Monday, August 27, 2007

Web Hosting Buzz

I'm seriously considering ditching .Mac for Web Hosting Buzz to host my BRMC fan site - Down Here. The problem and possible reason for switching is that the templates I used for .Mac are crappy, but easy to update. I would love to redesign my site from scratch, but my HTML skills are limited. Of course, there's always lots of info to help from the internet, which should help because I probably want to do things with the site that I have no idea how to do.

The benefits of switching are lots more space and bandwidth, domain names for life, and saving lots of money each year. I'd be dumb not to switch. However, the laziness in me has kept me with .Mac all these years and it's also preventing me from wanting to learn to build a real website rather than a template based one. I have 45 days before my .Mac account expires, but that still might not be enough time to learn all the stuff it takes to build a decent site, let alone a cool one.

There's an XTC website called Optimism's Flames which is really cool and probably a little more complex than what I know how to do. Still, if there was ever an inspired look for a site that I had, it'd be that one. Anyways, there's no reason I couldn't learn to make a great site, I have lots of time on my hands and I'm sort of willing to learn. I could put the old site up until I actually figure out how to use Dreamweaver.

It's kind of sad that a lot of old BRMC fan sites disappeared, that's also why I was not willing to change mine for so long. Anyways, I think I am going to do this. I've always wanted my own domain name, and this will be the best way to do it. I think I'll still need help figuring out how to actually design and build a new site, but that also might be very rewarding.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

My first cavity

After 2 years of not seeing a dentist, I finally saw one today and learned that I had a cavity. One somewhat serious one and a few smaller ones actually. Though it must not have been that bad if the dentist took care of it that same afternoon without any anesthetics. It wasn't painful at all, in fact, the cleaning was a bit more painful than the drilling and filling.

Anyways, now I can't say I've never had a cavity. Though I did get a white filling, so you can't even tell that I have one. I kind of wanted a silver one so I could see it, but then the office lady said I should get a white one since I didn't have any already. It was a little more expensive, but probably better over all since it doesn't contain mercury.

After my appointment, my brother took me to Goodwill and I found a nice Hydraulic brand denim jacket so I can have my own Canadian tuxedo. I also got a cool pair of Japanese black and white pajama pants and 2 pairs of shoes for 99 cents each! Thrift stores are so much fun with new things every day.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Sunset Junction: Sat, August 18, 2007

Not much to say about it, I went yesterday and saw Autolux and Blonde Redhead. Both bands were good in their own ways, but I wasn't enjoying the heat and all the crowds. I was a little disappointed that we missed a lot of the bands that went on earlier and that there was no guest list for the event, like I had been told there would be. Otherwise, the atmosphere was cool with all the vendors and rides. I didn't buy anything or go on any rides, but it was still neat walking around there. After we got off the shuttle back, we went to McDonalds for ice cream and soda. It was a nice way to end the day. I took a few photos of the bands, here are some on Blonde Redhead:

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And Autolux:

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Saturday, August 18, 2007

What's Your Denim Identity?

I took this quiz twice and got the same result. I'm wondering if there's only one option. So everyone reading this should try the quiz out and let me know what you get. I want to know what the other options are.

You’re Chip and Pepper jeans! No need for anyone to take a chill pill when they’re around you. Your casual, laid-back, and happy-go-lucky personality is soothing, comfortable, and approachable, just like a pair of too-cute and relaxed Chip and Pepper jeans.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

BRMC @ Bogart's, Cincinatti, OH 8-3-07

I was busy taking lots of photos and videos during this show, so it's hard to tell how good it was. I would say very good, but I was constantly harrassed near the end and a little after the show by some crazy guy I'd never met before. Now I know not to give my number out to strangers on MySpace. How silly of me not to know that before! Since this isn't much of a review, I'll post some of my favorite photos from that night along with the setlist (which I actually got and almost had stolen from me by the same jerk who was bugging me):

Took Out A Loan
Berlin
Ain't No Easy Way
Weapon of Choice
Punk Song
Windows
Six Barrel Shotgun
Cold Wind
Howl
Not What You Wanted
666 Conducer
Need Some Air
American X

Fault Line
Devils Waitin
Mercy

Promise
Shade Of Blue
The Show Is About To Begin
Spread Your Love
All You Do Is Talk

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Setlist from the Bogart's show

After the show, there was plenty of fun hijinks amongst me and my friends in the Black Posse (you know who you are). Here are some examples:

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Sunday, August 12, 2007

Columbus, Covington, and Cincinatti

It's been over a week since I was in Cincinatti, so I might as well start blogging about it. No offense to the citizens of Cinci, but this was probably my least favorite place to see BRMC. Not because they played bad or anything, but we did have our share of unfriendly and downright rude people bothering us there. Covington, KY was rather nice in comparison and just a short drive over a bridge away from Cincinatti. It wasn't all bad, we did meet some nice people there. Over all, I don't have happy memories of this city.

Our trip started in Columbus, OH, where after 2 layovers in Minneapolis and Detroit, me and Suzanne finally arrived at the airport we were headed for. After getting no sleep the night before, we were both asleep for most of those plane rides. We found Michele waiting for us in the airport (she'd arrived several hours before us) and proceeded to the rental car area. The rental car guy must have been from Switzerland or something, he had a very funny accent which we'd mock throughout the rest of our trip. We ended up with a lovely white Dodge Avenger with a new engine that Suzanne would really break in with her race car driving skills.

After putting our stuff away and sitting down to relax for awhile, we went back into the airport to meet Jodi, whose original flight was overbooked so she was put on a later more direct flight from Salt Lake City. We probably didn't leave Columbus until around 11 PM and not long after hitting the rode decided to stop at one of the many Waffle Houses that we passed on our way to Covington. Our meal was served by our delightful server Zebulon, who enjoyed our excitement at eating at the Waffle House and our jukebox selections of Waffle House songs and other classics. As we were leaving and taking photos outside, we were given Waffle House hats and took some photos with Zeb.

We made good time to our hotel, which was only a couple hours away from the airport. It was easy to get to sleep that night after the long day of flying. In the morning, we got ready and went to pick up Liz at the airport in Cincinatti. First, we did a drive by of Bogart's. After bringing Liz back to our hotel, we gave her some time to get ready and then went back to Cincinatti for food. We had some pizza from a nearby restaurant. After that, we went back to Bogart's to buy tickets. We parked near a Taek won doo center, where Suzanne wanted us all to pose in front of it. After that, we were off to look for a coffee shop.

After a really long walk, we ended up at a place that was closed, but opened at 5 PM. It was about 4:30 and the guy who owned the place decided to let us in so we could cool down and enjoy the air conditioning. It was a really nice coffee bar inside and we sat and enjoyed the ambiance, which included lots of plants and even some fish tanks, which Liz seemed to enjoy a lot. Me and Suzanne went out to the patio, which was covered in lots of leafy green foliage - it was really lovely. We were locked out for a few minutes, since we didn't realize it was a locked door. We went back inside to order some coffee. I got ice cream, which had hair in it. I sent it back the first time, but the second time, I decided just to pick it out. I don't think we were charged for it anyways.

On our way back to Bogart's, we stopped by a Thrift Store. It was an interesting store because it was just a house with lots of clothes hanging in it for sale. Jodi found a onesie that she was very excited about and Liz found a cowboy hat to match the awesome black and gold phoenix boots she had on, but decided not to get it. Walking back to Bogart's, we passed by a few smelly spots that we later remembered to not breathe in at later. We were quite a spectacle for the locals, who asked us if we were looking for trouble. I had no idea what that meant, so I said yes and everyone thought I was crazy. Luckily, I don't think the person who asked heard me.

Okay, next blog, I will describe the show and after math in detail. This is just the pre-show antics that needed documentation for all eternity. Waiting in line wasn't terribly interesting, so I'll skip that too. I managed to avoid explaining why people in Cincinatti were so rude, it was really just a couple people. This red haired guy got really pissed off at Suzanne as she was making a turn near an intersection and he actually got out of his car to yell at her. We were all a bit shaken after that and very much soured on the city of Cincinatti. Also, the guy who served our coffee at the coffee bar wasn't particularly friendly, so we assumed he hated us. Well, that's all for now folks!