The Shining....Damn

Alright, I realize I'm about 35 years behind the curve on seeing this movie but Jesus...somehow movies can be scarier withOUT the blood and guts routine. I mean at parts in this movie I was BEGGING for zombies, werewolves, anything but the real chilly suspense routine. That stuff scares the piss out of you, and if you're into that sorta thing, then more power to ya.

Personally though I found the plot points confusing; as apparently did most people who saw the film because I've found several FAQ's on it. Chief among the things that irked me was the idea that Jack had 'always' been there. Coupled with the photo of him shown at the end, that's a tough nut to crack. Then there's Grady. Grady supposedly was the caretaker of the hotel like...2 years ago, but when he appears in the movie he has a different first name, as well as being from the 20's era. To further exacerbate the situation, there's the fact that all of it cannot be explained by "well Jack's just going nuts," because the hallucinations and ghosts and what have you start to physically affect Wendy and Danny too. For example, Grady unlocks Jack when he's locked in the pantry.

It's a confusing movie but then again it's Stanley Kubrick, who I firmly believe designed elements of his movies to make zero sense whatsoever just for the fun of it. If you ever watch 2001: A Space Odyssey, it's a fan-friggin-tastic movie up until like the last 20 minutes. After that, it takes a HUGE left turn and you're left feeling confused and impotent. So the moral of the story is, don't watch Stanley Kubrick movies if you're like me and desperately want an explanation for everything, because he's a weird man, and he won't give you one.

Got the Ozzy tickets, but not without difficulty

I'm only posting this because I like to brag when I pull something like this off, even though it's not that big of an accomplishment.

So after my first class today, I decided it'd be the best time to go get my Ozzy tickets. I took the requisite buses and then walked to the Target Center. Happily, I walked up to the counter and said I would like 3 of the 23 dollar Ozzy tickets (one for me, one for a buddy of mine who's going with me, and one for my brother). I was informed by the old woman behind the counter that "49.50 is the cheapest ticket." I knew this to be false; I had been on the ticketmaster website THIS very morning and had seen the 23 dollar seats. I even had the row and section memorized that I'd seen. She wasn't having any of it though and I could tell she was enjoying watching my mind race and my nerves stew in frantic thought. I explained that I had seen the 23 dollar price on both the ticketmaster website as well as the Target Center website. She assured me that I must not have 'seen what I saw' because ticketmaster may have led me to a 'sister site' that sells tickets for discounted prices. Now, I am not a neurosurgeon but it occurs to me I would KNOW if I was no longer on the ticketmaster site. The site I was on was DEFINITELY the ticketmaster website, the same site I've used plenty in the past to search for tickets.

So I had to think fast. I wasn't walking out of that building without those tickets, but I could not in good conscience be conned out of my money. Then, the idea struck me. "Okay, so you would say that the target center website prices are different from the prices you charge here, correct?" (I said this knowing that the correct answer is no) She replied "No...they would be...the same..." I could tell she was on to me at least a little bit, and I knew I had her exactly positioned for the big finale. So I instructed her to check the Target Center website, and lo and behold, she finds the tickets for 23 dollars. Looking nervous and unsure, she checked the ticketmaster site too...still 23. And it even showed her the EXACT seats I wanted. I calmly asked "May I have those seats?" to which she was again unsure of what to say. She turned to a coworker and pointed to the screen. Her coworker squinted, then shrugged...essentially telling her that her hands were tied by this new information, and I would be able to purchase the tickets. I bought the tickets and thanked her, grinning like a sadistic SOB the whole time.

The moral of the story: sometimes the customer IS right and you have to pry a little bit to get what's coming your way. I worked in retail for a year as a sales peon so I know how it is from the other side of the counter too, but this was a case where she was giving me static the whole time I was in there and seemed like she'd rather be doing anything but helping me, so I didn't feel bad about purposely one-upping her to get what I wanted.

Anyhow, OZZY: HALLOWEEN NIGHT


ALLLLLL ABOAAAAAAAARDDDDDDDDDDDDDD HAHAHAHAHAHHAA

Don't mean to doublepost but, Ozzy tickets may be close at hand!

I originally thought I wasn't going to be able to afford Ozzy tickets but lo and behold, I finally got around to checking the prices and...what the hell? They're 23 bucks for the cheap seats! Well, I guess I know what I'm going to be doing on Monday. Time to grab me a ticket.

Halloween night...Ozzy...what could be better? My only hope is that he plays more of his classic material. I've heard reports his current tour pimps his new album heavily and doesn't feature enough good classic Ozzy songs. I'd be content if I could just hear:

Mr. Crowley
Crazy Train
I Just Want You
No More Tears
Flying High Again


I'm curious to see how Zakk interprets the Rhoads solos. He'd probably add in a shit-ton of pinch harmonics and pentatonic variations but overall I think he has the chops to handle Randy's stuff. I wonder if Ozzy's voice has deteriorated though? After all, over 3 decades of singing like that has to take its toll. Look at Brian Johnson man, I mean DAMN. I guess doing "T.N.T" and "Highway to Hell" for 25 years managed to shred his larynx into sandpaper.

Still, the prospect of going to BOTH Van Halen and Ozzy a week apart is absolutely mind-blowing. God I love being able to see my favorite bands live. There's something electric about that kind of atmosphere. To the artist, it's another day, another show, another nameless, faceless town. To you, the viewer, it's one of the most memorable nights of your life. Amazing how different those two perceptions are. But still, they love what they do, and you just have to give them love back.

Zakk Wylde and Eddie Van Halen a week apart? Excuse me while I go swoon in a guitar player man-crush on both of them.

Children of Men was a strange movie with little payoff

I know I'm not alone in saying that ending left a lot to be desired. Theo's dead, the baby and mom are picked up, but we see nothing of what happens to them afterward, and we see nothing of what happens to humankind as a result of this miraculous birth. It's almost like the director was so hung up on presenting the ideas associated with birth, population, immigration etc. that he forgot that movies are supposed to at least have some semblance of an ending.

I realize what happened was technically an 'ending' but it solved so few problems and raised plenty more. In my mind the best ending to a film is one in which things don't necessarily need to be 'wrapped up' but they also shouldn't be left hanging when a sequel is obviously not going to happen.

What do you all think?

Damn I want the Wii now

I just got my first experience playing that thing the other day (a little late I know) and I have to say that the Wii is a hell of a device. The motion capture is far better than I expected it to be and that sports game is just addictive. I proved to be an excellent baseball player (perhaps it was because I was doing my best Jim Thome impression, knockin' some TATERS out of the park) but my golf game needs some work.

They need to make a better boxing game though. The existing one leaves a lot to be desired. An import of the EA Fight Night engine would be bad ass. Imagine holding the controllers as a miniature James "Lights Out" Toney throws punches on the screen. Couple that with online play and a dictionary of James Toney trash talk (e.g. "Eddie Cotton was on crack that night. Bob Arum is constipated, etc) and you'd have a heck of a good time.

If that last part made no sense to anyone don't worry because me and about 3 other people would get it anyways. But it amuses me.

2 Weeks Till Van Halen

Auuuuhhhhhhhhhhh hell yes.

Van Halen with DLR for the first time in 22 years. I know it sounds corny because it's the same line they're using to hype it but seriously...I never thought I'd get to see the day that it all came back together and I got to see it.

From what I hear, Diamond Dave's voice is as great as ever and Eddie can still tear the hell out of that guitar. I love it.

Van Halen represents to me the perfect mixture of two elements I love about music: showmanship and musicianship. A showy, flashy band doesn't mean anything if the guys in it can't play. Eddie is one of the most talented guitar players of our time, and David Lee Roth adds the sort of comedic, hammy, over-the-top presentation I wanna see out of a lead singer of this kind of band. Queen is another great example: a group of virtuoso musicians who also had tremendous stage presence. The feel of epicness. Freddie Mercury was an amazing songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Brian May was a fantastic guitar player. Roger Taylor a brilliant drummer. John Deacon, a great bassist. They all were masters of their craft. Not to take anything away from other bands I like, but bands like these consistently top the list because of their mastery of all aspects of the game. Hank Jr. belongs on there too and before you get all uppity, hear me out. The man plays guitar, bass, drums, fiddle, harmonica, piano, keyboards, and dobro (slide guitar to those who don't know). Not to mention he writes the vast majority of his songs, and the ones he doesn't write are covers of standards. His guitar playing definitely deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as plenty of other virtuoso performers, and as far as country pickers go, he blows 99% of em out of the water.


Oh, and while I'm at it, I'd like to use this as a soapbox against some of the misconceptions about popular music nowadays: the artist you are hearing on top 40 radio did not write the song they are singing, more than likely. In addition, bands consisting of actual, really talented musicians are rarer now. Don't get me wrong, there are some damn good groups out there that can really play, and really write. It's a corny example but Dragonforce is a good one; awesome, heartpounding guitar work. But really, I don't care who you like to listen to but just remember: something like "Holla Back Girl" wasn't written to send a message or be an expressive song, or to show off any musicianship. It was written to be a pop hit; nothing more, nothing less. That's the part that is hard to distinguish...is someone like Gwen Stefani an "artist?" I mean, as far as I know she doesn't play any instruments (although I'm sure someone could call me on that if I'm wrong) and she probably doesn't do a lot (or any) writing. Waylon Jennings is an artist. Randy Rhoads is an artist. George Lynch, Ronnie Van Zandt, Hank Williams Jr., etc...all these guys are artists. And I'm not just listing them because they represent genres I like. They legitimately are musical artists. I'm just hesitant to confer that title on someone who basically only has to go in the booth, sing, then go home.

Shooter!

Awesome, I just found out Shooter Jennings is coming to the Cabooze in October. Anyone who knows me or understands the obscure reference I use as my blogspot name will know that Waylon Jennings is one of my favorite musicians ever. Seeing his son in concert would be the next best thing, since ol Waylon isn't with us anymore.

I hear he actually does portions of his dad's material, like "This Time" in one of his songs. He's a toker, too, but I'll let it slide since it hasn't stopped me from liking Hank Jr. or Waylon himself who was a coke head for like 20 years. Anyhow, between this and Van Halen, October is going to be the best musical month for me this year...possibly even topping the Ratt and Poison show at the Myth.

On a related note, the Myth sucks. Don't go there if you can avoid it. Standing in 3 inches of beer and piss and fluids on the floor is not my idea of fun. Luckily 2 of my favorite bands were so unbelievably badass that it helped distract me from the oppressive heat and my rapidly dessicating body.

Under Pressure

A curious phenomenon: performance anxiety. I'll give you an anecdote that just occurred yesterday. I was planning on playing a song on my guitar, recording the video, and putting it on youtube to show to some friends. Literally, my intended audience would be roughly 10 people. Yet, when I sat down and switched the camera on...I could barely play straight. The performance anxiety was intense, and without reason. I mean realistically these people don't mind if I mess up, they're probably the most forgiving people I could play for. But yet I played as if I were playing for the president of the United States. It's just interesting how we're wired mentally...how these kinds of things can plague us without any logic behind them at all.


I'll get that video made though, hell I'll post it on here when I do.