Ten mongrels home alone

№ 02 ◍ 15 ◍ 2010

Weeeelll we played at The Metro last night. It was our first gig in awhile not in some kids’ tea party tent or something; in other words, it felt great to play a “legit” show*. The event was part of Rock N’ Raise, a fundraiser (that I somewhat helped put together) for Darfur. 50 schools around Chicago are participating in order to reach a goal of $50,000, enough to fund a Sudanese refugee camp school for one whole year. No word yet on how well that raisin’ has gone but I’m really confident / hoping it gets there. Before the show, they had raised about $4,500.

After the show we went to Hayden’s house for a super smashing sleepover soirée, where sat on our laptops antisocially and insisted that any form of communication whatsoever be instant message. (not really, but we did play ‘puter games.) Also, Hayden wears old persons’ sunglasses.

We did venture out of the lair for a little bit.

I think there’s something that could be said about these branches. I picture a cartoon with a brick building sitting next to a tree and the tree feels alienated. Finally the tree gathers enough courage (sap. hyuk hyuk hyuk.) to reach out (literally?) to the building (non-nature). The building is much taller and straight-forward.

Awesome restaurant signageness.

Alright, catch you cats on the later times. díky.

* not to mention on the same stage Built To Spill, Elliot Smith, Deerhoof, Grizzly Bear, and 4 squillion awesome others once played on.

Sail across a lake, become a bull rider

№ 02 ◍ 13 ◍ 2010

When I woke up this morning I realized how stupid it was to only put these in that post about the Art Institute (only ones sorted at the time). These minus the last 3 were from the non-modern wing.

I really REALLY want to go back when the William Eggleston gallery opens.

Anyone who pretends toys are people

№ 02 ◍ 12 ◍ 2010

I went to the Art Institute with skewl today. I really only saw the new modern wing, which is cool (a lot of stuff I don’t get – modern art is weird). Actually, speaking of not getting modern art, there was one canvas that was just black. With tiny streaks in it. I know it’s shallow to just say “OH THIS IS STUPID, MY PAGEANT-WINNING DAUGHTER WEARING A TIARA COULD HAVE PAINTED THIS,” but that’s kinda what it makes you feel like (if you’re a Toddlers & Tiaras parent). My teacher (who is best and awesome) analogized it with The Beatles. A lot of people listen to them because they have a good sound, they’re HUGE and a classic. Only people who know a lot about music will read into it and appreciate it for more than that. So I guess I don’t know a lot about that type of art, which makes it hard for me (or any of the other kids) to understand it. There were lots of boobies *giggles middle-school-ly*.

(friends Izzi & Ray)

We’s goofballs.

p.s. relevant.

p.p.s.

Salt water slayer

№ 02 ◍ 09 ◍ 2010

So sew so so, I’ve been Iowa testing this week. TESTING OF THE IOWAS. It’s the same thing as standardized testing, but my school insists on being different~ and so we do Iowa. This year (in general, but particularly the test) doesn’t count for high school admission, so a lot of 8th graders – me to a certain small degree – have this “what, this work doesn’t count I’m going to walk on tables instead SCREW THIS” attitude. It has a cynical air to it, but it’s also almost optimistic (not the right word?) – we’ve been working at this school for 9 (me) or even 12 years; we’re da top dawgs!

(from an assignment)

Anyway.. that’s the story. I’m still working on a possible part tres to LA posts. And hoping there will be a snow day tomorrow (unlikely, administration is fascist about those).

Get ouwwta heeeah

№ 02 ◍ 07 ◍ 2010

Excuse me while I cater some formsprings.

are you a big lyrics person? i think my favorite thing about wilco is the lyrics, its like poetry set to music, just wondering if your dad’s passed that lyrical sensibility on to you. also, are any particular song lyrics that mean a lot to you? (they dont have to be wilco, but i guess they can be…). much love!

I find myself listening to the production and stuff most of the time. Forever Young by Bob Dylan is special to me because my dad sung it at my bar mitzvah.

how do you feel about sigur ros? if you haven’t done so already, please listen to ‘inni mer syngur vitleysingur,’ because i’ve never heard a happier song, plus it’s got a nice beat. oh, and in icelandic it means, ‘within me a lunatic sings.’ have a good day!

You know Icelandic?!?!?!!! I haven’t heard any Sigur Ros. Thanks!

This has probably been asked before xD, but what are some of your favourite albums? All-time, current, whatever. :)

UH RIGHT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD: Marquee Moon – Television, M+S – The Ms, Ram – Paul McCartney, Jewellery – Micachu & The Shapes.

hello. you are so cool. i am the mom of a 1 and a half year old. how do i make sure he turns out as cool as you? he already says wilco (weco) and record (reco) and we watch documentary on The Who and we also watch “i am trying to break your heart” often. we eat a vegan diet. i will buy him a Holga camera for his birthday and send him to Montessori school next year. what else should i do to ensure he turns out as cool as you? unfortunately his dad is not jeff tweedy from wilco, but he is a musician. so he has that going for him right? help me!

Haha Weco! That all sounds good to me. Make sure he eats his vegetabows.

my seventh grade orchestra (public school) is pretty amazing for their ages and experience, but sometimes they just act wacko and manic. do you think it might be because they are seventh graders… or string students? and how might I inspire them to continuously perform at higher levels? btw I asked them and they said “give us donuts” and it’s kind of working but I am running out of $$. well not really but it’s at least partially unethical. and the instruments are getting dirty.

I’ve never heard of wacko manic string students, and having been a 7th grader one year ago I think that’s probably the cause. Solution: find cheap donuts. Solution #2: is the material cool?

have you heard of “fever ray”?

Yeeaup. Haven’t heard much, though. This music video is creepy/beautiful.

hallo. do the kids at your school treat you differently because your dad is in a famous band? do any of them read your blog? do they ever ask you about it?

No not really. Sometimes a kid might make some stupid comment like “well shah cuz he’s fAYmus” / along those lines. I don’t think any of them read my blog (but some parents do).

In one of your past posts, you and your friend took pictures with a cheap disposable camera and since I’ve been on winter break for about a month, I’ve been going through disposables. They are so fun and a challenge at times. The best part of a disposable is knowing that it’s all gone and you get to send them off to develop! Thanks!

Sure thing! They are immensely fun.

Hiya! This made me laugh uncontrollably for no apparent reason and I wanted to share it with you cause you rule. It’s a Jackalope! HA! It’s not real so don’t get to excited yet, but do check this pic out and try not to smile… k seriously! xo. Jaunty Jackalope: http://tinyurl.com/dc4ab5

HAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaa.

What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you recently?

Mistook one teacher for this other really… uncool one. Laughed at stuff that wasn’t supposed to be funny.

I’m spending a weekend in LA in a few weeks. I have never been there (am coming from NZ) so what do you recommend I do/see/visit? Thanks!

Well, I don’t live there but the auto museum is pretty cool.. and that donut place with the massive donut on top. I can’t say much because we spend most of our time there at my aunt and uncle and other aunt’s house.

Sometimes, I just wanna fly to Neverland. Do you think that everyone in some way is afraid of growing up?

..Maybe. When I was little I wanted to be older SO BAD (SO BAD) to drive and shave and have a cell phone and be a policeman/racecar driver. I feel like that (for driving, only, really) but I also miss being a wee lad and using my imagination more.

Can you roll your R’s? I can roll both my R’s and my D’s for some reason.

YEAH! A cool person named Ellen taught me when I was about 6. How do you roll your D’s?

how many roads must a man walk down before you can call him a man?

ASK BOB DYLAN WHYDON’TYOU.

I’m curious; do you ever read the reviews that Wilco get? What are your reactions to them?

Nuh-uh.

so suppose someone had never ever ever heard music before, any, at all. they ask you where to start. what would you say?

Fela Kuti.

SOMEONE IS VERY COOL.

SOMEONE IS VERY COMPLIMENTARY.

If you could be the drummer for any band, ever, (besides your own), which one(s) would you choose?

I’M COMING FOR YOU GLENN KOTCHE. COMING FOR YOU.

please poll a few acquaintances: if the internet was a country, would it be communist or capitalist?

Capitalist.

also: how do you feel about people asking you to judge them?

In what context? It is flattering for people to want your opinion.

What’s your blood type?

Um, creepay.

But what should I scream for? This is my theme park!

I googled this and it seems you are a ‘Drake’ fan.

Would you accept candy from a stranger?

DEPENDS. If that stranger was Gob Bluth, this is a definite yes. But I guess he’s not a stranger considering we party on his yacht every weekend. Until he blew it up.

Are you a coffee or tea drinker?

I kinda don’t like either, but some tea is yummy. My coffee experiences extend to instant powder mixed with chocolate milk.

Are you all about the music? What about the fame? fortune? ladies?

I share an opinion with Tavi on this one. Being “famous” has different implications than “well-known,” and a lot of times what it means to be famous is walking down red carpets (speaking of which..) and being engulfed in paparazzi, which isn’t appealing. Being recognized and acknowledged for your work/accomplishments is nice, howevah.

What are you views on deodorant?

I should use it more often than I do!