Sunday, October 26, 2008

Murs in Baltimore

Murs in in Baltimore on Nov. 2?

Awesome!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Review: Lupe Fiasco @ Loyola (10/11/08)

The Lupe Fiasco concert at Loyola College was last night.

It was my first hip-hop concert, and I didn't know exactly what to expect. Like a lot of hip-hop performers, Lupe has guest vocalists and samples in his songs, and I wasn't sure how that was going to be replicated on stage. I also didn't much know what the crowd was going to be like. I stupidly put my plans to go on facebook, so many of my students, current and former, knew I was going, so much so that I got a call in the afternoon asking if I needed extra seats. I went, hoping I wouldn't run into any of them. Can you imagine if I got caught dancing? Ugh.

I ended up seeing a few students, but don't think I was seen, which is good. But, really, I barely thought about it. See, Lupe pretty much had me in the palm of his hand throughout the night. The kid slayed me. What a performer. Jumping and dancing all around the stage, pouring 110% into every song, often shouting his lyrics - it was transcendent.

Songs that I think are kind of silly on CD - like "Go Go Gadget Flow" - took on a new life onstage; that song turned into an epic ode to the midwest and to, um, flow. My favorite song of his, "Daydreamin'", was introduced with a pithy political speech punctuated by the repeated call for the audience, and the world, to "Wake... the fuck... up" and the performance thereafter was extremely moving, with the lyrics shouted through the roar of Jill Scott's pre-recorded vocals and the lead electric guitarist, who had a pretty damn good voice himself. Other highlights included "Hip Hop Saved My Life," which sent shivers up my spine, and his hit "Superstar," which he started with with a seemingly improvised repeated beat and mantra "I love you. Because you are who you say you are" that went on for about two minutes before the band got into the hook.

And, wow, what a band. I sort of expected just a DJ and maybe a couple of instruments, but the band was 8-strong (2 sets of keyboards, a terrific drummer, an electic guitarist, a bassist, a turntablist/DJ, a backup rapper, and Lupe) and, well, really rocked. They all had so much energy, and Lupe himself was one of the best performers I've ever seen. He's right up there with Melissa Ferrick and Bruce Springsteen in stage energy, guiding and leading the audience (which, by the way, was lame) into his world of amazing lyricism and musicianship.

Now, to the audience: much pastier than I thought it would be, and full of Loyola college students who spent a lot of time talking on their cell phones on the floor. Apparently it was the fastest sellout in the history of Loyola concerts, but many apparently didn't know Lupe's music. It would be nice to see him in a venue where everyone loves his music like I do, or like a good portion of the crowd did, without being distracted by distracted college kids.

Most disappointing was the lack of an encore. The band stopped playing, and the crowd starting leaving. There were a few light attempts at chanting "Lupe! Lupe!", but the venue turned on the lights, and the show was done. It was a bummer, because if any show deserved and longed for an encore, it was this one. This is a kid with two albums, and I could list about five songs I didn't hear that I really wanted to (most notably "The Cool," "He Say, She Say," and "Little Weapon."

Still, damn, what a show. I'll remember this one forever. Let's hope he decides to keep performing after his long-announced "3 albums and I'm done" (which he repeated last night) goal.

Here's a little review of the show from a blog that Lupe himself talked about onstage.

And here's a video of Lupe performing "Superstar" a few nights before last night. I'm not sure if we'll get videos from this show; they were pretty strict on recording equipment:

Saturday, October 11, 2008

This video made my week:

Dogs greeting their owner after 14 months in Iraq.



Look at how fast those tails are going!

Monday, October 6, 2008

If you put me in a box, make sure it's a big box, with a door and windows, and a chimney, so we can burn, burn, burn everything we don't like



I guess that would be a cool name for a blog, too.

I'm having a hard time.

I loved "Epiphany in Baltimore." One of my favorite albums of all time (by Brenda Kahn), plus lots of extra meaning for myself here in Baltimore.

But I turned the page and abandoned the old one. Now for this piddly little personal blog, I don't know.

I'm still racking my brain for literary characters (Milkman Dead, Charlie Brown), lines from songs ("Michigan seems like a dream to me now," "Time will do the talking") and something else to inspire me.

I know the world is waiting. I'll get on it soon. Until then, change it every few days until I decide.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Lupe Fiasco @ Loyola

Guess who just scored two tickets to Saturday's Lupe Fiasco concert at Loyola?

Yup, me!

I've never been to a rap/hip-hop concert before, though, and my friend I was hoping would attend with me will be out of town. My option now appears to be the whitest guy that I know who will probably make fun of me for enjoying myself so much. Hmmmm. Dilemma.

I'm going to have fun either way, though. This is my current favorite song of his:



"You know the world is out to get me, so why don't you give me a chance?"

Biden/Palin debate

I was so excited about Thursday's VP debate, and it didn't let me down.

See, I've gotten some flack at school for liking Sarah Palin's first speech in front of the convention. Even though I disagreed with everything in it, it was a great speech, delivered with humor and intelligence. Palin has since proved herself to be nothing beyond that speech, and probably kind of idiotic, but it was still telling to me that my liberal friends couldn't even accept one ounce of praise for a Republican. That's the sort of reason why the Democrats lose - because they don't recognize the strength of their opponents.

So, I anticipated the debate for weeks, and thought it was great. Palin did hold her own for the first half or so. She's good when she talks about taxes. She's good when she talks about energy. I think she and Biden were about even until just before the gay marriage question.

But, then, we witnessed a trouncing. Biden was awesome throughout - calm, factual, substantive. The longer it went on, the more it was clear that Palin really has nothing to talk about. It's a pretty sad state of affairs that anyone could look at her performance and she she was adequate. One heartbeat away! She was terrible. And the whole winking and coquettishness is really sad and demeaning. Say what you want to about Hillary, she never stooped to that.

As for Biden, he was tremendous. I want him to debate instead of Obama for the rest of the campaign. Let Obama make the speeches and direct the policy with his steady hand (his calm behavior during the campaign has been masterful, even with McCain's attacks getting more and more unethical), and Biden can debate and attack.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Stoop Story Tellers

Tonight, a friend told a moving and funny story at the Stoop Storytelling Series at Center Stage. I'll link to it when they post it online.

In the middle of the sold-out show, the organizers ask audience members to put their name in a hat if they want to tell their own three-minute story around the theme. The theme was animals, and I certainly have plenty to tell. On a whim, I put my name in.

My name was called! I told my 3-minute story about the lying garbage man coming into our yard, about my dog allegedly biting him, of the $10,000 lawsuit, of his lies, and of the trial, which I won. I missed a few details that would have given me some more laughs, but I still think it went over well. I couldn't believe I did it!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Japan and Ireland in Baltimore

Had a pretty fun weekend, and very multicultural in my visits to area restaurants and bars.

On Friday, we headed after work to Charles Village Pub. My complaint against the place in the past was that it was too smoky. Now, my complaints are mostly to do with the loudness (no reason to have the music up that loud at 5pm), crowd (too many college kids) and size (not enough room for a large group of teachers looking for a Happy Hour location). Still, the staff was nice and the homemade cream of crab soup was terrific.

Afterwards, we headed to Niwana, the Korean restaurant on 33rd street. I'd never really had Korean cuisine outside of Kimchee, and really enjoyed it - plus the two bottles of So Ju that the table split.

Our general Charles Village happy hour location is Bert's Eats and Drinks, formerly Rocky Run. Every time we go there, however, it seems we're disappointed. First off, the place smells bad, and somehow, all the renovation (and I miss the old way that it was) hasn't removed the vomit smell that still emanates. Secondly, the best part of the place, the video trivia, is often taken over by leagues, and that's been quite a disappointment lately. Lastly, it's just way more expensive than it needs to be; recently, I spent $24 on a veggie burger and two beers there.

Still, my friend and I went there after the Japanese restaurant, and played a few rounds of trivia. It was fun, despite the fact that the only females in the place were the promo girls for a new beer, and the ball-busting trivia veteran Skyho, who wins every time. My friend went over to congratulate her, and she turned and said, "Please don't talk to me." Woah.

Last night, it was off to a friend's birthday party at J. Patrick's, a place I don't go very often but have a great time whenever I go. It's so tucked away in a Locust Pointe neighborhood that I forget how to get there every time I go, but the amiable old bartender/owner and the old people playing Irish music always make the trek worth it. Yesterday, all hyped up from the Michigan State Spartans' victory over Notre Dame, I wore my MSU t-shirt and cap, not even making the connection that the Irish bar would be fans of the Fighting Irish. The old guy who runs the place took one look at me, and said, in his thick, thick Irish brogue, "Ya know, you got a nerve, wearing that here tonight." He was friendly nevertheless, though, and I tipped him $3 for my $5 Guinness. All night, I watched the Irish musicians play their traditional Celtic music, and enjoyed myself with my friends.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Love Lockdown

When Kanye West's mother died last year, the selfish fan part of me wondered what it might do for his music. West had just released the most disappointing album of his career - the erratic, lyrically dull "Graduation" - and I was wondering if celebrity had made him soft and less hungry.

Well, wow, I just heard his new single, and it's throttled me more than any song of his since "Jesus Walks." The drums give me shivers up my spine. The lyrics are simple but wrenching. The hook kills. Wow, am I ever excited about his album, whenever that comes out.

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Wednesday, September 17, 2008

This is your nation on white privilege

This is Your Nation on White Privilege

September, 14 2008



By Wise, Tim
Tim Wise's ZSpace Page
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For those who still can't grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are constantly looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.

* White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because "every family has challenges," even as black and Latino families with similar "challenges" are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay.
* White privilege is when you can call yourself a "fuckin' redneck," like Bristol Palin's boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you'll "kick their fuckin' ass," and talk about how you like to "shoot shit" for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug.
* White privilege is when you can attend four different colleges in six years like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to after making up some coursework at a community college), and no one questions your intelligence or commitment to achievement, whereas a person of color who did this would be viewed as unfit for college, and probably someone who only got in in the first place because of affirmative action.
* White privilege is when you can claim that being mayor of a town smaller than most medium-sized colleges, and then Governor of a state with about the same number of people as the lower fifth of the island of Manhattan, makes you ready to potentially be president, and people don't all piss on themselves with laughter, while being a black U.S. Senator, two-term state Senator, and constitutional law scholar, means you're "untested."
* White privilege is being able to say that you support the words "under God" in the pledge of allegiance because "if it was good enough for the founding fathers, it's good enough for me," and not be immediately disqualified from holding office--since, after all, the pledge was written in the late 1800s and the "under God" part wasn't added until the 1950s--while believing that reading accused criminals and terrorists their rights (because, ya know, the Constitution, which you used to teach at a prestigious law school requires it), is a dangerous and silly idea only supported by mushy liberals.
* White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people immediately scared of you. White privilege is being able to have a husband who was a member of an extremist political party that wants your state to secede from the Union, and whose motto was "Alaska first," and no one questions your patriotism or that of your family, while if you're black and your spouse merely fails to come to a 9/11 memorial so she can be home with her kids on the first day of school, people immediately think she's being disrespectful.
* White privilege is being able to make fun of community organizers and the work they do--like, among other things, fight for the right of women to vote, or for civil rights, or the 8-hour workday, or an end to child labor--and people think you're being pithy and tough, but if you merely question the experience of a small town mayor and 18-month governor with no foreign policy expertise beyond a class she took in college--you're somehow being mean, or even sexist.
* White privilege is being able to convince white women who don't even agree with you on any substantive issue to vote for you and your running mate anyway, because all of a sudden your presence on the ticket has inspired confidence in these same white women, and made them give your party a "second look."
* White privilege is being able to fire people who didn't support your political campaigns and not be accused of abusing your power or being a typical politician who engages in favoritism, while being black and merely knowing some folks from the old-line political machines in Chicago means you must be corrupt.
* White privilege is being able to attend churches over the years whose pastors say that people who voted for John Kerry or merely criticize George W. Bush are going to hell, and that the U.S. is an explicitly Christian nation and the job of Christians is to bring Christian theological principles into government, and who bring in speakers who say the conflict in the Middle East is God's punishment on Jews for rejecting Jesus, and everyone can still think you're just a good church-going Christian, but if you're black and friends with a black pastor who has noted (as have Colin Powell and the U.S. Department of Defense) that terrorist attacks are often the result of U.S. foreign policy and who talks about the history of racism and its effect on black people, you're an extremist who probably hates America.
* White privilege is not knowing what the Bush Doctrine is when asked by a reporter, and then people get angry at the reporter for asking you such a "trick question," while being black and merely refusing to give one-word answers to the queries of Bill O'Reilly means you're dodging the question, or trying to seem overly intellectual and nuanced.
* White privilege is being able to claim your experience as a POW has anything at all to do with your fitness for president, while being black and experiencing racism is, as Sarah Palin has referred to it a "light" burden.
* And finally, white privilege is the only thing that could possibly allow someone to become president when he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of the time, even as unemployment is skyrocketing, people are losing their homes, inflation is rising, and the U.S. is increasingly isolated from world opinion, just because white voters aren't sure about that whole "change" thing. Ya know, it's just too vague and ill-defined, unlike, say, four more years of the same, which is very concrete and certain.



White privilege is, in short, the problem.

Tim Wise is the author of White Like Me (Soft Skull, 2005, revised 2008), and of Speaking Treason Fluently, publishing this month, also by Soft Skull. For review copies or interview requests, please reply to publicity@softskull.com
Wise is featured in documentary: "Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible," by filmmaker, Shakti Butler.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Patience and Steel

During election season, I am obsessed with reading Andrew Sullivan's blog. I am outraged right alongside him about McCain and Palin's lies, and right in Barack's corner with him.

Patience and Steel, Barack. Patience and Steel.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Cars and houses

Some interesting numbers:

Credit score in Oct. 2007: 561

Current Credit score: 654

My credit got kind of low in Fall of 2007 because I used credit cards to pay for my MAT courses, but reimbursement helped me pay them right off. My current cc debt is somewhere around $1200, which should be paid off within a month or so. I hate carrying any at all. Haven't used them since the aforementioned time last summer.

I will have to buy a car soon. I am currently shopping. I do not want to pay cash for it, and do not mind taking on a car payment. Despite some friends telling me how wrong this is, I'd rather have some savings than have no car payment. Not a big deal to me.

That being said, I really want to buy a house. I'll have 5% saved sometime by around Christmas, I'd suspect, and probably be officially ready by around then. I'm not sure if my car would make it that long, though, so I'm torn as to what to do first. I'd like to get my credit score up over 700 by the time I end up getting my mortgage. I think it's pretty possible. I'm guessing the changes I made in the last month will increase it 20 points by next month, even.

So that's my current dilemma: car or house. I might have to buy a car, soon, though, so I'm deciding what kind of car I want. I'm from Michigan, so feel like I should buy American, though I'm not 100% committed (I'd love to buy a Prius, for example, though they're way too expensive). I love my current Grand Am, an electric blue 2000 model that is the first car I've ever owned that I've loved. I still do, in fact - but it's falling apart. However, the engine is top notch and the only things that are falling apart (the airbags, the power steering) are my own fault.

I love that it's 4-door (I don't think I'd want a 2-door car), yet sporty. I like spoilers and it has one. It can fit a carload of kids with baseball equipment but isn't a gas guzzler. I'm looking for a similar car. Pontiac stopped making Grand Ams a few years ago, though, and they have replaced it with the ugly G8. Someone suggested a Chevy Impala. Maybe I'll look into those.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Nelly's Echo

About four weeks ago, at my last weekend of shifts working at the second job, it was dead so I took a walk. I walked by The Waterfront Hotel, and heard a rock band covering "Movin' On Up," the theme song to The Jeffersons. I stopped in, and saw one of the most unusual bands I've ever seen - a black male lead singer and guitarist, a white blonde woman on bass, and a white guy on drums. Their sound was also not the usual bar band sound; it had a soulfulness to it that probably came mostly from the lead singer's throaty vocals.

I was wearing waiter garb, in all black, and was standing my the door, nearly enthralled. The band was apparently finishing up their set, and the lead singer turned around to me, and, thinking that I was the door man, asked if they had time for more. I nodded "yes," and they played a couple more. It was really good, and I ended up buying their CD on the spot.

I'm heading down to see the band - called Nelly's Echo - tonight, to see how they sound in a full set. I'm really excited.

Ever since quitting the restaurant, I have way more free time than I ever could have imagined. I also am realizing that I don't have much of a social life these days other than Friday night happy hours. Especially now that softball seasons are over. So, I've got to make one for myself.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

56 Days...

... until the election.

And Sarah Palin scares the hell out of me.

The thing is, except for the lying, the unfair cracks on Obama, and the policies and worldview, I kind of like her. I like my women smart, tough, and funny, and she's all three. She's Tina Fey, with despicable politics.