The PA Report

Posted on May 16, 2006
Filed Under Blather, Pennsylvania, Red Sox, rant, the telly | Leave a Comment

Greetings from rainy Happy Valley.  I suppose it’s not as rainy as the world of the Curtisian.  But it’s rainy-ish.

I am watching the Red Sox and Orioles on ESPN, and Mark Loretta is hitting everything Lopez is giving him.  Mark Loretta is on my good list.  Lowell, too.  ESPN, while not as bad as Fox, ain’t no NESN.  (Did I just write “ain’t no” on purpose?  Yes.  Yes, I did.)  Remy and Don are just much more entertaining, and a good bit more informative, too.  And I’ll bet they didn’t skip out in the middle of the 3rd inning to show Barry Bonds doing NOTHING in Houston.  Do we have to drop everything every time this jerk is at the plate?  They’ve just informed me that they think we do.  (*Groan*)

It’s quiet here, but then again, it’s pretty quiet at home, too.  I made 30 phone calls today for work, and I feel like it wasn’t enough.  Must crank (not crank call, but crank out the calls).  Most people I called were very nice and cooperative, but one very sour woman was enough to end my phone calling for the day.  No need to be rude.  I’m just doing my job like she is.  And no, I am not selling anything.

I made dinner tonight–penne with asparagus in a light pink sauce and a little salad with arugula and tomatoes.  It was good, though I think a tad more kick would have been welcome.  I’ll have to try it again at home.

Is it just me, or are the Red Sox doing more spitting this year than they have the last couple of years?  Baseball or not, it’s gross.  Whenever I see the guys chewing gum instead (Nixon, Loretta), I applaud.

EDIT:  After I posted this, I saw Nixon spitting something, and ESPN showed Varitek (not you, JV!) stuffing his lip (ugh).  One of the commentators actually said something about it, as though it was JV’s little reward after his home run.  As Mel Cooley would say, “Yech!”

Hail Social w/ Army of Me, Shelby, and The Casual Lean 5/9/06

Posted on May 11, 2006
Filed Under Blather, music | Leave a Comment

Ez and I had never been to Great Scott before, but it was hideously easy to find–we even scored a parking spot not more than a block or so away on Harvard.  The space is pretty decent, and they even had Red Sox-Yankees on at the bar so we could keep up with the game.  It was, however, very dark and very loud.

First up was a semi-local band, The Casual Lean.  I think they said they were from Bedford–or Medford, I’m not sure.  As you’d expect, they had some friends/family in attendance.  I’ve heard worse local bands, but they weren’t really my cup of tea.  After they’d been on for a while Ezra asked me, “Is this still the same song?”  I think it was–long, loud, meandering songs seemed to be their thing.

Next up was a NYC band called Shelby.  I’d never heard of them before and didn’t know ahead of time that they’d be playing.  They were really pretty good, and I was pleased to be introduced to their music.  Ezra’s first thought was that they sounded like REM.  I can see where he got that based on the guy’s voice, but their music seems to come from an all together different place–more effects and synth, different guitar sounds.  What I heard of their songwriting seemed pretty good. 

Based on the way the show was advertised, I thought Hail Social would be on next, but instead it was Army of Me.  A small contingent had come out for them, and one girl snapped pictures (flash!).  I had heard a few of their mp3s before the show and wasn’t too impressed.  They played well and they are fine for what they do, but what they do doesn’t work for me.  Early in their set, Ezra pulled out a piece of paper and wrote “Green Day.”  They do have that sort of popped-up alterna thing.  I found their lyrics silly–and not in a good or forgivable way.  Their singer was quite the little showman, raising his arm and gesturing out into the bar as though it were packed with adoring fans.  I haven’t quite put my finger on who he reminded me of, but I had flashes of the Alarm and (heh!) Gene Loves Jezebel.   

Hail Social at Great Scott

Then, finally, our unassuming Philly boys, Hail Social, took the stage.  Again, not a lot of people hung around for their set (it was probably 11:15 or later when they got going), but the people who were there seemed fairly into it and appreciative, which was nice after the blah reception at TTs.  They played well, as ever, and we were treated to two new songs, one of which I’d never heard before.  Their new keyboardist couldn’t make it, so we probably heard some slightly pared down versions of those new songs.  I am a shy turnip, of course, and never did ask them what the title of that new song was.  Maybe next time.

Hm… on second thought

Posted on May 10, 2006
Filed Under Blather, music | 2 Comments

I’ll say the jury’s still out on the new Dresden Dolls.  There’s a little too much “poor little rich girl” on some songs.  Well, I still like some of it.  More listens needed.

5/9/06 Hail Social w/Army of Me at Great Scott in Allston

Posted on May 9, 2006
Filed Under And another thing..., friends, music | 2 Comments

Tuesday, May 9th.  Show starts at 9PM.  It’s 18+ and tickets are $8.  Ez and I will be there at least long enough to see Hail Social.  You probably heard them the last time you were at our house, and you probably liked them and thought, “Wow–who is this?”  They are really good live and it seems Boston has not yet figured this out.  Come see them!  And me! 

Monday Night Flights

Posted on May 9, 2006
Filed Under Blather, me and my brain, music | 7 Comments

Thoughts on the evening:

Will Carly Simon reveal the subject of “You’re So Vain” on her deathbed?  Maybe it’s been revealed already, and not being much of a Carly Simon fan, I just missed it.

The Life Pursuit We listened to the latest Belle and Sebastian CD–our first listen. I like bits of it, but I’m disappointed to report that once again their influences on certain songs are too simple and transparent.  They’ve heard some T. Rex.  Some David Bowie.  Some Sly and Stevie, I’d say.  It would be one thing if these influences were interestingly woven into the Belle and Sebastian fabric–maybe.  But I feel like the influences are flat-out aped in individual songs.  Sigh.  I continue to like best those songs that just sound like Belle and Sebastian.  But hey–I think this is a pretty popular album, so clearly that’s just my opinion. 

 

Yes, Virginia Now we’re listening to the Dresden Dolls latest, and I have to say my ears are perking up. I hesitate to make this statement since we’re only just starting in on the 5th song, but I think I might like this one more than the last.  It’s not that I didn’t like the last album, but I could see some of the songs on this album making the rotation more than the songs on the last record did for me.  I think I hear some really interesting progress in their songwriting.  Good stuff so far. 

Hail Social to play at Great Scott

Posted on May 4, 2006
Filed Under Blather, music | 3 Comments

OK, kids. The time has come for you all to see what the fuss is about. Hail Social are coming back to town and will be opening for Army of Me on Tuesday, May 9th at Great Scott in Allston. Tuesday night or no I plan to be there. I’d love some company. More about the last time I saw them here.

The Best Sister Ever

Posted on May 2, 2006
Filed Under Blather, family | 1 Comment

I have the best sister ever.  I should make her a badge–** BSE **.   We have Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, but did you know there is also a Sister’s Day?  I guess maybe not too many people celebrate it (boo!), but fyi, it’s August 5th.

Song of the Day

Devo-It’s Not Right 

Photos

My Photos on Flickr


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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