Mahjongg Urbain

I know I've written about the band Mahjongg many times before, because I'm friends with them and I'm roommates with one of them and simply because they're pretty fucking good. And this entry is also about them because right now those lucky bastards are off to France for the Trans Music Festival. Go Mahjongg. Represent.

Happy Belated Thanksgiving

It's been a weird thanksgiving weekend thus far...but mostly good. I left for St. Charles, Missouri on Thanksgiving day because I didn't want to drive during the Wednesday snow, especially with the hectic Thanksgiving traffic. After picking up a few things from my apartment, I accidently and stupidly locked my keys inside my trunk. I called the police so they could unlock my car, but they said that they don't do that anymore because of liability. So I had to call a 24-hour locksmith, and they charged me $75. I had set aside an $80 spending limit quota for this weekend, and I was determined to stick to it.

Thankfully, my friends are awesome, and they bought me drinks and pizza last night. We ended up going to Blueberry Hill at the Loop near Washington University. That's when the night turned a little weird. I bumped into many people from my high school, most of whom I haven't seen in almost ten years. My ten-year high school reunion is going to be sometime in 2005, and I had not planned (and still don't plan) on attending, even though I live closer to St. Louis now in Chicago than Chapel Hill. However, I realized last night that there are people from high school that I can actually have conversations with, and I'm not as adamant about not attending the reunion as I was. But I still don't think I want to attend.

I only drank a few beers since I didn't want to spend any money (which I didn't) and since I had to drive all the way back to St. Charles, where my parents have lived for the past five years. For those who don't know, St. Charles is unofficially considered part of the St. Louis metropolitan area, I think, but it's not officially part of St. Louis. It's straight up suburbia, and most of its residents are white trash, in my opinion. It especially sucks that I have to drive 40 minutes to get to do anything with friends in St. Louis.

So this weekend has been fun but short. I'm looking forward to going back to Chicago tomorrow so I can see my woman, but I'm also looking forward to coming back for Hanukkah in a few weeks.

Hip Hop ya don't stop

My friend Tito recently started a new hip hop (and jazz and maybe other genres, too), mp3 blog, Right and Exact. Check it out, fools.

You so stupid

Second-year Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony has had a forgettable half-year. He's been busted for pot, was terrible in the Olympics, has been called a whiny brat by the best coach in the world, Larry Brown, and labeled as a problem man-child by the sports media.

And now this from the Rocky Mountain News:

"Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony came to the arena wearing a T-shirt with a picture of President Bush superimposed over the burning Twin Towers. Under the picture was the word, "Why?" "Kerry shouldn't have given up," Anthony said of defeated presidential candidate John Kerry. "He shoulda fought that all the way through." Anthony said he did not vote."

I don't know. That made me laugh.

Chapel Thrill

Being back in Chapel Hill this past weekend felt weird in the sense that I felt as if I had never left. It felt as if I had just gotten back into town from an extended vacation. It felt good to be back, although never did I feel like I wanted to move back. But Chapel Hill and North Carolina hold a special place in my heart, and I had a good time.

Last night was WXYC's ten-year anniversary of becoming the first radio station in the world to broadcast over the internet.


The anniversary show was at the Local 506 and featured local acts eNtet, the Moaners, Spectac (pictured above), and Jett Rink (pictured below).


I wanted to take more pictures of this weekend, although I did take more pictures than I usually do. (My mid-year resolution is to use my camera more.) I don't really have too many funny pictures, but this one below of Todd and Mike is pretty funny, I think. Shocker!


If you want, you can view more pics by clicking below...although I don't think they're that interesting.

Nader Supporters Blame Electoral Defeat On

(from The Onion)

WASHINGTON, DC — Supporters of presidential candidate Ralph Nader blamed his defeat Tuesday on George W. Bush and John Kerry, claiming that the two candidates "ate up" his share of the electoral votes. "This election was stolen out from under Mr. Nader by Bush and Kerry, who diverted his votes to the right and the left," Nader campaign manager Theresa Amato said. "It's an outrage. If Nader were the only candidate, he would be president right now." In his concession speech, Nader characterized Bush and Kerry as spoilers.

I need this weekend so I can heal

Bush winning a second term has definitely put a cloud over everything, and the more I think about it the more bummed out and pissed off I get. So I think this upcoming weekend in Chapel Hill-Carrboro, the liberal oasis in the middle of the scary, Republican South, will be good.

Christians across the world are stupid, not just the Americans

Man tries to convert lions to Jesus, gets bitten.

Unhappy Democrats Need to Wait to Get Into Canada

If you're thinking about moving to Canada...

This is horrible

Even though I felt in my heart for the past few months that Bush would win (despite Kerry beating him in the debates and other people's optimism that Kerry would win), it still feels like a shock to me that Bush actually won a second term.

I'm also surprised that, despite all the hype that this was the most important election of our lifetime and the high voter turnout, the proportion of young voters was small and the same as 2000. I think I saw on CNN that the proportions of all age groups were identical to 2000. Even with all the bullshit that has happened in the past four years, nothing really has changed at all when it's all said and done. I don't know if people are just stupid or if the Democratic party is run by a bunch of tools or what...probably all of the above. I just have a hard time fathoming someone like George W. Bush can not only win one term but a second one as well. But this is reality, and it's really depressing.

If there's any good news (for me at least), I live in a city that pretty much single-handedly carried Illinois on its back. About two million Cook County residents voted yesterday, and Kerry won easily 70-30. Many people have said that this country's fucked and that they should move to another country. Well, I pretty much live in another country here in Chicago, and this gives me further reason to settle up here permanently.

Fuck Bush

Very Tiring Halloween Weekend

Yes, the title says it all. I wish I had pictures of some really funny costumes I saw this weekend...and if I get them I'll post them. Below are some pics I do have.

The first three involve my friend Paul, who had one of the best costumes I'd ever seen. He went as Edward Scissorhands and made the whole costume by himself (except the wig). He was a huge hit everywhere he went.



Below is Paul with his ladyfriend, Heff, who dressed as Kim Boggs (Winona Ryder's character from Edward Scissorhands):


Below left to right: Sean (kung fu dude), Heff, Paul, and yours truly as Slash. I'm strumming the guitar while we all sing "Patience."


This next photo is of Hadley, who is dressed as Jackie Kennedy on November 22, 1963.


Below is Tim, who was a dead ringer for Eric Forman (from That 70's Show).


And finally, in the picture below is the sexiest couple there is. It's Maria (as Madonna from "Lucky Stars") with me (as Slash).