µ Slabs

This just happened outside my building.

Eff You (1:35)

Here are my best takes for SeoulBrother’s Eff Gruber video [previously]. Think of it as a bonus feature or something.

Music by The Capstan Shafts. [previously]

Louis C.K. Live @ Meany Hall, Seattle

That’s right, bitches.

I get it, Tumblr. I'm unliked.

I’ve never been popular in real life (not since 7th grade, at least), and I certainly don’t expect to be popular on the Internet. Nor do I really aspire to be Internet famous or whatever.

That said, fuck this. Fuck Tumblarity. Fuck “likes.” Fuck all these social networking circle jerks. It’s a popularity contest—a numbers game. It says virtually nothing about the quality of the content. In short, it’s complete and utter bullshit. All it does is remind me of how much of an outsider I am, no matter where I happen to be.

I don’t need a web site to tell me I’m no good. I don’t need to be told that I “have no friends.” And I certainly don’t need some ridiculous metric like Tumblarity by which to have my blog judged day-to-day.

Someone recently asked me why I hadn’t enabled comments on this blog—you know, as if I would want another empty hole that needs filling. No thanks.

So what’s the point? I want to opt out. It’s the only thing I can think of doing short of moving it to Blogger or elsewhere. Tumblr should provide a way to opt out of Tumblarity. It’s a phony game and I want no part of it.

And no, I can’t seem to just ignore it. Sorry.

This is a recording I made last Saturday using my iPhone and Griffin’s iTalk app.

The first part is me interviewing my friend Kim about Halloween in line at the Goodwill Outlet. The second part is ambient crowd noise at the Broadcast/Atlas Sound show I went to. And lastly, there is a live performance of “My Halo” by Atlas Sound, including a false start due to sound issues.

I’m pretty happy with the results, considering the equipment I used. You’ll notice some obvious distortion during the song; this is due to the levels clipping because it was loud and there are no controls for the input levels in iTalk (or any of the recording apps for the iPhone, as far as I know). I just had to hold my phone down at my side to try keep the levels in check.

hellodarkness:

Neko Case: In California

Excuse me for reblogging my own blog (yet again), but this song deserves way more than two listens. First, it’s heartbreaking and beautiful. Second, I love the story it tells: A girl moves to LA to try to make it as a singer. There she finds that it’s much harder than she expected and feels beat down by her floundering new life. She’s just “another fool playing songs that don’t matter, for people who chatter endlessly.”

Though I’m not an aspiring singer, I moved around a lot when I was younger so I can relate to that aspect. I can relate to having to reinvent yourself. I can relate to being unsuccessful.

This song is featured on Canadian Amp (2001), an EP of covers of Canadian artists. The song is originally by Lisa Marr. Other stand outs include an excellent cover of Neil Young’s “Dreaming Man” and a song called “Knock Loud” by Sook-Yin Lee. It’s one of my favorite Neko Case records, actually. I guess that’s kinda weird seeing as it’s mostly covers. I could say the same for Cat Power’s Covers Records, though.

Anyway, I’d like to share it with you. If you want, you can download it here.

johnnymetro:

The Airshake: Because Nobody Wants H1-N1 - Geekologie

See? The Mexicans know that Purell is bunk.

And I believe that the greatest fear that we all should have to our freedom comes from this room—this very room—and what may happen later this week in terms of a tax increase bill masquerading as a health care bill. I believe we have more to fear from the potential of that bill passing than we do from any terrorist right now in any country.

— 

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R, NC)

Wow. That’s what Rep. Foxx said about health care reform. On the floor of the House. Here’s what she’s actually saying:

The only thing we have to fear is the unknown. And taxes. Always be afraid of taxes. Be afraid. Be very afraid. Don’t trust your government to do the right thing. I should know; I’m part of the government and I work everyday to obfuscate the truth. I am a liar, and so are they. But THEM. They are your enemy. A Tax on all your houses, they say. Run and hide, my children. Or do you dare trust in those who you yourselves elected? No. You should never trust in your government. Trust our corporations instead. Trust the greed and the moneymakers and the board of directors. It is they who have your best interests at heart. You stupid consumer, can’t you see it? We are at CODE RED here!

[via]

An Incomplete Education: Where the ladies at?

merlin:

An Incomplete Education

I’ll probably get skewered from every angle for this,¹ but what the heck. A pal asked me what I know about women for a project he’s doing. Here’s 10 minutes’ worth. Covered with grains of salt like:

1. Yes, a lot of this goes both ways. Obviously. Give it a rest.
2. Yes, some of these you won’t agree with. That’s why you and I never dated. Right? Exactly.

There’s some really good advice here, guys. You should read it. Especially if you’ve never touched a boobie.

BUT. It makes me wonder: what would a similar list from the female perspective look like? I don’t mean a list of rules for men; I mean one for how women should treat their manfriends. To be clear, I’m not talking about some patriarchal, subservient crap. Nor am I referring to the “How To Please Your Man” bullshit you’ll find in Cosmo. I’m talking about a list of things like Merlin’s, but for women by women. Because, as much as I agree that it “goes both ways”, I’m not so sure it’s that obvious.

So do any of you women have a code you live by in your romantic relationships? Are there rules you’ve established for being respectful, caring, and supportive of your S.O.? Here, I’ll start with a half-joke:

If you’re clearly upset about something, and your man asks you what’s upsetting you, FUCKING TELL HIM.