Diamond Rings 2007

Last night was the final farewell instore performance at Sea Level Records and the last band to grace the back of the store (stage)? The amazingly bittersweet Deer Tick. See the photos below. I'm so glad Jonah summoned me from the depths of my freelance working chambers to check out the show. Otherwise, I would not have known about it at all. And yeah, I definitely love the "Diamond Rings 2006" version of the song better (which he played, much to our delight) but the title of this'a here post reflects the calandar year that is'a tha present! Nothing beats the present, let me tell ya. Nuh-thing.




And yes, if you're wondering though you probably aren't, I got a brand spanking new DIGITAL camera. I did it. Thought about sticking to film but the costs and the trouble for what it's worth scared me away. It's great though! I went all out. It's a beast. I'll probably be taking a hell of a lot more photos now that I have it and am through mourning the death of the Holga Polaroid. It might take me a little while to master this thing so bear with me and the few stinker photos that may come thru until that happens. Learning curve, dude. Wiiiiiiiii!!!!!!

again, back to the back back

Arrived back in LA last Sunday evening after spending a week in the sticks with the parental units and my kitty cat, Grendel. Wasn't exactly a relaxing time but was radd visiting them in their element as well as attending my 10 year high school reunion. Yep, you heard me right, the reunion. It was actually pretty chill. Seemed as though most everybody got married and had kiddies. I, on the other hand, can probably still be considered a kiddie. Tee hee hee. It was really nice to see an old friend of mine, Brianne since so many other attmepts at meeting up in the past had fallen victim to shite timing... Unfortunately the NES cartridges I was hoping to find did not show up anywhere. I got so bummed I cried a little bit. Shhhh. Also on the bummer list was the lack of BMX bikes. Boo. I did, however, score a bunch of vintage dresses to sell on eBay for some extra cash money. Woot.

Now I'm back at work watching the clock tick and thinking about designing my impending tattoo coverup. It's all gonna go down on Saturday.



The internet is finally back on at my house so the 658 posse can officially launch into the spaceage (this is only due to the combination of the Wii and the DirectTv into the equation). Things are a little odd and tranquilo right now though, I gotta say. It feels like a big transition into something but i have no idea what it is. The job's been great, Oslo's been great (and his new little buddy Parker Pilot Ray too!) and little things that go wrong don't stress me out NEARLY as much as they would say 4 years ago. The people around me have been wonderful unlike others in my past. And let me tell you, I give a salty salute to that bullshit. No one needs that kind of stress. I don't know though. About the transition thing, that is. Kinda like a calm before a storm. Gay analogy, I know. But I'm not sure if I have to be the one responsible for making shit happen or if it will just fall into place. This is such a bizarre and vague thing to be discussing in the first place, yeah? Ok, I'll stop. Let's talk more about robots and comic books and music....

We went to see The New Year last night at Spaceland and goddammit, was it a great show! This was my first time seeing them, as they're not apt to tour much. Hearing the radd 5/4 timed songs that I played along to on drums for the past 6 years was so nice. Their drummer kind of shaped the way I approach drums. I had to pick Jonah's jaw up off the floor after their set. I can't wait to write more music and collaborate with radd peoples............

Gonna start looking into a new bad ass digital camera. I can't deal with this no Holga Polaroid film bullshit anymore. Also on the "don't feel like dealing with bullshit anymore list" is solving the "how can lauren exercise without injuring herself" crisis. The answer? Swimming. In Burbank. During my lunch hour. I might get a little of that thing that I typically avoid called "sun" but it'll get me past this chronic ankle injury and into my usual good shape and sought after boyish figure. Hee haw. Fart.

Of course.

It's almost 12:30 the night before I leave and I find myself awake as can be. This weekend was absolutely flippin' awesome and despite the fact that I could use some sweet R & R in the countryside of western PA, I'm a bit hesitant to leave things so good here. Oslo's acting all weird because I pulled the the suitcase out of the closet and he knows exactly what that means. Poor little guy... BUT... He's going to be staying at a new boarding place I found recently that boasts radical rave reviews. Fucking spoiled mutt who could have died back in 2001 before I rescued his tiny butt!!

So yeah, Harold and Maude played Saturday night at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. It was the perfect thing to do (and ride bikes in, of course) after a day of playing Metal Slug on the new Wii with Jonah. Yayer! Mel and I even penned and structured an all new song today. I play drums and she's on guitar and vocals and it gives me CHILLS it's soooo rad.

And I guess overall, I've been doing pretty well. More so than past weeks. I'm in excellent company and it's making me feel all non-zombie and alive again. And now, on to Pittsburgh (Johnstown)...........................

Fart, cough.

Look Mom, no make up!!

wii're shipping off soon

Today is a big day. Not only will I be able to start using my own internet connection, but I will be the proud owner of a Nintendo Wii. The ankle is still a bit twitchy so this is yet another grand reason to not leave the house. That is, until I depart for the homeland on Monday morning. I absolutely cannot wait to do nothing all next week in dial-up internet land. I heard though, that they finally put a starbucks in the area. So if it's like every other starbucks on the planet, it'll have wifi. Fingers crossed. I hope to come back with copious amounts of thrift store booty, my NES games, an olde BMX bike and a whole new lease on life. Well, yeah. What?

And, uh muh gawd. Does this country really have THAT bad of a collective problem with sleeping? Since I've subscribed to DirectTv, I've seen more sleep aide and sleep number bed commercials than I care to mention. Fuck. The weight loss commercials I get, cause hello, America is fat. But not sleeping either? Could it be that's WHY they're overweight? I dunno. People are lazy but can't sleep a whole night's through. Tough gig. Jeez, makes me realize how effin' fortunate I am that I don't suffer from either problem and am smart enough to prevent it with diet and exercise-- well, the exercise part after my ankle heals but you get the point. Argh.

wow.

wow. wow. wow. i haven't been able to sit still all day. got so much to do but cannot stay focused. tried to take oslo for a long walk but had to cut it short due to my injured ankle. i'm really upset about a bunch of things right now and don't know how to even begin dealing with them. boo hoo hoo. help me robot brain!

one for the other

The Direct TV fellows came around 8:30 this morning to install their wonderful service into my home. Sounds great, right? Well, it should be except for the fact that they accidentally cut the phone line here while re-routing the new cable lines. After reconnecting it and making sure there was a dial tone, they went on their way. Unfortunately now (and mysteriously so) our DSL modem seems to be completely fried. No workies. Is that something that could happen from a sudden cut to the phone line? or am I simply retarded and they just didn't hook it back up properly? And how am I controlling the fantastic temperature on this ship? Well, I'm actually stealing the neighbor's weak as hell connection to make this blog post possible. Otherwise, there ain't no internet at casa 658.

Haha, the "Tasticles" episode of Futurama is on now...

Went to see "Knocked Up" earlier today in Burbank as well. Not only was it great to get out of the house for a few hours with a friend, the movie is absolutely amazing. Can't stress it enough but it was such a great afternoon amidst days of bummed-out-ness. Please go see this movie. I'm prolly gonna regret saying this but... (whisper) I actually shed a little tear at the end of the movie. Shit's all emotional and shit. Characters have you in the palm of their hands from the opening credits.

Took a break from the freelance drawings this evening to get some Pinkberry with Mel. She's amazing for listening to all my bullshit. We rock tomorrow as usual. By rock, I mean band practice on Sundays.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention-- I fucked up my ankle while running Thursday evening. Yes, ANOTHER running war scar. It really hurts. Like a lot. This time, however, I don't have health insurance (well at least not for another 3.5 months when the union stuff kicks in-- lame). So I'm hoping it's just a strained tendon and not a break like last time. Don't want to spend a fortune on an xray!

Ugh, I've had enough of awake time. It's draining. Going to bed now. Oh pillow, can you make it all better? Do you got my back? Would you fight for me? Always stay soft yet supportive! I promise to snuggle you every night!