Born Under Punches

bmichael:

Whenever I get confused about what I’m writing about (or thinking about, for that matter) I think of Kafka and the Metamorphosis. Whereas a normal person would say, I feel like a bug; Kafka writes, I am a bug. Removing the writerly simile allows you to get right to it. There are no similes in life. There are only similes in language. Which do you want to write about?

Great point - similes are effective when used sparingly, but overall most of us (myself included - I ramble too much and do too many of these parenthetical asides) need to get right to it and, more importantly, get to the heart of the matter and confront it head on.

(Also, for what it’s worth, I teach tenth grade English!)

July 08, 2009, 12:18am

stewy:

This is as far as I’ll go in recognition of Michael Jackson’s passing.  RIP

(via notthatkindagay: peterconnsbetterthanyou)

That’s a really cool graphic.

I didn’t watch any of the service today - I’m sure the highlights will surface on YouTube.

July 07, 2009, 4:33pm

My Top 5 Artists (Week Ending 2009-7-5)

1. R.E.M. (16) 
2. The American Analog Set (12) 
3. Wilco (7) 
4. Phoenix (5) 
5. Kanye West (4) 

Imported from Last.fm Tumblr by JoeLaz

July 06, 2009, 8:54am

“This Must Be The Place (Live on Jools Holland 2004)” - David Byrne

I love the marimba in this one, and I love Byrne’s little dance at the end of the song.  Still, it’s not the same without a lamp.

July 05, 2009, 11:56pm

raptoravatar:

R.E.M. Playing Harborcoat on German TV (October 2nd,1985)

Fuck, I never realized that they were this great.  The dancing alone is worth it, but the execution is impressive as well.  I also never realized how sui generis R.E.M. were.  Everyone in the band is an auteur in his own right at this point and it makes it evident why R.E.M.’s formula works so well.

The R.E.M. on their first few albums were an entirely different beast from the gigantic ballad R.E.M. in the early ’90s.  They continued to be excellent when they made the leap to Warner Brothers, but they really changed into an entirely different band.

I think I might need to treat myself to Reckoning later on tonight after I finish writing.

July 05, 2009, 10:38pm

So Tumblr has this photo book thing now.  I was going through my screen captures folder and thought this might work to give it a shot.

One of a few excellent moments in Rattle & Hum - the “Rock and Roll Stops the Traffic” part.

July 04, 2009, 4:42pm

via www.liquorsnob.com (via Devine)

July 04, 2009, 1:23am

Moved a big chunk of things in storage - most of these bins are records, so this is what I’ll be doing most of tonight.

July 03, 2009, 4:54pm

Shelter From the Norm

My friend Pete has joined Tumblr so check him out - right now, he’s posting songs from “Canada’s greatest band” the Tragically Hip with commentary and memories forthcoming.

July 02, 2009, 2:34pm