December 2009
I don't heart nostalgia. (But I do)
barthel:
unsustainable:
I hate nostalgia/it tries too hard/to remember/only the easy parts.
Item #1: With all the backwards looks at the ’00s banging around Tumblr, and all the ensuing links to the same retrospectives across this World Wide Web, not to mention every third conversation I’ve had since moving to New York a year and a half ago, I’ve just about had it with the EVERYTHING SUCKS NOW...
Ghosts of NYE Past
Capsule reviews of the last decade or so in celebrating the end of yet-another lousy year. What could 2009 possibly hold? How will I leave this decade?
2008: 12-hour countdown marathon on WPRB. Most fun I’ve ever had (next to 2002)!
2007: Making Time at Transit, uneventful and slightly rainy.
2006: Spinto Band & the Teeth at Tritone.
2005: Tritone, Transit, and babysitting people who...
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Documenting the Decade →
The New York Times’s “Documenting the Decade” series is a great body of work from professional and amateur photographers alike — that’s for certain. But a quick glance at the submission form fine print sends chills up my spine:
By submitting to us, you are promising that the content is original, doesn’t plagiarize from anyone or infringe a copyright or trademark,...
SAT 1/2: Ice Skating Party + England Belongs to... →
Come on out and then thaw off with some drinks/dancing at England Belongs to Twee, my favorite DJ night in the city!
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Ask a New York Talent Buyer →
Just when I thought soul-crushing loneliness and depression had completely engulfed me, this snapped me out of my SadFog. And now, the eyes are rolling, rolling all the way back into my head.
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Cold As Ice: Playlist for 12/18 Program
Another enjoyable program. Little bummed I left my iPhone jack adapter in the car, because I really wanted to play Adriano Celentano yesterday. The Steam Kodok comp sounds like my brain. Need to listen to it more. Very happy that a replacement copy of The Sidewinder is in the Jazz emph.
12-18-2009 | 1800-2000 | WPRB 103.3 FM
descendents - clean sheets - all versus - yeah you - secret swingers...
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I was graduating and had to wear this terrible figure skating costume-sque gown. It was red and flecked with tiny flames. I almost missed the processional. My high school gym teacher, a guy who looked like a bodybuilder, was doing a standup bit for the opening remarks.
"As the density of fraught social interactions... →
maura:
AKA the story of my life. God, reading this article made me want to curl up in a ball and rock myself into unconsciousness. Even though it’s just a gently scientific discussion of this phenomenon! (And let’s not even get into the ton of moments when I torture myself into thinking that I’ve said something stupid. Ay mi. How I even leave the house some days I have no idea.)
(Via, of...
Gibberish rock song written by Italian composer to... →
Adriano Celentano’s 1972 rock song composed of gibberish (ur-spam email?) to sound like an “American” rock song. I have wondered if this is what I sound like to my dad at times.
I’m on @WPRB today 6-8PM. Requests?
This Weekend, Possibility of Snow Causes City to...
One of the things I haaaaaate, haaaate, haaaaaaaaaaaaaate about Philadelphia is the instant panic its citizens experience when the word “snow” is uttered and the totally ignorance of the same people to be proactive in taking precautions.
Big fucking deal if it snows. It’s winter — that’s what it’s supposed to do! I get depressed when there’s a 60-degree...
Sleep; That's Where I'm A Viking
Someone called my overbite a lesbian, and I went to work at a coffee shop. I kept on trying to find out whether the store used a ristretto shot for their espresso-based drinks; no one would tell me. A coworker kept using my steamed milk as a cooling bath for her coconut caramel. Another stretch of my dreams involved the Army watching a deserted town.
Luke Wilson Weight Gain Backlash
I’m watching TV right now and staring at Luke Wilson’s chubby cheeks. I’ll admit, the first time I saw the commercials where he clearly gained weight, I was surprised. Then it was one Luke Wilson fat joke after another, and I started feeling kinda bad for the guy.
While there are plenty of discussions about the way female celebrities are depicted on television, the pressure to...
theoreticalgirl:
OMG I’m tumbling from Tweetie. Peanut butter in my chocolate! Peanut butter in my chocolate!
OMG I’m tumbling from Tweetie. Peanut butter in my chocolate! Peanut butter in my chocolate!
If Lady Gaga is high art intervening in the pop mainstream, the art world must be seriously in trouble.
I Say This at the End of Every Semester...
I hear some of the most ridiculous excuses from students at this time of year. It’s like the last day of classes in the semester turns on the crazy. I’m only a TA right now [Adjunct faculty next semester! Whee!] but here is some sage advice:
Read the syllabus. We don’t write that thing because we’re bored. That is the contract between you and the professor, the rules of...
Marinade
I’ve been using this to marinade some amazing cuts of pork I picked up the other day. I have no real exact measurements; the ones below are eyeballed. I suggest you add enough of each to make it have a medium-to-watery consistency. The miso, soy, and sriracha make this salty, so don’t add any extra!
2 crushed garlic cloves 1/2 white onion, chopped 1/4 cup soy sauce 1 tblsp. safflower...
The Lone Piece of Dating Advice I Am Legitimately...
When your ex — mere days after dumping his shitty ass — decides to publicly announce that he’s “single and ready to mingle,” you totally did the right thing.
Don’t ever feel terrible over a guy who never once considered your feelings. Don’t waste your tears or random thoughts over a guy who’s only interest is himself. Instead, feel bad for the next girl; she’s about to experience the very same...
Human Capacity for Information Is Massive but... →
Study found via Tech News World:
In an effort to understand how much information humans can digest, researchers measured the flow of data into American households in 2008 and came up with a lot of zeroes: 3.6 zettabytes of data, which equals 1 billion trillion bytes. Imagine a stack of paperback novels stacked seven feet high over the entire United States, including Alaska — that’s...
Technical Difficulties
If I seem more out of it than usual, it’s because I’m having a real high/low week. There’s been a lot of great stuff but it’s being balanced out by some really heavy crap too.
Plus: grading and battling a cold.
Visqueen, “Hand Me Down”
I...
"Remembering Jack Rose" Playlist
As I previously mentioned, this week’s I was going to attempt to devote my program to Jack Rose’s music. I think it went rather well; I hope y’all enjoyed it.
If you liked what you heard, please support the record labels who were kind enough to support Jack by releasing his music:
VHF | Tequila Sunrise | Three Lobed
12-11-2009 | 1800-2000 | WPRB 103.3 FM
jack rose -...
“The Italian, whatever, national, whatever their organization is, they don’t...”
–
Snooki from Jersey Shore on allegations that the program is promoting hurtful ethnic steroetypes. (via jgh)
YOU MEAN THE NATIONAL ITALIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION SNOOKI, YOU FUCKING DUMB PIECE OF SHIT.
As a first generation New Jersey-bred Italian-American, I loathe how the show uses a sad, white...
“I use APA style. What are you going to do about it? That’s what I thought.”
– me
Watchperpetua:
Phoenix “Lisztomania”
This “Brooklyn Brat Pack mashup” video by Ian Parker was made in response to Sarah Neuehaus’ “Brat Pack mashup” montage of John Hughes footage, and though it lacks that clip’s charge of cultural recognition, it evokes a more specific nostalgia for the Brooklyn of the past decade. This is a fan-made amateur clip full of the director’s friends, but seriously,...
Kool Aid, “Do They Know It’s...
Reminder: Playing Jack Rose’s records on my show today 6-8 pm. If there’s something you want to hear contact me (maria at wprb dot com).
Email.
Dear publicists, please stop sending me emails with the phrase “Quick reminder!” You never sent me an initial message in the first place.
It’s probably a tie, but I think lousy publicity emails are somehow worse than some of the ones I’ve received from students. When my students write “Who is this?” at least there’s some semblance of them trying to figure...
I’m in a lousy mood today. What are you going to do cheer me up?
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Vote Now, Pay Later →
I’m appalled by the existence of this contest. The magazine shouldn’t force the photographers to compete for such a small payout. That just further devalues these images, not to mention the effort photographers put into shooting a concert.
Journal of American Culture, 1 (32): Special Issue... →
Don’t know if this is available for everyone to see, but it looks interesting.
HOME STRETCH
Just found out that I passed the comprehensive exams for my master’s degree.
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February 4-6, 2010: "Art History of Games"... →
The Art History of Games is a three-day public symposium in which members of the fields of game studies, art history and related areas of cultural studies gather to investigate games as an art form. Also featured in the conference is the premiere of three commissioned art games. The designers will exhibit their work and participate in the symposium. Organized by Georgia Tech Digital Media...
Temple advances to first bowl game in 30 years -... →
heathalouise:
Yay, Owls!
Watching “Blades of Glory” right now. Totally convinced that they got the inspiration for the “My Humps” scene from the EMP paper I wrote nearly 4 years ago.
Tuesday Night Karaoke Club: Come Help Sara Out →
As I’ve mentioned numerous times before, my best pal Sara Sherr and I used to book shows. After Plain Parade closed up shop, I went to grad school and Sara continued to put on shows, as well as host karaoke nights.
Currently she hosts a night on Mondays at the Khyber, but this week she’s been given the opportunity to try out for the coveted Tuesday night karaoke at National...
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Remembering Jack Rose
Going to try and devote my WPRB show this coming Friday to celebrating the work of Jack Rose, who passed away yesterday.
If there’s anything you’d like to hear or want to share your thoughts, please drop me a line via the form on my “About” page.
Letters to Santa: Post office won't help deliver... →
Every Christmas, Steve Albini and his wife pack a rented van with clothing, cash and toys, then set out on a journey that would make even Santa Claus jealous. Using funds raised at an annual Second City charity event, the couple distributes more than $100,000 worth of holiday cheer between about a dozen Chicago-area families — down-on-their-luck households teetering on the brink of...
