vessel is a delightful collective from NYC who apparently tore it up at SXSW according to something I read. I have Stay Close, and I'd have to say that I've been pleasantly surprised by it. Cleverly molded, tightly-knit songs...but I just like the name of this one, because it epitomizes "wishful thinking".

Death Vessel - Tidy Nervous Breakdown

Whether you like Kraut-Rock or not, you're lying to yourself if you disagree with it being the coolest named genre of music in history. Faust rules.
Faust - It's a Bit of a Pain

good night and good luck

Monday morning coming down...

2006-04-23T18:17:00.000-04:00

Vacation is over. Back to school. Here are 3 songs that have nothing to do with vacation, school, or Mondays. Today may one of the very few days I wish that I was working in an office.
Wilderness - Beautiful Alarms
Karate - Sever
and finally, because I miss Northampton today...
Sebadoh - On Fire

Friday nighters...

2006-04-21T20:20:00.000-04:00

If the DFA crew can't get you up at at 'em, then my friend, I don't know what will.
I need oodles of motivation to get 'er going for my last night of vacation. I found it in the form of these:

Squarepusher - A Journey to Reedham (7AM mix)

LCD Soundsystem - Yeah (Pretentious Version)

Baker

2006-04-21T16:31:00.000-04:00

Baker serves up some bouncy pop that is very "Kinky". Of course I'm referring to the actual band the Kinks, although Baker's songs are pretty damn sexy.
You be the judge.
Baker - Reputation

Destroyer, not the metal band....sorry.

2006-04-21T12:13:00.000-04:00

I'm not a New Pornographers fan at all, but Dan Bejar has vaulted to the top of all of my lists recently. Destroyer's Rubies is an amazing, emotional assembly of songs. Very infectious stuff. I've been humming Looter's Follies for weeks now. Even one of my students picked up on it. Those crazy kids.
Destroy!
Destroyer - Painter in my Pocket
Destroyer - Looter's Follies

Nadler/Hunter

2006-04-21T00:07:00.000-04:00

Get beautiful on your Friday...
Marissa Nadler - Old Love Haunts
Jana Hunter - Restless
My fellow Needham High alum and Jana apparently will be doing the Europe thing together throughout the month of May. My, how I would love to join.

Oh joy!

2006-04-20T17:48:00.000-04:00

I now have an outrageous amount of hosting space thanks to the kind folks at ezarchive, so to celebrate I threw my pod on random and decided to post the first 3 songs that came on. Oddly, all three are instrumentals (mostly). The Four Tet track is especially delicious. That cat is bad.
Brian Eno - Another Green World
Four Tet - Sun, Drums, and Soil
Manitoba - Crayon

This is going to be fun.

Live update...

2006-04-20T08:06:00.000-04:00

The toss up between Islands and Subtle was decided for us by the high school kids queued up at 7 eager to file into the MidEast. I also came to the realization that the Islands album just isn't really anything special upon a last minute listen yesterday.
Our decision was confirmed by Jel himself, who went to see his anticon cohort Why? (opening for Islands next door) and was taken aback by the "150 high school kids lined around the corner". School vacation is a double edged sword indeed.

We, in the end, proved to be the lame ones, as we bounced early before Subtle even got on. Caught Jel, and most of Fog (who was entirely uninteresting). Jel was equipped with a laptop, his SP 1200 and a drum machine and played most of the tracks from "Soft Money" which suited me fine. Seeing his 40 minute set alone was worth it.

jel - nice last
jel - all around
end communication...

liars vid

2006-04-19T14:46:00.000-04:00

Liars - Let's Not Wrestle Mt. Heart Attack
From perhaps my favorite 06 album thusfar.
Drums Not Dead ain't easy at first, but once it "clicks" it's the most beatifully chaotic record I've heard in awhile. Oh yeah....Mr. Yorke is quite fond of it as well.

Spank Rock

2006-04-18T19:38:00.000-04:00

If I were a DJ at Emerson, or any college station for that matter, this quickie would be mired in the obligatory "slammin", "bangin", "off the hook" or other proper indicators of dopeness. Thankfully, I don't have to talk like that. However, some of the aforementioned adjectives are bound to slip while conveying how awesome the new Spank Rock album sounds. These lads from Baltimore/Brooklyn have served up an analog mix of Miami Bass, fiendishly juvenile wordplay ("behind my gameboy, I got game girl, it comes easy..."), plain old dirty funk, and electro-madness. Parts of it sound like Diplo meets Odd Nosdam, but then both get kidnapped by some Brazilian meth addict with a drum machine. I'm curious to see how it's received.

I've found my summer album already. Now if it would only warm up enough to roll down my windows and rage this out my blown speakers. Plus, one of my favorite people in the world sings on Sweet Talk and if she reads this, she better email me to say hello!
ciaoser

Spank Rock - Rick Rubin
If you don't take my word for it, this guy will tell you.

Anticon takes on Vanderslice

2006-04-17T23:14:00.000-04:00

Alias v. John Vanderslice - Exodus Damage

This is significant, not just because it's an interesting remix, but because those smug bastards of Anticon somehow managed to preside over two venues within spitting distance of each this coming Wednesday evening in Cambridge. Why? is playing with Islands at the MidEast, while the DoseOne project Subtle is undoubtedly filling up TT the Bear's with fellow Anticon-ers jel (whose new album is DJ Shadow style sick) and Fog.
So what's a boy to do?
I remember when white rappers didn't look like they worked at Whole Foods.

The newer of the John Vanderslice albums has been successfully figuring out ways to be played on my ipod constantly.

I mean, I used to snag my sister's

2006-04-17T17:21:00.000-04:00

You know you're marquee when you adorn the pages of a teener mag. Those wiry sex-pots Apollo Sunshine are featured on some compilation that Seventeen magazine just put out, and their beardy grills are in the actual print version itself. So go for the period advice, and stay for the Sunshine!

Kevin Smith is trying to be funny again...

2006-04-17T11:30:00.000-04:00

but i dunno how well it's going to work out. I would think it would be difficult to replicate a movie that originally was financed on 5 maxed out credit cards, but I suppose he's the dude to do it. At least Affleck isn't in the trailer.

Jay doing the Q Lazarus dance at the end might be reason enough to drop 9 bucks on a lazy Sunday.

Easterings....

2006-04-16T19:30:00.000-04:00

Leave it to me to try to rope everyone back in, then bail for 3 weeks. My humblest apologies. There's been a slew of other things tantamount to blog posting going on in my brain. Things that certainly ain't blog worthy, but of utmost importance.

What is important is that I'm on vacation, because I really needed it. The last week of work consisted of me having a particularly ornery 13 year trying to separate my hand from the rest of my arm with his teeth. He failed.

So Happy Easter. I celebrated by dipping out of my family obligations with my mom to go see "Thank You For Smoking", which was hilarious. Pretty dead on depiction of those soulless PR lackeys.

Wold Parade last week was unreal. Those kids put on quite the show. I love Canada.

Here is some of what has kept me relatively sane lately:
John Vanderslice - Trance Manual
Okkervil River - For Real
Flaming Lips - Mr. Ambulance Driver

be good.

So I couldn't go to SXSW....

2006-03-26T11:08:00.000-05:00

There's been an influx of great albums lately, most of which have found there way onto my harddrive. Even more exciting is the spring schedule in and around the Boston area. I picked up my first round of tickets recently, and although Wolf Parade sold the shit out of the Paradise (thus continuing my streak of being left in the cold for any of the Wolf bands, i.e. Wolf Eyes in Easthampton), there were still some tix left the Lupo's show in Providence the following night. I'm thinking that the crowd won't suck as bad down there.

The crowning moment of my musical-spring is certainly Mogwai's return to the states. The first round of US dates left out Beantown, but the post-rockers will be there, along with myself. I've been waiting for several years to check their live show out, and from what I heard/read about the SXSW gig, they're tight. Mr. Beast, the new album is obviously worth checking out, although it's a step away from the densely atmospheric soundscapes of Young Team and the others. I for one, think it's refreshing to hear some concise 5-minuters every once in a while from a post-rock band. Their classic EP+2 has remained a mainstay in my rotation for years.

This is from the new one:
Mogwai - Folk Death 95

And whatever you do, don't see the new Cronenberg disaster, "A History of Violence". If I wasn't so hungover and tired, it would have incited violence due to the knowledge that I'll never get the wasted two hours back. See "The Squid and the Whale" instead. Chock full of memorable quotes, brutally human characters and superb performances. Jeff Daniels rules. And one of the Baldwins is up in there! The one from Backdraft maybe?

So maybe it's not the most seamless segue...

2006-03-26T10:48:00.000-05:00

I've been imagineering for a bit, and have wanted to build on where I left off with this fun little blog thing. After several failed launches, I've decided to attempt a stream of conscioussness (or lack thereof) incorporating whatever elements of music, film and anything else that is remotely interesting to me. I'm going to try to load up with MP3's, film clips, and whatever else I find in my scourings to make this place sexy.
So what started as my livejournal for my gallavanting in Hindustan (and thanks to those who gave me props for it, as it really was fun to maintain) will now hopefully be something slightly more interactive. That is, assuming that people will still stumble upon it. And interact.

So stay tuned. I promise it won't suck, and as soon as I figure out the best way to host mp3's it might be a decent resource for snaggin' tunes.

I'm not in India anymore, but that doesn't mean that life has to be boring, does it?

bye kids.

Lucky gals...

2006-01-16T18:34:00.000-05:00

Jenna and Hannah are staying in Jodhpur, Rajasthan teaching young village women and conducting various art projects with them. It seems galaxies away from Kalimpong to me, but extremely beautiful nonetheless. Next time I go to India, this place will be stop number one. Hannah took all of these pictures on her digital. Obviously they could tell you more about them, but I'll try to lay out the basics.

from bottom: 1) view of Jodhpur, the blue city. 2) village Golia girls that they work with. 3) the massive Mehrangarh fort in Jodhpur which dominates the entire landscape of the city 4) Jenna, Hannah and some ornate art-deco stylings at the Umaid Bhawan Palace 5) Jenna in the Mandore Gardens with a stick to fend off the animals. Must be nice to see some "green" after being in the desert for so long 6) Wandering cow in the blue city.

They look like they are having a great time in an amazing place. I'm jealous...

pretty much sums it up....

2006-01-04T15:34:00.000-05:00

I was looking through my digital heap of photos the other day and remembered that I meant to post this one while in Kalimpong. This was taken above a lake in West Sikkim in perhaps the most rural setting I've ever set foot. We were chatting over tea with this monk who lived up there while two neighborhood girls played and a dog was falling asleep.

I think this pic encapsulates living in the Himalayas as well as any photo I have (at least away from the cities) and, yeah....I miss it.

To anyone who still may be reading this, I'm taking suggestions for possible new "hobby" ideas to help cope with the monotony of trying to get back into America mode.

Does anyone still read this?

Here's to a wonderful New Year...

2005-12-30T17:46:00.000-05:00

The blur of being back home hasn't really subsided yet, and I've managed to keep my mind off the reality of trying to ease my way back into a lifestyle that has been completely foreign for a decent chunk of time, which is both good and bad. Coming home when I did was slightly overwhelming, especially for someone who is slightly overwhelmed every year come Holidays. I've had a week or so to relax and try to sleep more like a normal human being and less like a vampire. As stated before in my last post, I intended to whip together a "transition" piece, but now that I'm actually here and have been rather bluntly hit in the face by reality (in multiple ways) I've realized that there isn't much time for transition. I gotsta get paid!!!!! Seriously.

I start working with SEEM next week, and am looking forward to seeing the kids again. It's just temp, but is always fun.

Anyone in the Boston area, who checked my blog out and was the least bit interested: My friend Jess has a gallery opening at Northeastern next week. She was in Asia for 10 months and took some prodigious photos. Many are of India. All are gorgeous. Check out her blog if interested.

2005? Great year! I unequivocally hope that everyone has a happy and safe 06.

Stay Free,
Matt

Merry Christmas

2005-12-25T12:36:00.000-05:00

Hello to whoever still checks this thing out. I'm back Stateside and wanted to extend some holiday wishes to all of you. I'm still trying to piece my life back together and figure out what just happened to me the past 3 months, so I don't really have much to say. Some time this week I plan on a recap of the transition and a more detailed account on of our trip the last 2 weeks. Right now, all I can think about is making it through Christmas alive.
Be good and talk soon.

BTW, Jenna and Hannah are still there and totally have permission to use this blog as their microphone, if they are inclined to do so.

Oh yeah, here is a link to my Flickr site which is home to some of my pictures that I didn't post to my blog. If you're interested: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattquagliozzi

How's the weather where you are?

2005-12-16T22:25:00.000-05:00

Take a break from the drudgery of winter and check out where we've been the past 4 days. Right now we're in Madurai which is home to one of the most famous temples in India, but prior to that, we were cruising down the coast of Kerala by land and by sea. After we left Kochin, we went to Allepey where we took an 8 hour backwater boat ride to Kollam (heading south). The backwaters are a complex system of waterways that weave in and out along the coast of the Arabian Sea. Along the way, there are villages and temples strewn about in the most remote of locales. It was beautiful and perhaps the quietest place I've visited in India. A surprise to all of us, was learning that hundreds of people in this area died in last year's tsunami. Kerala is on the west coast, not the east where the vast majority of the damage was. Apparently, the water surge wrapped around the southern coast, and washed away thousands of houses. I took a picture of a shelter that was erected in the aftermath to house families whose homes were decimated. It was a very sobering moment, but then again, these "moments" come a dime a dozen in this country.

When we got to Kollam, we had to make our way down further to Varkala, which is one of the developing beach resort towns that have sprung up everywhere in order to draw tourists. Apparently, it's still in a nascent phase because there was hardly anyone there. The white sand and red cliffs were reason enough for me to plead to my travel companions to stay there for the rest of the trip, aware as I am of what awaits me upon return to Boston. Unfortunately we had to take off after less then 24 hours and get on an 8 hour train to Madurai, where I sit now.

We've done about 6 cities in 6 days I think, which is wearing us down. We get to stay here for 2 nights, then go inland to the Ghats (Mountains), then to Chennai, where I fly from.

Road trip pics

2005-12-14T01:00:00.000-05:00

Pics go from the bottom up-
Calcutta, West Bengal: (1) Goats being sacrificed at the Kali Temple, which was one of the most horrifying places I've ever been to. (2) Communist rally (West Bengal is a Marxist state) in the streets. (3) Rickshaw puller.
Bangalore, Karnataka: This look familar? One of the main strips in the city.
Cochin, Kerala: The southwestern coast of the country and seemingly 10 million miles away from where we were living. Everything is different down here. Right now we are on Fort Cochin which is an island. (1) Chinese fishing nets pulling in some tasty fish. (2) Sun going down over the island.

We're doing more southern travel then banging a left to head back towards the East coast where I fly home from.

Maybe I'll post at some point, if not, see you soon!

I whirlwind through cities...

2005-12-13T11:39:00.000-05:00

Luckily for us, there's an internet connection in our hotel this particular evening. I haven't had enough time to catch my breath after we left Kalimpong, much less think of something worthy to write. It seems the whole ordeal has been nothing short of hectic up until now. In the past 4 days we've been in Calcutta, Bangalore, and now Kerala. We'll continue on the southern route for several more days before we make our way back towards the east coast, where I fly home from.
We're all run down from the planes, trains and head pains incumbent with traveling in a country that is uncomfortable no matter where you go, but it's gorgeous where we are now. It's also hot.
Very brief recap, because I'm exhausted.
Calcutta was every bit as scary, exciting, and enormous as I had expected. In the span of about 4 hours we witnessed goats being ritually sacrificed at a temple that was straight out of some B- horror movie, and then ate pastries and drank tea with the beautiful upper middle classers at a place that was a dead ringer of a "Cheesecake Factory" clone. That was pretty much the theme of the stay. India is the land of contrasts, but Calcutta accentuated the poles. There was more poverty than could ever be imagined in the West, but a good deal of the city felt oddly comfortable and familiar. Much moreso than the hellish runaround of Delhi. For a city of 14 million people, Calcutta seemed to have pockets of tranquility that even New York doesn't have. And there are human drawn rickshaws (which are unfortunately being phased out by the Marxist government, for some reason). I'll post some disturbing and beautiful pictures when I can find a computer with USB.

Next was Bangalore, which was our first foray into South India. Chennai was experiencing inclement weather in the form of cyclones, so we changed our flight and went to the west side instead. Bangalore is the IT hub of India, and easily it's most Westernized city. It's also where all of the infamous call centers are located, which means that there's a good chance that I bumped into that guy that methodically coached you back to good wits when your Dell computer crapped out on you. All of the development has turned it into a bland strip mall-ish city, that is void of any character or worthy sights to see. It was nice to walk around and feel that "American comfort" of knowing that the person flanking you on the sidewalk is not dirt poor and sizing you up to steal your wallet. On the other hand, it embodied much of the America that I'm glad I've been away from the past 3 months. There was a very nice park though, which was cleaner and greener than anything else I've seen here in cities. The people were pretty, wealthy, and proud of the fact that KFC and Pizza Hut are within a stones throw from each other.
Next up, and where I'm falling asleep writing this right now, is Cochin. It's gorgeous here. Jungle brush and the Arabian Sea. Tons of tourists and not enough natives to shield them, but the ocean is reason enough to forget about it for a few days. Tomorrow we're going to a beach town where we'll travel by boat through the "backwaters" of the mangrove and palm tree islands, weaving in and out of the ocean. We'll be in Kerala (the state we're in now) for a few days, then take a long train to Madurai which is home to perhaps the most famous Hindu temples in the country. After that, I'm done. Back to homebase in the states, and getting culture shocked all over again. Hopefully I'll see most of you upon arrival.
I can't promise that I'll have this kind of time again to write because we're constantly on the road it seems, but we'll see. If I do, I'll try to post some pictures.
Ok, I'm falling asleep. I'll be at the beach the next few days. Have fun shoveling.

Makin' moves...

2005-12-06T07:12:00.000-05:00

Just like that, we're gone...
Seems like only yesterday we rolled into town, but as it tends to do, time marched on rather quickly. Today we said our tearful goodbyes to our lovely students who we both will miss terribly. They prepared a pretty formal farewell for us with all of their parents. There was a raffle, and of course, I won an electric rice cooker which is obviously too big for me to carry around with me for 2 and half weeks. I guess I'll give it to the fam. Too bad. I like electric rice.

We have to part ways with our family on Thursday, which neither of us are looking forward to. If you've read the blog, you know darn well how great they all are. Needless to say, they'll be missed and never forgotten.

Now to Calcutta, which I've heard some good things about from other travelers we've come across. We're meeting Jenna's friend, Hannah, there which we're both excited about because she's awesome. The three of us will do the southern tour thing together.
I'm sure that we'll have internet access in Calcutta so I'll post about how insane it is and whether or not a human rickshaw puller can pull us "husky" Americans.
Ciao.

2005-12-05T04:32:00.000-05:00

No, not Hitler Youth! They're my students....
This is Thirteenth Mile, not the Third Reich.

I've been trying to post about our students and the teaching gig for awhile, but I've been sidelined by faulty internet connections and most recently, dysentery. The latter can best be described as having a 24 hour enema, but probably not as pleasant. I'm fine now. I think.
Anywoo, the real reason that we came to this crazy place was to teach, not just to look at the pretty mountains, which are very pretty I might add.
Our school is a primary school of 54 students ranging from nursery to Class 4. All of them live fairly close to the school (although some are actually from Nepal and Sikkim but stay with relatives in Kalimpong), and we've even gone to visit several of them at their homes to meet their families.
I was assigned to teach Grammar, which was interesting considering their textbooks were written using very suspect grammar. Also suspect was my spelling on the day of their exam, which found me misspelling the name of the subject I was entrusted to teach wrong on the blackboard. I am nothing if not careless from time to time...
The school itself is cute, albeit very rudimentary. It lacked electricity, walls that ran from the floor to the ceiling, and had a tin roof which was overwhelmingly noisy when it rained. As a teacher I had to compete in a daily screaming contest with Jenna just to be heard in the next room. My baritone typically beat her tenor, but ultimately that's up to the kids to decide.
As for the actual teaching, it is the concrete opposite of my memories of elementary school. The entire learning process revolves solely around memorization, and not comprehension. I would teach a lesson only to write the answers on the board, so they could copy them down. No matter how baffled their little Nepali faces looked, I had to keep it moving. I had done my part if I wrote the correct answers on the board. I often found myself shooting myself in the foot for trying to actually "teach" certain lessons to make sure the kids understood what they were writing down. In the end this was just time wasted, as I was short several lessons come exam time. When exams rolled around, there was absolutely no pressure on me or Jenna because they had every answer to every exam written in their notebooks. This method of teaching was not something that I ever got used to, but you can't fight the machine, man. Especially if that machine is a foreign machine and you're only there for 2 months.
Probably the most unnerving disparity in the Indian educational mechanism was the propensity of teachers to wail on students with bamboo sticks. It was like all of those stories that older Catholics tell you about there schools days. Like the one about "Sister Mary Nancy and her cane" or whatever the crazy nun's name is. Very tough to stomach indeed. If students get answers wrong, they are reprimanded with a bamboo lash. Sometimes I almost bawled as hard as the poor kid that was getting beat. I had to leave once. You should see how they treat their dogs....a nightmare on the collective unconsciousness of PETA.
With all of the alien differences that came with teaching in an alien place, I can confidently say that it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. There was never a day when I was not impressed with their capacity and willingness to learn a new language, and given the resources, they do an excellent job. Jenna and I almost broke down when we went to the house of two of our students. A family of four living in a room big enough for 1. Despite the poverty that many of them come from, they are all happy, intelligent, and wonderful. It's funny, but the people seem happier as a whole compared to Americans whose quality of life is exponentially better. This too, I will miss.
I'll miss these kids so much, and saying goodbye to them will be sad for us. Prior to coming to India for 3 months, I heard so many people say that traveling will "change my life". I've had a hard time with this statement, which I've been grappling with since I've been here. Has it been an eye opening and amazing experience? Damn right it has. Have I seen things and met people that I've only read about in books or seen on public TV or Discovery Channel? Of course. Have I seen how the other half of the world lives? Yup. All in all, it has been an amazing time and certainly something I will cherish forever and never forget. It's been both the most wonderful and most terrifying experience I'll likely have. But has it changed my life? Hard to say. Poverty is poverty, no matter where it happens to fall on the map. Last I remember, right before we left the states, there were almost a million of impoverished Americans who lost their homes in a hurricane, who were not being helped by the country that they pay their taxes in. I doubt that my life has changed during this trip any more than it would have had I went down to New Orleans to help out the poor people who were being given the ultimate "F.U." by their own country.

Working with these kids on a daily basis on the other hand, will leave an indelible, life changing impression on me. Seeing these little people go through life the way they do is a beautiful thing. I have no doubt that some of them will go on to do wonderful things. Even the least intelligent of them were the most charming and appreciative people one could imagine. I think everyone I know could take a lesson from them. Each one was so happy to be there every day, and I think that that's the best attitude anyone could have, from the 1st world, to the 3rd world and all points in between. That's the lesson I learned from these little rascals. I'll think of them always.
See you soon.

One week left...

2005-12-01T07:13:00.000-05:00

We have exactly a week left of our visit to Kalimpong. It's sad to think about moving on and it's beginning to feel like home (save for the lack of communication thing).
Exams are this week instead of last week, because of the death in the family so we've been busy trying to make sure our kiddies pass with flying colors. We dodged a bullet big time with the exams being pushed back a week. We were supposed to teach the kids some American dances (are there any?) for their end of the year extravaganza. After much deliberation (and intense lobbying to do "Rock Lobster" by the B-52's on my part) we narrowed it down to some songs from the Sound of Music and a Wilson Picket song for the guys, which had the potential to be VERY funny if the kids got into it. Luckily for them though, we ran out of time. Me in charge of "creative movement" wouldn't bode well for any diplomatic relations between India and our country.

Tomorrow if I make it to the internet, I'll do the post that I've been waiting to do for awhile. Everyone seems to want a piece of us now that it's the one week countdown, so we'll be busy busy busy. I need to write about the kids though. They're so flippin' awesome.

We all do it...

2005-11-26T04:22:00.000-05:00

We were saddened by the news of the death of our family's matriarch. We found out in Sikkim and came back a couple of days early to be with the family and pay our respects (by nodding our heads and making sad faces because we can't speak the language). Boju, as she was called, lived to the over-ripe age of 98. She had 6 kids (one had passed away), 17 grandkids, and 3 great grandkids.
The two of us were fortunate to have met her and talk to her several times. She seemed like a great woman. She loved to smoke bidis (tobacco rolled in tobacco), and drink whisky according to the family, so I'll go out on a limb and say that she had a pretty good run. Both vices lead to early demises in the US (and everywhere for that matter), so Boju did alright.
We were privy to a "witch-doctor" or chakra as they call it, "talk" to her soul while he was pulsating to the beat of a drum and cymbals. It was wild, man! He was convulsing and jumping around a small shrine as the drum beats increased in intensity. Chanting and moving like a cheerleader (seriously, he had two batons), supposedly he contacted her spirit and acted as a "middle-man" for the 50 people in the room. It was powerful for the family, and they were really into it. I thought it would climax in some crazy revelation, or a ritual sacrifice, but apparently from beyond the grave Boju only wanted her nose-ring and some clothes. Easy enough, right?
The way the death is handled here is so different than back home. It's hard to put into words. Some of it is beautiful and some seems so archaic. It's never, ever, easy.

Sikkim recap

2005-11-26T03:18:00.000-05:00

We're finally back from Sikkim, which proved to be a bittersweet visit after hearing the news about our family's grandmother. Despite the impending bummer of a return trip looming over our heads the entire time, it was really nice. Sikkim is easily the most beautiful place I've ever seen, and for someone who places mountains and "greenery" above all else in the pantheon of nature, it was pure bliss. Almost the entire state is far above a mile high, and the only parts that are less are some of the corridors between the steep peaks (and I mean steep) which two gorgeous rivers flow through. The northern half of the state houses the natural skyscrapers they call mountains, which are for lack of a better term, opressively large. On a clear day, practically any photo of the place would make a National Geographic photographer salivate. Unfortunately for us though, after a month and a half of crystal clear weather we witnesses mother nature at her least-sexiest. It rained each night, effectively soaking the ground enough to fog everything up when the hot noonday sun warmed it. We saw the mountains for about 15 minutes, at about 5:30 in the AM. Luckily our opportunity came at the right time. We were in West Sikkim about 20km from Mt. Pandim and Mt. Narsing (both much higher than 20,000 ft). In our travels we met so many wonderful people, most notably a couple from Switzerland who were super funny and very interesting. We tagged along with them for awhile in West Sikkim, and they didn't razz us too hard about being Americans (neither did the guys from Belgium that we ate dinner with. The Middle Eastern couple on the other hand....).

First we were in Gangtok, which could have doubled as a mountain town in Europe. It felt completely different than Darjeeling and Kalimpong. It was huge! The city spanned the entire ridge of a hill at about 2000km. It was much cleaner than the West Bengal hill towns due to vigilance on the part of the government (remember, Sikkim is a different state) and also was much less noisy. In short, it was city life. The people weren't as haggard looking as the K-pong folks, due to the fact that they've been educated and work in offices, not fields all the live-long day. It was a nice respite from the "minor" chaos of Kalimpong. West Sikkim was much more rural and undeveloped. There was hardly anything there, and minus the trekkers (and their cash) that flood the area to get closer to the massive peaks, it would be hard to imagine how poor the area would be. It was truly spectacular, though. God's country indeed. Maybe (s)he should shoulder the blame for the fog and clouds. Truth is, even clouds couldn't tarnish the natural mystique of this largely untouched land.

Anywoo, check out the pictures. One is me standing on the edge of a road that sits above a 1 mile plus drop-off. The one of the two of us is from Changu Lake, which is situated a head-spinning 12,500 ft+ above sea level. See the snow? It was bloody freezing up there.

I have a bunch of pictures that I think are cool that you may or may not also enjoy. Unfortunately for everyone involved, the connections here are dreadfully slow. When I get home, I'll empty out my memory cards onto flicker or one of those online photo album dealies and I'll list the url here.

12 days left in K-pong! Then onto Phase Two in the South. Then Boston. See you on Xmas Eve?

Road Trip

2005-11-18T03:07:00.000-05:00

The kids have exams next week so we're taking off for 7 days to Sikkim to pursue the Sikkimese Dream and hopefully avoid getting Acute Mountain Sickness. It just occurred to me that we'll be on the road for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, not for the commemoration of the raping and pillaging of indigenous people, but because so many people often come home and meet up. So in my absence, I hope everyone is doing well. How is the weather in Boston nowadays (or wherever you may be)?

I'll try to post some pictures of Sikkim if I have time. If not, I certainly will when I get back to K-pong.
Much love,
Matt and Jenna

Gompas

2005-11-14T03:49:00.000-05:00

We've had the opportunity to hang out in quite a few gompas, or Buddhist temples, in the area. While we were in Darjeeling, we visited one the 70 Japanese Peace Pagodas strewn about around the world. *Funny* When we walked into the temple, the first thing I noticed was a picture of the Peace Pagoda in Leverett, MA near Northampton. There was a poster commemorating the inauguration of it, and it adorned the wall of the Darjeeling one. Which was gorgeous by the way. Oh yeah, we got to play drums with the monks during a prayer in the temple which was something you don't get to do everyday.
The 2 other pics are of gompas in Kalimpong, our homebase. Both of them are way up in the hills and have a sense of serenity and beauty that is quite unmatched and tangible. There is not an overwhelming Buddhist presence in K-pong, but my favorite spots are without a doubt the Buddhist temples. I'm not about to get religious, but the Eastern faiths are definitely the way to go (not just because of the pretty buildings).

(l to r) the inside of the Tripai gompa in K-pong, the Japanese Peace Pagoda in Darjeeling, and the Durpin Gompa in Kalimpong

Impromptu Hindu

2005-11-14T03:28:00.000-05:00

Our fam threw us a curveball this weekend and sprung an all day God-fest on us this past Sunday. Normally these Hindu holidays, or Hindlidays, are fine and dandy. This time we had one day's notice and absolutely zero explanation of what was expected of us and what we were doing. The past two religious affairs we've been able to enjoy from the comforts of home, leaving little room for embarrassment. This time it was very public. It's pretty obvious that we're outsiders, and Jenna and I have grown to stomach the stares somewhat, but this time it was really bothering us. We were really irked by our family's negligence of instruction. Neither of us knew why we were there or what to do while there. It turns out that, we also had to prepare food for upwards of 400 people (we think, we dipped out very early) after the pomp and circumstance of the prayers and tika procession (which is when a mark is put on the forehead).
Long story short, people laughed at us constantly, I burned my fingertips on 700 pieces of fried dough, there was no drinkable water, and, well...whatever. It was crappy. Even the people who we know are nothing but nice seemed to get under our skin.
Jenna thinks it's a language thing, and she's probably right. We both took it a little too personally, but all in all it was a crappy day. It's too bad too, because all of our students were there and we didn't even get to say "hey". Later in the day we found out it was all for world peace, which is a cause worthy of a few charred fingertips.

I heart Avril

2005-11-11T05:17:00.000-05:00

Being the music freak that I am, I came here with a sponge like mind hoping to scoop up some Eastern tunes that I'd otherwise never hear. I really enjoy sitar and tablas (which are Indian instruments, you ignorant Americans) and already own some albums with fine representations of both. Thank god I brought my Ipod, because there is little to no evidence of either in the music that is popular up where we are. First, I think that the breed of people up here have a collective disdain for all things "Indian". As I have said before, the majority are Nepalis and have been actively pursuing secession from West Bengal for years (a la Quebec and as many of you may have not known, Vermont). With this sense of nationalism comes a culture that is much more noticable than most. Unfortunately, with this pride comes crappy pop music that is played virtually everywhere you go. I even saw a "rap" video of some Nepali dude beboppin' and scattin' in front of a Kawasaki Ninja (which I guess is as close to Lincoln Navigators as they got during the video shoot). It was very derivative of any American rap video you're likely to see on MTV, except anything by Juvenile which is pure genious.
Everything else is some watered down rendition of top 40 stuff you'd hear on any radio station in the US.

As for the rest of the subcontinent, it don't get much better. (OK, I should be fair. All of this ballyhoo is based on the 30 minutes of TV I watch per day and whatever music that the jeep driver that is driving us into town is listening to at the time). The song of the year by far has a chorus that rings "Just Chill Chill" for like 6 minutes. I guess this has had a long shelflife too, says Dinesh. It's been around for a year.
I've heard that Calcutta is really the place to be for live music and music in general, and we'll be there in a month for several days. As for the American music that has made landfall, well, let's just say that if Avril Lavigne ever performed here it would be like the Beatles playing Ed Sullivan for the first time. Her mug is on posters aplenty. She doesn't get the t-shirt representation that rappers get though. 50 Cent is everywhere. So much so that one would be lead to believe that the shirts were issued by the government as some sort of cross culturalization experiment. What crosses borders from American shouldn't really come as a surprise to me considering all the money that goes into popular artists nowadays, but it's disconcerting nonetheless. There is so much other music that I'd like to share with these people that only know America as the place that spawned the G-Unit.

Not all hope is lost from my end. There has been a "80's metal renaissance" which is totally awesome. I feel like I'm 9 years old again. One of the cousins in my family tossed in "Be Quick or Be Dead" by Iron Maiden at our family function on one of the holiest days of the year!!! It didn't last long as the elders quickly nixed it, but that "metal attitude" is still alive and well in the Far East.
Rock on.

getaway

2005-11-06T01:08:00.000-05:00

After Diwali, we needed a break and took off to the other side of the enormous valley we overlook to a place called Kaffer. It was nice to get away from home for a night and the town itself was really quiet and cute. It sits atop a 6000' ridge and has gorgeous views of the mountains to the north.
The hill we live on is in the forefront of the picture. We're smack dab in the middle (well, slightly to the left of center) of it. The mountains are in Sikkim, the tiny Indian state about 40 minutes to the north of us, and Tibet, which still needs to be freed I've heard.

This Week in God

2005-11-06T00:22:00.000-05:00

For three wonderfully loud days this past week, we were lucky enough to be considered Hindus and join in on the fun of Diwali, the "other" festival of lights. It really is quite the production. Dinesh and I spent about 8 hours preparing the house with lavish decorations, and we made a makeshift railing out of bamboo spanning the length of the front patio to put oil lamps on. Jenna was on marigold duty (she strung about 2 million of them onto long strings which lined all of the doorways of the house.) Lots of flowers, loads of lights (which were beautiful at night), deafening fireworks, too much food, funny hats, and singing and dancing all were incorporated over the course of the festival. I truly feel fortunate to have been able to play along with my family, because the Hindus do festivals the right way. It's all about family and fun (and celebrating the triumph of good over evil; click here if you really want to know what it's all about). None of the nonsense that is inherent in exchanging gifts. It was very ceremonial and proper. That's not to say that I wasn't glad it was over. Every night we had to suffer through the Hindu version of Christmas carols which kept us up real late. It was funny at first, but after 5 hours each evening I'd had enough. On the last night, it was my turn to go house to house and sing. I accompanied a rag-tag group of guys, young and old, and we tore it up. People seemed to enjoy the idea of a goofy American guy trying to sing in Nepali, and trying even harder to dance. At least there are no incriminating photos. All in all, it was like nothing I've ever taken part in. It sure beats Christmas. But be sure to have the gifts ready when I get back. ;)

Oh yeah, in the tradition on Christmas, and Festivus there was a Diwali miracle. The lights stayed on everynight with the exception of one minor 10 minute outage even though each house was using 4 times the electricity as it would normally.

Snip Snip...

2005-10-30T23:58:00.000-05:00

In preparation for Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights which is akin to their "high holidays", I decided to get my mop of a head trimmed. I'm starting to look like a hobo with the 3 changes of clothes that i brought with me, so a nice new shirt and a haircut did me well. It turns out an "Indian Haircut" is not all that different from a "Chinese Massage", albeit with a much less happy ending. After getting a straight edge shave on my neck, the barber proceeded to closed-fist punch me on the head for about a minute and a half. My guess is that it is considered a pleasant massage type motion, but it hurt like hell. Also, I didn't see any of the other Indian guys getting their hair cut get pounded in the dome after their trims. Maybe it was in retaliation for those stupid Ice Cube movies about barbershops. Anyhooo, Happy Halloween.

I'll let everyone know how Diwali goes. Should be interesting. Last Hindu festival found us getting milk curd and rice plastered on our heads for about 8 hours. This sounds like it should be fun though. Singing and dancing and the like...

Mediocrity knows no borders....

2005-10-28T05:50:00.000-04:00

It's sort of funny to see Yankees gear in the far reaches of the world. Especially a part of the world that hardly knows what baseball is. I guess the logo itself has reached a sort of "iconic" status by now. This poor fellow says that he, "hasn't had a good night's sleep since Steinbrenner failed to ink Chuck Knoblauch in 2001". You can tell. Not all fans are as die hard as he is though. The only reason the "NY" is one of the hottest American imports since Nirvana (which seemed to arrive here last month), is because 50 Cent dons one on the T-shirt that is worn by 80 percent of males ages 13-28 here. Yes, the G-Unit crew is represented to the fullest in Kalimpong.

Fear not Bostonians. I've spotted a few BoSox hats around town and in Darjeeling proving that "Cultural Imperialism" isn't as unethical as everyone thinks it is.

1 month and counting

2005-10-28T04:31:00.000-04:00

It's been a month, and I think that due to the nature of the trip and the relative "newness" everyday seems to bring, I feel like I've almost forgotten about the first couple of weeks. I failed to take many pictures of Delhi, for fear of being "stared to death". Also, we were running around trying to avoid being hit by cars and robbed, most of the time. Come to think of it, we only saw one thing that was picture worthy anyway (which I got a few of, but won't post).For a huge city, the locals did not seem all that warm to tourists. I should be fair. We didn't really give it a chance. We only really spent 2 days there and were so encumbered by jet lag, we didn't really "tourist" as much as we should. Part of the reason why we went there was to go to Agra to see the Taj Mahal (the wonder of the world, not casino). It turns out that it's closed to foreigners on Fridays, which our sleazy train ticket attendant neglected to mention. Luckily we caught it in one of our books and had time to change the ticket to go to Chandigarh, which was about 4 hours north.
Chandigarh was the first planned city in India and was designed by Le Corbusier, who, if you took Art History classes in college, should recognize designed those structurally awkward churches in the French countryside that looked like sailboats and some monolithic government buildings around the world. Being a planned city, all of the streets followed the same layout and the entire city was divided into sectors. I thought that it was horribly monotonous, and felt like I was traveling in circles the whole time, but it was nice. It was actually considered to be one of the wealthier cities in the country. The people were ok, and I met my first Indian friend named Deepanshu. He studies there.
While there we went to a famous Rock Garden that, surprisingly seemed more of a Tim Burton prop-lot than anything. The man who built it was a city worker cum artist who did it secretly for like 10 years. It was so much fun. There were thousands and thousands of little rock creatures and people and the layout was sprnikled with giant man made waterfalls, streams and cliffs. It was enormous too. Way bigger than I expected. The website for it, which surely does it more justice than I could, is www.nekchand.com
These are just 2 of the pics I got.

P.S. So, did Karl Rove get thrown out on his rear yet? I think I heard something of the sort during my 3 minutes of news watching a week.

From Saltzberg...

2005-10-24T05:22:00.000-04:00

File this one under, "I Hope No Republicans Read My Blog". This has absolutely nothing to do with me being in India, but was sent to me and made me laugh. Hard.

Think this one through very carefully. Please search your soul before answering this. This test only has one question, but it's a very important one. By giving an honest answer, you will discover where you stand morally. The test features an unlikely, completely fictional situation inwhich you will have to make a decision. Remember that your answer needs to be honest, yet spontaneous. Please scroll down slowly and give due consideration to each line.
THE SITUATION
You are in New Orleans to be specific. There is chaos all around you caused by a hurricane with severe flooding. This is a flood of biblical proportions. You are photo journalist working for a major newspaper, and you're caught in the middle of this epic disaster. The situation is nearly hopeless.You're trying to shoot career-making photos. There are houses and people swirling around you, some disappearing under the water. Nature is unleashing all of its destructive fury.
THE TEST
Suddenly you see a man in the water. He is fighting for his life, trying not to be taken down with the debris. You move closer. Somehow the man looks familiar. You suddenly realize who it is. It's the President, George W. Bush. At the same time you notice that the raging waters are about to take him under forever.You have two options- you can save the life of the President,or you can shoot a dramatic Pulitzer Prize winning photo, documenting thedeath of one of the world's most famous men.
THE QUESTION
Here's the question, and please give an honest answer.......Would you select high contrast colour film, or would you go with the classic simplicity of black and white?

Back to K-pong...

2005-10-22T00:23:00.000-04:00

Wasn't that the name of a lousy Kevin Spacey movie about an alien kid? If not, I'm sure it's the name of radio station west of the Mississippi. Anyway, we're back in Kalimpong after our brief sojourn to the one of India's most popular vacation spots, Darjeeling. Gone are the luxuries of hot water, constant electricity, tasty food joints, thousands of tourists (thank God) and perhaps most difficult to bid adieu to, broadband . After about a month of living off the fat of the land, I've realized to what extent I am a product of the information age. I can't live without broadband. I'm going crazy. I don't need hot water, television, a cell phone or anything like that. Dial up sucks.
Kalimpong is similar to Darjeeling in terms of the landscape and the makeup of the population. It's a hill station that overlooks gorgeous valleys on the cusp of the Himalayas. The majority of inhabitants are Nepali, Tibetan and Indian. The striking difference is the lack of tourism revenue, which makes Darjeeling feel like Aspen, Colorado and Kalimpong more like Rutland, Vermont. There is a constant water shortage for those that live in the city itself, and the water is piped down the hills through ancient rubber hosing. The way people line up for water must be earily similar to the bread lines of the USSR. It's a reality that is tough for us to grasp. Even tougher though, would be to actually drink the water, which would almost certainly lay us out for several days with debilitating stomach ailments (you can use your imagination). The nectar of the gods is truly a forbidden fruit.
Our water situation on the hill is much better. It all comes flowing in from a stream, and seems pretty clean. We still boil it before we drink it, but I've started to brush my teeth with it with no ill side effects. The way that the families have rigged hoses down the hills to every house is pretty cool. I took a walk with Dinesh to see where the source was the other day. It seems like it would be excuciatingly tedious to find where any leaks spring (and they do often).
The electricity problem blankets the entire area equally. We've been without it for about 24 hours, which is normal. It seems to go out every night. I don't know if it is a wiring problem, or if the problem lies at the source, but whatever it is, it makes for some pitch black nights.
I guess the most evident of problems is the garbage strewn all over the streets. There is no "waste station" or "dump" here. There is kerosene and a match. Sometimes the stray dogs seem to cart off chunks of it out of sight, but it's more or less omnipresent. It's really gross, but there is nothing that we can do about it, besides be extra wary of what we use.
All of these externalities are tough to swallow, but the people here seem healthy and happy for the most part. Poor, yes. But not despondant. They clearly would rather have Nike sweatshirts and cell phones than hot water (which is very cheap comparatively). There has to be some sociological explanation for this material obsession, so if anyone knows it, please let me know.

This Fall on Fox!!!!

2005-10-22T00:13:00.000-04:00

The battle for mammal supremacy! Canine vs. Simian: First Blood! It's paws vs. opposable thumbs! Brought to you by Kentucky Fried Chicken and GlaxoSmithKline (who, it turns out is preventing malaria from wrecking havoc inside my body.)