Quick announcement... the fine folks over at Bearded Gentlemen Music are allowing me to contribute to their website in the capacity of penning music reviews and recapping live shows I attend in Austin & San Antonio TX.
Look incredibly forward to participating in whatever capacity they see fit to allow.
Every 6 weeks or so... I make I meet with a small group of friends and participate in a friendly game of Dungeons and Dragons. I've posted about this before and have always provided a recap... I need to dig through my posts so that I can tag all the entries....
Upon meeting the witch - she instructed us to take board a boat and delivery the baby to Keylong - a city, in a fictional world we are all in. It was described to me as a city in Asia and was also told that every alternate world has an Asia.
On our way to the Boat - we were accompanied by two priests who were to assist in caring for the Hell Spawn baby... they feed it flesh and make sure it has its obsidian binky handy.
Our team ran across a ruin town and we discovered a hole that had a mysterious glow... the four of us went in to see what this was about. We encountered some rats and Waredudes who were practicing weird religious practices. We opted to leave in fear of running into something we couldn't defeat - when we surfaced the monks and baby were gone.
I missed out on the last 2 D&D sessions - so the party has apparently made its way to the port city and they've secured passage on a boat that will get us to Keylong. They received word that Hell-Spawn-Baby and the 2 Monks left a day before... so we boarded the boat last night in hopes of catching them.
The Captain of the boat (named Denim) saw an island on our way to Keylong and he asked that we search the island for treasure. It's his boat so we don't really have a choice...
Upon arriving to shore we see signs of foot prints that led into a cave. A crazy man sat outside of a cave offering us rotting "whale bits" for 1 gold coin in a leaky bucket. The guy was loon and all he kept on saying was "whale bits" "whale bits". My character (Percival) suggested to slit his throat but Reamus, Maliki and Kuras felt it would be unwise.
We spent roughly 5 hours in the caves - uncovering clues, obtaining more empty buckets, recovered a gold tooth from a skull and an eyepatch and defeating monsters such as - Giant Crabs & Ghost Pirates. The clues we uncovered - a paper that read "bastard". A table that had an etching that read "Mine". Another paper that read "doesn't like Whale Bits"... and lastly - we ran across a Captain Ghost Pirate who sat at a table - feverishly writing on papers and saying aloud "backstabbing scoundrel will never take it from tiny".
After defeating the ghost captain - we obtained a cloak that had a faint smell of fart and his captain hat - which had no powers. With the eye patch - we had a complete disguise if ever needed.
We made our way into a large cavern and we discovered waters that had a deep inkish tint. on our side of the shore was a small boat... on the other side were 7 treasure chests
When we approached the water - we saw tentacles. Kursa (female barbarian) smothered whale bits all over herself and threw Whale bits into the water. we saw the tentacles recede - so we traveled back and forth with our empty bucks and purchased whale bits from the loon at the entrance of the cave.
We were able to secure the 7 chests (which were filled with gold) and got all of them to shore. We managed to remove 6 of the chests - but one disappeared while slowly surfacing each to the entrance of the cave.
I suggested again to the party that we kill the loon, but they said he was of no harm...
​We never discovered what took the last chest of gold... and we're back on the ship in hopes of landing in Keylong soon.
it occurred to me this morning that half of January has passed and I haven't gone out of my way to find a unique Apple to sample... found a culture at my local HEB called "Courtland".
Couple of things I learned about the apple this afternoon is that its kinda similar to a McIntosh apple and its often used in deserts.
I found the skin to be a little tough and was a little worried that it was an apple used for baking when I saw its snow-white-flesh. The apple is reportedly sweet and juicy, but I found it to be a little tart. All in all, I give it a 3 out of 5 stars.
Ever take a strong like to an album before ever listening to it simply because you take a strong liking to the album cover?
This happened a lot in my early teens when I would spend hours at Camelot music staring at heavy metal album covers I couldn't afford to purchase.
I wish I jotted down my thoughts on what albums like - Anthrax's - Among the Living or Slayer's - Show No Mercy - might have sounded like when I was 9 years old.
I don't really know why I even took a liking to seeing a Mayan calendar on a record cover... I've been surrounded by them all my life and for some reason, I thought I had even seen it on other album covers before.
When I read that the album was a prog-emo-album by a group of British dudes that switched lead vocalists, my hopes sank and immediately added them to my - Albums to Listen to Later - playlist.
Much to my surprise, This Town Needs Guns quickly became an album I would listen to during my workday. They kinda reminded me of American Football and Look Mexico...
Wish I knew more about these guys, but I haven't spent too much time reaching them because I've been too busy - navel gazing at this album cover while dorking out to their math rock.
I guess the album cover is sorta fitting when put in that context...
Stand out Tracks:
Artist: This Town Needs Guns
Album: 13.0.0.0.0
Producer: Adam Boose
Label: Sargent Records
Recorded: Brighton Electric
Earlier this week, I made it down to VHS 1138 to catch Nate Coles and the Blue Diamond Band… A show booked by local artist Mitch Clem, so I made it a point to show up in support of him hopefully booking more stuff in the near future. We purposely arrived early to check out the store in hopes of seeing what titles they had to rent…
Up until December 31st – VHS 1138 operated as a video rental store that catered to – Cult/Horror/Sci-Fi/Indie/Romcoms on VHS (with select DVD’s). I kinda felt bad for brining up the topic, but I genuinely had no idea that they stopped operating as a video rental store. I did however learn that they’re going to operate as a music venue tho’ - so we raised a few tallies in the air to commemorate that.
Nate Coles and the Blue Diamond band performed before a sparse crowed but they were absolutely worth driving into the city on a school night. Prior to them playing their set, I got a chance to sit down and talk to Nate about their current Tour. He had never set foot in San Antonio but was looking forward to checking out the Alamo the following morning. We talked about a number of subjects… Minneapolis, where to get good coffee in SA and upcoming dates on their tour. He was incredibly generous with his time and went out of his way to talk to people before the show. He even dedicated a song I-94 to me during their set.
I’ve listened to their album a few times this week and highly recommend you check it out. Their sound on this album sorta reminds me of Bruce Springsteen…
Doing their Goddamn Thing...
Stand out tracks:
Artist: Nato Coles and the Blue Diamond Band
Album: Promises to Deliver
Producer: ?
Label: ?
Recorded: ?
​
Salutations random followers... my recap is up a day later than I'd like it to be but I've been busy as all get out. I watched the show live last night and can honestly say that this season is a step up from Portland.
Click Here to See Scores and Rules for our Reality Fantasy League
I absolutely love the production of the show. I don't know if I like it a lot because the show has kinda been the same for what seemed like 10 years now? But I really enjoy the random Polaroids between segments. The countdowns until the exes move in... just general announcements like
LATER THAT FUCKING NIGHT.
But enough about that. Lets get to the top 3 ballerz of the week!
125 points - Corey
I couldn't be happier with my #1 Fantasy Reality Pick of the 2014 Draft. Corey fucking brings it. As you know, I watch the Real World to help me scout for the Challenge. Corey is a five tool player...
Corey picked up 30 Kissing points (all w/Jenny), 25 points for having sex w/Jenny in the shower (#teamCorey), 25 points for getting slammered drunk, 25 points for getting into a physical fight, 10 points for throwing a chair and 10 points for breaking glass items.
That my friends is what we call "beasting".
65 Points - Jenny
Jenny had a pretty solid week also. I was a little surprised to see her go first in our Fantasy Reality draft... but she's got the goods. I also love that I can tell if she's going to get it in by the shade of whore lipstick she wears out. I fucking love you JENNY!
35 Points Kissing - 30 with Corey, 5 with some random blurred out girl at the queer bar.
25 Points for sex with Corey in the Shower... Any one else notice the strange post shower squat she did with her towel on?
5 points - crying when Corey went on a rampage.
35 Points - Ashley M.
Well, I knew that she couldn't string back to back 165 point outbursts.... but Ashley strung together 35 points this week and she did it the hard way.
30 points - for being the subject of an intervention (house meeting - to discuss her drinking)
5 points - verbal with Jaime...
Saw the week 3 sneak peak after last nights episode and there's talk of Hurricane Ashley making land again... this is not good for Team Ro Ro... I currently trail Team Mercer by 80 points and fear that she can pull away at any moment if Ashley gets kicked off the show...
In closing - I want to quickly weigh in on a couple of things that happened in last nights episode that didn't get covered in the top 3 ballerz of the week recap.
1.) Arielle is amazing at life. I kinda want to write 2000 words on her Battle Dancing. Do you realize that when she and Diem go out to the club after surviving the jungle... there will be a battle on the dance floor like no fucking other ever recorded? We need to figure out how to get Ronnie from the Real World to get in on that so the three can break shit DOWN.
Arielle also handled that thing with Ashley M with class. She could have justifiably hit her while she was sleeping with a bag of rubber dicks and America would be ok with that because Ashley throw Hamburger patties and grease onto her face.
Lastly... I was really impressed by seeing her throw down in the streets of San Fran when someone rolled up on them. She wasn't breaking up the fight. She was straight up Throwing BLOWS.
Then after that... when Corey was acting like a dumbass - she body checked his ass down like bouncer at the club.
Mad fucking respect for Arielle. I'm seriously considering offering a trade for her for my Jaime...
the ballad of Jaime and Thomas is getting old... and its only week 2
So part of me wants to see this flourish because I drafted Jaime with my second pick and she picked up a few points for me the past two weeks.... but i find this relationship exhausting. I also think she may be getting a bad television edit... She kinda got portrayed for being a psycho-girlfriend-bitch - but I think Thomas is a fucking dumbass, so I'm riding and dying with my girl Jaime Gages.
Their relationship still sucks to sit through tho'
Two weeks into the Album A Day project and tonight is the first time where penning an entry feels like a homework assignment...
I press on.
The Red Cover and Green CD - is VERSES... A remix of The white album above "Quiet is the new Loud".
Selected an album I haven't listened to in almost 15 years. I fucking love this record. It's a weird album in that it's actually a Remix Album of an album called "Quiet is the New Loud"...
In many ways its kinda like the Postal Service album that people don't seem to discuss or remember any more. Well, maybe that isn't a good comparison... they didn't remix a Death Cab album. You catch my drift tho'.
Anyhoo - the entire album is worth a listen, but here's a few that really - really - stand out.
Artist: Kings of Convenience
Album: Verses
Producer: Four Tet
Label: Astralwerks
Recorded: ?
Attended a show last night that I need to write up a proper review for that got me thinking about the Replacements...
Did you know that they name checked the Beatles Album - Let It Be? It was their way of saying "nothing is sacred".
The band last night (Nate Coles and the Blue Diamond Band) hail from Minnesota and that got me to thinking about the Replacements so I listened to Let it Be today...
I'm tempted to write 5,000 words on why I love this album so much, but I'm completely spent right now. I didn't get enough sleep last night and I pulled an elaborate prank that involves the stealing a Spirit Stick and placing said stick on Craigslist... more on that tomorrow.
In the meantime... here's a handful of tracks from Let it Be that you should listen to.
How do you say you're OK
To an Answering Machine?
how do you say "good night"
To an Answering Machine...
Â
Artist: The Replacements
Album: Let It Be
Producer: Steve Fjelstad, Peter Jesperson, Paul Westerberg
Label: Twin/Tone Records
Recorded: Blackberry Way Studios
WWE confirmed on Tuesday, that Hall of Fame professional wrestler May Young has passed away at the age of 90.
Young began her professional wrestling career in the 1940s and remained active into 2013, making her the only wrestler to have competed in eight different decades.
Among Young's accomplishments:
Clayton has officially taken the lead in the Dead Pool
Finally, a New-Release-Tuesday that has awarded me with an album I've been looking forward to hear in 2014.
I had hoped to actually catch this band open up for Kevin Devine and the Front Bottoms last Friday in Pontiac, Michigan - but work threw a monkey wrench into that plan and I had to bail on that idea.
Anyhoo... I've listened to this album - from beginning to end about 5 times today and have been digging it verily.
It kinda reminds me of Mock Orange - Nine & Sixes - which is a great thing.
In addition to it being a pretty solid record, I'm happy to see that its another album put out by Top Shelf Records... a label that put out Crash of Rhinos - Knots last year and will be putting out a new Braid album in 2014.
Stand out Tracks:
Artist: You Blew It!
Album: A Different Kind of Kindling
Producer: ?
Label: Top Shelf Records
Recorded: ?
