I now have a wooden box to organize and store my teas. I feel quite chuffed with this purchase. It makes tea drinking that more pleasurable. Rather than sorting through boxes in the cupboard, I just now pop open the lid and pick something. Now to organize the loose leaf teas better. Some are in containers but other are still in the original packaging.

It’s been at least 4 years now of making sure my ears stay moisturized and every 6 months or more, hopping out of the shower, greasing them up, and seeing if I can insert double flared jewelry. I just have to admit that they’re not pliable. I will not be able to wear double flared jewelry like other people can. I have read tales of people whose ears easily stretch without trying and that jewelry even falls out. I have the opposite. I bought several double flared pieces, even a custom piece, before I had stretched to my goal of 0g. I threw them all out. By some miracle, there is one tiny double flared piece I have that actually fits. The lip must be less than the standard. However, I saw these cute coffin double flares and since they were cheap enough, I decided to get them a size smaller and see what happens. I was able to wear them all day around the house without them falling out. However, the slightest touch and I think they’d fall out. I am ok with that. It was a fun experiment. Teardrops are really nice but they only look good at much larger sizes and I don’t think I will be taking that journey.

War will make mass murderers out of otherwise decent people.

Ben Ferencz in the documentary “Prosecuting Evil” (2018)

Movie Prop Posters in Community

I watched the tv show “Community” for the first time last year and binged all the seasons. One classroom in particular struck me because there were several film posters lining the walls which were obvious parodies/homages to existing films. The Hitchcock/Saul Bass homage really struck out to me. I tried to figure them all out and wondered if it was possible to buy one or two of them. I found a couple of them available to rent from a film prop rental company but alas, I could not find them all nor figure out what each one was based off of.

As seen in this scene, the posters are:

Wonderous State

Intense Justice

Full Pop (North by Northwest inspired)

Diagonal (Vertigo inspired)

Some of the posters I could not find were in Spanish. I couldn’t find any Spanish language posters in the Hollywood film prop rental companies I searched. I didn’t bother to search for companies that cater to the Spanish-speaking market as I am not a Spanish speaker.

I found a few more of the “Vertigo”/Saul Bass inspired posters that must have been made by the same designers but the one on the left also reminds me of “Catch Me If You Can” for some reason but it’s probably in reference to something else.

Seeing all the fake movie posters and music posters/artwork was really inspiring. The designers did such a great job and deserve a lot of kudos. I wish I had been artsy as a teenager and stuck with it.

Looking out for number one

I am starting to think I picked the wrong country to live in. The political climate has long been heading in a dark direction and now it seems tensions are again pulling towards a civil war. There is less opportunity for me in Japan and all the childhood bullying really left me bitter and weary of returning. I used to think the pros outweighed the cons in America but now I am not so sure. The healthcare is certainly better and more affordable.

Announcing your plans is a good way to hear god laugh.

Deadwood, Season 1 (2004)

Take the Raconteurs surfing

The Raconteurs are back with a new album and they are going to play at an inland surfing competition. Wait, what? That’s right. An inland surfing competition with artificial waves and the headlining band is The Raconteurs. Booked a hotel room and happily made the drive to catch that shit!

Setlist: Bored and Razed Level Old Enough You Don’t Understand Me Top Yourself Somedays (I Don’t Feel Like Trying) Don’t Bother Me Now That You’re Gone Sunday Driver What’s Your is Mine Broken Boy Soldier

Encore: Consoler of the Lonely Help Me Stranger Only Child Blue Veins Steady, As She Goes

Living Colour

I haven’t seen Living Colour play live since the first and only time I saw them at Lollapalooza 1991. They’re a powerful band so I can’t really explain the long absence other than I didn’t keep up with all the albums. Every year the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk puts on a free concert series that I’ve never been to so once I saw that Living Colour was on this year’s lineup, I had to get my ass to the beach!

The band played two sets and the only song they repeated was Cult of Personality because it’s their big hit. The daytime set was more family friendly and the night time set, well they really let that shit rip! Honestly, each separate musician is so good on their own that when they come together, I can’t understand why anyone would miss their performance! There were some fans there who really have been around a long time as witnessed by their worn out tour shirts.

I brought my “Time’s Up” vinyl record with me so once the band was done playing, I hung out, hoping I could get them to sign it. The entire band graciously met with the line of fans to take photos and sign autographs. I was so excited to meet all of them that I took the worst pictures with the band but I’m OK with that. Better than no pictures! Strangely, Vernon Reid seemed to remember me from bumping into him some months prior. 

Daytime setlist: Middle Man Desperate People Funny Vibe Memories Can’t Wait Broken Hearts Glamor Boys Which Way to Your America Cult of Personality

Nightime setlist: Ignorance is Bliss Wall Tomorrow Never Knows Open Letter (To a Landlord) Love Rears It’s Ugly Head Elvis is Dead Type w/ Police & Thieves Time’s Up w/ Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine Cult of Personality Should I Stay or Should I Go

Aterciopelados

First of all, I kept procrastinating leaving the house. That old age creeping in, wanting to be in the comfy home than deal with driving and crowds. So I left pretty late. However, it paid off. When I arrived at the venue, I couldn’t help but notice that Andrea Echeverri was just outside the building. Now, in my younger years, Andrea was that elusive member I could never meet so I always try to meet her. I’ve been successful a few times but this was the best meeting ever. WIth my very broken Spanish that I’ve picked up from music, I expressed my gratitude for their music. She thanked me. She seemed very genuinely happy that I spoke with her. Thus, I was happy and went into the venue to find a spot.

Of course, arriving that late it was too crowded to find a spot. I must’ve missed the merchandise booth because after the show, all the good stuff was gone. I really want a tiger shirt! Anyway, I hung around the front of the stage area, not being pushy rude but hoping I can get a somewhat decent view and move forward if the opportunity presents itself. I didn’t really get to move forward significantly but I did take home one of the items they were passing out. That’s another thing I’m historically bad at for Aterciopelados. They always pass out gifts and I just miss it. But, I did get one item once. It’s a little weird though so I don’t think anyone would realize it’s from the band. I think it’s one of Andrea’s pieces that she made.

What can I say about the performance? They never give a bad show and there’s always something very artsy weird, very Aterciopelados. There was her costume first of all, which I think was for the Grammys. Then the uterus shaped shaker. I would call it maracas but it was huge and one piece so I’ll stick with shaker.

After the show, I noticed people were lining up to meet the band. Wow, here’s my chance! I waited patiently and they let fans in one group at a time. Since I was by myself it was just me. I got some photos and autographs. I used more shitty Spanish, talking about how I’ve seen them so many times over the years, back when even Hector had dreads. Shit, now that I think about it, I think Hector emailed me once but I wasn’t sure if it was an impersonator. Back in the day, it was possible to email several musicians, before there were too many fake accounts. Well, I have my lovely evening in my memory now and should really be grateful over all the amazing shows I have been to.

Setlist (as printed): Play Cuerpo Perdon Cosita Seria Triptico Re Duo Piernas Maligno Tu Amor Es Rompecabezas Luz Azul Bolero Falaz Encore: Colombia - Florecita Rockera

Rodrigo y Gabriela

I’ve heard a few albums of Rodrigo y Gabriela but all I really know is that they are amazing guitarists and I have to see them live. I couldn’t tell you what the setlist was but they’re like acoustic metal. (Thankfully I took a photo of the setlist!) The passion and energy is amazing. So glad I splurged for a ticket in the first few rows. A must if you ever get a chance.

Setlist: Krotona Days Witness Tree Old Intro Soundmaker Echoes Mettavolution New Intro 11:11 Tamacun or Diablo Electric Soul Cumbe Gabriela Solo Hanuman Terracentric

The Church

The Church is touring their “Starfish” album and if I’m really being honest, it’s their only album that I really know. “El Momento Descuidado” has some nice moments but I really know “Starfish.” Thus, I was off to check it out live.

Cradle of Filth

I started listening to Mayhem and Cradle of Filth around roughly the same time. Had a few Cradle t-shirts but never got to see them live until now. Thus, I splurged for the VIP ticket so I could meet the band and get an autograph.

For years I thought my favorite “V Empire or Dark Faerytales in Phallustein” was actually “Vempire” due to the type on the cover. We may be getting older, but the band was kicking some serious ass and I don’t know how you can do those kind of vocals for so many years. Great night!

Tz'utu Kan

Described as Mayan hip-hop, Tz'utu Kan was doing a performance so I had to check it out. There was a video shown about making the album with his group Balam Ajpu. He explained some Mayan things and what they’re all about with the music. He performed some songs with local musicians. It was pretty cool. I picked up the Balam Ajpu album.

Jarvis Cocker

Who would have thought I would ever see Jarvis fucking Cocker live again? Seeing Graham then Jarvis. This is like 1994 when I saw Pulp open up for Blur and both bands were amazing. I was new to Pulp and they were actually so fucking good that I was disappointed when I bought the album because they were so much better live than in the studio. However, over the years, that live performance left my brain and all I’m left with are the studio albums and some songs are just perfection. I can’t imagine now how great those shows must have been to blow me away like that. Back in those days, I think I met the entire band except Jarvis. So that was my mission and mission accomplished. Back then, I even mailed the concert photos I took to the fan club so the band could sign them. They did and mailed them back! That was a band that cared!!!

I haven’t bought any of Jarvis’s solo albums yet so I was hoping he would play a little more Pulp than he did but fair enough. That’s my bad for not keeping up. Jarvis has always seemed like some geeky professor.

Setlist (as printed): Sometimes Elvis Has Left Further Complications Disco Song Must I Evolve Fat Kids Children of the Echo Am I Missing Swanky Modes Running the World His ‘N’ Hers

Graham Coxon

Since I got to see Johnny Marr, I had to see another great British guitarist, Graham Coxon. Only, the show was a little further than I wanted to drive so I got on a Greyhound bus and spent the night at a hostel! It was a fun little trip.

The other fans were really vocal and it was practically a conversation with Graham. I wish I had spoken up and said something but what would I say? I really wanted to hear him play songs from his first two albums. I never realized what an amazing finger picker he is. Graham explained some of the songs too. Like how he felt that since he was the only guitarist in Blur, he had to do more. But this just made playing live harder as his fingers were too busy. Glad I went.

Setlist (as printed): R U Lonely? Latte Baby You’re Out of Your Falling All Over Me That Someone Ain’t You Alright Don’t Believe Anything I Say Flights to the Sea Angry Me Saturday Night It’s All Blue She Left the Light On Roaming Star Can’t Find My Way Home Miss America All the Rage Brave the Storm Walking All Day

Encore: In the Morning You’re So Great Cry See a Better Sorrow’s Army

Johnny Marr

Since I was on a Morrissey kick the other year, it’s only fair that I go see Johnny Marr play. Pretty good show. He’s just impeccable on guitar and he sings too. I appreciate that he hasn’t completely snubbed his past and even played some Smiths songs. Who would have ever thought that I would get to see “The Headmaster Ritual” live? Just seems like such a great guy. Ace.

I love glass! It’s my new favorite material for ear jewelry. Gorilla Glass at 0g. I was hoping to stretch the hole next to it one or two more sizes but it’s really tight. My skin is not ready. Going to keep using jojoba oil and ear butters and see what happens.