I don't like causing trouble. But occasionally, I guess it happens. And when it does, and you're sorry about it, check out David Ford and his album full of sad bastard music. It'll either make you feel grateful that your life's in better shape than his, or it'll make you feel grateful that someone else out there is as troubled as you are. Either way, good, simple songs, with fun titles like, "I Don't Care What You Call Me" and "Cheer up (You Miserable Fuck)".
These guys are re-releasing "Trying To Never Catch Up" in August, with a few new tracks. It's an old album, and they've been around for a while. But I guess I never got into them because their name made me think they were some kind of bad gimicky, bluegrass-country-rock group, like The Gourds, or something. But they're not at all. If Death Cab For Cutie and The Cars got drunk one night and did it, and months later had quadruplets, this is what the music would sound like. They've got a pretty nicely done website where you can listen to a couple of tracks, too. Check out "Hellodrama".
Weird. But I like it. This disturbing toy is called the TurtleCamper, by artist/designer Jeremy Fish. Check out his website. Amazing drawings and gorgeous paintings that will make you say, "Wow...what amazing drawings and gorgeous paintings." And then, after being weirded out by his twisted illustrations, you will probably also say, "Hmm...I'm quite sure there is something wrong with that guy."
Guster has a new album out. I think I like it. But I've only had it for a few hours, so we'll see. The music's a little more polished than their other albums, which is why I'm only In Like with it for now. It's less acoustic and a little more power-pop-ish. But it's still got some fun songs, with nice, simple harmonies. They've even thrown in a little piano on few tracks to mix things up, and it sounds good.
A few random pics from South America. (Click to enlarge)
I'll be here for a week or so if you need me. It's winter here. (Something about the southern hemisphere and the tilt and rotation of the earth or something. Ahh, Science...you're so crazy.) So for the next few weeks, I will wear close-toed shoes, flannel underpants and shirts with sleeves that are long.
This is the X1R Remote Caddie. It's a golf cart for your golf bag, for days when your golf bag is too lazy to walk. It does everything a normal golf pull cart does, except with less pulling on your part and more chasing, as it careens out of control, terrorizing small woodland creatures, and caddies its way into oncoming traffic. Seriously, watch this thing in action. It just rolls along on it's own and if it could talk, it would probably have a british accent, like K.I.T.T. A hilariously ridiculous waste of money and I can't wait to get one. Anybody have $2,000 I can borrow?
This is an Infiniti FX45. It's what they call a "luxury SUV". I used to want this car, because, well, I like luxury. And I like SUVs. It's just a beautifully designed car, and apparently, I can park it near giant military radar dishes if I wanted to.
I like it here. Although the self-appointed title of Live Music Capital of the World gets annoying sometimes, (and honestly, it's not like my iPod is filled with music from Austin bands, either) there is a lot of live music here. Yes, a lot of it is kinda crappy. Or just trying too hard. Or just think they're great because they're in the Live Music Capital. Or maybe I'm just not adventurous (or cool) enough to discover the good ones. But every now and then, I'll accidentally stumble across something pretty good.
If I had a dog, I would spoil the crap out of him by buying him a house of his very own, like this thing, designed by some guys named Otis & Claude. Fancy designers that make normal everyday things cooler--and thus, more expensive. But still, neat design and interesting materials. In fact, much nicer than the full-sized house that I'm living in. My only reservation about getting one is that it sorta looks like a tiny confessional booth. Which is ok, I guess, but I probably won't raise my dog Catholic. Check out more moderney stuff here.
Have you ever wondered what superheroes do when they're at home? When they're not fighting crime? Me neither. But apparently, this guy, James C. Strouse, has. He's got a set of hand-drawn postcards called Superheroes On The Toilet that depict all sorts of, well...superheroes on the toilet. Disgusting and hilarious. I'm gonna buy some and hang them in my bathroom, because I am immature and toilet humor will never get old.
