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Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
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9:57 am - Jimmy
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| Friday, November 13th, 2009
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11:26 am - Meme Time
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JUST 2 THINGS
Delete my answers and type in your answers. I might have done this already but can't remember so I'm doing it again lol. Stolen from FB, no tags so up for grabs (I made a rhyme).
Two names you are called that are not your real name:
1. Buffy
2. صديقي
Two things you're wearing now:
1. Clothes
2. Hat hair
( cut fail )
current mood:  procrastinating
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| Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
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11:03 am - Obama
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I'm just fed up with people bitching about every little thing the man does.
He takes his wife out to dinner and people complain he's spending money in a recession.
He pushes for the Olympics and people whine that he's not focusing enough on OTHER issues.
He takes pictures with world leaders during the G-20 summit and people think that he's a media attention whore.
He addresses the youth of America and parents are upset that this black guy dressed up in a President's suit is talking to their children.
He can't complete a full year in office without someone blogging that he has yet to become fully Commander in Chief.
He wants to make change and people are against anything that comes at a cost to them, regardless if it's for the greater good.
This man could fly to the damn moon and back and people would still complain that he isn't doing anything worth a dime in their eyes.
current mood:  annoyed
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| Tuesday, July 7th, 2009
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10:33 am - I'm getting a bike
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I think I'm breaking up with the red line and getting a bike. I'm done with the rush hour delays that will probably go on for the next two years. I would probably bike half way then take the bus the rest of the way to work because AU sits on top of a huge hill. I'm not sure if I'll survive riding down Michigan Ave and through Adams Morgan but dammit I'm willing to take that chance. I'll probably head down to Arlington after work Friday and check out the used bike shop. I've already placed an ad on freecycle and browsed Craigslist. I thought about stealing my sister's bike but it needed too much work and for the money I would have spent I'd rather get my own.
Also, while browsing websites and blogs on biking in DC I found out about the original metro line that ran through Dupont and other parts of the city. No wonder the Dupont Metro station is so far underground - there's an old station right on top of it. I thought it was pretty neat.
current mood:  calm
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| Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
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10:31 am - Fail is an understatement at the moment
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This is just so unacceptable.
I just can't stop shaking my head at this. It's amazing that in the short amount of time that I've been here, Metro has had more crashes and issues than any train system I've ridden (and for Septa, that's saying a whole lot). 7 people died, and though they haven't figured out the real cause of the accident they're saying it may have been an old mechanical problem. Completely unacceptable.
And Mayor Fenty, you just fail on all levels.
It's just freaky that it happened 1.5 stops from mine. My station was shut down this morning and it took 3 buses and an hour and 45 to get to work. My boss still hasn't shown up yet, and he lives 10 mins away by bus :|
I guess now is a good time to start investing in a bike.
current mood: waking up
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| Friday, June 19th, 2009
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11:06 am - One of these days
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One day, I'm just gonna let loose of all inhibitions and shave my head.
current mood:  royally fucked
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| Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
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5:07 pm - Late as all hell
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I just wanted to post and say that I will be updating and responding to people's entries eventually. Maybe today, maybe tomorrow, but soon because I haven't had a moment to decompress.
I'm tired, and cranky, and sick of the weather, and I want to go home but have to go to class. Oh well. SVU tonight and I want to see Stabler punching heads in goddammit.
current mood:  stressed
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| Tuesday, May 12th, 2009
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4:08 pm - TESL
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Prof. definitely made us do an 'introduce yourself to the class' exercise. It wasn't that bad really. The only thing that was kind of annoying was that people were using it as an means to show off how much crap they've managed to accomplish in their 25 years of life. But again, I'm dealing with AU students.
Readings for this class are extremely psych heavy, which I was not expecting at all (I thought it would be more similar to analytical literature). It is so so so dry. And repetitive. Like they took really simple concepts and turned them into scientific modules for measurement. Which is exactly what they've done. And their conclusions are always inconclusive because you can't put numbers to subjective content, like the learning a foreign language. I mean, duh.
I need an anti-dandruff shampoo that is not head & shoulders.
current mood: tired
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| Thursday, April 30th, 2009
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12:03 pm - Swine flu, et. al. Post
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I just wanted to show off my edited icon. I can has Photoshop skills.
And to post this bucket of fail. LOL World Bank.
Slash is going to be on American Idol. Please let Axl make a surprise appearance for the lulz tho I know it will never happen even if they paid him a million dollars. Trust I'd be front row center at 8am EST sharp to witness that fuckery.
And excuse you America for putting Adam in the bottom two.
current mood:  munchies
current music: Depeche Mode, what else..
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| Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
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1:49 pm - DM post - SOTU
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I really should wait to do this, but I'm gonna be traveling the next couple of days and may not have a chance to sit and write a review.
I say I should wait because like some of DM's albums, especially the later ones, that I own have taken me time to warm up to. I've had to listen to them repeatedly, sometimes when I'm completely zoned out of my mind and the only thing I can hear are the melodies, only then magic happens and I will find love in at least two songs.
I read somewhere that [former band mate] Alan Wilder was mostly responsible for the bass lines that gave DM their unique sound. One of the things that frustrated me most about Metallica's album ...And Justice For All was that the original band members decided to turn down the bass lines (in pure and utter spite) which completely ruined an otherwise brilliant album. I feel this way about Sounds of the Universe. In almost all of their songs, I feel as if they had spent just a bit more time focusing on the bass lines the mediocre songs could have been poppin'. Lyrics are the last thing I notice about a song, so for me I need to hear something captivating in the arrangement of sounds to really get into a song. Most of the album sounds airy to me which I guess fits the theme of the album title, but does not really complete the thumping Depeche Mode sound that I fell in love with. It's disappointing, in that regard.
Given that, there are a couple songs I found to be really good. 'In Chains' is one of my favorites even though I think the intro should have been a completely separate track. Dave's vocals are probably some of the best he's done since Songs of Faith and Devotion (and that's a big assumption because I have not heard all of Playing the Angel. Poo on me). I would really like to hear 'Peace' live - in fact, I think that hearing the album live would make it for me.
'In Sympathy' sounds like a throwaway from Exciter. 'Little Soul' is disappointing only because I absolutely love Dave/Martin duets and this one is just crap (how can this be?!?!). 'Miles Away' is not bad. I really like the little yelp Dave does towards the end of the song. Again, probably some of his best vocals. You can tell that he put in a lot of effort to train his voice.
I also listened to the bonus tracks on YouTube. 'Ghost' should have been on the album. The rest are nothing special. I also didn't see the point in any of the instrumental tracks.
I think the arrangements of electronics is creative at best, but Martin really did go a bit too crazy with his new toys. Which leads me to believe that their next album (if/when/hopefully) will sound much more complete. After I've listened to it more, and paid attention to the lyrics, I'll probably feel differently about this one. But first impressions are very important. A non-DM fan (even some of the hardcore fans) would probably listen to this and not like it.
current mood:  nom
current music: sotu
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| Saturday, April 11th, 2009
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5:56 pm - DM Post
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The Depeche Mode dance party was everything and more than I could have ever wanted. It was fantastic! I danced to almost every song, sang along, flailed around, and only had one drink (grapefruit and vodka - how A. Wilder of me).
The played pretty much every DM song that was danceable, and then some. I was stoked to hear Here is the House, Flexible (!!!), Get The Balance Right, Halo, Nothing (oh noooo), and Fly on the Windscreen! Wasn't too keen on the Strangelove remix, especially since Strangelove 88 is fine on its own. I was kinda hoping to hear Behind the Wheel without the Route 66 overlap, but it worked. And Clean was a horrible song to end the night on, to be honest. But I still danced to it.
Saw Claire, who I haven't seen in forever, and her boyfriend which was nice. I only took one picture trying to capture the DM neon logo, but it didn't turn out well on my camera. I was too busy freaking out to take more.
Special thanks to the plethora of boys in tight pants, boys twirling, and boys on boys twirling for making my night extra entertaining.
current mood: relaxed
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| Thursday, April 2nd, 2009
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1:36 pm - Meme post
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Stolen from Pinkie's blog
what is your current obsession?
Depeche Mode, haha. Seriously I luff them and can't wait to see them live in July.
what are you wearing now?
The good ol' jeans and blouse combo.
( Read more... )
current mood:  brooding
current music: BBB
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| Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
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12:19 pm - WANT!
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Go Phillies!!
current mood:  In the mode
current music: Get The Balance Right!
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| Monday, March 30th, 2009
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11:12 am - Random post #?
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I bought new climbing shoes yesterday. 5.10's, the only shoe in my size that didn't feel or look stupid. They are really tight, but I love the elastic string option. Much easier access. I can't wait to try them out and break some toes (literally, these things are crushing).
I had a weird anxiety dream last night. I was running around a stadium-like church, wearing a brown robe, because I was late for a Baptism and couldn't find the indoor swimming pool. My family was there, and my budget officer guy for some reason. The others who were going to be baptized were friends but I didn't really recognize any of them, which I found strange. But I was too busy trying to say hi to everyone I did recognize to care, and eventually found myself rushing around trying to find my group of "baptizees", who had already gone to the pool. So I tried to find the pool but ended up running down halls that reminded me of my high school. Eventually, feeling really panicked and stupid I stopped and thought to myself why I cared so much, since (irl) I'm still questionable on the whole Jesus thing. Then the eerie cries of a hungry cat woke me from my slumber, approximately 45 minutes before my alarm was due to go off.
I spent most of the morning thinking this out and trying to analyze my dream:
Overall theme - anxiety - most likely caused by the prospect of me working in Nigeria (and figuring out exactly what I want to do) - my next move.
( tl;dr )
current mood: nom
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| Wednesday, March 18th, 2009
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8:45 am - DM Post - ABF & SGR
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So I've joined the 21st century and figured out how to use torrents with the help of my roommates. Naturally the first thing I did was download as many Depeche Mode songs/albums/videos as possible. Unfortunately torrents tend to be bigger files so I've only managed to download three complete albums, and one album up to 98%. I've added Violator, Exciter, A Broken Frame, and Some Great Reward to my list. Right now, I want to discuss the latter two.
A Broken Frame 1982
Depeche Mode second album. This one I don't have in full yet, but I've managed to get the songs that I have not already heard (the non-singles, with the exception of one song). I have to say that I really like this album. It has more of a softer, down beat synthpop tone, more intricate melodic layers, and stronger lyrics. I particularly am fond of the keyboard solos, and new wave-y style of the vocals. Of course there are a couple of songs on the album that are more poppy than others, such as 'See You', but that seems to be a trend among Depeche albums until about the Black Celebration era.
Some Great Reward 1984
Depeche Mode fourth album. Interestingly enough, the single 'Blasphemous Rumours' is what got me hooked on DM, but this is the first time I've listened to the album in it's entirety. A more complete sounding album, SGR I think compares to the likes of Violator for it's sheer balance of up beat tempos and dark-themed yet catchy lyrics. I've read that the band used a lot of creative instruments and sampling in this album, but the complexity of sounds aren't overwhelming as one would imagine. I think the only song on this album that may pose an exception is 'Master and Servant', but then again they did apparently leave out the snare. Like I referenced above, SGR sounds more like a predecessor to Violator than Black Celebration (which rightfully proceeds Music for the Masses), which makes me wonder what made the band decide to try a different approach to BC. Perhaps it had something to do with 'It's Called A Heart' ... ;)
current mood:  geeky
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| Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
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8:37 am - Random post
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Waking up and not really trying to work at the moment, so I'm gonna do this 25 random things meme that spawned on Facebook. No tags, just a chance to get the brain gears churning and to brag about myself.
1. I really enjoy science fiction and constantly find myself wishing that my car would transform into a sentient being with the ability to travel through time.
( Moar )
current mood:  waking up
current music: DM in my head
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| Friday, February 20th, 2009
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3:14 pm - Music Post
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I am really digging New Young Pony Club. Sounds like electro/new wave pop. Which is fitting because they're British. I was never big on female vocalists (no particular reason) but I like this girl's pipes. And I also like how they incorporate a lot of layers in their music instead of a flat melody and beat like so many other electronic musicians. I love listening to a song and being able to detect one or two subtle melodies that complement and give the song so much more atmosphere.
current mood:  good
current music: Ice Cream
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| Tuesday, February 17th, 2009
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12:39 pm - DM post - SOFAD
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Sue, I have to join you in saying that One Caress is divine. I've been listening to it nonstop this entire weekend.
Songs of Faith and Devotion is growing on me .. Rush is amazing lyrically. Higher Love is surreal. Not big on Condemnation or Get Right With Me, probably because of the gospel theme.
In Your Room continues to be my number one Depeche song, and one of my favorite songs of all time. A thousand stars for plain, utter brilliance.
current mood: Nigerians...
current music: One Caress
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| Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
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12:39 pm - DM post - bored and quite numb from the dentist.
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I bought Songs of Faith and Devotion and I was not really impressed. With the exception of In Your Room (my favorite DM song to date) the album sounds very flat. I guess they were trying to go for more of a rock sound than electronic but it just came out sounding like any other album of that early 90's era. Very ballad like and, instrumentally speaking, standard. But I have to say that Martin's lyrics were probably some of the deepest since Black Celebration.
Then again, I wasn't impressed with Music for the Masses at first, but after listening to it on repeat I slowly started to really enjoy it. Most of the fans (and critics) say that Violator is their best album, and I do like the songs from that album that I've manage to download, but personally I don't feel it was their most creative. Most well rounded, along with MFTM, definitely. But I think Black Celebration and SOFAD were probably the most unique.
My next purchase will hopefully be Black Celebration, though I really want Some Great Reward and A Broken Frame. But I bet that with some dilligent pirating I could acquire SGR and BC, since I already have a number of songs from those albums. A Broken Frame is much harder to come across.
current mood: numb
current music: Fly on the Windscreen
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| Tuesday, December 9th, 2008
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9:54 am - I may be wearing a new dress
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The people from Twilight are so ugly. I am tired of seeing their dead-eyed, teeth-bearing faces everywhere. It's DONE.
I am making gingerbread cookies for the Nigerian students as their going-away/merry xmas gift. I haven't made gingerbread in like 10 years. So I need to get some supplies, like a rolling pin, and possibly some electric mixer things.
I am also getting everyone books for xmas. It's part of my "read a book, read a book, read a goddamn book" campaign. Except not really. But kinda because shit man, we all could use some more educational goods amongst the heaps of useless junk we exchange every other xmas.
My boss asked me yesterday if I was still interested in going to Africa next year. I told him yes, very much so. It looks like a really good possibility, like this could really happen. I've think I paid more than enough dues dealing with the Nigerian embassy. I can handle it. I deserve it.
current mood: NOM
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