Buffalo Where'd you Go?

Please allow me to rant for a bit...

Almost 20 years ago my family moved to a suburb of Chicago known as St. Charles, Illinois. We moved in October and my brother and I immediately hated Illinois, it was cold, dreary, uncomfortably foreign. Our neighborhood seemed to be filled with kids that were life-long friends, and we were simply outsiders (stay gold). I attended a school that is more well known for proximity to an infamous school for troubled boys (in fact, I've met transplants originally from Chicago that know what made St. Charles famous, and they always say, "ah, the bad boy school") whereas my brother was setup to attend his first year of what the Midwest (and now Northwest) call middle-school. Needless to say, we were unhappy for reasons that really had nothing to do with the Chicagoland area, but more to do with our selfish views on life.

Although it is always a good idea to rehash one's past and try to learn lessons in retrospect, this is supposed to be a post about the playoffs, so I'll get to the point. It was in Chicago that I learned to love sports. Interestingly, in the city that had just recently (within 5 years) won the Super Bowl, I became a huge fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers whereas the Bears were my "second" team. That's since changed, as now I'm a Bears fan...Pittsburgh's just my "second" team. More importantly for this story, Chicago is where I learned what the hell hockey is. Over the 2 years I lived in the great state of Illinois, I became a fan of the Chicago Blackhawks. They were a tough team that featured dynamic characters at skill positions whilst maintaining their image as a team more willing to mix it up than to play dominant offensive hockey. They were an amazing team to watch growing up even after moving back to the Northwest.

Those 2 years in Chicago were important to who I became when we moved back to the Portland, Oregon area. I had a passion for things that were previously missing in my life, and I had become a hockey fan. I had also started the tedious journey of a Chicago Blackhawk fan. Easily the most maligned teams in all of the sporting world. I've watched all-stars leave the team, heroes be dealt, coaches forced out, players sign on just to fail and potential talent dealt away before it was realized. I've felt guilty for cheering on a team with an American Indian head as its logo, dirty rooting for a team that has the best looking sweaters (jerseys) and yet still made a black 3rd sweater (jersey), foolish for thinking that each year will be better when they were steadily worse from 1991 and downtrodden for criticizing them today for mistakes they made in 1992. Point being, I've been loyal, and will stay loyal.

At the same time, I had to find a way to be happy for 82 games every year. In 1992, I was able to find the way. Super Nintendo's first great hockey game was NHLPA '93. There were the Blackhawks that I had loved for 6 years now, Roenick, Chelios, Belfour and Larmer. And even though I would play with Chicago by default, so would my brother and all my friends. You see, the Blackhawks once really were that good (well, maybe it was more that Roenick was so good) and my friends really only knew hockey from me anyway; so, invariably Chicago was their team (if not, then Pittsburgh--kinda odd thinking about it). Like anyone realizing saturation, I looked elsewhere. I found a team from Buffalo, found out they were called the Sabres, and looked into their lineup.

I've always loved goaltenders, and Buffalo had 3!!! Darren Puppa (how could a 12 year old not love this name) and Clint Malarchuk were unbelievably good. Plus, I'd never seen a team have so many *chuks; from the aforementioned Malarchuk to Andreychuk and Hawerchuk. Years later the Red Wings would sport the OV line...paled in comparison to the Chuk team. Then, the coup de gras, an American center and a Russian winger named LaFontaine and Mogilny respectively. These two players were legends to me. I spent countless hours trying to find a way to get them into a Chicago sweater, alas all my solutions involved paying these players more than the league minimum. Thus, a Sabre fan was born.

I've followed Buffalo for 15 years now, only 2 more than I've followed Chicago, and at times I feel as though the Sabres really are my favorite team, even if they aren't "my team." They've had 4 near perfect teams in my lifetime, '94-'95, '98-'99 and '05-'06/'06-'07, my favorite is still the team from '95, but the one that made me realize I was a fan was the one that lost to a technicality in '99. In a way, it was that moment when I realized that the Sabres were the right team for me. From the time I decided to like any sports team (excluding the Bulls), they'd followed a track record of let downs (those keeping score: cubs, sox - both, bears, steelers (fucking neil o'donnell), blackhawks). I was sure that leaving Chicago and Boston sports teams behind for Buffalo would be the answer.

And now, we're down 3-1 to Ottawa, after a season of determination where the Sabres ran (nearly) wire to wire leading the league in points.

They say, somethings never change; but, here's to when they do.

Album Challenge2 : Herbert "Scale"

Brian: so you didn't like Scale?
Josh: Roughly I’m saying, no - it's shite. Here's what I’m into now: Tull.
Brian: you're so dumb
Josh: nah, i just didn't get into it
Brian: ah well, differing opinions is the point
Josh: it doesn't seem very memorable to me, which is ok, it's just hard to focus on it when that's the case for me. Rounds was an eye-opening experience, and it has a feeling of there being something more. I like that, not every album does that, but I like it and it makes it easier to try different styles when such an element is present
Brian: I just can't listen to Rounds unless I'm at home listening to the whole thing



Summary
It's not as though Herbert (really?) has put out a bad album here in Scale. Actually, I can hear its merits. There are catchy grooves, good lyrics, fine vocals, etc. Something about it just generates apathy. I listen to this and wonder why someone would actively choose to listen to it. Tracks from Scale could wind up in a soundtrack, mix-tape, whatnot and it'd make perfect sense, "set the mood" as it were. As an album though...not so much

slow dayz

I'll get back to posting regularly soon, I promise. I'm trying to figure out what the weblog should be about. I'm tired of aimless writings being posted on the web.

Nightmares

Album Challenge : Four Tet "Rounds"

Welcome,

Herein lies the first of an ongoing weekly challenge betwixt two friends to review relevant, pleasant, challenging or historic albums that neither would listen to independently.

The players:

BeingMused - Fan of the truly alternative. Electronica, indie, etc. bored by conventionalism

IlJipper - Fan of country, rock and "indie" music that employs big guitars and thoughtful lyrics. Favorite artists : Lucero, Pavement, Mission of Burma, Wilco

IlJipper's first challenge: Four Tet Rounds

Four Tet is apparently actually some guy named Kieran Hebden. This gave me the idea to go by The Matlock Expressway when I decide to pursue my solo career. So, essentially Kieran is a very talented musician whom also knows how to utilize a laptop to his benefit, and crafts some very pleasant electronic music.

Rounds starts off very gently with the song "Hands." This is a perfect opener to an album of this nature, and it utilizes the process of building something out of nothing rather than the typical monumental building process that so many "indie" bands are using these days instead of writing good songs. The next track actually threw me off a bit, as I was exposed to Four Tet's angular sample interspersing. This is apparently a signature of Four Tet's sound, but I was unprepared and felt very disoriented and uneasy about the experience.

Tracks:
"My Angel Rocks Back And Forth" starts with a lovely meandering piano part over drum and white noise. This is a beautiful track, the piano really adds a layer of juxtaposition to the ambient noise interplay with the drums. At 2:30 the track takes a decidedly different approach to it's ultimate fate. Adding the oh so common studio "trick" of looping a reversed phrase from the piano while at the same time upping the tempo on the drums "Now, we can almost do the trance to this!" Through all the mire that was added, this is still a beautiful track. Sadly, I have to sit through the schizophrenic "Spirit Fingers" until the highlight of the album begins to play.

"Unspoken" will be the ultimate challenge, as it is 9:31 long and I have not yet been sold 100% on Four Tet's style. Fortunately, the sound splicing was not overwhelming and actually turned the longest piece on the album into one of my favorites.

After the height of the album, we are let down until the last track. "As Serious As Your Life" features a guitar, as well as a general tempo and feel, that just seems out of place. It's not that it's bad, it just doesn't fit the rest of the album and seems to be a forgettable track. This is followed by "And They All Look Broken Hearted" which just doesn't do it for me. I assume it must be emotional. All of the elements are great, the jazz drumming samples, the sparse usage of noise, the warm keyboard, the japanese stringed instrument...I just don't like it.

"Slow Jam" has a doggie toy, that's cool. It kind of sounds like a Pavement song from all the demos that have been released. I like it.

In Review:
Since listening to this album for the review, I've actually gone back and listened again. For some reason in everyone's lives we're introduced to something that breaks down a preconceived belief. Baraka changed my mind as to what movies could do, Chuck Palhniuk and David Sedaris took two different angles to alter my perception on a novel, and The Descendents, Mission of Burma and Uncle Tupelo reinvented my musical tastes years ago as much as Philip Glass or JS Bach had done previously. Four Tet's Rounds isn't necessarily going to make me an electronica fan, but perhaps it has allowed me the ability to listen for more in a genre I had previously detested.

So, i have a job...

i know i haven't checked into the old weblogospherinets in a long time, but i've been meaning to step up my game lately. However, i haven't the time today, this is more of a "just checking in"/reminder to myself that i have a weblog.

So, i have a job doing Search Engine Marketing for a living and work for a wide variety of clients. The one that takes up most of my time and energy is a pair of insurance plans from Stonebridge Life Insurance Co. Here's their sites, my agency did most of the design work on one, and all on the other

www.stonebridgeaccidentinsurance.com
www.accidentaldeathcoverage.com

Band Rex - 01/07

Time for me to introduce another new band. January's band is...

Frog Holler

Frog Holler is a fantastic band out of Berks County, Pennsylvania in what is known as Pennsylvania Dutch country. The band has been around for a few years now, and have amassed a good collection of fine recordings. Born out of bluegrass, Frog Holler dances the fine line between The Jayhawks, The Replacements, Bill Monroe and Old Crow Medicine Show easily blending their country roots with the urgency of small town rock and roll.

Frog Holler on the web

So, the NHL has begun beating its chest about an increase in interest into their league:

-- A 27 percent increase of hits on NHL.com, plus an even more substantial growth in online voting for the All-Stars. There were nearly 27 million All-Star votes cast in six weeks this year, as opposed to 6 million in eight weeks for the last game in 2004.

- By STEPHEN HAWKINS, AP Sports Writer


Funny, I thought that was due to the Vote for Rory campaign aimed at targeting the NHL's silly All-Star ballot, and to award a long time journeyman hockey player in an era where the sport is focused on celebrating 2 teenagers. A plot that the NHL purposefully ruined, so that they could have the game the way they wanted. Hopefully, Gary Bettman will retire soon, allowing someone who has some clue how to run a league to take charge and return the NHL to its rightful space in the big 4, which I believe now includes Texas Hold 'Em.

Hawthorne

This week I moved into an apartment in Portland. I'm living in the Hawthorne neighborhood now, and although it's a drastic change from living in houses for 2.5 years, I'm enjoying the location and short bus ride to work. Hawthorne is so far proving to be a good neighborhood and I'm glad to be there, but it'll take some time to warm up to the thought of living in an apartment by myself.

The nicest part about the whole thing is that I believe I'll have a better area to work on writing and composing. With no roomates, I won't be self-conscious of what I'm doing and I can probably be more comfortable writing at home.

Band Rex

2 bands to rec this time
1. Lucero: i can't tell you how cool this band is, just check out their album That Much Further West and their new one Rebels, Rogues and Sworn Brothers
2. The Hold Steady: Kindof a cross betwixt Bruce Springsteen when he was cool and Thin Lizzy...or just think Ted Leo with dark lyrics and a lot of piano based instruments.

Newly Found Band Post

Must occasionally post my love for a band i just discovered.

Today
Marah


These kids from Philly really can rock and remind you of greats like Springsteen and The Replacements. Check 'em out.

Obligatory NHL Post

So the Ducks beat Calgary in game 7, meaning...

The East measures up 1-4 seeds
and
The West is sending 5-8 seeds

this should be interesting as i think that possibly Ottawa v. Buffalo could the best matchup of the playoffs.

End Flash

So, after visiting Best Buy's website i came to a realization. Flash must be stopped. I don't mind Flash animation, splash pages, etc. but for integration into a website, it is horribly annoying. Best Buy uses Flash on its menus, and it is terribly sensitive. Then, because they have an insane amount of categorization, the Flash menu blocks the rest of the page.

Seriously, Flash is horrible for websites as well as SEO. just drop the shit.

Prison Break

Seriously, does anyone watch this show? I know that FOX had a problem with it last year and tried to gain viewership by lying about its popularity and showing encore after encore in an attempt to get people to understand the plot (hint: one guy wants to get his brother out of prison. hence the name of the show).

Personally, i thought this show was going to be very interesting, then i watched the first episode. After the main character revealed that he had the map of the prison tattooed to his chest in intricate gothic stylings, i switched the channel. The show is ludicris and should be avoided at all costs.

Trials of a Cog

I started this web log over a year ago with one simple post about my uninterest in underscores. i actually love underscores, behold the irony.

This will be my ramblings, thoughts of uninterest, and musings of a Cog in our social system. I may use it for more devious purposes of self-promotion as well.

and i'm done.

This is a work in progress: Musings during my travels

let me start by saying that i don't really know what musings means. i just know the idea behind the meaning.


Sunday Bloody Sunday

I arrived in Salt Lake this morning a little before noon. I left Provo in search of a more acceptable city life.

This is where alcoholics are born.

Give any population a full day with nothing to do but sit at home, and you've got to have given birth to at least one alcoholic. Foreign countries are always difficult to adjust to.

Being here makes me think about my political beliefs. For as long as I can remember, I have been an avid supporter of the 10th Amendment. I have always felt that states should be given the right to be individuals within a union that forms our nation.

Then I visited Utah. After visiting Atlanta.

This is a truly remarkable country. The soveriegn state of Utah has a long list of amazingly asinine rules, as do its many storied institutions. Being a visitor to Utah on a Sunday is akin to being in solitary confinement, at least I assume. It's odd to feel as though you're trapped and alone, even when you can leave your room.

Tuesday Somewhat Less Bloody Tuesday

If worst came to worst, I could live here. Probably not in Provo, but in Salt Lake or maybe Ogden. There is a beauty here, even behind the artificial exteriors of malls, chain restaurants, starbux and more, the country of Utah has an amazing mixture of nature.

The women here are refreshing as well. There seems to be a great deal of gorgeous women all around. Let me take that back, there are a great deal of pretty/hot women here. Gorgeous says too much and should be reserved for a select group of people and things. Whatever the case, these women were, more often than not, more attractive than what is offered in Eugene. Some would argue that this is not an amazing claim. Respectfully noted. On the other hand, it is important to note, and somewhat troublesome to the menfolk of Eugene.

Save for one small problem.

This whole religious thing. The appeal of a foul-mouthed alcoholic must not be very high to these women. My only hopes, if I was even entertaining any, would be to find the small percentage of unholy women, or a holy rebellious woman that desires to misbehave.

Oh what great odds these are!

What am I doing? Honestly, am I lamenting about my inabilities to find an LDS whore?

In America they have LSD whores,
In Utah they have LDS whores!
What a country!!

These mountains are amazing. They, at night, fill the horizon in a most ominous manner, reflecting the slightest moonlight back up at the sky for perhaps the most interesting nights. They also make me wonder how and why we exist. What this land looked like before, before commercialism, civilization, before imperialism, before man. I wonder what the American Indian nations that inhabited this area thought. Maybe they didn't. Why did the LDS come here? Was this a hotbed of resources? Were their women hot back then too?

Flight is at the same time horrible and wonderful. I could go on, but what's the point?

I feel reborn, I need to be reborn.

I miss home, but don't want to return...

San Francisco is shiny and, by far, my least favorite part of this journey. The highlight has been the fact that my neighboring seat is unoccupied.

We were supposed to leave at 6:07pm and were already behind schedule when we began boarding. Amazingly, we were all on board by 6:05. It is now 6:20 and we are still sitting at the gate because someone(s) can't count. I watched a woman show 9 ticket stubs to prove she was on the right flight. It was a discrepancy of 1.

Movement at 6:24.

This is my second flight in this plane, this very plane. In fact, this is my second in this seat, in this plane. I am in fact now being pressurized for others' comfort and safety. I saw a 12 year old boy wearing camoflauge pajamas and a cartoon t-shirt take the emergency exit row seat.

"That's what I want my life to depend on," I mentioned to someone in front of me.

She returned a quizzical face and I assumed her stupid. After all, she was traveling to Eugene...and wearing a pink jump suit.

She also possessed another unique quality that said more than she knew. She had a southern drawl. She had mentioned that she lived in L.A., I wasn't sure if she was from there originally, or lived there now, and I didn't care. I just didn't understand the drawl. Many, many, many people in this region possess a drawl and are not even from the South or anywhere near the South.

My ass stinks.

I noticed it a few minutes ago, but i was on a roll with that whole pink jump suit debacle, so i let it go, but I'm pretty sure this is serious. The seat next to me doesn't smell too bad, so it must honestly be me and my rump region, to be specific.

I need to shower.

To shower? Does anyone say that? Is that actually the correct way to need a shower?

I don't carry petty cash. I find it banal. I am attempting to alter the way people see money. That being said, I detest plane rides and their insistence that I pay 5 dollars for a drink. Or, for that matter, 10 for a drink that tastes right. Thus i am stuck with the air travel standard.

Ginger Ale.


unfinished

i hate underscores

just let me use a space...that is all.