Attack & Release

For the first time since the Earl Greyhounds in September of last year, I listened to an album and was instantly wowed. Actually, I can't use the past tense yet, because as I'm typing this, I'm still listening to it. The record is the Black Keys soon-to-be latest, Attack & Release. Aside from the expected riffiness (which I love), I think the drum stylings are really great. Check it out...I think it officially drops sometime in April.

Today is exciting because tonight will be my tenth time seeing the Hold Steady, and first time seeing them in their transplanted hometown of NYC. Their shows are, of course, always an amazing time, but I would imagine a free show in NYC will have the potential to be something extra special. At the very least, it has all the makings, and that excites me indeed.

Finally, I've followed the same silver Dodge Neon with the Hillary for President sticker on the back of the car into work two days in a row. Of the 10,000+ cars that drive Route 202 every morning, how can I follow the same car twice? If I see that car again this week, I'm running it off the road.

Sweet Georgia Brown

Add the Harlem Globetrotters to the list of things that just aren't quite as cool in the third decade of life as they were in the late first/early second.

I and 7 compatriots went to see them this past Sunday. While impressed, of course, by the display of basketball talent, it was mind-boggling how much time they would take between actual plays! At one point, a member of the Washington Generals was taking a foul shot; we had to watch 8 minutes of one of the Globetrotters doing a gag of some kind with the ref about where he should stand (all while the clock was running intermittently). I'd much rather watch the crazy ball-handling, no-look shots, etc.

All this to say, when I was 9, it was the most entertaining thing ever. At 22...eh. I mean, it was still cool, and worth it to go, but it's definitely interesting how things lose their flavor over the years.

Other examples of things that aren't nearly as enjoyable now (but you might expect them to be enjoyable until you've found out by experience that they aren't):

1080 Snowboarding for N64

Snow, and the excitement of missing school/work

Any exchange of presents*

Amusement Parks
Cartoons (Saturday mornings in general)

Shaving (credit to Mike Pace for thinking this one up)

Most toys (Legos and matchbox cars would still excite me)

Full House

*obviously still great, but let's be honest...when you're 7, sleep on Christmas Eve simply isn't happening

These letdowns join together to create one of the major downers about joining the "real world." Things aren't exciting anymore.

Anyway, back to the Globetrotters. One thing they DEFINITELY had going for them was their mascots, Globie, Lil G, and Big G...

This mascot ate an entire can of Campbell's soup! I mean, it ate...the can! The entire inflatable 3 and a half foot high can disappeared into this mascot. It was phenomenal.

And finally, the quote of the last 20 minutes: "any young girl involved in insurance has gotta be at least sorta hot!" - Pace, M.

Hillary

"I've been saying all along that we need experience to change America for the better, end the war, and say the things you want to hear.  I promise to put on regional accents, tell each state they are the most important, and keep my annoying fake smile and laugh for 8 long years in the White House.  Don't vote for Obama...he's black.  We need a skirt in power, and we need an experienced one."
This message paid for by Hillary Clinton for President

Spinal Tap Mark II - Jazz Exploration

My old friend Tiffany made me do it.  She told me she was perusing old xangas from college and I got to looking at mine, and I realize that I kind of miss all that.  I guess I'm too old for xanga these days, so I thought I'd grow up and get me a blogspot.  

To catch up on my (mostly embarrassing) older blogs, go to www.xanga.com/alejandroiv

Okay, more to follow when it comes.