Travis Morrison is the frontman for the soon to be defunct Dismemberment Plan. He has posted on his personal website--after taking it down from the band website when his bandmates became less than thrilled with using the band's forum for his own views on a very touchy subject--a very cogent, thoughtful, and even-handed analysis of the War on Iraq. Considering the metro D.C. location and the associates of The Plan (Fugazi/Ian Mackaye/Dischord, anyone?), it is probably safe to assume that Travis is a pretty solid lefty. But while most of his peers are busy being reactionaries (I'm sure), Travis has approached this topic with pragmatism, intelligence and even a little wit. Kudos to Mr. Morrison for pointing out the big problem with anti-war protestors: their habit of running down the "history of American geo-political fuckups without actually using that knowledge to construct a coherent approach to the present and future." My friend Beth and I were discussing this the other day at the Aislers Set show after The Quails set, where the singer(s) would occasionally punctuate their set with anti-war rhetoric. Neither of us are for war, but we're also offended by anti-war protestors whose arguments are more reactionary and naive than forceful and informed. Unfortunately, these are the people who get the most press (and they say there's a liberal bias in the media...puh-lease), and it presents those against war as being simplistic and ignorant.

Anyway, check out the spiel, and sign the petition. Iraqi oil for Iraqis!

Thanks, Travis. Reading that made my day.

Mmmmmm...smoky.

Well, let's see, since the last time I posted, we've gone to war, the NCAA basketball tournament has begun, and I've spent even more time with the lovely Melinda. Such a whirlwind of emotions.

Anyway...yes, I'm smoky. I just got back from the Black Cat, where I saw the most impressive Hella, the equally qualitah Quails, and the fine Aisler's Set. A good show in a week of good shows. Sadly, I didna budget properly, so this is the only one I could catch. Sunday saw Calexico and Nina Nistasia play the main stage of the Black Cat while the might Vandermark 5 were on the back stage. Monday was the Television concert at the 9:30, tomorrow is the Engine Down/Dame Fate show at the Black Cat, and Thursday is Cursive/Minus the Bear, also at the Black Cat. *sigh*....not enough money.

Back to tonight's show...hung out with Beth and her friends, including Erin. This time, I was very friendly to Erin, but not so much that her husband would want to kick my ass. (For those of you who have been reading the blog for a while, you'll know why I even mention this.) Good to hang out with Beth, and I may be doing it more since she invited me to come to a pub trivia night with her in the future. Fun.

You know, I wish they would bring back the Indie Rock Flea Market.

Other than the above, not much else to report. Spending lots of quality time with Melinda and thinking about my future. Trying not to get into the usual depressive funk I get into when I think about the future, and so far, so good. I owe a lot of my recent peace of mind to mi amorcita. Te amo mucho, conejita.

Okay...sorry...I don't usually get this mushy in a "public" forum, but I'm just feeling it.

Also, big hugs to Liz, who has been down lately. I'm thinking about ya, kid. Have a blast in NYC.

And I'm spent. Goodnight!

A quick, pre-lunch plug from work: Nightclub Jitters. This is yet another qualitah music site. Big ups to Travelers Diagram for posting it.

That is all.

Fuckin' A...it's been 2 weeks again. Ugh. What to do? What to say?

First, go to Evan's Journal here. Read the bit on "Ban the !" Quality writing there (typos and all).

Also, you go now! Now! To this site. Thanks to Liz for providing it.

Nothing much more to report. Went home this past weekend for my sister's 25th birthday. That was quality time. I love those kids. They make me hate you all a lot less when I'm in their presence. Another one night sleepover. I haven't done a full weekend (Xmas doesn't count) at home in a while. I really should stay more than a day the next time, which is in a few weeks for my other sister's 18th birthday and my mother's nth (I would never divulge such sensitive information) birthday.

Things with Melinda are going well...oh, I guess I do have something to report. On the weekend of the 7th/8th, I met her family and friends for the first time. She had a party for her grandmother, essentially so that she could meet all of her friends. Her family is wonderful, and made me feel very at ease, which was necessary, as I was this furious ball of anxiety up until that point. And all of her friends were very nice and pleasant. Overall, the weekend turned out much better than I thought it would, and I feel much closer to Melinda as a result. Plus, I had some mad tasty tostones and some quali-tah desserts (especially the pineapple upside down cake...big ups to Nyree on that one).

I also have been having kinda confrontational dreams lately, culminating in a dream about us nuking Iraq. I saw the mushroom clouds and everything. Great...during the Cold War, I never suffered from nuke-yu-lar paranoia. Now it's seeped into my dreams. Fuck.

Speaking of which...when's that war starting? You'd think they'd postpone it because of the NCAA tournament...but, I guess there are larger priorities. Bah. This will be the year I win the damn thing and then we get nuked into oblivion. I apologize in advance for jinxing humanity.

Bonne nuit, mes amis.

Jeepers H. Crackers, it's been, what, almost 2 weeks? Wow. And to think, I thought I was getting to be consistent or something.

Anyway, the snow is gone, and today was an absolutely beautiful day. Blew a lot of money this weekend, too. Picked up a stick blender of my own (yaaay!), Getaway for the PS2, which is pretty awesome (from the 10 minutes I played it), the South Park movie on DVD, plus an RF Modulator so I can actually watch it.

To be honest, I haven't the faintest clue what has happened the last couple of weeks. And that's the truth. My memory is so shaky it's not even funny. Actually, that's not true. There just isn't a whole lot to report. I'm blissfully happy (duuhhh) in my relationship, even as it weathers stress (both external and internal to the relationship, my job isn't as bad as it used to be, and overall, things are hunky dory. A friend of mine has begun speaking to me again, so everything is jake with me. The only "negative" is that I've had two weekends of family time cancelled because of the bad weather, and next weekend I'm meeting Melinda's family (*gulp*), so I won't be seeing mine until I go home in a couple of weeks for my sister's birthday. It's been a long time. Since Christmas, actually. I really miss them.

Anyway, I'm not sure if I have about which I can prattle at length. If tix don't sell out, I'm going to see godspeed you! black emperor on Tuesday (M is coming along), and I will also try to see Television on the 24th. Sadly, I missed Mission of Burma, so my retro-punk exacta did not pay off. But if I get to see Television, I'll settle for that.

Yep. That's it. Until next time folks...