"Who Is Mathew Paley? Your Another Half?"

kick_the_piano @ 2007-07-14T23:16:00

2007-07-15T03:16:18Z

Today I took part in my first ever gay pride parade!!

kick_the_piano @ 2007-03-08T02:02:00

2007-03-08T07:02:27Z

Okay.
Show of hands.
Who is going to be in Rochester this weekend so I can hang out with them?

kick_the_piano @ 2007-03-05T00:18:00

2007-03-05T05:18:22Z

Saturday Night.
Went to see a very hyped band called VIP Party Boys.
They were fabulous(ly promiscuous).
Turns out they're related to the (equally fabulous) band Gravy Train!!!!
http://www.vippartyboys.com/
The opening performer (I think his name was Music(?)) called me a "cutie."
His look hearkened back to 80's goth rock, though his iPod-driven electro-hip-hop was anything but.
He then proceeded to pinch my nipple and invite me to the after-party.
Instead I went to scope the Black and White Formal at Kline.
It was midight and about 30 people were standing, while music blared, looking quite bored.
Left in a matter of seconds.
Wondered if I should have pursued Music.
[[section omitted]]
Today.
Thought about buying a hipster handkerchief.
To be worn strictly in Rochester, of course.
Can't wait for Jay Brannan to come perform on Tuesday.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=eVuhdIK2E7o
I'm supposed to declare my major.
I don't want to.
The school thinks I'm in the Psychology department.
Had to settle for chocolate chips that "may contain trace amounts of milk" from local grocery store.
Is there really any utility in using the word "clandestine" except as a far more pretentious synonym of "secretive"?

This is me avoiding writing my Japanese essay

2007-02-27T03:02:18Z

List your ten favourite songs that begin with the letter given to you (and explain why you picked them, if you want).

Anna gave me "L," so here they are:

1. Level - The Raconteurs
Now I'm quite eager to admit that I'm not a huge fan of the Raconteurs. I was pretty upset when I heard that Jack White was putting White Stripes on hold to pursue some sort of pseudo-supergroup. I'm not entirely sure what kind of image they're trying to present. It's some sort of post-modern vintage soft-rock catchy bullshit. Just compare the quaint silliness of the Steady As She Goes video to the experimental mystifying and brilliant White Orchid video. Anyway, my point is that Level is the only song I much care for off Broken Boy Soldiers. I think it has to do with the strong bass riff and the increased distortion used.

2. Let The Poison Spill From Your Throat - The Faint
The Faint is basically just the greatest electro-dance band out there. I have to argue that Wet From Birth is a better all around album, packed with catchy and varied tunes. But the album this song is from, Danse Macabre, is pretty great too. I've always liked this song because the lead singer's voice reminds me a lot of this guy who goes to Bard. It's basically just a really good dance song; 100x better than what I hear at most parties.

3. Lemonade - Tsunami Bomb
T-Bomb recently broke up, but they're music lives on as a testament to the fact that not all 90's punk sucked horribly. This is def my favorite song from T-Bomb, as it showcases how clever and catchy their songs can be, as well as Agent M's great vocals. They're probably the best band to ever play Warped Tour (at least in my opinion). That's about all I have to say about that.

4. Love Rhymes With Hideous Car Crash - The Blood Brothers
This is one of many of my favorite Blood Brothers songs. I like this one in particular because it shows how softcore they can be. This sounds nothing like a hardcore song until about 2:20 into it, which is what is so charming about Blood Brothers. I think this is also the first song I ever heard by them.

5. Let's Make Love And Listen To Death From Above - CSS
I just recently got into CSS, which I believe stands for Cansei de Ser Sexy, not that I know what that means. They're an indie dance band, with a really distinct sound. You can probably hear this or other songs by them on Pitchfork.

6. Live From The Apocalypse Cabaret - The Blood Brothers
This is another great song from Blood Brothers. Not much more need be said. Could listen to it over and over.

7. Love Me Or Hate Me - Lady Sovereign
Lady Sov is so, so hot right now. Rolling Stone said that she's the new Eminem. I don't know about that. I have a hard time seeing her star in a movie like 8 Mile. All you have to do to decide if you like this song is listen to the chorus. I hear she's a huge bitch in person, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying her music from a distance. So danceable.

8. Loser - Beck
It's really hard for someone to argue that Beck isn't one of the greatest musical artists in recent years. Singlehandedly he crafts impeccable songs and apparently does spectacular live shows. Personally, I think Loser is the best song he's ever done. I love the disaffected nonsensical rapping and inappropriate Spanish of this song. It's just all-around quality.

9. Laser Life - The Blood Brothers
At first I didn't like Laser Life because it was too radio friendly and I thought Spit Shine Your Black Clouds should have been more recognized as the highlight of their new album. After I saw the video, however, it began to grow on me. Also, after showing the video to my friends and seeing their lack of enthusiasm, I decided it wasn't all that poppy after all.

10. Limousine (MS Rebridge) - Brand New
The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me is by far my favorite album of last year. Brand New was way down on my last.fm most played artists list until I got this album and couldn't stop listening to it. Limousine just happens to be my favorite song from it as well. This song seemlessly transforms as it plays, going from mumbled words over bare guitar, to a wave of distortion, to harmonization, to the best use of repetition I have ever heard in my life. This is one of those songs that stays with you so much that you can put it on repeat and just keep listening to it and getting more out of it. I was super pissed off when they didn't play this at Madison Square Garden, but I guess I can forgive them, because Jesse Lacey is a god.
So I guess this is the end of one of many ways I waste my time instead of doing homework. I should probably get back to that essay though.

kick_the_piano @ 2007-02-26T00:38:00

2007-02-26T05:38:36Z

Sometimes the Academy loves Martin Scorsese a little too much.

kick_the_piano @ 2007-02-14T20:05:00

2007-02-15T01:05:59Z

So it's Valentine's Day. Another one of those American holidays that people hate because of the societal expectations that commonly go unfulfilled. But that is not the reason that I feel somewhat miserable as I write this. Nor is the reason that it snowed several inches last night and today and I have been trudging around campus all day, snow seeping through my boots and the wind attacking my face. This feeling just seems to be emanating from my core, and it's uncontestable, for how else would I be inclined to listen to Converge and Daughters? I'm in such an aggro hardcore mood and there's nowhere to direct my hostility. Emotional peaks are supposed to be the prime window for writing lyrics, but I always find that at such moments, my brain is too clouded with affect that I lose all ability to translate into writing.

My class schedule is so planned out that I have long expanses of time with nothing to do but allow depression to set in. I'm way too frustrated to even finish this entry

Between the cocaine and the sex and your bank account full of daddy's checks...

2007-01-30T05:45:58Z

One thing I like about Bard is that after you come back it's exactly the same as when you left it. I smoked hookah for the first time. I know. You're all like, "What? You haven't done that already?" No. I haven't. It was alright. I realized that I can blow smoke rings with enough concentration.

As I drove back to Annandale from Rochester along Route 90 and then 87, I became slightly confused when the Google map directions didn't exactly match the trajectory I was headed in. This feeling subsequently turned into disgruntlement when I realized that I had not crossed the Hudson, but was traveling south along its bank not knowing how I would get across. I finally caved and bought a cheap map of Ulster County in a "Cigarette Store" to relocate myself. My car, despite my having added two witty stickers to its bumper, is now covered in an ugly layer of salt from those bastard New York roads. The whole drive it was sunny and beautiful and I was wondering what would have been so wrong with salt-less roads.

I spent several hours arranging my new single and I am proud to say that it now looks livable, although my rug isn't the embodiment of immaculacy. I swear that's a real word. I forwent eating a proper dinner in favor of snacking on vegan treats. I can't believe how fucking good dairy-free chocolate tastes. Classes start tomorrow. Japan a gogo. I should go grocery shopping. And to the gym. Wish me luck.

P.S. Details later on potential weekends for visiting my friends in New England.

kick_the_piano @ 2007-01-24T14:05:00

2007-01-24T19:05:28Z

Who wants a ride somewhere??!

Tell you're mom to stop being a baby factory

2007-01-19T05:01:44Z

So I was browsing around the MySpace at midnight because I have nothing better to do with my time and haven't been on the site in probably a month. As some of you know, I am looking to work at Starbucks over the summer. It's pretty much my ideal job. I get free (or discounted) coffee; I don't have to serve meat (I am unopposed to serving dairy products); I get to be called a 'Barista'; I mean, what more could one want? But I came across this blog post on my friend Hiroko Kosugi's MySpace profile, and it does not bode well for the likelihood that my dream will come true. Here it is.

about starbucks

I'm trying to work at the starbucks for my future and I did 2 interviews there already.
But they don't accept or they don't need me?
Or they hate me.
I really want to work at starbucks.
Are you boss at the starbucks?
If you are, please employ me!!!!!

Given she does live in overpopulated Osaka, but will this be my fate as well??

kick_the_piano @ 2007-01-10T18:15:00

2007-01-10T23:15:20Z

John Waters Loves K-Fed

The thing is I'm not worth the sorrow

2007-01-06T09:45:22Z

Sometimes I wish everyone was as unabashedly forthright as I can be. I wish everyone would come up to me and tell me everything they hate about me. Everything little thing that annoys them or bothers them. Like my lack of empathy or the ill-conceived decisions I make or the way I treat people with indifference. I wish people would tell me these things so that I could agree with them. So that I could make them understand that I don't like myself for all the reasons they don't like me. I wonder how people are able to feel like they're doing the right thing, because I feel like I'm doing everything wrong.

Wegmans Cruelty

2007-01-04T01:49:54Z



"Wegmans Cruelty" on Google Video
Wegmans Cruelty is a documentary produced by a small investigative team from the organization Compassionate Consumers. Organization members contacted Wegmans Food Markets to try to hold some meaningful dialogue about the conditions at Wegmans Egg Farm, and were then misled and dismissed by Wegmans representatives. The team set out to capture actual footage inside the farm and create a film based on their experience. The film features statements from Wegmans representatives, interviews with the investigators, and footage of what life and death is like inside of an "Animal Care Certified" battery cage facility. --- I know that this is probably only of significant interest to Rochester locals, who have most likely had the experience of visiting Wegmans (some of us have had MANY of them), but I wanted to post this in a place where it would get a fair amount of attention. For those of you who scoff at my decision to become vegan, or don't understand completely the reason I'm doing it (I'm aware that I'm not good at articulating my opinions), I hope this gives you a better idea. I have never bought Wegmans brand eggs before, but that's not the point. As consumers, each of us affects the consumer marketplace by buying the things we choose to buy. Whether we like it or not, all of our consumer habits play a part in humanitarian practices carried out all over the world. That is why I feel that discourse can only carry the animal rights movement and those like it so far, because unless we start acting out how we feel, there will be no existential change. I encourage you all to share this with those you feel would appreciate it or benefit from the viewing experience. Some people think these PETA-esque tactics of making available imagery of animal suffering is one-sided and overbearingly provocative, but it is my feeling that unless we increase exposure to dishonesty and unethical practices, there cannot be sufficient reparative action taken.

New Yearz in da Suburbz

2007-01-01T09:05:07Z

One of my new years resolutions is to start writing in this livejournal again, because I think it's probably good for me to organize my thoughts instead of letting them chaotically swarm in my head. I also kind of miss keeping track of things I am grateful for, which might be really useful right now as I'm a little bit uncertain about that kind of thing.

P.S. My other resolution is to be fully vegan (in case I didn't already harass you with details about it). When I try to think of reasons why I condemn the American meat industry for slaughtering animals but approve of it's other practices for producing milk, eggs, cheese, and other animal byproducts, the word 'paradox' just seems to light up in big letters. That and I don't think that humans are naturally meant to consume dairy. It's just gross to think about. Sure, eating crackers that have traces of whey doesn't ostensibly pose the same threat as gallons of mass-produced milk coming from dairy farms with few measures instated to protect the animals, but I have to remember that they're both part of a singular mindset. Feel free to come cook vegan things with me while I'm home for break.

Oh, by the way, Bard starts again on January 30th. What am I going to do until then? Haven't quite figured that out yet. Probably a lot of reading and guitar. Oh boy.

This new year's eve I wasn't part of a huge drunken fiesta the way I was last year. Instead, I "party-hopped" sober, which was fun in its own right. I started out with Morgan and went to Spencer's place, where, while we waited for him to finish dinner, Laurel arrived. Then Morgan and I went to Katherine Greenleaf's (sp?) house where Hongwei and others were for cheese fondue (definitely not vegan) and the Game of Life, which we couldn't play because of time pressure. We then, confusedly, made our way to Emily something-or-other's house where we met back up with Spencer and Laurel along with Jake, Ruth, Martin, and Johnny. There were a bunch of people who hang at Java's there and it was pretty rad. There was an ecstasy scandal and a gay boy named Dalton danced drunkenly to My Love. Goodtimes. Then, after most people left and we had cleaned up a bit, we moseyed over to Brian Lobenstine's which featured Courtney, Anna, Jessica, David, Alex, Laura, Rachel, Ethan (obvi) and other people I think. Ate a lot of cashews and then left to drop Morgan back home. Overall, an enjoyable evening albeit one marked by consistent sobriety.

Hmm...people I still need to see this break:
Carena
Adrianne
Kelly
Adam
Courtney (for more than five minutes (but I think we're going to a movie tomorrow))
I'll add people I forgot later, but right now I need to sleeppp

RIP MY THUGZ

I'll go Alanis Morisette on you

2006-10-31T06:17:30Z

I'm so cutting edge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcidD2HFK8M

set fire to your face on fire

2006-09-29T01:07:33Z

As I walked back home on the wooded path, much coveted by Morgan since the time she visited, from the café with a hummus+lettuce+tomato sandwich, which was criticized for not containing any animal products, I came into contact with an opossum scrambling across the path. It was probably the cutest thing ever.

Sorry to any of you who miss my livejournal presence. I hope you realize that I still compulsively check everyone else's entries, so don't feel neglected.

kick_the_piano @ 2006-09-04T12:15:00

2006-09-04T16:15:28Z

This is what I was presented with when I woke up this morning:

Those blasted sting rays

Hisashiburi

2006-07-13T13:13:39Z

For those of you who haven't yet heard (I have no idea how many that would be because I'm 7000 miles away from Rochester), India House Vegetarian Café has closed down. It's hard for me to explain how discouraged I am by this occurrence. Not only was IHVC my favorite restaurant in Rochester, which probably makes it my favorite of all time, but it is just one of the establishments in the long dismal history of vegetarian/vegan eateries that were unable to stay afloat. I always say that my favorite food is Indian, but the fact of the matter is that it was really that one place that I felt the best in and who's food made me the happiest. I know that some people will immediately sympathize with me because they have had similar experiences, but for anyone who has no reason to read this, they should understand that if you fall outside the prevailing sphere of white home-owning caucasians whose kids play sports for whom steak is a delightfully appetizing prospect for dinner, you are going to have a hard time getting by in many places, Rochester included. I have been known to get very nostalgic for Rochester, but now with all Atomic Eggplant, Slice of Life, Skippy's, IHVC, and perhaps many other delicious restaurants going out of business because of the limited customer pool, all I see is depressive middle-aged jazz loving beer drinking pseudo-cosmopolites. This has made my idea to move after college all the more certain.

Closer...let me whisper in your ear...

2006-06-07T04:20:31Z

Good times, good times.

You said forever, that you would never let me go...

2006-05-29T06:57:27Z

Today I daringly parked along the street on which The Little Theater resides. I exited the car and found a parking meter that read "EXPIRED." I immediately became excited, as I love paying tolls for things, and began jamming quarters into the small side-slot. As I was gleefully going on like this, a man drove by, rolled his window down, and yelled that it was unnecessary to pay the meter on weekends. Thus began my slow decline into desolation and loneliness extending into the evening hours. The result being a forlorn viewing of the majority of Hustle And Flow. Regardless, I stand by my presumption that Terrence Howard et al. fully deserved their Oscar.

Do you think this is accurate?

2006-05-24T21:42:19Z

I'm so excited, I've never been on such an artistic and exclusive double date before

2006-05-19T05:12:04Z

And so ends freshman year of college. I'm very glad to be home and not so excited about going back for another semester...or spending five weeks in Kyoto for that matter, but I have a feeling that no matter what, chilling at KSU will be a lot more badass than the ROC. So my dear mother was grilling me about my cigs in the car. It was uncomfortable to say the least. I think my birthday was a lot more fun just because it wasn't a very big deal. Today was one of the most fulfilling days that I've had in a long time, sans irrationally shirking Doug Noble at the Unitarian Church. P.S. Courtney, my friend Jake thinks you're hot. I tend to get mired in despair when I know that I have a whole dorm room of shit to unpack. And my speakers aren't working. OK Go, will you fix my teen-derived angst? All we can do is hope. It is so scary to think that soon I won't be a teenager ever again. That is perhaps the scariest thing that I have come across recently. The second to last episode of Grey's Anatomy when Izzy's pleading with Denny made me cry, but Marissa's death on the OC didn't even make me blink. Strange? I might go to Lollapalooza. That would make my year. If anyone reading this knows when Spencer's play dates are, PLEASE let me know. I really want to go, even if it is only Rochester Children's Theatre. I now know how to make salsa. We don't have any bread in my house. You would think that even if you don't have any food, you would have some sort of bread. There is a baby that I miss oodles, and her name is Gwen. I really do need a haircut. Does anyone want to weigh in on the liquid vs. nonliquid eyeliner debate? I think I just trust pencils over mysterious seeping fluid.

We were floating about with our heads in the clouds
And stealing those words from my mouth
You whispered in my ear
Exactly what I wanted to hear

kick_the_piano @ 2006-05-11T21:44:00

2006-05-12T01:44:19Z

Fuck you, Jordan

2006-04-21T01:19:37Z

This day has been incredibly strange. It was so good, but then these pockets of badness gave it an odd twist. I really can't deal with my responsibilities right now, moreso than usual even. I don't know why. It kind of feels like my life is spiraling out of control, but not because I've lost control of anything, I've just kind of let go of the reigns.
Mere said that I didn't seem high
My reply to that was "I said that you're like the teacher and I'm like the student...what the fuck??"

This is going to be the best day ever

2006-04-20T12:34:41Z

There is so much potential in this day. I watched the sunrise and it made me think how nothing could go wrong. We'll see by tonight...

kick_the_piano @ 2006-04-16T03:49:00

2006-04-16T07:49:51Z

After lying in bed restlessly for the last three hours, I finally got up, went to the kitchen, and puked up a whole bunch of Thai peanut noodles.

The last time I threw up was in 9th grade when I got seasick at Cape Cod, and that time it wasn't from drinking alcohol. Aren't you all so proud? Maxie's become quite the little lush!

I feel so disgusting right now.