So many things, so little time and patience

There are so many things going on that I don't have the time and patience to sit here at my friends' apartment and type away. And I won't have internet at my place until July 7th.

One thing about living in Chicago is that I'm always busy doing something. I don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing, but so far I like it. I also love just being able to walk to places. Gas is very expensive here, but at the rate I use my car, I spend a hell of a lot less on gas here than I did in Chapel Hill. I actually haven't been to a gas station here yet and probably won't for at least another couple of weeks.

Everybody, conservative, moderate, and liberal, should go see Fahrenheit 9/11 if you haven't yet. For the best review, go here.

The Magnetic Fields are playing today for the third consecutive night here in Chicago. I didn't go, but last night at a dance party at the Hideout, Stephen Merritt showed up to scope out boys. I said, "Dude, I'm straight, but if you want to make out, my friend Sean's interested." Just kidding, Sean.

To my boyz and gals in North Cackalack, Missourah, and across the country and globe, come visit. I'll be DJ-ing at my friends' July 4th party and also on the 5th at this club/bar, Vertigo. Word.

A very brief update

This is my sixth day in Chicago, and I've been incredibly busy everyday. But since all of you are so anxious for an update, here's one, albeit short. I promise a more comprehensive one at a later date, when I get the internet set up at my apartment.

The trip up here sucked, but, overall, it wasn't as bad as I thought. West Virginia was horrible. I don't give a shit if it's pretty because of the mountains...there are just too many fucking white-trash rednecks and most of the state looks like a huge industrial dump. Plus, the only radio stations I could pick up were bad modern rock and pop, country, or Christian. There are no hip hop stations in West Virginia because they hate blacks. I was VERY relieved to cross the border in fucking Kentucky of all places...since only inbreds come out of Kentucky. That's how bad West Virginia is.

I'm now officially an Illinois resident, with my new driver's licencse and Illinois plates. Don't worry, y'all, I'm still Tar Heel and Show-Me bred.

Tonight I'm going to a special early screening of Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11. Eat a dick, y'all.

It's time, baby

(From The Onion)

Mugger Can't Believe Crap Victim Has On MP3 Player

BOSTON — Following the successful mugging of a jogger in Franklin Park, petty criminal Derek Mesker announced Monday that he cannot believe the shit he's found on his victim's Philips 20GB MP3 player. "3 Doors Down? Maroon 5!" Mesker said, scrolling through the songs. "The new Counting Crows?! Man, I'm glad I pistol-whipped that motherfuck." Mesker added that the first thing he did was toss the device's "gay-ass" teal neoprene case.

**********************************

This is your humble narrator's last entry from the great town of Carrboro in the great state of North Carolina. I've now lived in North Carolina a total of nine and a half years of my life, second only to the ten I lived in Missouri, and it's about time to leave for the second time. I've got one last thing to say to Chapel Hill-Carrboro (and I'm being sincere): I'll miss you, bitch.

Now it's time to pack up my computer.

Ghetto or Fabulous? Or both?

Go to my new favorite website and vote. I must credit my friend Tom for finding this.

Urination

I went to CD Alley for the last time before heading out to Chicago (in less than five days!). I actually was prepared to spend a shitload of money and load up on stuff I've been meaning to buy for a while now because CD Alley consistently has the cheapest prices for records and CDs than anywhere else. But a few minutes after walking in, I had to take a huge piss, and I decided to rush so I could go home and urinate in my toilet...I'm lazy, so it wasn't an option for me to come back later or tomorrow. Besides, I'm closing my bank account soon. So I didn't really get an opportunity to fully explore the store and splurge as I originally intended...however, my selections were stellar, I must say. My favorite has to be Forever Version, the fabulous 1971 Studio One record from Dennis Alcapone. Other winners: Various Artists - Watch How the People Dancing: Unity Sounds from the London Dancehall, 1986-1989, The Fall - The Rough Trade Singles Collection, DNA - DNA on DNA, The Homosexuals CD, and the new split single from Cold Sides and Sorry About Dresden. Oh, since you're dying to know, the piss was one of the most relieving ones I've ever had.

Go Pistons, etc.

They should be up 3-0, but I'll take 2-1. Larry Brown is the best coach, bar none. I still think Carolina should've gone after him (he would've come) and groom Phil Ford to become the next head coach in ten or so years, which, despite Brown's age, would still reel in the top recruits because everybody loves Phil and everyone would want to play for Larry Brown and Phil Ford. Even though I think Roy is a hell of a coach and will do great here, I personally don't know if I can ever fully embrace him because of his ties to Kansas.

Rasheed Wallace has been underwhelming the whole series thus far, but I don't care since the Pistons are up. 'Sheed's always been one of my favorite players not because of his abilities, but because he cracks me up. He argues so dramatically on every foul called, even if it's obviously a foul. Off the court, he acts as if he doesn't give a fuck. Even with the throwback jersey craze of this hip hop generation in which even many NBA athletes wear jerseys of different players and teams, he came into the arena before the game tonight wearing his own Piston jersey. Fucking hilarious. Here are more reasons why Rasheed Wallace is awesome.

During a commercial, I was flipping through the channels, and I came across the Beastie Boys performing their new single on the MTV Movie Awards. I hadn't listened to the Beastie Boys in forever, and I forgot how much they can't rap worth shit. I'm convinced only stupid white people are still into them because "they're the Beastie Boys and they fucking kick ass!" I have to admit the production of the song sounds alright, and I like the fact that they still utilize an actual DJ. The Beastie Boys still suck, however.

Hit the Road Jack

Sadly, Ray Charles died today at the age of 73. Frankly, this is a much more tragic loss than Reagan. Go spend tomorrow's National Day of Observance listening to Ray Charles' music.

WXYC - Wednesday June 9, 2004 (6-9 PM)

My friend Todd let me do his show tonight, and I'm back from doing my last show on WXYC. (Sniff.) Actually, I don't feel bad at all...like I kind of did after what I thought was my last show on May 12th. But I have other things on my mind, like how I got screwed by those bitches at Sandbox Automatic and how I have to pack and clean next Thursday for my move the following morning.

I was really nervous at first because I wanted my last show to be perfect. It wasn't, but I think it was a good show, and my nerves faded quickly. Cy Rawls called around 7:00 to tell me that my show was really good. I taped it, and I'll have a better idea of how good (or bad) it was after I listen to it. Right now, I'd rate it as a B+...not a shabby way to end. Anyway, here's the playlist:

<6:00>
(H) Lizzy Mercier Descloux - Funky Stuff
Material - Take a Chance
Switch - Next to You
(H) The Lafayette Afro Rock Band - Voodounon

(M) Susie Ibarra - Awit Sa Trabaho
Terem Quartet - Peddlers
Sex Mob - Translation 2

(H) My Dear Ella - Set Me Running
The Letters - Nobody Loves Me (off the comp This is Mod!)
Superchunk - The Majestic
Rita Lee - Vamos Tratar Da Saude

(S) Pit er Pat - Bog Man
Mahjongg - Countdown (the Chicken)
<7:00>
Casino Versus Japan - Summer Clip
Yellow Magic Orchestra - Computer Games
(H) Yesterday's New Quintet - You've Got It Bad Girl

Boris Kovach & Ladaaba Orchest - Balkatino
(H) David Darling & the Wulu Bunun - Lugu Lugu Kan-Ibi
Kingsbury Manx - Piss Diary
(H) The Tokens - How Nice (off the comp Hallucinations...)

(M) Aroah - Vigo
The Dead C - Bitcher
Mars - Helen Forsdale
Iggy Pop and Sonic Youth - I Wanna Be Your Dog (Live '87)

(S) Spectac - Reasons
<8:00>
(R) Prince Paul & De La Soul - More Than U Know
Kenny Knots - Run Come Call Me
(M) Keith Hudson - Flesh of My Skin
Joe Bataan - Latin Strut

(H) The Animal Collective - Leaf House
Greg Ashley - Mona Rider
Amps for Christ - The Morlough Shore

(H) Mary Lou Williams - Kool Bonga
Rev. Charlie Jackson - Wrapped Up and Tangled In Jesus
Captain Beefheart - Sure 'Nuff 'N Yes I Do
Tokedashita Garasubako - Kimi Ha Darenanda (off Love, Peace, & Poetry: Japanese Psychedelic Music comp)
The Open Mind - Magic Potion (from Nuggets II boxset)
High Rise - Mainliner

(H) Remarc - Not 4 U
Pharoahe Monch - Agent Orange
<9:00>

Clinton barred from funeral?

I wonder if this is true.

What the fuck?

Even though, at the ripe age of 27, I may be too young (and ignorant) to fully realize the whole scope of things political, but has there ever really been a Republican president who actually was a good president that made the whole country better and not worse? I ask this because ever since Reagan died this past week, the media has made it seem like he's the greatest president this country has ever seen.

I realize that it's not really polite to bring out negatives in the wake of someone's death, especially an ex-president's...but this is getting ridiculous. I've read that there are some in Congress who want to get rid of Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill and replace it with Reagan or replace FDR on the dime with Reagan or replace Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill. And there are people who want Reagan's face on Mount Rushmore. I'm sorry, but just because a president was "personable" and seemed likable do not hide the damage he caused. Now I'm dreading the day Dubya dies because I can see the same kind of thing happening, even though, in reality, he's by far the worst president in the past fifty years, maybe ever.

Impressed/Not Impressed

Obviously everybody has dealt with businesses they've been impressed with and not impressed with. My first and only dealing with Sandbox Automatic has sucked so much ass I'm getting ready to report those motherfuckers to BBB. Two weeks ago I ordered some records from them, mostly because they carried the Coup's "5 Million Ways to Kill a CEO" single. I noticed that they never sent a confirmation email like any online business would do. I also noticed that my card had been charged the day I placed the order. I've been waiting and waiting and still no records from them. Finally, yesterday, I called them to see what was up, and they seemed to have no clue and asked me to submit an online inquiry form and they would get back to me asap. (They also said that they don't send confirmation emails.) I still haven't heard from those bastards, and if they still have no clue tomorrow, I'm going to demand a refund and/or report them to BBB.

Conversely, I would recommend Eclipse Records to anyone...well, if you're into psychedelic and experimental music, that is. I ordered some records from them less than a week ago, and on the day I made the order, I got a call from the owner telling me that I could save a lot of money if I went with media mail, even though their website says they only send things 2-Day Priority Mail. And I still got my records today.

Interestingly, even though cell phone companies have shitty reputations, I've been somewhat impressed with Verizon Wireless. I got a bill today telling me that I owed almost a hundred bucks because I never paid last month's bill. I rarely, if ever, am late in paying my bills, and so I thought this had to have been a mistake. I checked all my records and my checkbook, and I noticed that the last time I wrote out a check to Verizon, it was two months ago...however, I also noticed that I never received a bill last month...whether it was Verizon's fault or the post office or one of my roommates misplacing it or throwing it away, I don't know. (And it's never my fault because I'm always right.) All I know is that I never received the bill; hence, I didn't pay. I have no qualms about paying both last month's and this month's bills; but I don't think I should have to pay the late fee. So I called them ready to argue my case, but they, to my surprise, agreed to waive the late fee without any argument.

So, Eclipse Records gets a gold star. Verizon Wireless gets one thumb up. And Sandbox Automatic gets a flaming bag of shit...and I'm getting ready to wage a personal jihad against them.

I can't wait

Check out Fahrenheit 911's trailer online. It comes out June 25th.

Go Pistons

Fuck the Lakers.
Phil Jackson sucks.
Go Pistons.

Jock

Not to sound cocky, but I consider myself a pretty good radio DJ. I won't be doing radio when I move up to Chicago, but I want to continue DJ-ing. I'm looking to spin at parties and at clubs, which a few of my friends said they can hook me up with.

I have little doubt that I'll be good...however, having never spun at parties or at clubs, I'm finding that the technical skill of this type of DJ-ing is a little tougher than I expected. I know it takes some time and practice, but I'm impatient. I want to be good right away.