Aaron's Music Watch List

Without Further Ado:

VNV Nation
Funker Vogt
Mad Caddies
Streetlight Manifesto
Cabaret Voltaire
Chemlab
Front Line Assembly (Tactical Neural Implant, Civilization, Caustic Grip)
Skinny Puppy
Clutch (The Elephant Riders)
Dog Fashion Disco (Committed to a Bright Future)

There you have it. Comment if you've heard of more than one of these groups. I'm curious if I know any other big industrial fans.

Last.fm

I downloaded Last.fm's new software today. It provides a tight platform from which to access the information the site has about music (both bios of artists and all the tag data you love), as well as a much more sensical way to tag music (you know, as you play it) and recommend it. And, the old Last.fm player is integrated. My only gripe is you should be able to read your statistical feeds from the window, instead of still having to log on to the site. Still, all in all, I am satisfied. If you aren't on Last.fm yet, here's another excuse to do so.

By Request

Open iTunes/iPod or Windows Media Player to answer the following. Go to your library. Answer, no matter how embarrasing it is.


How many songs: 3,447

Sort by song title:
First Song: '68 Only Time, by Lemon Jelly
Last Song: Zzzz Best, by The Melvins and Lustmord

Sort by time:
Shortest Song: "Come Again", Alan Ford, Snatch OST, 4 seconds
Longest Song: Delirium Cordia, by Fantomas, 74:17

Sort by album:
First Song: 99 Red Balloons, Goldfinger (No Album)
Last Song: King Without a Crown, Matisyahu (Youth)

Top Five Most Played Songs:
1. King Without a Crown - Matisyahu
2. Gay Bar - Electric Six
3. 60 Revolutions - Gogol Bordello
4. Bohemian Like You - The Dandy Warhols
5. Thomas Window Paine - DraculaZombieUSA

First song that comes up on Shuffle: Looking at You - The MC5

Search ....
"sex", how many songs come up? 23
"death", how many songs come up? 49
"love", how many songs come up? 54
"you", how many songs come up? 299

iPod? Yeargh!

So, I've been looking for an iPod...hell, I've been looking for a 30+ GB hard drive mp3 player, any. The refurbs on eBay look fair, pricewise, though everyone's getting worked up about the whole warranty jazz, since my bro fried his brand new iPod. I don't think it'll make a difference...but I can't really afford a new one, by any stretch of the imagination. I'm tempted to see what they have for refurb electronics at The Exchange once I get back to Pittsburgh, since I saw an iPod there, for what I thought was either 100 even or 120. Both good, and within my price range. I need to talk with someone about the whole eBay thing...*sigh*. Oh well. It'll happen eventually...maybe.
In the meanwhile, I can be unrealistic about other things.
Car!
I'm going to Advance Auto Parts in Pittsfield on Monday to buy Seafoam. Seafoam is an automotive cleaning solvent which is introduced directly into the engine through the throttle body, via a vacuum line like your PCV valve. After a torrent of smoke and debris, you've cleaned out your engine a bit, and will get better power delivery and gas mileage. So says their website. I'm going to do the whole works, being crankcase, throttle body, and fuel tank. Then, hopefully I'll exorcise my torque demon once and for all. And if it doesn't work, no worries, I'm spending no more than 10 bucks for the whole operation (6 for the seafoam, and I'm buying myself a funnel).

Back home on the 15th. Out again the 17th. Last time I'm home til Thanksgiving. Drop a line.

Love/Hate Relationship: Internet Memes

Pretend your life was a movie, and choose what songs would be on the soundtrack for what scene.

Opening Credits: My Descent into Madness - The Eels

Fast/Crazy Car Driving Scene: Jesus Built My Hotrod - Ministry
Stroll Through Town: Solid - The Dandy Warhols
High School Flashback Scene: Backstabber - The Dresden Dolls
Nostalgic Scene: Fire of Heaven/Altar of Earth - Matisyahu
Bitter, Angry Scene: My Sweet Insanity - Dog Fashion Disco
Break-up Scene: We Used To Know - Jethro Tull
Regret Scene: Shores of California - The Dresden Dolls
Nightclub/Bar Scene: The Single - Automato

Sad, Breakdown Scene: Sing - The Dresden Dolls
Mellow Scene: Red Right Ankle - The Decemberists
Dreaming Scene: Cheap Day Return - Jethro Tull
Sex Scene: How We Do - Mount Sims
Contemplation Scene: Slipstream - Jethro Tull
Death Scene: Drink To The Dead - Clutch
Funeral Scene: Going To Your Funeral Part 1 - The Eels

Closing Credits: Professional Killer - KMFDM

Yeah, I like music memes. Send me another one, whydontcha?

Friendly Reminder

It is important for one to remember that nothing turns out simply, that everything will be complicated.
It's more important to remember what it feels like. You find that there has been a turn of events meaning you'll have to re-evaluate your plans. It happens, right? It doesn't matter if you assumed it more likely, if you told yourself that it probably would happen, and prepared to make other plans.
A lead weight still falls through the floor of your stomach when it goes awry.
And it's worse, because I'm not completely sure what I'm talking about.

I have a morning tomorrow. I hope my passengers don't mind a bit of aggressive driving.
I'll try to think this evening. Thinking helps things.
It's gotten too weird this past week.

When Gravity Fails

Review: When Gravity Fails, by George Alec Effinger

So, to put it simply, this is one of the best cyberpunk books I have read, right up there with Snow Crash. It is different than Snow Crash, but very well-written, well-researched, and just fun to read.
As an indication: I purchased this book in the Concord Bookshop this past Sunday, around 1:00PM. I had finished the 284 page volume by 5:00PM on Monday, some 28 hours later.
It is that good.
The book centers around Marid Audran, a fixer/PI who lives by his wits in the Budayeen, a dangerous city in an unnamed Arab country. Although there are lots of references to the political condition of the world, the only thing the reader needs to understand is the idea of an economic collapse, and of some serious cybernetics.
A large theme in this book is change. The cybernetics described are ones that change who you are, at a base level. The most popular enhancement is a brain tap, most often used to plug in personality modification modules, or "moddies". There are also modules which enhance some of you brain's capabilities, called "daddies", but other than language modules, these seem to be less commonplace.
Marid has insisted that he will not modify his brain, and takes the disadvantages he gets when dealing with modifed people as a challenge. He is fiercely independent, and that becomes very important to the core story.
First, let me say that Marid Audran is a character I identified with very easily. His motivations and personality pop out at you, and there are certain parts of the book where you will be sharing Audran's emotions as the events in the story are thrown at him.
Also, the book is well researched. I somehow doubt (though I could be wrong) that Effinger was Islamic, but the book's setting feels very genuine and real, despite being something I am not familiar with firsthand. It makes for a unique setting for this type of novel, far away from Neo-Tokyo or BAMA.
And finally, the story is a first-rate detective mystery spun into this Cyberpunk universe. The plot could not occur without the conceits of the futuristic setting, but any mystery fan who isn't entirely repelled by the technology element would find this to be a riveting mystery.
I give this my wholehearted recommendation, and will be scouring a bookstore for Effinger's other two Audran novels the next time I can get off camp.

More-than-halfway Update

I am no longer in a cabin, giving me some more free time as I try to finish paperwork and be helpful where I can. I have started to compile some highlights of the summer, a list which should be complete by the end:

- "Start pumping some iron, 'cause you're about to have a super-active day, of sports, and fun, with super-hunk Mark Paul Gosler."
- Final Banquet, with Foo Fighters and White Stripes.
- Candlelight, of course.
- Sauna. "Cock out, or get out."
- Bridge-jumping with Luther, and our whole walk.
- Slo-mo gunfights!
- Manhattan with Ben, Simon, Fox, and Adam.
- NoHo with Ben, Simon, Josh, and others.
- The 75 mph Rt.8 run from Litchfield.
- Mortal Kombat!

There you have it. If you don't understand all of them, it's probably better that way. If you want to, ask me. Just be warned. They're...interesting.

BWAH!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zvTRQr7ns8&search=bro%20rape

Hilarious.

I'm in Connecticut right now, chilling with Luther (chilling...ergh). Loads of fun, lots of insanity.

Did a quick stepback, learned a bit. I still have no idea what the fuck is going on.

Back in Pittsburgh the 18th of August...

Manhattan

We took a day off trip to Manhattan.
SICK.
We were around the Lower East Side, checked out some cool places to eat, jetted over to Greenwich village, walked around, and chilled. Totally awesome. Lots of fun on the car ride too.
Memorable stuff:
"I would like to order...a single littleneck clam, please." So, when at a terribly expensive restaurant, try to escape by ordering the cheapest thing on the menu. Even if it's by piece.
"Uh, this sounds bad, but this song reminds me of my ex-girlfriend." Remember that song, The Bad Touch, by the Bloodhound Gang? Yeah...

Best of all, I parked on the street. In Manhattan. Yes, I am a God. Indeed.

Probably won't be updating too much, but I'll try to keep you all updated.
Next hopeful destination: Visiting Luther in Connecticut. It'll be a week at least before that happens, but hopefully it'll work out.