The Dark Side

I am writing to you on a non-Gatsian computer for the first time. I have purchased my first Mac and all I know is that it is pretty, I have yet to unlock the secrets that make everyone drool. I am hoping that I will have time this weekend to become one of the annoying people that speak nothing but the virtues of Jobs.

Until I become a Mac wizard, I am watching some Bill Hicks stand up. Some of this stuff is coming back to me, because I watched this when I was a kid. I am really appreciating this stuff a lot more than when I was 12. There is a new documentary that just came out this weekend about the now legendary comedian. If you have Netflix, you can check him out like I am right now. Enjoy the funny.

Going to Mecca

This weekend, I am traveling more than 2 hours to Madison, WI for a comedy show. I am dragging my wife 140 miles to see a comedian that she is sick of hearing about, since I keep talking about his podcast. Marc Maron will be doing the “Big Work” at a comedy club and I will be seeing my first stand up show in some time. The WTF podcast (in which Mr. Maron is the host) has been occupying my driving and workout time for the last 5 months or so and it will be good to see the guy in action.

For those of you not familiar with the comedian or the show, here is a primer. As a comedian, Marc has been doing stand-up for over 20 years and his style is raw and personal. He has had many gigs over the years including hosting Morning Sedition on Air America and a role in Almost Famous. The WTF Podcast is a show that releases two episodes a week and it has morphed into a one on one interview program that focuses on comedians for the most part. The interviews are unbelievably open and honest because of Maron’s style and lack of personal barriers.

The great thing about the show is not all of the insight that I have gained into the comedy world, but the fact that it has brought me back to my days as a teenager when comedy ruled my life. I used to watch Marc as a host on Short Attention Span Theater (a clip show that featured stand-up comedians on Comedy Central or Ha!, I forget which one). I loved watching standup and I have seen some great performers over the years including Sarah Silverman, Robert Schimmel and Mitch Hedberg. Maron and his show have made me want to seek out some of these comedians that I am unfamiliar with or rediscover some great ones.

Going to the show in Madison will make me one of the crazy folks that he talks about. People that drive from hundreds of miles away and bring some gift or baked goods to appease this audio God whose followers worship on every Monday and Thursday. I do not think I am to that level of a WTFer even though most of my casual conversations with my family include, “I was listening to the podcast and…” I look forward to being a teenager again for an evening, even if it means I have to go to Wisconsin to do it.

Disturbing

This is a video taken during the tsunami in Sendai, Japan.If this does not make you donate to the relief effort, nothing will.

The Cold

the southwest on a much more frequent basis these days. I do realize that Spring is around the corner, but the thought of warm temperatures year round have really started to flirt with my frostbitten mind. I believe that this conversation calls for some mood music. 

I have been in my current place longer than I have lived anywhere, since I moved out of my parent’s house. Illinois does not offer much scenery, especially compared to the sun bleached mountains of Arizona or Nevada. Although I would be more partial to Austin, going south and west sounds like a mighty fine plan.  More like a longer term plan, but it is still a plan.

You Are Still Here?

I haven't been. Need to change that.

Feed on this for now.

Why? or Why Not?

U2 is one of the bands that everyone loves to hate. Most people do have a favorite album from this Irish mega-band (mine happens to be Zooropa), but most people do not like the new albums. I agree with that and that is why I am very conflicted about this news.

Danger Mouse is producing the new album which at first did not sound great. Although Danger Mouse has been involved with some great projects in the last few years, he does not seem to be a good fit with U2. DM is very beats-oriented and he could help return them to their Pop and Zooropa days. However, Mr. Mouse is very trendy right now and so are the guests on this album including Will.I.Am (did I just really type his name?).

I am pretty negative right now and it makes me think I should get the latest album from the Old 97's since it is inspired by the Clash. I like the Clash and the Old 97's.

Running

A friend of mine named Ryon Lane is running the New York City Marathon which is pretty cool. He is also looking for donations because he is running for a great cause. All of this sounds pretty normal, once you read his story, you will see that it is very unique. 

Ryon is a stand up guy and I hope that others will be able to see that spine injuries are not a sentence to a limited lifestyle. If you can, please help a guy out that should not be able to do what he is attempting.