It's not Halloween, it's Christmas on Mars

Hate to admit it, but I'm terrible about seeing films in theaters. Not sure why, I guess I always hated paying the ticket price. And yet, there's always a bit of regret on some films, so its a bittersweet personal issue. So! Last night I decided to do something I had never done before: go catch an Indie film during a small screening. And what a better flick to see than the long-awaited Flaming Lips flick Christmas on Mars?

So I got the ticket online yesterday, made my way to the small theater on the lower East Side. Line was up to the door! No one was really sure what was going on either, as no one seemed to be present from the theater (though the KGB Bar upstairs was alive and kicking). Finally, the doors were opened, IDs checked, and a curator came out.

This was another first for me. I've read a lot about rock shows being curated - such as the recent ATP curated by My Bloody Valentine - but never experienced it. I didn't catch who the curator was, but he at least did his part in wearing a Santa costume and explaining some quick history on the film and the pre-movie segments we would watch.

And so the flick began with an interesting interview with Wayne talking about the backstory of the movie: why they made it, who its for, why it took so long (after all, it is their own Chinese Democracy). A sweet intro scene followed and then, finally, the movie began.

The movie is a bit different from what I expected. It's definitely out there, mostly black and white, and has a very surreal vibe to it. By nature I would describe it as a very brown story, with some very perverted imagery, almost frustrating at times. Other scenes are completely brilliant, shining in the race of space. The soundtrack, also scored mostly by Flaming Lips, adds a nice touch to it, though I was almost hoping for one good rock track in there to really bring it all home.

All in all, it was a decent movie, and worth the extra hassle of staying out late and the subsequent slow commute home.

Christmas on Mars Trailer (via youtube)

The Peeman

Started taking a new route home from work this week. Essentially, if I cut over from where I work to Times Square, I can get on an express Q train that takes me right by house. The key here is that I can get a seat. Seats are quite a commodity on crowded trains!

So Tuesday afternoon, I did just that: took my new route, waited for the train, and proceeded to grab my seat. Right next to... the Peeman. A bum with his nasty clothes sacks was sprawled out across a 3-seat bench, and completely reeked of piss. By the time I realized this little fact, it was too late - too many crowded around that even I stood up, I would have been stuck in the line of pee.

It was indescribably nasty. Other riders were covering their noses with shirts. The lady next to me was breathing through her umbrella - apparently dirty rain and nylon outweighed the stench. Fortunately, there were no big delays or anything, and I made it to my stop. I gagged as I walked out.

Though it was probably not as bad as vomit, man, did it smell!

The Meatman Commeth

And just like that, I've brought closure to one of the hottest topics on my ever-growing list of questions about living in the city: where to buy fresh slab bacon - at an affordable price. Though, its not in Brooklyn, its actually in East Village, which makes for a fun trip home on what became the meat train.

While it's true I have found some decent bacon at the local Saturday morning market near my house, there's no way I can afford to buy bacon that starts at $12 / pound. That's just ludicrous! I don't care what you fed that pig or how you raised it, I'm won't buy that. I've tasted some of the finest bacons for under $4 / pound.

Anyway, found the place by discovery last week while walking around with Reiko and her brother. You know its a good sign when there's various slabs of meat in the windows! I didn't even take notice to the store name MEAT MARKET and underneath it, "J. Baczynsky". Funny how awesome that Polish name sounds! Like a trip to Baba's kitchen all over.

In the end, I picked up a pound of fresh slab bacon (cut before my own eyes), 2.5 pounds of double smoked kielbasa, and a half a pound of some crazy ham. Filled up a huge bag, which of course, filled the subway with its sweet, garlicy-bacon aroma. The more I think about that ride home, the funnier it seems!

Also funny how much better the week is when you're stocked up on good pork!

Deerhoof Fix

A few days behind, but always worth a mention: ye olde Deerhoof show!

Saw 'em the other night at the Fillmore. It's hard to describe the show if you've never seen them, but simply put they're an act that never grows old. Always a good show, always something new to see.

Riding the high thrills of their new release, Deerhoof came out as the solid 4-piece arrangement they are. As almost expected, the tunes were a good mix of the new album and a wide range of songs spread across all past albums, busting out a good surprise classic here and there. Clearly, they've got the formula down.

And also becoming a tradition for myself is speaking with their drummer Greg Saunier after the show. Aside from his amazing and clearly unique approach to playing, Greg's a really great guy in that he makes himself available after the shows to anyone. You want to know how we recorded something in the studio? Or where he got that symbol? Just ask, he'll tell. Nothing to hide! I think he may very well be the most accessible musician I've ever had the fortune of meeting.

For the drummers reading this, I don't have the specifics, but Greg's kit boils down to nothing more than a thin bass drum, smaller snare, one thin ride, and a super hi-hat that seemed to be made from two 22" ride cymbals. Sweet!

Basketball Get Your Groove Back (via Youtube)

The Brother's Wave

Whew! It's been a non-stop week around here, doing the brother visit swap! My brother Andrew flew in and out last weekend, then Reiko's brother Kei flew in this past Monday. Been good getting around the city, traveling to some of the more touristy places, which is cool because I myself still feel like a bit of a tourist here.

Highlights amongst the past week included a Rock Band party, $2 pints in Brooklyn, dinner at a totally Americana pop culture place, seeing Deerhoof play, attending a Photoshop seminar hosted by the amazing Bert Monroy, and cooking some excellent salmon fillets! Downnotes involved calling an attorney regarding our landlord's yelling!

Highlights of the Deerhoof show coming soon!

Getting To Work Part 2: The 50m Dash

Here's another one that I love seeing during the morning rush: people who flip into lightening sprintmode as soon as they approach the stairwell to go down to a station. Though they usually approach with a bit of a faster walk, it's not until they are about to enter that they burst into a full-on sprint. Flying down the stairs! Knocking others over! Getting pissed at the others. Yelling, sometimes! Are these people just on like some kind of secret mission that no one told me about?

It's like, dude, chill. Just leave your house a bit earlier in the morning and it wouldn't be an issue. These trains come every two minutes, I doubt you're gonna miss anything. But yeah... people have their own ways!

And on a slightly different note, I got denied for insufficient fare today. My first 30-day unlimited ride pass was all up! And so to help stimulate the every waning economic gloom and doom cloud, as well as make it to work on time, I bought another.

Getting to Work, By the Numbers

Before moving to the city, I used to go out the front door (which was never locked), hop in my car, drive to work, then go through the employee's door, and that was it. The winter time required the extra steps of opening and closing the garage door.

Child's play! These days, I have a bit more to go through in the morning.

By the number's, here's what I pass through if I take the B-line to work, with transfer to the 7.

• Four house doors
• Two glass doors
• One office door
• One gate
• Two subway turnstiles
• Eight stairwells (house, entering station, down to tracks x 2, up from tracks x 2, down to lower section of station, up & out from station)
• Two revolving doors
• Two sliding train doors x 2 times (entering and leaving)
• One giant escalator
• One elevator with standard sliding doors
• Nine subway stations

Heck, there could be more I'm just not thinking of, but that's the gist of it... and this is normal nowadays! Huzzah!

As I was thinking about this after leaving Grand Central, Air's "How Does It Make You Feel" came playing through in all of its cheesy glory. And the answer? Quite adventurous! And all the more compelled to put this together.

What do you pass through to get to worky?

PSP Drinks Sake, Stops Working

Man man man man.

Last night, en route to meet some friends for dinner, I noticed my pants were suddenly dripping wet. Where was this coming from!? A bottle of sake I had brought, busted in bag - bottom fell out, filling the plastic grocery bag. Sharing the bag was my PSP in case. Nothing worse than fishing out electronics from a bag full of sticky alcohol. And man, despite my best efforts to wipe it off and air it out... electronics and liquids just don't mix.

My PSP, RIP 2006-2008.

Street Fighter IV Impressions

Yesterday, I made a pilgrimage of sorts, though not for any particular religious beliefs. No! This was truly out of curiosity and self-indulgence: to go play the new highly talked about Street Fighter IV over at the Chinatown Fair arcade.

Let's back up a bit. I used to spend countless hours in arcades growing up. I went through a phase in my early teens where Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat II were not just games, they were part of my culture. Everyone was talking about it, playing it at home, working on their skills and swapping moves. I could probably tell you where I was the first time I saw and played these classics, but that's getting off the topic.

So yesterday I finally got to experience the newest of them all, which aims to return fighting games back its roots. My first play was very short lived, as I somehow confirmed one of the new fighters, who I had no idea how to control. My opponent had clearly spent some time on the game, no else would even play him. Forget that match! Second time in, I chose my ol' trusty sidekick Ryu for some bashing, and took the first round. Round 2 got me in some trouble, and it was over before too long. I got some good early hits in round 3, but eventually my opponent pulled out some of crazy ass special move, which pretty much did me in. I would have gone again, but at $1 a pop, I decided to back off. Damn overpriced cabinets!

The game itself was completely amazing. The graphics are very vibrant, and the cabinets are in vein with the traditional Japanese fighter style: each player gets their own gorgeous 37" LCD display. (Here, all four cabinets are lined up side-by-side) The visuals of the game are extremely fluid, and there's so much minor details going on in the background that its hard to take it all in, especially mid round. Though my experience was brief, I will definitely be returning to play this some more before the home console versions start showing up.

And yes, I feel like I'm 12 years old again!

Check out a trailer here.

Another Brownbun Hatches

For whatever reason, I felt the sudden urge to do something Fujiya & Miyagi style this morning on the way to work. Andrew was in town the past couple of days and we shot some video Tuesday night. Though, it was a bit limited, so it needed a catch. And for whatever brown reason, Triscuit Crackers came to mind. I decided to take the idea and run with it. Lyrics were dialed into my cell phone, en route to work, and I began sequencing some tracks at lunch. More tracks came after work, including the quiet vocals, recorded straight into the small mic at the top of my iMac. Also tried to refrain from using any special effects or filters on the video - just the red at the end, which is a tribute to end of my first sequence, The Chase (needs posting!).

The Shitty Beatles Present Brownbun 3: Triscuit Cracker (via Youtube).

Bacon or Grapes?

Hit up the local farmer's market this past weekend. Amongst other things, I was in search of some good bacon! And I'll be damned, I couldn't seem to find it, I did make an amazing discovery: the grape vendor. I had never been to a dedicated grape vendor before, but I'm proud to say it now - I'm a changed man. Concord style, that is! Because, you just can't be a gummy inside succulent juicy grape.

If you or any of your friends know anything about good, fresh, slab bacon in Brooklyn, do tell!

Better Bagel Business Bureau

Another thing that’s great about living in NY: bagels! Everywhere I go, there seems to be bagels abound! This is a good thing, since I’m a huge fan. And also a welcome change, as bagels were seemingly not held to be as sacred back in the Midwest.

Let’s go back a step: I actually started bagel day at my old job, in response to Thursday morning donuts. However, there were two things missing: one, we didn’t have a good toaster, crucial, since I prefer mine toasted, and two, butter. For whatever reason, the Midwest (perhaps only Ohio?) is completely retardedly fixed upon cream cheese, such that the two places I picked up the weekly stash only seemed to scratch their heads when asked. And certainly unwilling to do things for you! I even got attitude from the evil Tim Hortons when asking if they could cut the bagels in half. I mean, a lot of people only wanted the half!