Monday, September 28, 2009

Return of the back pain. Slowly though. I hate kidney stones i hate them i hate them arrrgh!
I loved "Watchmen." Helluva good movie, and thought-provoking.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

I'm hired for a paid shoot next Monday, in a week. Very happy -- I really needed this about now!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Hey Bellinghamsters! Hurry down to Film Is Truth for a FREE rental and cookie, tonight only! It's their anniversary celebration!
Wiped the hard drive last night and did a clean install. It's like a brand new computer! It'll take a while to set it back up though.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Processing & posting photos for a couple hours, then I'll join Karrin for a marathon of "Next Top Model." Been a while since I posted photos -- here goes...
Cane home from work a bit early. Nasty kidney pains. Going to get subs with K-girl then relax & try to feel better. This sucks.
Kidney stone hell.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

"Redecorating" the office. That is to say, everybody is pushing printers around and then wondering why they don't work anymore. Whee.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

When I'm down I drive the hearse...

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

PT's "Remember Me Lover" stuck in my head. And if you don't know what PT stands for, you haven't been watching my updates closely! ;-)
"A Haunting In Connecticut" was interesting but not at all scary. Also it was obviously trying to be for today what "Poltergeist" was for 1982.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Weasel Pot Pie! This guy opened for Porcupine Tree. He's freakin amazing. Check it out! http://ping.fm/rnQGH

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Off to Seattle to pick Karrin up after she had a big paid shoot for "The Stranger." Gonna crank Porcupine Tree up LOUD the whole way! :-D
Weasel pot pie!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

My lyrics game: When listening to music, change ALL occurrences of the word "love" to "shove", and "dream" to "scream." Try it! It's fun!
Today's plan" Northgate Mall, Silver Platter Records, and maybe Marie Callander's for dinner.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Yay! Going to see "Inglourious Basterds" shortly! I loves me some Tarantino. The commercials make this one look a bit Coen-brothers-ish.
Sweet! Karrin and I are identifiably visible in one of the Porcupine Tree tour photos! I circled us in yellow. http://ping.fm/iLNdN

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Making split pea soup for my supermodel sweetheart! <3 And I heard the commercial for Porcupine Tree's new album on TV a few minutes ago.
Making split pea soup for my supermodel sweetheart. And I heard the commercial for Porcupine Tree
4 awkward moments in Facebook "likes". LOL! http://ping.fm/gQrj1
"Hide behind the pile of dead bards!"

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

How I Met Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree -- http://ping.fm/HibMa

How I mete Steve Wilson of Porcupine Tree

On Tuesday, September 15th Porcupine Tree played the Moore Theatre in Seattle. It was the opening night of the tour. Since I'm a member of the elite commando squad of super-fans "Residents Of A Blank Planet" I had bought exclusive advance tickets months earlier. So after work I picked Karrin up and we headed to Seattle. We found reasonably priced parking right on the opposite corner from the theatre, then snapped a few shots of the theatre and the marquee announcing Porcupine Tree. After documenting the building and marquee, Karrin and I headed downhill to the waterfront and grabbed dinner at my favorite Seattle restaurant, Steamers. She had calamari and I had Alaskan cod. We then headed back uphill and picked up my tickets at the box office, along with blue wristbands which got us in before everybody else. We found our seats in the fifth row (row E, seats 7 and 8). Eventually everybody else was allowed in and the place began to fill. The opening act one a one-man-band called That One Guy. I had almost no expectations, but he was fantastic. His musical instrument was an interesting home-made looking essentially like lengths of steel pipe with lots of joints, plus a few buttons he used to trigger sounds. He first played the pipe by bowing it like a cello and controlling the pitch with a gentle touch at various locations. Soon he began also slapping it for percussion, and triggering samples with the two buttons. Two pedals on the floor allowed him to control bass drum samples. Overall his act was exceptionally physical from all the movement it required to play his unique instrument effectively. And listening to the music he made, nobody would have ever guessed it was all one person. After playing the first two tracks from their new album "The Incident" ("Occam's Razor" and "Blindhouse") they paused, and Steve Wilson announced that they were going to perform the entire 55-minute suite/album. He also mentioned that this was the first time they would ever play the new material for an audience. After that, they launched into the rest of the album, and played straight through to the end. I don't believe there were any more interruptions, and Steve didn't speak again until after the last track. As I expected, "Drawing the Line" rocked. "The Yellow Windows of the Evening Train" was accompanied by footage of flowers blooming and trees gently waving in a breeze, and then came "Time Flies", accompanied by the projections that are seen in the online video. "Octane Twisted" had a projection video in which we see the familiar little metal stick-man seen previously in the footage for "The Start of Something Beautiful" and "Sleep Together." The film depicted the unfortunate guy getting on a train, only to have the train run wild, hitting breakneck speeds, until it reaches a trestle bridge. The bridge breaks and cars go flying in a disaster. After the last song ("I Drive the Hearse") Steve again stepped up and announced the intermission. When they returned they went to their back catalogue, presenting (not in this order) "The Start of Something Beautiful", "The Sound of Muzak", "Russia On Ice", "Lazarus", "Normal", the heavy middle section of "Anesthetise", "Way Out of Here", and for the encore "Mother And Child Divided." Strangely, I can't recall whether they played "Blackest Eyes" or "Strip The Soul" but I'm pretty sure one of the two was in the set. I was stunned that "Fear of A Blank Planet" wasn't in the setlist; before the show I would have bet money that it would be played, I was so certain. Nothing from "Signify" was played during the show, and they didn't go back any further/deeper than "Russian On Ice" from the "Lightbulb Sun" album -- but that's to be expected these days. At one point early in the second set Steve spoke between songs saying (paraphrasing), "I have to admit, we were really nervous about playing all that new material for an audience for the first time." At another point -- I believe it was as Steve strapped on the acoustic guitar for "Lazarus" -- he said (paraphrasing again), "The metalheads in the room are all thinking, 'Oh great, he's going for the acoustic guitar again.'" That got laughs. After the last song of the encore, I pulled out the point-and-shoot camera and took a couple photos and shot a very short (maybe 5 seconds) video clip of the band waving at the end. Here is the video. After the show I waited outside at the front of the theatre and met my longtime Internet friend Johnny V. I've known from online for years and years, but this was the first time we actually got to meet. Johnny told me he had been talking to Porcupine Tree's tour manager in the last few days, and that the band might possibly come out to greet a few fans. Something like 40 minutes later, as roadies loaded black tour cases onto the bus behind us, Steve Wilson came out. He looked completely exhausted, spent, but he stopped to sign autographs for about 25 fans. He signed a sticker for "The Incident" album for me. I would have brought something better to sign if I'd known, but I had no clue I might meet him until Johnny mentioned it after the show.
Back from the Porcupine Tree show. Holy crap! I can't believe I actually met Steven Wilson. Post coming up, with a few photos...

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Heading to Seattle with Karrin to see Porcupine Tree at the Moore Theatre!

For ALL my friends who have ears

If you've known me any length of time at all, you've probably heard me gush and blather senselessly about my favorite band, the fairly-obscure British quartet called Porcupine Tree. I first discovered them when I was running an online radio station about ten years ago, and since then I've only loved them more and more as time goes by. Here is a very brief, quick introduction to them, thanks to YouTube. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ, JUST SKIP TO THE LINKS BELOW FOR A "QUICK FIX." PLEASE, GIVE THEM A LISTEN! Over the years, Porcupine Tree's sound has ranged very broadly, covering everything from the underground metal scene to psychedelia to electronica to alt-pop. But through their entire history there is a continuous, steady sense of respect for music not just as amusement but as genuine art. In this age when even a four-minute song is too long and demanding for the stunted attention span of the average listener, Porcupine Tree does not cater to the merely-average listener. They are one of the few bands who don't just write songs; they craft entire, cohesive albums -- complete works with a sense of unity and direction, with a cohesive theme both musically and lyrically. They have written albums telling an emotionally griping ghost story (2005's "Deadwing"), albums about serial killers and others who lack a conscience (2002's "In Absentia"), and the devastating impact that hyper-exposure to media and technology has on kids (2007's "Fear Of A Blank Planet"). Their new studio album, "The Incident" (which is just now hitting store shelves), addresses how media reports dehumanize life-altering events by depersonalizing them -- horrific tragedies are reduced to mere "incidents." Porcupine Tree attempts to inject humanity back into a few such events, while interweaving poignant autobiographical vignettes from band leader Steven Wilson's own life. "Time Flies" is the first video from "The Incident", and breaks the somber mood of much of the album with dreamy, romanticized lyrics: "I was born in '67, the year of Sargeant Pepper, and Are You Experienced..." "Time Flies" by Porcupine Tree http://ping.fm/gE0vc Their previous album, 2007's "Fear of A Blank Planet", dealt with how a mix of technology, media saturation, and excessive medication are ruining the lives of kids today. The title track sums up the album's theme. Here is the video. "Fear of A Blank Planet" by Porcupine Tree http://ping.fm/qIhvo The track "Way Out of Here" addresses the desperate longing for escape from the numbness and stress. "Way Out of Here" by Porcupine Tree http://ping.fm/0Pjzg For a rather jarring change of pace, going back ten years to their 1999 album "Stupid Dream" you find a more playful -- but no less meaningful -- side of Porcupine Tree. Their song "Piano Lessons" addresses the shattering of idealism and naiveté through a cynical girl who teaches piano. The video flirts with the absurd, the psychedelic, and a touch of steampunk sensibilities. "Piano Lessons" by Porcupine Tree http://ping.fm/O3yMK And finally, a live performance of one of their most beautiful, romantic songs, "Trains" from their 2002 album "In Absentia." This performance is from their live DVD "Arriving Somewhere But Not Here." "Trains" (live) by Porcupine Tree http://ping.fm/4ZFdm Karrin and I will be seeing Porcupine Tree live at the Moore Theatre in Seattle tonight, Tuesday, September 15th. I got advance tickets through the exclusive fan club, and expect we'll probably be right up front by the stage like when I saw them in 2007. I can't wait! FOR MORE ON PORCUPINE TREE: Their official website: http://ping.fm/UYgKG Follow them (and hear/see more) on MySpace: http://ping.fm/hQb8c
Just saw "Westworld" again. Yul rules! Tomorrow right after work Karrin & I go to Seattle to see Porcupine Tree at the Moore!

Monday, September 14, 2009

How 20 popular websites looked when they first launched. http://ping.fm/taTTF
Greek Festival was delicious! Lamb gyros, filo cheese puffs and baklava. Next big event: Porcupine Tree concert Tuesday night!!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Heading to Greek Fest. Karrin looks gorgeous! And I can't wait to shoot with Kelsey again!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

In response to Glenn Beck getting the keys to Mt Vernon, Jon Stewart has officially been offered the keys to Bellingham!! http://ping.fm/UUERf

Friday, September 11, 2009

"You know, it took me about a year to start hating the 9/11 victims’ families. It took me about a year... When I see 9/11 victim family, you know, on television, or whatever, I’m just like, ‘Oh, shut up.’ I’m so sick of them. Because they’re always complaining. And we did our best for them." -- Glenn Beck, founder of The 9/12 Project

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Car battery died while out. Got jump but only got 6 blocks. We bushed it a bit then abandoned it. Home now panicking. I'm screwed.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Facebook is launching a Mac OS X native application. Looks sweet! I'll try it. http://ping.fm/fU1lR

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Obama is addressing congress tomorrow night. I think he'll talk about how awesome the Beatles Rock Band is & how great the remasters sound
And in really shitty photography news.... http://ping.fm/KLDEI

Monday, September 07, 2009

Had a good shoot with a new model, and now heading up join Karrin at her parents. I miss her badly the very moment she's out of sight...

Sunday, September 06, 2009

Rain is viciously beating on the house like it wants to pound the roof to splinters.... on my way to meet Karrin for dinner. She's just finished a shoot.
Really nice day in Seattle with Machine. His salmon dip is freakin delicious, and the eggplant casserole was awesome. What a great guy!

Saturday, September 05, 2009

On our way to seattle to work with machine! Woo!

Friday, September 04, 2009

Going to see Machine on Saturday afternoon. Can't wait!
Glenn Beck doesn't even deserve the keys to the restroom of the gas station at the Anderson Road exit, much less the city. Scumbag!

Thursday, September 03, 2009

To 10 signs you might not be a Libertarian. AWESOME! http://ping.fm/3KQCJ

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

The cell phone in 1910. This is just. freaking. awesome. Wow. http://ping.fm/oU6m7
Doing a late-night photo shoot with Karrin. Corset, pinstriped black hat & pants. Hope it turns out as good as envisioned.

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Sick today, at home. Feeling awful. Tomorrow better be a big improvement.