Two notes about a couple.

~ The Mug seemed less psychedelically crazy last night. I think there were fewer revolving fish lamps or something. I think Erin and I have almost broken the awkward barrier and can almost have a conversation that isn’t two minutes of twinging awkwardness. I wonder when Shack Records are going to release some records.

~ Nate’s Trading Post is a pretty exciting new thing. Once it gets going. Until Revenue Canada hauls him away to Guantanamo for sticking it to the man.

Your Birthdate: November 30

You have the type of personality that people either love or hate. You’re opinionated, dramatic, intense, and very outspoken. And some people can’t get enough of you – they’re totally addicted. Others, well, they wish you were a little more reserved. Your strength: Your flair Your weakness: If you think it, you say it Your power color: Scarlet red Your power symbol: Inverted triangle Your power month: March

http://www.blogthings.com/whatdoesyourbirthdatemeanquiz/”>What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Ramshackle 2007

Ramshackle 2007 Handbill
Originally uploaded by Ampersand Photography.

What I did at work today. The Ramshackle handbill. If you go to the Mermaid’s Mug Shack Records Acoustic Night (tonight at about 7pm) you may see it in all its B/W glory. I forgot to put “Pins of Light” on the top. Oops. I’ll fix that on the poster.

The third instance of Facebook being worthy of existence

 ~ The second was a nice IM I had with my old friend Julé this morning. But this damn thing from the genius of Brad Neely vindicates Facebook for the rest of the month. All three days of it. So many catch phrases… where does one begin inserting them into their lexicon?

Zap! Zap!

~ I’m driving the freaking Lazer today. Kai seems to think he has a better chance of getting rid of his “N” in my Acclaim. Which has working turn signals and a headrest that doesn’t entirely block your rear-view. It’s kind of fun driving a strange car.

~ There was the strangest show on CHLY this morning. The host had this stand-up bass player on talking about his bass and it was exactly like Mr. Rogers. It was bizarre. I’m thinking “What’s going on here?” And he kept saying things like, “Joe Walsh — you’ll have to ask your mom or grandma who that is.”  I thought that was a little weird and condescending the way he qualified every reference he or his guest made with “ask your grandma who that is.” Also he went on a really long birthdays update which I was really hoping wasn’t something all the shows (or specifically Pins of Light) were going to have to start doing. So I check the schedule when I get to work and it’s this guy.

~ Boss just came into the room scat-singing “I’m a little tea-pot.”

~ Ramshackle 2007 line-up:
DWE (acoustic!) ● Partli Cloudi ● Babel ● Dirtnap ● KV ● Heavy Water

Psyched Out

Psychological Profile.

Have pen or pencil and paper ready. This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept. at many of the major corporations today. It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and prospective employees.

There are only 10 simple questions, so …. grab a pencil and paper, keeping track of your letter answers. 

1. When do you feel your best?

a) in the morning

b) during the afternoon and early evening

c) late at night

2. You usually walk

a) fairly fast, with long steps

b) fairly fast, with little steps

c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face

d) less fast, head down

e) very slowly

3. When talking to people you

a) stand with your arms folded

b) have your hands clasped

c) have one or both your hands on your hips

d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking

e) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair

4. When relaxing, you sit with

a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side

b) your legs crossed

c) your legs stretched out or straight

d) one leg curled under you

5. When something really amuses you, you react with

a) a big, appreciative laugh

b) a laugh, but not a loud one

c) a quiet chuckle

d) a sheepish smile

6. When you go to a party or social gathering

a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you

b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know

c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed

7. You’re working very hard, concentrating hard, and you’re interrupted; do you …

a) welcome the break

b) feel extremely irritated

c) vary between these two extremes

8. Which of the following colours do you like most?

a) Red or orange

b) black

c) yellow or light blue

d) green

e) dark blue or purple

f) white

g) brown or grey

9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep, you lie

a) stretched out on your back

b) stretched out face down on your stomach

c) on your side, slightly curled

d) with your head on one arm

e) with your head under the covers

10. You often dream that you are

a) falling

b) fighting or struggling

c) searching for something or somebody

d) flying or floating

e) you usually have dreamless sleep

f) your dreams are always pleasant

POINTS:

1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6

2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1

3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6

4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1

5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2

6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2

7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4

8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1

9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 1

10. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1

Now add up the total number of points.

My score: 37

OVER 60 POINTS: Others see you as someone they should “handle with care”. You’re seen as vain, self-centred, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don’t always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.

51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, who’s quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who’s constantly in the centre of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who’ll always cheer them up and help them out.

31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful and practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who’s extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over it if that trust is ever broken.

21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It’d really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions and who doesn’t want to get involved with anyone or anything. They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don’t exist. Some people think you’re boring. Only those who know you well know that you aren’t.

“Sometimes you just gotta kick stuff, you know?”

~ Apparently next time she visits, Fil is hanging out with me exclusively or something. We “need to bond” apparently. I apparently have no choice in the matter. I did, however, refuse to go to DOA to pick fights with wallet-chain guys last night. I hope she and Mel decided against that plan.

~ After a strangely difficult two week search, I managed to find a copy of Blade Runner in Nanaimo. In a discount bin at Zellers of all places. I imagine it’s out of print pending a 25th anniversary special edition or some such thing. I don’t care, I just want to watch the damn thing.

1) What side of the heart do you draw first? The dark side.

2) Can you dive without plugging your nose? I can’t dive.

3) What color is your razor? Some kind of manly hi-tech space-age metallic olour. 

4) What is your blood-type? The red kind.

5) Who would you want to be tied to for 24 hours? A stranger. Because it’s going to be awkward afterwards and I’d rather it not complicate a friendship. And maybe it’s a good way to meet people!

6) What is a rumor someone has spread about you? That I have a pathological need to make people angry, create drama and engineer awkward situations.

7) How do you feel about carrots? Kill them all!

8) How many chairs at the dining room table? This presupposes the existence of a dining room. 

9) Which is the best Spice Girl? Cinnamon

10) Do you know what time it is? 11:10

11) Do you know all the words to the Fresh Prince Theme Song? Someone dug up a time-capsule from 1996 and all that was in it was this survey.

12) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator? If Nate and Jamie were with me, we’d rehearse our “King Kong” song.

13) What’s your favorite kind of gum? The kind under bus seats.

14) All’s fair in love and war? Generally I think war should be played by less gentlemanly rules and love more so.

15) Do you have a crush on anyone? More or less.

16) Do you know how to use some words correctly, but not know the meaning? Is that even possible?

17) Do you like to sleep? I like to be in a state of sleep-deprived psychosis at all times. Bunnies! Crawling on the walls! Whee!

18) Do you know which US states don’t use Daylight Savings Time? Lazy ones.

19) Do you know the words to the song Total Eclipse of the Heart? Several of them.

20) Do you want a bright yellow ’06 mustang? I think most horses from 1906 would be dead and not very yellow.

21) What’s something you’ve always wanted? Someone to watch over me.

22) Do you have hairy legs? Quite.

23) What does “Semper Fidelis” stand for? Always faithful. The slogan of the marines, I believe.

24) Would you rather swim in the ocean or a lake? I’d rather soak in the bath.

25) Do you wear a lot of black? Quite.

26) Describe your hair. Amusing.

27) Do you have Entomophobia? I’m terrified of word origins.

28) Are you an adult? Quite.

29) Where is/are your best friend(s)? Victoria, Nanaimo, Halifax, Salinas

30) Do you have a tan? Under all this translucent white skin you could probably find some pigment lurking.

31) Are you addicted to TV? Tender Vittles are deeeeelish!

32) Do you enjoy spending time with your mother? So long as the lack of baby-producing girlfriend in my life isn’t brought up.

33) Are you a sugar freak? Not really. Occasionally I get cravings, sentimentally, for specific candies. For instance, those marshmallow bunnies they have out for easter.

35) What sign are you? “Stops without warning.”

36) Where do you wish you were right now? Oh fuck. Take your pick. As in pick me up and put me there.

37) Who did you copy this from? Kripp’s Facebook.

38) How do you know them? The Navihater

39) Have you kissed anyone in the past week? I haven’t kissed anyone in the past 6 months.

40) What are your plans for the weekend? Buy magenta toner. Whoooo-hooo!

Change of Venue

~ My sane friends (and a few of the not-sane ones) have convinced me that I should not have Ramshackle in the Chinese Graveyard. It will instead be at the And Loan. Still Friday the 13th of April. 

~ We have a new rule in the Urbane Decay: Only “badass” songs. I’m a little concerned all our new songs are either Bullbucker or Flatbed riffs. In fact, except for the song that is clearly a Sabbath riff, I’m pretty sure this is the case. Also the songs are about leviathans, skeleton outlaws and King Kong falling down an elevator shaft. 

… of course I’m damn tired this morning.

~ The Cambie on a Tuesday night it surprisingly pleasant. Perhaps it’s because there’s enough concentrated awkwardness onstage when Hot Birds and Bees are playing that it dissipates any feelings of danger or general grossness. Also Fil going bonkers was nicely distracting. Or maybe it’s just the scene-kid : hobo ratio was well in our favour.

~ The Urbane Decay are now playing at the art show after-party on the 31st. Show up to the actual art show at the And Loan Gallery (and see Sister Ray too!)  to be invited I would assume. Then you can compare my manic and my depressive sides.

~ The date for Ramshackle has been decided and set in stone. Friday the 13th of April in the Chinese Graveyard on Townsite. Exact time TBA, most likely early evening while it’s still light. The format is going to be a little different this year and I expect we’ll get kicked out at some point. More info to come soon.

Red.
1. Closest red thing to you? Mouse pad. I doodling on it like a junior high binder. It’s rad. And red.
2. Last thing to make you angry? The alarm clock.
3. Do you have a temper? I lack the glands required.
4. Are you a fan of romance? I entirely subsist on romance.

Orange.
1. Closest orange thing to you? Hi-liter pen.
2. Do you like to burn things? Burning is fun, fun, fun. I haven’t burned anything in a long time. Maybe tonight I will go down to the waterfront and set some condos on fire. That’ll cheer me up.
3. Dress up for Halloween? Do I? Yes. Do I want to? Not really.
4. Are you usually a warm-hearted person? Body temperature at least.
5. Do you have anything against redheaded people? Witches! Hot sexy witches!
6. Are you usually full of energy? I’m usually full of enervy.

Yellow.
1. Closest yellow thing to you? Hi-liter pen. Guess what green, purple and pink are going to be…
2. The happiest time[s] of your life? “The best times I ever found are the times whenever you’re around.”
3. Favorite holiday? Any random stat.
4. Are you a coward? I’m a shivering little mouse.
5. Do you burn or tan? I hide from the sun.

Green.
1. Closest green thing to you? Uh-huh
2. Do you care about the environment? Everyone loves the underdog.
3. Are you jealous of anyone right now? I’m jealous of everyone right now.
4. Are you a lucky person? Luck shows no favouritism.
5. Do you always want what you can’t have? I tend to want what I know I will never have as opposed to wanting what I actually want.
6. Do you like being outdoors? Not in bad weather.
7. Are you Irish? I like Irish ales.

Blue.
1. Closest blue thing to you? The soft-grip of a pen.
2. Are you good at calming people down? Sure. But sometimes it’s fun to watch them freak out and tired themselves out.
3. Do you like the sea? I seems irrelevant. The sea isn’t going anywhere and there’s just going to be more of it in the future.
4. What was the last thing that made you cry? Loneliness.
5. Are you a logical thinker? Rational more than logical. I don’t make decisions based on emotion but often do on instinct. But I also let my reason subvert my instinct which always gets me in trouble.
6. Can you sleep easily? Right now I could. Good lord yes.

Purple.
1. Last purple thing you saw? Hi-frickin-liter pen.
2. Like being treated to expensive things? I like it when Boss hauls out the $100+ wine.
3. Do you like mysterious things? I like mystery novels. new age spiritual mystery annoys me though.
4. Favorite type of chocolate? Extra rich milk imported Swiss.
5. Ever met anyone in royalty? I am deposed aristocracy.
6. Are you creative? I better be.

Pink.
1. Closest pink thing to you? You know what… it’s a fucking Hi-liter pen.
2. Do you like sweet things? I like sweet people. Especially when you unravel them to their bitter core.
3. Like play-fighting? Punchy or verbal? I like to trade barbs with Carrissa, I suppose.
4. Are you sensitive? Depends on the mood cycle I’m in.
5. Do you like music? Sometimes it’s the only thing I like.

White
1. Closest white thing to you? New product profile list.
2. Would you say you’re innocent? Of murder, yes.
3. Are you good at keeping the peace? When I want to.
4. How do you imagine your wedding? Ask my mom.
5. Do you like to play in the snow? It’s better than fighting in the snow. I hope I never get a “facewash” again.
6. Are you afraid of going to the doctors or dentist? No.

Black.
1. Closest black thing to you? My sweater
2. Ever enjoy hurting people? If they have it coming.
3. Are you sophisticated or silly? I’m a goonball.
4. Would you like to go to space? It seems kind of boring at the moment. I’d rather time-travel.
5. Do you have a lot of secrets? I would if I could just stop blogging or writing songs.
6. What is/are your favorite colour[s]? Red/Blue
7. Does the colour you wear affect your mood? Reflects my laziness level in morning more like.

“If the workers don’t stand still while doing their work, we can punish them.”

~ Mom‘s birthday last night. Apparently cooking a pork roast with the ribs attached makes it tastier. I couldn’t tell if this was true but it was certainly a more terrifying hunk of meat. 

~ During my illness on the weekend, I watched some DVDs. I had a sudden urge to watch Aliens which I’ve always vaguely disliked — I think at the time it seemed like just a bad Vietnam movie set in space. But compared to current sci-fi action movies, it’s almost a paragon of plot and character development. Probably due to Walter Hill having a hand in writing the story. And I didn’t have quite as much of an urge to smack Bill Paxton in the kisser as I remembered.

~ Oh, and apparently Mac users are fascists.

Go team… wooo…

~ Good news for Team Sales is always bad news for Team Production. It’s simply a mathematical law. A law which can be used to predict if Pentti and I are going to cheer with joy at every Sales victory or put our heads down on our desks. It’s hard to build morale in a company where different departments have completely divergent goals. 

~ Our new book-keeper quit after one shift. She asked Lisa if Crazytrain “yells all the time” and then never came back.

~ I got enough Bark Haze in the mail to kill a horse. 

~ I’m beginning to have fun on Facebook. But don’t tell anyone because I still think it’s pointless. Not quite pointless — it’s entirely designed for entertaining people with too much time on their hands (or need to be distracted from stress) at their office jobs. My favourite, even more than writing bogus “how we met” testimonials, is watching people add and delete bands from their favourite music lists within half an hour.