Obsession

Like a knee-jerk reaction, When I see a person I immediately comparing his or her face to a celebrity's. Maybe it's because people are constantly saying to me, "You look like ____." But true or not, telling people they look like famous faces wins you cool points. Unless that person is Clint Howard.

One of these men is Christian Slater. The other is Joseph Stalin. Can You tell me which is which?

Sporcle...

...is my new craze/obsession. Where else can you test your knowledge of presidents, states, and world capitals? Well, lots of places I guess. But Sporcle lets you test your knowledge of lesser-known Joss Whedon characters. Don't know him? I'd skip it.

Any bit of sports minutiae is covered, which bodes well for me. You can quiz your knowledge of the Opening Day lineups of 11 MLB franchises, or the top 50 male tennis players. Would people listed in these quizzes even get half correct?

I prefer the meta-lists: AFI's Top 100 films, AP Male Athletes of the Year, and Time's Most Important People of the 20th century. No one will score perfectly on these, but you can certainly do better than most if you have a good history knowledge base.

My favorite quiz? 100 Commonest English Words. I play it once per day and once answered 99. Now excuse me, I'm going for perfection.

Gel from Heaven

Do you guys know what this stuff is? Seth Fisher generously brought me back 2 tubes from his trip to France earlier this year, and it's re-fueled an old addiction...an addiction that left me crying, by the side of the road, and 50 pounds heavier, once upon a time.

Just kidding, but it is hard to stop with this stuff once you get started. Picture this: vanilla, chestnuts, sugar, water. In a paste, but there's nothing to it so it looks like a gel. Stir it into your yogurt. Fill a crepe with it! Slather some on a cookie. Eat it from a spoon! Things get out of hand really easily!

I know it's a little early, but if anyone's wondering what to get me for Christmas, they're selling it on Amazon. Shipping is $5.00, so you might as well get 3 or 4 while you're at it. Just saying!

Philadelphia is closing its public libraries!

This is the most fucked up thing ever!

http://libwww.freelibrary.org/closing/

I don't know about you or the people of Philadelphia or the people of America in general, but I certainly wouldn't mind paying a little more in taxes!!!! This is what happens when you insist on tax cuts in tough years, fools. We all lose. Congratulations.

UPDATE:

This is from an interesting comment on Consumerist about it. A different side of the story and still fucked up! Let's get it together, people!

What's happening is that city leaders are making a highly-visible yet token "cut" that's designed to annoy people and convince them that higher taxes are acceptable. Once people accede to this manipulation — which is really no better than an extortion scheme — these conniving officials are relieved of the obligation to do what they ought to have done in the first place: make the serious and genuine kinds of budget cuts that would actually make a difference ... such as cutting waste and graft, and paring the size of government down to something which is both manageable and affordable. They squander money in ways you would not believe — and they do it all the time, under the illusion that it's the best way to operate.

Example 1: The Connecticut DOT could not be bothered actually managing a construction project, so they contracted out that task to a well-connected company. Only that company, which was paid millions to supervise it, did absolutely nothing. The work done was poor and had to be redone. In order to avoid paying to redo it, the construction company liquidated itself, its owners reconstituted as another firm, and proceeded to lobby for more state business. CT DOT officials — who obviously had no problem with this situation — were ready to award them more work, when the story was reported and the state A.G. had to step in. The re-work took another 2 years and a great deal more money, only some of which has been recovered.

Example 2: New York City public schools are famously home to what are called "rubber rooms." These are places in which tenured but incompetent teachers are allowed to sit and do nothing all day, yet earn their salaries for having done nothing. You see, they cannot be fired, no matter how bad they are; since they are by contract "entitled" to work, this is the only way to keep them from hurting kids' education or harming them.

Both of these examples, and more, are basically ways in which money is sucked out of the public coffers, for no good purpose ... and which are actually, actively defended by some officials, who consider these to be good ideas.

It's not just Philadelphia that uses this scheme of token, annoying, noticeable cuts to entice taxpayers into paying more ... governments at ALL levels (municipalities, counties, regional authorities, and states) across the country do it. It's an old trick, but curiously, it seems to work more often than not, and most people are blissfully unaware they're being "played." The cold hard fact is that government officials profit too much from bloated government and artificially-high budgets, for them to slice them down to size.

Trekky Records

Local record company Trekky Records was founded by Will Hackney and Martin Anderson. Will stopped by for a chat about workin', recordin', and cool websites (spoiler - JoP is one!). TrkFest is coming up for Trekky on June 13th. Be sure to check it out!

What or who is the driving force behind Trekky records?

All of the different personalities in the different bands. These weirdos keep Martin and I inspired to keep promoting and releasing their music.

Describe an average Trk business day.
Martin and I listen to the music on my computer with the "Shuffle" feature on. Our office is in the basement of our house and its called "The Pleasure Dome" (by some). Martin and I quietly write emails all, occasionally pausing to make fun of someone or say "This song is awesome" then around one someone yells "LUNCHTIIIIIIIIIIME!" and we go upstairs to eat veggie burgers. Then more emails! Yea girl.

How does a band get signed to Trekky?

You have to know Martin and I or people in the crew for usually about 7 years and then you're in!

Do you actively go out and recruit talent from around the area?

Nope, but we still go to a ton of shows because many of the bands around here are amazing!

What are defining characteristics of Trekky bands?

They all sound very different, but generally a common thread is trying to do something different and un-marketable from a business point of view. We like this.

What bands that you have played in over the years have influenced you the most?

Martin and I started out playing in a loud band called Alvarez Painting that really taught us what its like to be in a band at a very young age. Auxiliary House and Lost in the Trees have taught me the good things and the frustrating things about being in a giant, enormous band.

It's 2024, what does Trekky records look like?

Based on an multi-use compound in Chatham County run on solar power and home to our offices, homes, organic farms, horses, a roller coaster and a recording studio. In other words, an anarchist commune.

What bands outside of Trekky do you take the most inspiration from?

Locally our friends in Megafaun, Bowerbirds, Midtown Dickens and The Rosebuds are all amazing at giving honest performances, making beautiful records and not selling out. Crucial.

In Chapel Hill, what do you find is the best club to play music at?

Nightlight is our longtime favorite venue. We've been doing shows there for nearly a decade and its only getting better in recent months!

What websites do you visit on a daily basis?
Pitchfork, Craigslist, Jar of Paperclips (via Google Reader)

In this era of home recording and distributing local music, other start-ups like Trekky have emerged (ie: Sufficient Records). How do you feel about their competition on the music scene?

We don't compete with anyone, we fully support anyone else trying to make something happen. I've never heard of Sufficient Records...

What are the biggest accomplishments of Trekky to date?

Last year's TRKfest Music Festival, our annual Christmas show and Project Symphony, which was the debut of Ari Picker's (Lost in the Trees) first symphony.

What are some areas that Trekky could work on?

Having money!

What do you consider Trekky's biggest musical release?

The Never's album Antarctica. It was a full album and a 50-page color storybook. Yikes!

What is the biggest time of year for Trekky on the whole?

Usually Autumn I think. We released 5 records last fall. All of our bands are in tune with each other's cycles, I guess.

TrkFest is coming up in June. Tell our readers a lil' something about it!

TRKfest is a one day blissfest in Pittsboro, NC that is now an annual event. All of the Trekky bands and our best friend bands all play out in the hot sun and its wonderful. This year's is Saturday, June 13th and you can check myspace.com/trkfest for info!

What is Trekky's mascot?
An owl. A reclaimed symbol from the free masons. Or Bobby Britt, fiddle player. Beware the fleet fingers of Bobby Britt.


The Owl Room Sessions hearken back to MTV's Unplugged Series. What is your ultimate goal for these sessions?
Just to keep em going and inviting people to have a different sort of show experience. Man, I'll never forget Stone Temple Pilots' MTV Unplugged!

Many Trekky band members cross over to help each other out on other ensemble or solo projects. Not including the ones that have already occurred, what cross-overs would you like to see happen?

We talk about this constantly, trying to come up with the weirdest and most magical combinations. Most recently we've just been talking about putting all of the hottest dudes in one band and having them be an R&B group.

What social causes and projects does Trekky currently participate in? What are some that you foresee becoming involved with?

We have an "Adopt a Highway" road that we clean and our annual Christmas show benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. We do as much as we can on our respective budgets. Hopefully when we are famous we can do a giant concert and buy Chapel Hill a monorail or something.

What radio station do you consider the best/listen to the most in the Triangle area (AKA Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill)?

WXYC is great for a broad range of music. WKNC in Raleigh plays more local music than anyone on earth and they are amazing for that. WXDU is wonderful also. Joe Norkus' show with his Dad on WCOM is a "must-listen".

Of course numbers don't matter, but what do you consider to be a good show for your bands?

One where something happens that could never happen ever again.

What local bands are you digging the most right now, outside of Trekky's?

Hammer No More the Fingers and Kingsbury Manx just released awesome albums.

Is Trekky your sole occupation? What about for other bands? Do members have jobs outside of Trekky?

Most people have day jobs in the Trekky crew. Martin and I work pretty much full time.

The Trekky family just welcomed a new addition to the fam. Are you excited to watch your bands transition into all different phases of their lives, not just musically? What does that mean for the future of Trekky?

This is very exciting for us because indeed Trekky is sort of our whole life and not just our hobby. We all feel like its our baby (in fact we all tried to name it) and we hope that she grows up feeling like she has this giant extended family helping to raise her. Also we hope she starts a band ASAP.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us Will! Our readers look forward to hearing from Martin!

The Power of Suggestion: All the Movies I Want to See

Summer is coming up, I've finished Infinite Jest, and I'm ready to party. Party with movies, that is! Everything I read lately has been tempting me with movies to Netflix. Oh, and I just upgraded my plan...whoops! If anyone wants to come over, or host me, to watch these--with some fine wine, obviously--let me know. I am fairly unscrupulous in my movie taste (I just want to be entertained), but Robert is much more critical and discriminating, so it's a fair bet I'll have to find someone else to go see I Love You, Man with. Here's what else is on my list:

High School Musical 1-3! This article and the above collage make it look really fun! Plus I've heard rave reviews, especially of number three.

Adventureland: Last night, Graham told me it was good, and it looks good and I heard the music was really good. Plus, it's that kid from The Squid and the Whale, and I liked that movie, so this is pretty much a sure thing.

Tyler Perry: all movies. I'm so curious about these! Who is this guy? (Girl?) What's the deal?

Bruno. I really like Sacha Baron Cohen! This one is actually coming to theaters, so I might have to venture out of the house. Will probably be worth it, right?

Houseguest! Just look at the poster. Phil Hartman AND SINBAD, together?! I've seen this one before but that was literally 15 years ago. Time for a review.

Twilight. I hate to say it, but I'm curious about this too. Plus, my sister told me she'd watch it with me.

Fireproof. The biggest one for me, anyway. This looks hilarious and everybody is taking it seriously and Kirk Cameron is just too crazy. He wouldn't kiss the actress playing his wife in this movie! Even though he is an actor himself, and so is his real-life wife! Don't sign up to be an actor if you won't pretend to kiss another actor for a part! Also, all the "funny" scenes are cracking me up, and for all the wrong reasons.

The Informers. I legitimately want to see this one, because it turns out I've seen every Bret Easton Ellis-based movie and I love them all. Less Than Zero, anybody??!

I Love You, Man. Here's a secret: I'm a big fan of all of these kinds of movies. More than I ever want to admit, but too late for that. Jason Segel? Paul Rudd? Even Russell Brand? It is very hard for me to seriously criticize these people.

So who's with me? We can watch these wine or no wine, other drinks or no other drinks. We can even watch these without making fun of them...if you want! Let me know and I'll get a sign-up sheet started.

*CrUsH aLeRt*: Chuck Bass

I wish I could quit you Gossip Girl.

Grey Gardens

I've been obsessed with Grey Gardens since discovering it in college. For those unfamiliar with the story - Grey Gardens is a 10 bedroom home in the Hamptons owned and lived in by Edith Bouvier Beale, Big Edie, and her daughter, Little Edie. They are most famous for being the aunt and cousin of Jackie Kennedy as well as starring in the Mayles brothers' documentary "Grey Gardens". The documentary is a "cult classic" (I hate that term), because it documents their life in the decaying mansion and how the 2 women lived with 52 cats and countless raccoons on the overgrown lot. It kind of reminds me of a precursor to reality shows today because these women have such mother/daughter issues on display for us to watch. I've always been a little bit scared of the film because these women and the state of the house kind of creep me out - but at the same time - fascinate me! But I think I'm at the point where I just have to see it. Last weekend HBO debuted their movie version of Grey Gardens with Jessica Lange (Big Edie) and Drew Barrymore (Little Edie). Apparently it gives more context about events that brought the 2 women to the house again, their dependence on one another, and their lost hopes and dreams. Also, the costumes look excellent.

The way the Edie's lived in the home is only half of my interest. In 1979 Ben Bradlee and his wife, Sally Quinn bought the home from the Edie's and promised not to tear it down. Ben Bradlee used to edit the Washington Post, (most interestingly) during the Watergate years. I think this is why I'm most fascinated in the story still - the fact that Ben Bradlee owns it. My point with all this is that I would love to see photos of the house now. Countless photos exist of the house when it's on the verge of death, but now people that go to the house say how magical and mysterious it is. How could it not be?? I'd be a little freaked out to sleep there, but I hear Sally did an excellent job keeping the original house in tact. So far the only things I've been able to find (other than pictures of the front exterior), are these photos of the gardens today. Seriously - isn't it beautiful??