This is a short news bulletin to let everyone know that the baby is due today, but the little guy is stubborn and isn't ready to enter the world just quite yet. I heard somewhere that there is only a five percent chance that you will have your baby on the due date. Sounds about right since this is not an exact science by any measure. Expect more updates soon because we're on live baby watch, and you've heard it here first.
Lightning Seeds - Pure
Continuing on my power-pop flashback theme, here's a song that fits the bill perfectly. Is it me, or does there seem to be an overabundance of lead singers named Ian? Anyways, enjoy the rest of your Friday!
Here is a band that I'm loving right now. Their new album drops on the 5th of August, so be sure to check it out. PDX Disclaimer: They will be here on the 24th @ the Towne Lounge -- so don't miss 'em!
The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight
We watched High Fidelity tonight (which was my -- oh, I don't know, umpteenth time!), and thought what better than to post my top five (ok, I lied, how about 10*!) records of all time. So, here goes:
- The Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream -- Perfection!!
- U2 - The Joshua Tree
- Sigur Ros - Ágætis Byrjun
- Radiohead - OK Computer
- The Cure - Disintegration
- Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
- The Pixies - Surfer Rosa
- The Beatles - The White Album
- The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Methodrone -- crap, "Take it from the man" and/or "Thank God for Mental Illness" could as well be here, too
- PJ Harvey - Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea
**Honorable Mention**
- Jeff Buckley - Grace
- The National - Alligator
- Peter, Bjorn, and John - Writer's Block
- Stereolab - ABC Music: The Radio 1 Sessions -- more of a compilation, but still a favorite
- Superdrag - Regretfully Yours
- Interpol - Turn on the bright lights
- Elliott Smith - XO
- Beck - Sea Change
- Explosions in the Sky - The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place
- Coldplay - Parachutes
- Nirvana - Nevermind
- The Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy
- The Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill
That's a wrap, folks. I know there are some that I missed, but that's where you step in. I'm interested to hear what YOUR top records are...
* I couldn't help myself and had wa-a-y to much fun doing this
I am feeling homesick today, and this video sure does not help. Thanks for nothing guys!
california coast from michael baca on Vimeo.
In about two weeks the little guy is going to make his grand appearance into the world, and the drumbeat is getting louder with each passing day. I don't have any of the usual feelings about how his temperament is going to be -- what is he going to look like, or even if he is going to be a star like his dad...kidding! You see, I have a pretty good handle on things, and am pretty sure that he is going to be a cross between his mother and I. Hilarious, I know!
In all seriousness, I hope that he is healthy, calm, collected, and wicked sma-a-r-t. In the meantime, I will try my best to keep cool and not pass out when it's go time. Hijole!
In other news, I had some tasks for the week that I needed to check off (not in any particular order):
Attempted:
-Car Seat and Base
-Infant Car Seat Adapter w/Bob Revolution Stroller
-Play yard/Co-Sleeper
Completed:
-All of the above
Check, check, check -- the f you check*!
*Place this one for bonus points to be redeemed at a later time
I received a forward the other day that was actually quite informative, so I'm passing this along as a PSA. 20/20 ran a bit on aged tires, and you would be surprised to find out that you can buy *New* tires that have actually been sitting on the shelf for 6-10+ years. So, buyer beware and do you homework (and yes, I did go out and check my tires!). I couldn't embed the video, so you will need to follow the link below:
ABC 20/20 - Aged Tires
Multnomah Falls from El Duderino on Vimeo.
Welcome to amateur hour, folks! I just created this splendid 2 minute video that is going to be a hit, I'm sure of it. I went with Vimeo because the video quality is far superior than youtube. And yes, I aware of the &fmt=18 and 6 commands, but seriously, who wants append that to the end of the address for every video that you want to see in a higher quality?!? Anywho, don't hold your breath on this one, but more photo's and video to come!
Well, since the year is flying by and we are half way done, I thought I would check in with everyone and find out what your top CD's of the year are? For me, there is one that really stands out, and that is a fine effort by The Raveonettes - Lust, Lust, Lust. If you haven't listened to it yet, then do yourself a favor and pick it up. Every track on there is incredible and you'll find that it's a beautiful, haunting, gem of an LP. Anyone who are fans of The Jesus and Mary Chain or Echo and the Bunnymen will really appreciate this album.
Yesterday was unlike any other 4th of July that I have ever experienced. As a California transplant, and for any of you that have ever lived there, you know that a usual 4th is pretty subdued* as far as fireworks goes. As I start to recount last night's craziness, I should mention that we decided to stay in the comforts of our own home since we didn't feel like going anywhere. We just thought that we would watch the fireworks on the good ol' tele.
Little did we know, the firework show seemed to come to our house, instead. This all kicked off around dusk when we started to hear popping noises outside which only increased as the darkness fell. Just before 10pm, we decided to go outside with our cheap lounge chairs and parked them on the front lawn. From just about every direction that you can think of, there were (legal -- mostly illegal**) fireworks going off in our neighborhood, which in reality was the closest to a war zone*** that I'll ever be. I went from being filled with adrenaline-pumping excitement to "I'm going to die at any moment -- get me out of here -- I'm a frightened rabbit" in a matter of seconds. At least when next year rolls around, I will be better prepared.
When 10pm rolled around, we were able to view an official firework show in Vancouver across the river, which is supposedly the largest display west of the Mississippi. Our neighbors (thanks for the cryptic tip-off!) had their lounge chairs parked in the middle of the street facing north, and we amazingly had an unobstructed view of the show. They brought along a mini-boom box and played some sweet tunes to accompany the fireworks in the distance -- Toto - Africa, Eddie Money - Take me home tonight , Micheal Jackson - Rock with you, and just about any song that they thought fit the "This-song-really-goes-with-the-fireworks" bill****. All in all, it was quite a night.
* With 1,600 wildfires this past month, I wonder why the laws there are so strict?
** In OR, you are only supposed to be in possession of fireworks that can go 6 ft from side-to-side, or 1 ft in the air. This, of course, did not detour anyone from shooting off the countless M80's and Roman Candle's.
***Yeah, my pants were pretty wet at this point.
****I was sober and still enjoyed the, "Hey -- play that one Caddyshack song (Journey - Anyway you want it)."
A couple of days ago, a local radio station played this song as part of their flashback lunch hour. Have any of you heard of this song? It was released in the early 90s and definitely sounds dated, but it's oh-so-good! This is a great flippin' tune and I can't get the chorus out of my head. If you are in need of a great power-pop song to put on your iPod, then look no further.
Material Issue - Valerie Loves Me
Posts
