10 minutes 34 seconds

That's how much time is left on my current download.
I have work again tomorrow.
Mon-Fri. So monotonous.
Life would be so boring if you didn't have other interests, other goals.
I think about these people I work with.
The lifers.
How do they do it?
I guess it's just a different breed.
I went for a skate today.
It was nice.
Contemplated smoking a joint but overpowered the urge.
I'm trying to get my motivation back.
If I had it my way, I'd stop smoking entirely.
Well that's not entirely true. I'd smoke like once a month.
Ohh, giddy. 4 minutes left.
Two of my work associates were fired in the past 10 days.
Corporate said 'They weren't the right fit.'
My boss asked if I was OK.
I was thinking of going to the Mets game today.
I called my dad to see if he wanted to go.
He said no. Said he is old now. He has a daily routine. And me calling him out of the blue asking to go to the Mets game would pull him out of his routine. Stun him. Potentially give him a heart attack. Leave him dead on the floor. Quivering.
He did mention he was looking forward to his birthday (July, 28).
I'll have dinner plans made by Friday.
My mom called to remind me about her retirement dinner on August 8th. Not even 60 and retiring. She was a teacher. Broke her heart I never finished all four years of college.
I think college is a bit overrated though.
Kinda like training wheels.
I'm getting more and more excited about moving into my new apartment.
My current living condition has become stale.
I used to move my bed around. Rearrange my shelves every 4-5 months.
I ran out of different configurations last cycle.
I can't wait for the new energy.
Download complete.
Good night.

Citay, Psychic Ills, Vetiver play Tonic NYC

Last night (Thursday, July 20) the scene for me was Tonic with Vetiver, the Psychic Ills and Citay.  With the downstairs closed, Tonic reminded me of one of those trailers you had when your high school was overpopulated.  Small, hot, awkwardly intimate.

Citay started the night with jam band filler.  Their set quickly became background music; Something to tap along to while waiting for the bartender to notice you.  The only songs that were enjoyable were the ones the lead singer didn't participate in.

The Psychic Ills took the stage next.  
Take your friend who likes to see how long he can go without sleep and throw him on stage with your other friend who always had the better chemistry set than you, and what you have done is just mirrored the insanity that is the Psychic Ills.  It wouldn't be appropriate for me to continue with this review without mentioning the sexy female bassist who was melting the hearts of both boys and girls alike.  
So, what about the music?
The Psychic Ills will be the next big thing, just not this minute.
Dins, their most recent release should have been a four track EP versus a complete record.  Anyone whose listened to their full record will tell you how the whole thing blends together in a hodgepodge of noise.  It's the occasional stunner like January Rain that peeks your interest, makes you realize there's something there.  The live performance was the same as the album.  If the Ills would take the time to shape each individual song instead of blurring them all together they'd probably avoid getting swallowed up in the tidal wave of sound they produce.  I've put the Psychic Ills on hold for the next year until they mature a bit.

Ahh, and now Vetiver.
"People were coming up to me saying I look Amish, I thought they said honest."
That's how Andy opened the night.  He does look honest.
There's a certain warmth wrapped around Vetiver's songs.
Oh Papa came first.
It's unfortunate that such a beautiful song was lost by background chatter and the sounds of people settling.  Approximately four songs later Vetiver picked it up with You May Be Blue, and from that point on we were cruising.  We dropped our trousers for Red Lantern Girls, a kid in the front screamed for the brake down and Andy responded with "Holy Guacamole."  Vetiver has the ability to take a rather placid song and infuse it with a seven member liveliness.  This is what makes seeing them live so great.  They have the gift of knowing what you want to hear, when you want to hear it.

Craig's List & Marshalls

I decided to take my hunt for a place to crash during Lollapalooza to Craig's List Chicago.
I posted a brief description about myself under "Housing Wanted."
These were a few of the responses I received...
--
Steve lastnamewitheld
to hous-183174229--

generous guy here with big house in lincoln park

we might be able to work things out where i wouldn't need any rent

let me know if interested

$teve
--
(This is beyond shady. Work things out? What could he possibly be implying? Maybe water his plants? Take out the garbage? He even signs his name Steve with a dollar sign.)
--

Hi, are you still looking for a place?
I might be able to accomodate you. I am about 3 blocks from Grant Park. Let me know.

Thanks!
Yin
--
(This was the one. I'm not sure if it's my thing for asian girls or that her apartment is three blocks from the festivities, but I'm excited about this one. I wrote her back, then we talked on the phone. She said she thought this would work out but that she had to first clear it with her roommate. I'll update you tomorrow. Very excited about this one!)
--

I received seven other responses.
All seemed like very cool people.
I decided not to respond and keep my fingers crossed about Yins place.
I like the idea of crashing with a complete stranger.
It mixes things up. Adds a little adventure, a twist. Who knows what I'll walk into.


Today was a funny day all around.
People started to call me about my Marshalls back to school ad.
Appropriately busting on me.
The Internet ad is funny. I haven't seen the one in the newspapers or the stores yet.

My day went something like this...

(audio required)

[video malfunction. will try and post later today.]

Music:
Oasis - Wonderwall
And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - Another Morning Stoner
Mazzy Star - Into Dust
Thom Yorke - And It Rained All Night
Royksopp - Remind Me


P.S. I'm looking for a place to crash in Chicago during Lollapalooza. Know of an apartment?

Coney Island is an hour away...eh forget it.

I was trying to make it to Coney Island yesterday for the Village Voice Siren Fest but instead found myself unable to leave my roommates room, taking full advantage of his AC unit.  
However, the day wasn't entirely lost.  
I did manage to leave a deposit on my new apartment.  
I also spoke about the band Vetiver with one of my other roommates. We started to get giddy over the thought of his/their upcoming show at Tonic on the 20th.  He/they will be doing an in-store at Other Music the same day around 8pm.  
I ended the night by eating some mushrooms and watching the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with yet another roommate.

Perhaps more interesting than my night is the thought of how entertaining having seven roommates can be.
Why is it that you always realize these things the moment before you lose them?
Anyway, after Charlie and my shrooming, I headed upstairs to write down the things I'll be taking with me.
I thought about if I'll keep in touch with my old roommates, my friends for the past two years...

--

I found this clip of Aaron. (He's the one whose AC filled room kept me from the Siren Fest. )
It was taken about 10 hrs in, on our way to Bonnarro.
He's completey blacked out; borderline dead.
-
In order to fully understand the video below, you should know this picture was taken about five hours earlier.



Vodka and Vitamin Water =






Background Music:  Chordettes - Mr Sandman.