Something Wicked This Way Writes

Happy Halloween, fooligans. It's been far too long since I last posted; lots of tricks and treats in that time. But instead of regaling you with these tales, let's just enjoy some good Halloween cheese, courtesy of one Danny Elfman. But that's why you came here, right? Riiiiight. BOO!

Nightmare Before Christmas - This Is Halloween

Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party

(and Rodney Dangerfield...from beyond the grave!!!)

Meet the Press Is On Far Too Early

Otherwise, I would have watched this interview with Stephen Colbert on Meet the Press this morning discussing his plans to run for president in South Carolina. My mom actually woke me up after watching it, scratching her head over the seriousness (or lack thereof) of his responses. I have a feeling she's not part of the Colbert Nation, though. As for Russert, you can tell he had trouble keeping it together at certain parts, but I think he got the joke and took it all in stride, which generated some pretty decent back-and-forths between the two. See what you missed while you were sleeping off last night's fun; I'm sure you'll enjoy it as well.

This Is How Indie Kids Dance

A good day today, fooligans. After a long stint of Guitar Hero II last night, I visited the Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls this morning and had some eggs, sausage, grits, and biscuits and gravy; some real down home cooking, y'all. Then I was treated to Mizzou opening up a can of jellied whoop ass against Texas Tech, holding their high-powered offense to just 10 points. But I digress...

Although I found out a bit too late that Man Man was playing here tonight (I'm still amazed how I missed it, I really would have liked to see them.), I decided to take this night to finally complete a CD that's been in my head for far too long, titled "This Is How Indie Kids Dance." I really had no parameters, just had a lot of fun, danceable songs I wanted to use. As always, I ended up with a long list, but after some trimming, I'm pleased with the end result. Let me know your thoughts. Or heck, burn it and entertain a party. Well, for 80 minutes, that is. After that, you're on your own. Better get some more dip. Hey, is that Yahtzee? Break it out!

1. Le Tigre - Deceptacon
2. Liars - Mr. Your on Fire Mr.
3. Modest Mouse - Dashboard
4. LCD Soundsystem - Daft Punk Is Playing at My House
5. Ghostland Observatory - Sad Sad City
6. TV on the Radio - Wolf Like Me
7. The Postal Service - Such Great Heights
8. Junior Senior - Move Your Feet
9. Peter Bjorn and John - Young Folks
10. The Shins - Turn a Square
11. Hot Hot Heat - Bandages
12. The Faint - Glass Danse
13. Q and not U - Soft Pyramids
14. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth
15. The Rapture - House of Jealous Lovers
16. The Dismemberment Plan - The City
17. Against Me! - Stop!
18. Broken Social Scene - Almost Crimes
19. The Hives - Hate to Say I Told You So
20. Bloc Party - Banquet
21. The White Stripes - Hotel Yorba

Unexpected Creative Spontaneity

This drawing manifested itself after a visit to The Plot Bank. I was surfing through it looking for something to get my writing juices flowing and happened upon this gem, but further extrapolation could only be conveyed by MS Paint. Besides, I write all the time, this was much more fun.

Arach? No Phobia.

For years, spiders gave me the heebity jeebities. Even the sight of these eight-legged freaks made me curl up in the fetal position while crying for someone much stronger than I to squash it or give it a Viking funeral down the toilet. Sure, people tell me they serve a purpose by killing all the smaller, more annoying bugs that buzz by our faces and bite any exposed flesh, but I don't buy it; I still see plenty of gnats and mosquitoes. And the spiders? They spend their days hiding in my shower or between my washer and dryer, making me scream like a five-year-old girl after I turn on the light and they scurry for my toes. *shudder*

But after moving to Austin, I've had to get used to a much larger quantity of spiders. My apartment complex is full of old oaks and other trees with many low-lying branches. Between these branches are spiders, from large to small, weaving some amazingly intricate webs and just hanging out in the center of them, waiting for dinner to drop by. These kind of spiders I can respect; they're earning their keep, not like those lazy desert spiders who made their homes in the dark nooks and crannies of my apartment. Granted, I still have a long way to go to get over my fear of arachnids (which is why I refrained from doing any links with spider images in them), but it has been really cool to look up and see a sprawling web swaying in the breeze. That's all.

Stevie Ray Vaughn Is Much Larger in Person

It’s now been a week since my move to Austin, and so far, I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s been quite the departure from the desert of New Mexico, but the rolling green hills are a welcome change. A not-so-welcome change has been the humidity; and yes, while I lived with the humidity of Columbia, it seems a bit stickier here.

But in the words of McWatt, “Oh well, what the hell.” Really, the weather is the only thing I can bitch about thus far. It’s been great living next to my sister (apartment complexes across the street) and hanging out with her. Also, a friend from college lives in a neighboring town 45 minutes away (Marble Falls). We got together Friday, he introduced me to Dexter (an amazing series on Showtime), and we went out for drinks. Fun times.

Then Sunday, I took in a concert, as I hear that a few bands like to visit Austin. I saw Rilo Kiley, and they put on a great show at a venue called Stubbs, which is a BBQ restaurant with an outdoor stage behind it. Pretty cool scene. Then next Tuesday, I get to see Fujiya & Miyagi, which should be a fun show. Send my sister a message telling her she should see them with me. While I don’t mind flying solo at concerts, it’s always nice to enjoy it with friends.

But meeting people here haven’t been a problem. My neighbors seem nice, and I’ve met others at the bars and the concert, although the latter ditched me when they said to meet at the Whataburger and never showed (their loss…I think I’m pretty cool). But everyone has been friendly, chatty…quite the departure from the Burque, which was a very cliquey city that’s pulled a gun on me before. And really, who needs that, besides women in abusive relationships? Sorry, too far?

Also, with the change of cities, I thought it was high time to quit smoking. Cigarettes, that is (although I’m clean on the green stuff as well). I had my last one Sunday, eight days ago, and I feel better for doing so; ten years had been long enough.

And now I have the internets, so all is well. I really think I made the right choice moving here. The non-grid road system will take a little getting used to (also, the hills at night make it easy to lose your direction), but I’m learning my general area, which has a lot of cool shops and restaurants.

Now the next big hurdle: a J-to-the-O-to-the muthafrakkin-B. I’ve applied to do some post-production video encoding and titling, but have yet to hear back from them. I’d love to do something film-wise, but I guess we’ll see. Until then, I’ll put the resume out there, write in my spare time, and hopefully meet some funny souls interested in making some sketch comedy/shorts. Drop me a line if you’re that person. Talk to you all soon, fooligans.

M-I-Z!...

...I think you know how to finish the rest of that (and yes, "Fuck kU" is also accepted).

Saturday, the Tigers rolled over Nebraska 41-6, keeping the Corhuskers out of the end zone all game. It was a very impressive win for Mizzou (especially for their defense, which had been questionable), and jumped them to #11 on both polls. But while it's easy to be giddy about the Tigers right now (and it is...how about that fake FG? I heart teh trickery), an even bigger hurdle awaits them next week: Oklahoma.

The Sooners have looked good all year, and are a much more solid team than Nebraska. Plus, this game is in Norman. But with how the Texas TE's put up big numbers against OU last Saturday, I think Mizzou can do the same with theirs. It starts with Chase Daniel and how he follows up a career day against an always-scary OU defense. Let's hope Tony Temple can make a healthy return and establish himself on the ground; it will give Daniel the freedom to run the stretch offense as effectively as he did against Nebraska. The defense also needs to hold fast again, as OU can put up a bunch of points on the board.

Should the Tigers win, you can start talking BCS for them (although they follow up that game with stints against Texas Tech and, later, A&M and an unbeaten Kansas team). But after seeing them whoop up on Nebraska, I'm definitely humming a different tune about their chances this weekend, and ultimately, the Big 12 North. All we can do is watch and cheer them on.

GO TIGERS!!!!