Happy Birthday David!

30 balls just for you....

Mexico

You get the idea.

Kspell ANGRY!!!

I don't know what it is about concert settings, but in the midst of live music by a band I adore- I will draw blood if provoked. Perhaps it's the late 90s mosh pit spillover (not that I would ever risk getting my shoes ruined and always stayed away from the action when possible) or maybe the need for me to have a memorable moment without undue obstruction, I have gotten into fights on more than one occasion. Lucky for me, I have always chosen my enemies wisely. I could have taken all of them if necessary. Now don't get me wrong, I am usually a very nice person, but don't push me.

Radiohead, 1995, La Luna
This was one of my first concerts, and probably the most memorable. We were three obsessed high school girls who drove up from Eugene, scouted out the venue early, and had an amazing Thom Yorke sighting in the East Portland industrial zone. I am sure he would have hung out with us had Yvonne not been so stoned and freaked out to scream at Robin to speed off after a long drawn out moment of staring. We stopped, he smiled, and we were cute. Case closed.

Later at the show, I was front and center until some girl in a furry coat pushed her way in at the last minute. Here I was trying to make a connection from earlier in the day, and Miss Retro Portland had to cut in. I used the furry hood of her coat to dispose of my chewing gum. Really ground it in there good.

Built to Spill, 1998, Wow Hall
It was summer, so most of the students were away and Eugene was a quiet, lazy town. The hall was hot and sweaty so I think it may have caused me to lose my sense of decency, since this was one of the worst things I have done to a perfect stranger. As the show got started some beautiful blonde girl snuggled up to the guy I was on the make for (now my husband.) She stepped right in front of me and all of a sudden the two of them were arm to arm. Perfectly poised behind her, I began to pull one of her lovely, gossamer hairs one by one. I got to three and she moved. She must have thought I was crazy, and in her defense, I was.

Talk Demonic, 2005, Doug Fir
I love the sound of this band. If you have ever been to a show at the Doug Fir and seen a band with less than 5 people on stage, drowing out the music and ruining THE ONLY FUCKING REASON I CAME HERE, it can get a little frustrating when the person behind you won't stop flapping their lip about something stupid and all you can focus on is their insipid conversation. I turned around and basically told this guy to shut up (not exactly "nicely"). He pretended like he couldn't hear me and then him and is fag-hag girlfriend decided to talk about how both of them couldn't hear me. "What did she say, oh I don't know, so anyways..." So I screamed it really loud, and got up in his pudgy little short dude face. My fists were tight, my pulse was jumpin and I was ready to throw down. They shut up and later I learned that he was the drummer of the unoriginal, souless opening band. Little concert etiquette needed - He of all people should know - no?

TV on the Radio, 2006, Doug Fir, and inspiration for this post...
I love this band. Thanks to my audiophile husband, I see a lot of shows, but this band rocks my world. I made sure I was front and center, and to be honest, I don't think I've done that since maybe Radiohead 1995. At the last minute some falling down, passing out dumpy girl runs straight into me and begins to fall on the floor. I believe shes ODing on something and feel bad for her, as opposed to holding her up for the rest of the show, I let her lean on the stage. Mission accomplished, as soon as the band came on she was doing great, waving her pudgy arms in front of my face. Rub it in why don't you. Toward the end I leaned down to make the comment that she seemed to be doing a lot better, and again, she couldn't hear me (sensing a pattern....) So I screamed in her ear and still she played deaf. I made my appreciation clear after the show. Don't worry, I didn't hit her. But she left saying, "I guess I know what kind of people live in Portland..." That's right honey, stay home.

Try this, it may work.

When I was in India I recieved a lot of attention from everyone. Most of the white people who set foot in Vishakhapatnum are either Russian sailors or the token corporate lakey. Gurmeet, one of the nicest, sweetest people I met layed a pickup line on me I will never forget. This photo actually captures the moment. Here is what he is saying:

"You're dad must have been a terrorist because when he had you, he made a bomb!"

Seriously, he really said that....and I love him for it.

Embarrassing Dance Sequence #1 (2006)

Embarrassing Dance Sequence #2 (2005)

Embarrassing Dance Sequence #3 (2004)

It always looks so much better in my head...

Just in case you didn't know...

I wonder what the sign in his bomb shelter reads...I brake for fat chicks?

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Eric and I just had a whirlwind, pseudo weekend. I went to Work on Monday, and by 5 it was Friday, I wish all Mondays could be as great. We drove up to Seattle on Tuesday, checked into the Hotel Max and walked to the Space Needle and back.
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs sounded great, and the Paramount was beautiful. Karen O spit water into the air, writhed on the floor, and exposed her bra strap for me. Ok, not for only for me but for you, and Eric, and everyone who cares to see it. And who wouldn't?
I could have done without Maps and the 17 year olds singing along behind me, but these are the things that you get used to when you realize you're one of the old people at the show and there's no bar.

Oh yeah, and the kids loved her. I mean them. Every member was great, but Karen O was sex on legs.

Almost is Nothing

My heavy metal, death metal brother has done me proud. Toby is only 14 months younger than me. People used to think we were twins growing up, and we used to play along with it, finishing each other's sentences for fun. I don't really ever remember life before him, he was just always there.

When I played drums for a short stint in college, he came to one of my shows and gave me his bracelet to wear. It was leather with spikes which made it a joke on my wrist, but I so happy he was there for me.

I am really proud of you Toby. You're band is totally bitchin.

Petal Soft

I wrote the title of this post and asked Eric what he thought. He said it reminded him of a tampon commercial. Perfect.

Lady Lovin'

I just want to be close to you.

Kittyesus

B&S

March 23, Belle & Sebastian was amazing. Yes, they performed the song Portland, Oregon, and yes, I squealed like a schoolgirl.

Rainy Bombay

On my way back home, we almost couldn't land. There was a terrible lightning storm and more rain than Mumbai had seen in a long time.

It was like Portland was reaching out to me through weather.

Sidesaddle Saris

Visakhapatnam

I am finally home, glad to be home. But I will miss you.


I will miss your colors.


I will miss your history.


I will miss your energy and your need to keep moving.


Most of all, I will miss your celebration of all things beautiful,


and the way you smiled at me.

Summer

I need it. Thank you Robin for giving me the heads up on the new fabric store in the old neighborhood. Now I can stare at my bathroom curtains and wait for warmer weather.

Youth

This is probably the most beautiful photograph I have ever taken. This is a photo of my sister Kelsey, taken at my wedding reception last year. Amazingly, she doesn't even know how beautiful she is.

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Have any of you noticed that some of your most favorite songs created by somewhat obscure bands are now the soundtrack to major network commercials? I just saw one of the most amazing commercials with the background of "Women of the world, take over" by diamond james o'rourke. You know the guy. The song never comes to the perpetual chorus, nor are there any japanese men with stuffed rabbits latched to their crotches. There are however hundreds of these amazing plastic figures moving around in stop and start animation fashion, holding hands. It's brilliant. I am amazed by the personal connection the music makes, but then I remember that 3 of my close friends are in the design industry, causing me to rationalize the music connection and recognize how great it is to find something strangely meaningful in common places.