Time Capsule: A Year Ago Today

A year ago today, this whole waiting thing was getting on our nerves. Who knew that it would still be another three days. Also, in retrospect, R was already experiencing early labor. She had some random contractions and whatnot. Things were happening. We just didn't realize.

Anyway, here's last year's post...

Cletus the Fetus seems to like his/her home in R's womb.

We have tried everything to get him/her to come out. And I mean everything. For me, it basically means that I will get a couple weeks off work, a chance to help care for a crying/eating/shitting being, and, most importantly, earn the title "Pops."

For R, it means so much more. I just wish for her sake that our baby joins us on the outside and soon. She's had it for some time, and I can't say that I blame her.

Pregnancy kinda sucks. Waiting at the end of pregnancy kinda sucks.

Everybody should send good vibes...via Gmail or in the comments or with a witty greeting card from Hallmark. We can use all the good vibes we can get.

In the meantime, keep in mind that McSame got a bump in the polls and now leads Obama. After Ohio State loses to USC, my football season will be over...until we beat Michigan by four touchdowns. The only thing that can save us now is Cletus' arrival.

Waiting Sorta Sucks

Cletus the Fetus seems to like his/her home in R's womb.

We have tried everything to get him/her to come out. And I mean everything. For me, it basically means that I will get a couple weeks off work, a chance to help care for a crying/eating/shitting being, and, most importantly, earn the title "Pops."

For R, it means so much more. I just wish for her sake that our baby joins us on the outside and soon. She's had it for some time, and I can't say that I blame her.

Pregnancy kinda sucks. Waiting at the end of pregnancy kinda sucks.

Everybody should send good vibes...via Gmail or in the comments or with a witty greeting card from Hallmark. We can use all the good vibes we can get.

In the meantime, keep in mind that McSame got a bump in the polls and now leads Obama. After Ohio State loses to USC, my football season will be over...until we beat Michigan by four touchdowns. The only thing that can save us now is Cletus' arrival.

And We Wait

The worst part of pregnancy (for the non-birthing partner) is waiting. Besides the 9+ months of gestating, I'm talking about those hints of contractions associated with early labor that have you on edge. And it doesn't help that the due date is now less than ten hours away.

Early labor set in sometime Thursday night/Friday morning. There was a storm that caused the power to go out. R felt contractions through the night. Neither of us could sleep. We both felt something was happening.

However, there was no mucus plug or ruptured membrane, hence no baby.

These light, erratic contractions continued through the weekend. As of today, R is still carrying Cletus.

Probably the worst part is that we have nearly completed every project we can think of while waiting around this weekend. R's now talking about painting rooms. There's not a lot left to do around here right now.

There's nothing to do in this town for those about to give birth either. There's no museum. There's only one downtown, and most of the stores are closed due to the holiday. A movie might be in our near future, but that's only 90 minutes of the day.

On top of it all, R's getting tired of me. I've informed her of all the latest Sarah Palin, hurricane, and blogosphere news of the day, including my opinion on all of it. She's sort of tied of my current event analysis. I can't say that I blame her. All she wants to do is unload 7-8 pounds of baby and get on with it.

So, we wait. I still think this is the week, but nothing's happening right now. Stay tuned.

Funerals, Flights, and Films*, Part One

Our long and eventful weekend of funerals, flights, and films began Thursday morning with a flight to Detroit Rock City. While traveling to major cities with real ethnic food and culture usually gets us excited, this trip was for a not-so-joyous reason. As mentioned in previous posts, R's grandmother passed earlier in the week and we were doing what family does which is pay our respects no matter the distance.

That evening with some family, we were able to enjoy some of the tastiest of that ethnic food at Priya's. Everyone ordered their dish Thali style which includes naan, various side dishes, and rice served in metal bowls and tray. Since no one ever orders vegetables in this group, R and I volunteered to order the palak paneer and okra fry. We passed the veggie, lamb, and chicken dishes around in order to enjoy an assortment of flavors. The food was excellent and made me long for better Indian food to come to COMO, like we had in Columbus. The mango lassi was among the best I've had.

The following day found us spending our time at a wake. It's one thing to attend someone's wake/viewing and it's another thing being a part of the family. When you're part of the family, you spend the day at the funeral home, awkwardly navigating through conversations with people you see once or twice a year. For much of the day, I was on nephew watch as my brother-in-law visited with family.

The most intriguing part of the funeral home was this very odd lounge in the basement. Just past the two-story waterfall and goldfish pool, was what can only be described as a sort of green room. Now, when I write "green room" I don't mean the space where performers await their turn on stage. I'm talking about a room with lawn furniture, green carpeting between brick walkways, and vine-covered trellises painted on the walls. Personally, I would not find this very comforting in a time of loss.

We were able to take a break from the green room and wake with some family across the street at Kirby's Coney Island. I won't go into great detail except to say that it is never a good idea to eat two Coney dogs in one sitting. Although, R's uncle ate three and was bugging a three-year-old for his hot dog.

The following morning we were right back at the funeral home for the actual funeral. It was a nice ceremony. It was short, sweet, and to the point, unusual for a Catholic anything. We quickly said our good-byes and made a break for the airport and a noon take-off.

The flight was delayed about twenty minutes when we arrived at the airport. It seems that four inches of snow only slows down some cities instead of completely shutting them down...like some places I know. So, we had time to breath and to consider what our return to COMO had in store for us...

To be continued.

*Title Credit: My partner, R, wanted me to be sure to give her credit for this post title.

The Ragtag Move

Our only indie movie screen is actually moving this week. Tonight is the last night for films at the 10th Street "cinemacafe" known as the Ragtag. The move to two screens and actual theater seating is really going to happen!

This means a lot to those of us who come from cities with vast indie screens to COMO: land of one indie screen. Now, we will be able to show up last second and have a choice of films instead of getting there plenty early just to see something we're only moderately interested in and to squeeze onto a crummy couch...oh wait, they're actually taking the couches with them. But that's OK for now. We will have choices in the near future! Granted, we will only get two choices but that's something.

Either way, this is a welcome change to COMO's enntertainment landscape. Now, all I have to do is see if I can talk R into going out for one last film at the old Ragtag.

This is getting me uber excited for True/False in less than two weeks...

Mediocrity Rules...Man

I've had a lot on my mind lately, and it's only just become coherent enough in my mind to express on this blog. However, I suspect that it's not going to come out too coherent, but I'll let you all judge for yourselves. (Already incoherent, huh?)

In two other blogs to which I contribute, I've explored this idea of mediocrity in its various forms. In one blog, I attempted to interpret the lyrics to a Pavement song, "Starlings in the Slipstream". The song expresses this idea of existing pressure-free in a metaphorical slipstream. The other was a post for MMEET Scholars in which we explore some writing about how we have failed boys by allowing them to be...well...boys. (I believe that MMEET stands for Mizzou Men for Excellence in Elementary Teaching...or something like that.) Either way, this idea of mediocrity permeating through various aspects of "society" has always struck a chord with me.

My point is that mediocrity often manifests in the forms of an existence free of any burdens and
the acceptance of antiquated social constructions as fact or rules by which to live. Rich, white men exist in that slipstream without any real acknowledgment as to how they got there or that the efforts of the disenfranchised helped them achieve their privilege. The social constructions created by those in power helped them get there as well as assisted in maintaining their position.

Have I lost you, yet?

This all came together for me when I was singing to myself the Le Tigre song "Mediocrity Rules". Normally, I sing the chorus with a comma: Mediocrity rules, man! But I soon realized that maybe what Kathleen Hannah is preaching that mediocrity rules man. As long as mediocrity is the standard by which we live, we'll accept anything.

Take the "administration" for example. We have a C-average student who had a nasty coke habit and an inability to verbally express an intelligent thought as our nation's president...twice*! Then, they further prove their incompetence by blindly leading us into an un-winnable war and totally mismanaging the effort along the way. Yes, according to national polls, the majority of the country is not happy with our "situation", but there are still people willing to give it some time to straighten out. Additionally, it looks like Bush's successor is only going to be moderately better.

When are people going to grow tired of the mediocrity? When will we rise up? Probably not tonight, but it will have to happen someday. I guess it starts when we question our privilege or the social constructs that promote those hierarchies.

Until that day, mediocrity rules man.

*I still contend that Bush didn't win either election, but that's old news.

Hiatus

LIM will be going on hiatus at least through the weekend as we move. Besides, I still have a post on ICSISE that needs to get done and a ton of other things. Don't worry, we'll be back next week. In the meantime, check out some of the blogs to the right.

A few things to expect...2nd season of Weeds is in our possession, concerts with Interpol and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and The Simpsons Movie...

Beer Update

Hyvee has sold out their mini-kegs of Oberon. I left my contact information for the manager to order another. Hopefully this matter will be resolved prior to moving day. Keep voting though!

The Best of 2007...so far

With the half-way point of 2007 quickly approaching, I felt it necessary to declare the year's best...so far. Now I've done this already but will begin this post by rehashing and possibly revising some of my original thoughts.

The Shins' Wincing the Night Away is still easily in the year's top ten despite it not being in the same league as their two previous releases. It's a little on the boring, we're trying too hard end. However, it will take some really good albums to knock it off my list.

One tends to be way more critical of one's favorite bands with every release. I call this the Pavement Factor™. Pavement's earliest recordings were considered seminal works that eventually propelled indie rock to its current status. However, with each release, critics and fans (especially) would hate it and would unfavorably compare to their previous efforts - all classics. The funny thing is that all their long-players went through this process. Slanted and Enchanted was an obvious attempt to sell out after several low-fi gems released on 7" and tape in the late 80's/early 90's...That is until Crooked Rain Crooked Rain was released. That album sucked! Or at least through 1995 when Pavement came out with Wowee Zowee...You get the picture. Each album sucks until it is deemed "classic" mostly because the next album either stinks or is an effort to sell out. Pointless, really.

Some Loud Thunder by Clap your Hands Say Yeah is easily my favorite of 2007, well, until something better comes along. The overblown bass on the first track is annoying, and it did ruin a perfectly good song. However, the track does set a tone for the rest of the record's sound. The songs are nearly perfect in that Pavement sort of way of being perfectly imperfect. Since this album's release, I have barely spent any time listening to their self-titled debut, which I absolutely love. I can't wait until this band reschedules their COMO date (an issue that I will deal with later in this post).

Releases by Bright Eyes and Modest Mouse are as solid as any in their respective catalogs. Both of these albums did not disappoint. I fully expect to include both bands on my end-of-year list.

Many feel that the Arcade Fire's Neon Bible was a letdown. I disagree. Sure, it doesn't contain the same urgency or dramatics of the first album, but it is easily better than 99.9% of this year's releases. NB is dominated by an earnestness that made Funeral such a hit. The songs are in heavy rotation on my iTunes and CD player, because the songwriting and execution are so far beyond the majority of pop music. Again, here's another case of a great band suffering some bad reviews primarily due to solid early work.

I listen to Beirut's EP all the time, and I can't wait until they release their next long-player. My only hope is that they don't go the way of (French popsters) Air with crappy Euro-pop. (Although, I did like the Virgin Suicides soundtrack.) I'm expecting big things from Beirut based on Lon Gisland.




Feist has put out what may turn out to be everyone's album of the year with The Reminder. These songs have way more soul and depth than her previous releases. In addition, there's this dance-ability I didn't really catch in the last proper album. Highlights have included her first two singles (and videos), "My Moon My Man" and "1 2 3 4".

Kill Rock Stars released a collection of rare Elliott Smith tracks on New Moon. Sometimes these collections are all filler, but this double-disc release is worth the extra cash. The album is a testament to Smith's genius. It's too bad that he had to die so brutally and too soon.

The online media onslaught put on by Duluth, Minnesota's own Low convinced me to buy their latest, Drums and Guns. It seemed like Pitchfork was posting a new Low video every other day. Plus, front man Alan Sparhawk's Take Away Show was so honest - Midwestern honest in fact. I'm always slow to buying music by the originators of the so-called slow-core movement. Their collection of Christmas songs was what originally got me hooked on their sound. This new album does not disappoint with it's use of hand-claps and organ drones throughout.

I did pick up the White Stripes' Icky Thump (almost typed Icky Mettle there) and have only listened once through. It's okay. The record does seem to return to their original sound, but it lacks some of the great singles their albums have been known for. The jury's still out on this one. I'll wait to declare this verdict.

Other half-year mentions...

• Feist's video for "1 2 3 4" is absolutely my favorite video in a long, long time. It effortlessly combines the cheekiness of those dancing Gap ads with the uncomfortable, hipster eroticism of American Apparel ads. That and it's fun.
• Clap Your Hands Say Yeah provided me with the biggest disappointment of the year...so far. They canceled their jaunt through Misery...maybe they've been reading my blog. (A close second in this category was Wilco's lame-ass party album, but I saw this coming. Just go to a Wilco show...damn Phish fans with nothing better to do than to follow alt-country's best answer to Sonic Youth around until they turn into the new Dead.)
  
• Still looking forward to some possible releases from Stephen Malkmus, Times New Viking (on Matador!), Tokyo Police Club (on Saddle Creek!), and Iron & Wine.
• I've recently seen two great rockumentaries, Danielson: A Family Movie or Make a Joyful Noise Here and LoudQUIETLOUD: A Film About the Pixies. Danielson documents the off-beat rise to "fame" of indie Christian troubadour, Danielson and his many friends and family (including Sufjan Stevens). The Pixies flick follows the band during their (first) reunion tour while briefly telling each band member's story since the death of the Pixies. You'll wonder, "Man, are they fat and bald or what!"
  
• Matador still has not announced the ultimate reunion tour...Pavement and Guided By Voices will put on a show you won't want to miss! Until then, I look for Matador to re-issue Brighten the Corners and to stick another GBV record on their bargain list.
• Camera Obscura surprised me this past winter with the best show I've seen in '07.
  

That's all I've got for now.

Waiting: Where's the Love?

In case you were unaware, I am in the process of searching for a new job. I've interviewed four times so far and have yet to get that call. I expected one school to call me yesterday. Of course, I don't really want that job and the $11k pay-cut that goes with it, but I'd at least like a chance to turn it down. The district that can pay me the same as I'm making now is really dragging its feet. So, I wait.

Waiting is the worst and best part of any experience. In the case of a job search, it sucks. You're waiting for people you don't know to make a decision based on variables that are unknown to you versus competition you've never met. I'm currently not waiting for any job offers that I really want. I am waiting for two school districts to get on the ball and call me for some interviews. Otherwise, I don't know what I'm going to do next year. Waiting for something that you don't want or a chance to be turned down does not help one's situational-depression.

Waiting can be exciting. However, most of the waiting I've done that's been fun has to do with music. Nothing substantial or life-altering, just music. One good release has come out after another, but it doesn't help my situation any.

Feist's The Reminder comes out any day now (or May 1st). She's getting a lot of press and attention all over the internets. In fact, I'm listening to All Songs Considered (The Podcast), but they are playing the wrong song. The DJ claimed to play a portion of "My Moon My Man", but it was obviously not the correct track. Listen to her MySpace page or check my own post.

I'm waiting for May Day for another reason. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah are coming to the Blue Note. It's the first time I've seen them, and it's the first time in a long time that I'm really anticipating a rock show to be great. It seems the more shows you attend, the less remarkable they are. Hopefully this one doesn't disappoint.

So, here's to waiting. And waiting...and waiting...possibly for a less-random post.
(Painting: "Waiting for the End of Time" by Rene Kita)