It’s a small world after all

Posted on November 20, 2005
Filed Under Blather, music | Leave a Comment

In the new world of Shy Turnip (I swear, it’s coming soon, and it’s getting far too much build-up–I apologize), there will be a link to an online music review and fine blab site called depravedfangirls.org. I encountered one of said fangirls on the Interpol forum (it does have its moments!). In a web search for something completely unrelated to either depravedfangirls.com or The Wrens, I came across this site, which describes a Wrens documentary in the works that one of the depravedfangirls, Michaela, is producing, writing, and co-directing. I am usually slow on the uptake with some of this stuff, so this may not be news to anyone reading this who cares, but if it is of interest and you didn’t already know, you might want to go read up. C’est tres interessant.

Progress on the aforementioned…

Posted on November 19, 2005
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A new Shy Turnip is just around the corner. It won’t be that different, but it will function better (or it should, anyway).

Sometimes I get this feeling that changes are coming–good ones. I’m having that feeling, and not just about my blog. It’s been a long time coming.

Grr…

Posted on November 18, 2005
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So apparently this here blog setup is stinking royally. I have heard from more than one of you that your comments are being rejected for no good reason. What a crock–sweet comments about cats and childhood memories do not constitute questionable content. Changes are in the air–I promise! And I am dreadfully sorry about the comments being blocked. I love hearing from you and making this a conversation. Otherwise it’s just me yakking away (yawn). I want to encourage comments, not discourage them. So unless you are selling penis enhancement or something, don’t be afraid to comment. And again, I promise that changes for the better are on the way.

It’s about the smiling plush rhinoceri of youth

Posted on November 17, 2005
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(Disclaimer: This post is about an impression. It’s not based on any sort of real examination of lyrics or anything. It’s just a feeling.)

In the ongoing Andrew Bird conversation… one thing that appeals to me about his lyrics (and the glockenspiel, and more) is the part that is about childhood. I know this is no special secret or anything, but here’s what I’m thinking. In “Tables and Chairs”, I hear “there will be snacks,” and I see little child-sized tables and chairs, in a kindergarten maybe. It’s comforting–don’t worry about the government or the crumbled financial institutions. Sit in a circle on the floor. Have a snack. Later on, we’ll take off our shoes and nap for a while. And on your birthday everyone will sing and eat cake and wear little hats. Together.

X-Los Angeles

Posted on November 17, 2005
Filed Under Song of the Day | Leave a Comment

There will be snacks

Posted on November 16, 2005
Filed Under Blather, music, photography | Leave a Comment

Andrew Bird played a fantastic set last night at the Middle East, and lucky for you, I was there and photographing basically every minute of it. I took 80+ photos (God bless the Middle East for its relaxed attitude about cameras), and I’ve posted about 1/2 of them on my flickr site, because I am terrible at whittling these things down, and darnit, the guy’s photogenic. I’ve dumped them all into a flickr photo set, for easier perusal.

Here’s a preview:

blue light, red light

If you ever get a chance, go see Andrew Bird! He’s fantastic live! He’s a virtuoso (really!) violinist and singer, and to that he adds further magic via onstage looping and manic energy, along with guitar, whistling, a glockenspiel–and on this tour, the talents of Martin Dosh on drums. Everything he did was great. He was so into it, he nearly fell over a few times. He mainly pulled from the last two albums, but also played three new songs–all of them good. Go see him! Wait–take me with you!

Shy Turnip in need of facelift, healthboost

Posted on November 15, 2005
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I’ve been mulling various changes around these parts for a while, partly to add a few small goodies and partly just to mix things up a bit. With the very busy holiday season around the corner, I’m not sure if any of the changes I’m considering will see the light of day anytime soon. Shy Turnip isn’t going anywhere, so my regular reader friends (all–what is it–6 of you??) needn’t worry. I plan to give you more, not less!

I think I need to start gobbling vitamins. A few weeks ago, I had a cold that made me all woozy and sore-throated. About 2/3 of the way through that experience, my back episode hit. I’m still recovering from that, and now I’m feeling what might be yet another cold coming on. Let’s go, immune defenses! I have way too much on my to-do list to deal with all this other junk.

Broadcast-Black Cat

Posted on November 13, 2005
Filed Under Song of the Day | Leave a Comment

RIP Ginny, or the nicest cat and dog tale you will ever hear

Posted on November 11, 2005
Filed Under And another thing... | Leave a Comment

Thanks to Christina for directing me to this article, which is indeed the sweetest thing ever, and which includes possibly one of the cutest photos ever. If you like cats, dogs, or just nice stories in general–read this. *Sniff!*

I don’t get it

Posted on November 10, 2005
Filed Under Blather, music, photography | Leave a Comment

Last night Ez and I made it two in a row by going out to see Hail Social at TT the Bear’s Place in Cambridge. I only found out that they were headlining when we got there. I’ve only ever seen them opening for other bands before, so I was a little surprised to discover that they weren’t going on until 11:35. This gave Ez lots of time to drink beer, and it gave me lots of time to fiddle with my camera (it was very dark, but I managed to get a few shots) and linger scoping out band types… I’m such a loser fangirlie sometimes. When we arrived around 8:15, the Hail Social guys were bumming around watching tv–I think it was FOX. They left shortly after we arrived, but later returned to play pool and watch the other bands.

The first band made us chuckle. They looked like they were about 16, and very full of themselves. It was kind of cute, though. I think the one guy had delusions of White Stripes (or similar) grandeur. He started off their set by reading a chunk of The Pokey Little Puppy in an insolent sing-songy bark while his bandmates made noise. Their lyrics were kind of hysterical–one song went something like: “I killed her, I killed her, I killed her, now she’s dead.” Mind you, I’m probably just a jerk and don’t know that it was a cover. We’re pretty sure the guys’ moms were there whooping away. Hey, if you’re 16, it’s a pretty good gig.

The second band, Jet by Day, was straight-up 80s-style hard rock. One of the guitarists was wearing a Mastadon shirt. They were good at what they did, though it wasn’t really my thing.

Then there was yet another band before Hail Social. The Firebird Band were interesting. Ez found them silly, I think, and I can totally see that. I sort of admired their dedication. All but the drummer wore eye make-up, their collars were up, they used synthesizers with no particular sense of irony or even self-conscious nostalgia, they danced in a slightly coordinated way.

Firebird Band at TTs

They had a very particular attitude that I haven’t seen in such an honest incarnation in a long, long time. And they were from Chicago. And they covered Love Will Tear Us Apart, for goshsake. Ez thought they were Korn fans, but I think he was way off base. (Ez probably doesn’t know what Korn really sounds like, anyway–I sure don’t.) What can I say? I cut them some slack.

Finally, at something like 11:45, Hail Social took the stage. As we all know, 11:45PM in the Boston area is like 2:30AM in most cities. But I’m not sure I buy that as an excuse for Hail Social’s sparse crowd. Part of me thinks, “Are they really not that good?” But I know that is not the case. I saw them open for Interpol last October and I really liked them. So did lots of others who saw them open for Interpol. I bought their album when it came out this August, and it’s totally infectious.

Hail Social at TTs

There’s not one bad song on it. It’s not particularly pretentious, and they don’t have slick clothes or packaging, but their songs stick in your head. Their rhythm section is awesome and Dayve has a good voice that sounds the same live as on record. They’ve played with Of Montreal, Ted Leo, and a slew of other bands. They’ve been featured in Alternative Press and Spin, and have had lots of other good press. I just don’t get why no one shows up when they play up here. It must be because I’m not making enough noise about them. Even Ezra likes them (don’t say you don’t…). Go ahead, give them a chance. Here’s their Polyvinyl site, which includes an mp3 of the song “Hands Are Tied.” Or, you can listen to “Get in the Car” here. And/or I can make you a CD/tape. (Yeah, the lyrics are pretty simple, but they’re better than “I killed her, I killed her, I killed her, now she’s dead.” Anyway, focus on the sound.) Listen at least twice. OK. Plug registered.

keep looking »

Song of the Day

Devo-It’s Not Right 

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The Knitting Turnip

On My Needles

Rhapsody in Tweed cabled pullover for Ezra! using Tahki Donegal Tweed in Forest, from Fall 2004 Interweave Knits. I've just picked this one up again, so it's moving up in the queue!

Sweater with Cable Patterns pullover using Araucania Nature Wool Chunky in Mauve, from Rebecca Magazine Number 28

Heather Pullover using Classic Elite Wings in Larkspur, from Rowan’s A Season’s Tale... This needs the knit doctor. I'm going to have to frog back a little bit and redo the shoulder area. Long story.

Hush Pullover using Jo Sharp DK wool in Wine, from Rowan’s Calmer Collection

Recently Finished Projects

In the Groove boatneck pullover using Manos del Uruguay in Black and Cheek (pale pink), from Fall 2006 issue of knitscene. SWEATER IS DONE!

Stash Stealer Scarf for me, using delicious yarn that darling Amy let me raid from her stash. I made up the pattern--a couple of wide ribs rimmed in moss stitch. It's soft and fuzzy and DONE!

Moss Stitch Jacket with Collar for Hope using Classic Elite Wool Bam Boo in Ivy, from Quick Baby Knits by Debbie Bliss. JACKET IS DONE!

Next in line

Brompton cardigan using Noro Cash Iroha in Jewel Green (my name for shade #100)

Eyelet Yoke Pullover using Debbie Bliss Merino Aran

Under consideration

Loads!

More scoop on my knitting endeavors can be found at my home on Ravelry (clicky here).

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