Between the whiskey and the beer, between the carnival and the sleep, I’ve somehow zipped through most of my summer already. My last day at the carnival is August 18. I’m moving to Miami on the 20th. Where it all went, I really don’t know. I’ve kept up the bad boy decision making, revealing to not only the Movie Man, but myself just how great I am. I’ve stayed away from the potential good and stuck to Whiffies and the Ship. Routine trumps renovation.
And cue the end of the prodigal summer. Set to a soundtrack of The Replacements and the Old 97s, it’s been good. But I guess it’s gotta end.
Filed under: Bad Days, Other people | Tags: 4th of July, carnie, etc, PRODIGAL DRUNK SUMMER
Happy day after the 4th y’all.
I survived a midnight closing of the carnival, a death defying hike through nature at 1am, and so much more. Here i sit, drinking what’s left of my Old Crow and lamenting the fact that “tomorrow” begins officially in less than 9 hours. God darn it. I’m working quickly towards not liking the carnival so much. Which makes me sad.
But schoolgirl crushes make me soooooo happy.
But, in conclusion, I think I’ve been feeling down because (maybe) we’re nearing the 1 year anniversary of Buck’s death, i.e. we’re knee-deep in that shittastic month between his multiple arrests and his eventual death, and that kinda sucks, a lot. And I kinda miss him, a lot. Being a member of the Dead Dad Club ain’t all it’s cracked up to be, obvtron.
Filed under: Life Goals, Música, Other people, The New Deal | Tags: carnie, JoBros, PRODIGAL DRUNK SUMMER
Still the world’s worst updater. Ever. But I’ve been busy. And drunk. So those are my excuses. What are your’s?
Oh, and I was busy crossing yet another goal off my Life Goal list. This past Saturday, I took a day off from the carnival and went to the Portland stop of the Jonas Brothers 2009 World Tour. And it was epic. The most epic spectacle I’ve ever been to. And I was the tallest person there! So double win! And triple win: drunk. But OMG JOBROS!!!! We then walked home, got Whiffies, overheard the cute Whiffies owner saying he was supposed to go see the JoBros (omg!) but then something… I didn’t hear that part. But I swear, I’m starting to think I should just marry him. And eat Whiffies all day, every day. And call it a life. All in all, JoBros=love. Trulymadlydeeply. Best $20 ever spent.
The carnival’s been good. I’m essentially Queen of Kiddieland, meaning by night’s end I’m just walking from ride to ride talking to all the carnies. It’s a blast. And I have a school girl crush on so many random carnies that I’m never really bored. Tomorrow I’ll be carnie-ing while Emmylou Harris performs in the park which is dope. On the 4th, I’ll be carnie-ing to the sounds of (probably) the Frog Hopper and fireworks until midnight. I’m psyched.
I shot down the Movie Man which was an epic milestone. All to the soundtrack of George Michael. Yet another win.
The End.
Filed under: Música, Other people, Stupid Boys, The New Deal, Writing | Tags: PRODIGAL DRUNK SUMMER
I haven’t posted because:
- I was busy dying (not because of a hangover at the carnie job, mind you)
- I have 2 full-time jobs
- I’m a lazy beezy that just doesn’t care
- SO MUCH BAKING TO DO!
On my next day off (i.e. Monday, i.e. next week, i.e. my 1 day off a week), I’m making these bagels (click!)
And, dang, if Hayes Carll isn’t the dopest of dope alt-country dudes strumming/singing right now. AND Ryan Bingham’s new CD is mad growing on me. Look/wait with breath held, for a slightly updated review of Roadhouse Sun… it’s really kinda growing on me.
I gotta go to bed since job #2, i.e. autism day camp TA starts at 8am. everyday. In addition to my carnie job everyday, but at least I got hotties at Oaks Park to look at/think about (but not wanna bone, obvtron, cause eww, they are literally like 12, or 20, but still, really, my boss? at 20??? really???? and he mad owned you on the obscure-ish foreign dbag term? really?). Oh well.
FYI, been doing mad physical writing lately.
P.S. My baking has been lopsided, (ditto for one of my two roomies). I think our oven has turned on us. It now only cooks edges, then burns edges while cooking the innards of cakes/breads/etcs. WHACK ATTACK.
I will get one of the carnies into my bed. Oh, lord help me, but I will. Be it Pete and Pete, or my DBAG 20 year old boss, or the ohmygood so self-aware 19 year old. One of ‘em, or all of ‘em. That’s the plan.
AND P.P.S. JO BROS IN A WEEK + SOME DAYS!!!!!!!!!!! OMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!!!!!
Filed under: Música | Tags: Dead Horses, Mescalito, review, Roadhouse Sun, Ryan Bingham, Wishbone Saloon
Today was carnival payday and a slow day, so I got off work a few hours earlier than I should have. As such, I deposited my millions of dollars at my local bank, said hello to the cutie bank teller and then set about on my quest to buy Ryan Bingham’s new cd.
After three stores and an eventual submission to the powers of the independent, local music store, I found a copy of his new album Roadhouse Sun. It’s good, I guess (maybe “good enough” is a better summation of it’s qualities). But not as good as Mescalito. I’m glad I bought the only copy in Portland and I’m quite satisfied with myself for buying the one cd the hipster record folks didn’t know how to classify that week.
But overall, I’m a little disappointed. It has moments of pretty much undisputable brilliance; however, as a whole, it’s kind of boring and lacking in the raw emotion that powered Wishbone Saloon and Mescalito. Ryan Bingham’s still got the voice, he’s still got the songwriting chops, but somewhere over the past few years it seems he’s lost a little of what made those albums so good. Maybe it’s Marc Ford’s over-polishing or maybe it’s the way the music overpowers his voice in many places, but as a whole, the shining moments (especially the vocal ones) are overshadowed by the excessive production and almost silly musicality of the songs.
I’m glad I bought it. I’m glad Ryan Bingham’s big enough to put out another major release; however, I’m disappointed, but maybe my initial disapproval will wane as I give the album a more complete listen. At the very least this means he should go out on tour and I’ll get to see him when he (fingers crossed) rolls through Portland!
Standouts: “Day is Done,” “Country Roads”
Weakest Point: “Hey Hey Hurray”
To offset the balance of this disaapointment and my overall love/appreciation for what Ryan Bingham does on a regular basis, I now present my favorite Ryan Bingham songs!
“Big Country Sky”
Just another sacred sky / make you wanna grow wings and fly / well they’ll never touch down / be a certified member of the lost and never found
I have to say this is my favorite Ryan Bingham song, pretty much ever. One of my go to driving songs, “Big Country Sky” captures that amazing feeling that comes only with driving on a deserted stretch of road late in the summer night. No one but you on the road, only the stars and songs to keep your company. This here is the song I connect most with my never-ending wanderlust and apparent inability to settle into one place for longer than almost a year.
[download (!!) "Big Country Sky" (!!)]
“Roadhouse Gypsy”
I remember laying down with the roadhouse girls / I was just a little boy trying to keep my feet warm.
I don’t know how many times I’ve listened to this song in my car. I don’t know how many times I’ve sang that line. But both are a lot.
[download "Roadhouse Gypsy"]
“Hard Times”
Tied with “Big Country Sky” for my favorite Ryan Bingham song, “Hard Times” (the standout track [in my opinion] from Mescalito) represents everything I enjoy about this artist. The lyrics here are splendid. The emotion in the voice hits you deep. And after hearing it for the first time on the album, I was stunned by how identifiable it was as a story.
[download "Hard Times"]
“The Highway”
My momma said when I was born / well that look in your eyes / I could tell you were gonna run.
Well I might die a broken man’s son / but I’ll keep on riding ’til I can reach the sun.
Simple enough – I love songs about traveling and I love songs about alienation. This song embodies the ‘lost puppy’ sentiment that I love about Bingham’s music. I guess that sense of losing (or never really having) that place you call home hits, well, home with me.
[download "The Highway"]
“Southside of Heaven”
With this song, Bingham’s staple song (I guess), I prefer the earlier recorded version found on Wishbone Saloon. The vocal offering is just a pinch rougher, the music just a shade quieter.
[download "Southside of Heaven"]
And those are some of the reason I love Ryan Bingham and think everyone else should as well.
Thank you.
Guess what came out today (well yesterday by this point)? Ryan Bingham’s new cd! Unfortunately, I was busy running rides for the still Untitled Crowley Project, so I haven’t picked it up yet. But I did give Brendan Fraser a ride on my carousel! And had delicious craft service. In a few days I might not spend all day/night at the amusement park.
Filed under: Life Goals, Música | Tags: funemployment, Fountains of Wayne, carnie
I start my carnie job tomorrow. Needless to say, I’m really excited. I wish I had religious reasons for wearing cute skirts to work, but since I don’t, I’m stuck going khaki/black/brown long shorts/pants shopping today. In addition to buying stuff for a sack lunch.
WOO gainful employment!!
Filed under: Life Goals, Música, Stupid Boys | Tags: baking, Compulsive Gamblers, dating, Mary Weiss
I went on a first date today. It was awkward, but nice. I haven’t been on a proper first date since high school. I’m glad I went.
A little Elliott Smith Big Star cover to sum it up.
And another song I listened to a lot last night, which doesn’t really fit, but is pretty nevertheless:
Today I checked out the America’s Test Kitchen Best of 2009 cookbook. It’s a pretty good read. And I think I found a proper drop biscuit recipe that I’m excited to try out. I wish I was in a cover band. I always have. Always will.
Filed under: Música | Tags: funemployment, Jimmy Eat World, Smashing Pumpkins, The Ataris
I keep fluctuating mood wise, but overall I’m optimistic that this summer will go down in history as a summer to remember. If I get over my little neurotic self-denial act, I might date someone (like for real and not just “seeing” as I’ve been prone to do). I might have a good job (i.e. cool.) And all in all, I’ll be drunk and happy and eating fresh baked goods. What more do I need?
In honor of that, all hail suburbia! Some good videos that honor suburban boredom/the joys of summer:
download The Smashing Pumpkins’ “1979″
download Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle”
And finally, a nice cover to get you going:
