I can't believe a week has gone by since my last post. Sometimes, working 12 hour shifts in the middle of the night will just toally mess you up. Seriously, I don't ever know whether I'm coming or going. But at least if you're in the bathroom, it's easier to clean up the mess. Bah-dum-chee! That joke is so painful, but yet I keep repeating it. But yet I keep repeating it. But yet I....nevermind. I'm going to try to keep this brief, as I would like to go to sleep soon so that I can run errands today, like getting new tires and a haircut. I shaved the crazy Menonite beard thing I was growing, and trimmed my classic goatee, so I look like me again. I'll look even more like me when I get my hair cut. And then I'll go into the city and chill for awhile before heading down to Acme Underground to watch Bravado (the artists formerly known as ThisYearsModel -- I guess TYM was too emo (three word name) or too Elvis (Costello, of course) for those crazy kids, but nevertheless, the rock is unaffected) rock the joint, and to chill with some buddies and spend too much money on drinks for them.

Speaking of drinks with friends; tonight I went over to Sean, Jen & Larissa's house with Will, Dallow & Silbowitz to hang out, unsure of what we would do. Well, somewhere along the line, it was decided we were going to high-tail it to Will's house and pick up his DVD of Stephen King's "The Stand" miniseries and watch ALL SIX HOURS OF IT!!! Luckily, we thought of this scheme at 9pm, so we got back to Sean's (after a quick stop at 7-11 for snacks, coffee and booze) just a hair after 10. The film had started by 10:15. Silbowitz was already planning an escape by 10:30, using his dog Max (who was with him) as an excuse. He stayed until about midnight, but only because he had to wait for Sean to leave the room, as the one rule of his house is that once a movie starts, it does not stop and nobody may leave before it is over, or they are not allowed back over for two weeks. Or Sean may just decide to punch you in the throat. So ya gotta move quick. The rest of us sat back with our drinks (I bought and passed around some Jack Daniel's Strong Cola -- or whatever their alcoholicola is called - either way, it's damn good, and I drank enough of it quickly enough to get dizzy and happy) and snacks of choice; I bought the entenmann's chocolate lovers doughnut variety pack, Sean bought the plain crumb-topped, and Dallow got the Cheez-Its. Before we even started the movie, there was talk of other possible future all-night miniseries viewings, such as "V" (the original, not the remake thing) and Lars Von Trier's "The Kingdom" Parts 1 & 2 (since I own both, at about 5 1/2 hours apiece -- and in Danish/Swedish with English subtitles, no less-- so of course, that was my idea), as well as other Stephen King novels-turned-into-miniseries. It'll be fun to watch "The Kingdom" with someone new, since the only person I've really watched it with was Christina.

I've gotta say, I really enjoyed the miniseries. But I had never noticed Molly Ringwald's messed-up eye before. And I've recently watched "The Pick-Up Artist" and "Pretty In Pink." Maybe it was because her hair was black instead of red that I noticed. Hmmm. Now I have to go back and watch some more Molly Ringwald movies. Or maybe she just couldn't stand looking at and making out wiith Gary Sinise? Hmmm. Interesting. Anyhow, it was a good way to start my three-day weekend, as the last week or so has been nothing more than a faint blur to me. Not that it has been bad. Just draining. But I had another job interview at work, and received some complimentary words here and there. So that helps make the other stuff wash away. I did spend a nice chunk of change at Tower Records the other night, so I've been enjoying some new things...

One cd I bought was a re-issue of a Section 25 record. I had heard of Section 25 because of their association with the early Factory Records scene in Manchester. But I really didn't know what to expect, aside from the fact that Bernard Sumner of New Order produced this record, and that Mark Robinson of Teenbeat Records (Unrest, Air Miami, Flin Flon, etc) likes them a lot (enough so that he once released a bootleg cassette of them at the DC Space on the label back in its early days). Well, "From the Hip" is an interesting album, which one would immediately recognize as Factory Records, early 80's (it is in fact from 1983, with bonus tracks spanning from 1982-1985), as defined by Joy Division/New Order, Crispy Ambulance and the like. Fans of dancier New Order tracks from this time period, like "Blue Monday," or the more atmospheric ones ("Elegia") should love this album, as it combines an almost New Agey etherealness with hard programmed beats, which New Order took to the masses with tracks like "The Perfect Kiss." Instrumentals are blended with songs sung alternately by Larry Cassidy and his wife, Jenny Ross. There are five more Section 25 re-issues by LTM to check out, including a live one, all featuring bonus tracks and extensive liner notes. I will definitely be picking up more of them, and highly recommend this release to fans of the Factory Records scene from the 80's, before that Happy Mondays crap came up the pike.

Wow, sorry for the mid-blog accidental record review. Guess I'm gearing up for the deadline I missed this week for PLAY Online Music Magazine. Ooops. While at Tower, using my "I worked there for so long that my former manager feels bad, so I still get to use my discount " discount , I picked up "Songbook" by Nick Hornby, which was actually on the banner ad at the House of Chicken & Waffles blogspot above a post I made where the first words are "Much like the fictional Rob Gordon..." I also finally got my hands on the Velvet Underground "What Goes On" Australian box set when I paid a visit to Record Stop, on a tip from my dear brother Matt. WOO HOO!! I still haven't sat down with it yet, but I've waited for a good 8 years or so, so a few more days won't hurt.

Okay, it's now almost 8am. So much for going to sleep early. HA! Must wake up by 1pm. Must wake up by 1pm. Must wake up by 1pm. Must wake up by 1pm. Must wake up by 1pm. Must wake up by 1pm. Must wake up by 1pm. Must wake up by 1pm. Must wake up by 1pm. Must wake up by 1pm. Must wake up by 1pm. Must wake up by 1pm. Must wake up by 1pm. Must wake up by 1pm. Must wake up by 1pm. Must wake up by 1pm. Must wake up by 1pm. Must wake up by 1pm. Must wake up by 1pm. Must wake up by 1pm.............................................zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

that's me sleeping until 5pm again. I hope not. Let me sleep Monday before work.