Would you like a side of weird with that?

I've been feelin' kinda weird lately. Not in a trapped-in-a-meat-locker-with-Jim-J-Bullock-who's-only-wearing-a-box-of-Golden-Grahams kinda way, but more in a I've-been-sick-for-over-3-weeks-with-a-mystery-illness kind of way. I won't bore you with the details but I will say I'm not contagious and I'm overjoyed that none of the 3 drugs I'm on right now are contraindicated with gin.

The closest diagnosis I have so far from my doctor is that it could be something that is only seen in men over the age of 60 (this is totally true, by the way). Which of course I couldn't possibly have since I am only 23. Or maybe 32. I always get those numbers mixed up (this is totally true, by the way).

So like I said I feel weird, and although it's not making me feel good in a I'm-trippin-on-Claritin-and-Red Bull-while-riding-a-donkey-on-the-set-of-Too Close For Comfort kinda way, I wanna run with the weird. I've taken to wearing clothes that don't match, I'm watching MLS soccer, and today I tried to wear my hair to simulate a pair of warm croissants, fresh from the oven:

Lady Stabson laments that they are not real croissants.

Another thing I'm doing today is working on a playlist of all the weird songs I love. SO MUCH FUN. I like a lot of weird shit. And honestly, some of it is more "shit" than "weird" but I'm drawn to it. Just like mystery illnesses....

Here are some of my favorites, which ironically enough, are primarily enjoyed by men in their 60's...hmmmm....

Whodunnit? by Genesis

Many fans of Genesis rate their album "Abacab" pretty low on their list of favorites, and its track Whodunnit? is unanimously rated below the sound of a baboon fart. Genesis is usually dramatic, romantic, complex, with lyrics ripped from the pages of post-war literature. Whodunnit? is simple, quirky, with lyrics ripped from a babbling 4 year old who forgot to take his Ritalin. Granted, this isn't one of my favorite Genesis songs, but I appreciate and enjoy this moment of liberated weirdness (as opposed to their repressed batwing-red dress-Slipperman/penis-covered-in-herpes weirdness from their Peter Gabriel days)

I particularly enjoy this live version, complete with Mickey Mouse and scuba gear:

Moribund the Burgermeister by Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel is the coolest weirdo ever. I particularly love this song because not only does it sound like he's doing a swamp creature imitation to scare a bunch of kids around the campfire, but it's also the first track on his first album. Right out of the gate he's blazing a new trail with one hand and giving the finger to Genesis with the other. Actually, ALL of the songs on this album are pretty fucking weird except for Solisbury Hill which I can't listen to anymore because all it's shiny parts have been dulled by endless radio overplay and Here Comes the Flood which is one of his most simple, yet powerful songs ever. So I guess it's weird it's on that album. Anyway, here's the Burgermeister for ya, buuuudee:




Push th' Little Daisies by Ween
Uuuuhhhh, all Ween songs are weird. This one is happens to be my favorite at the moment. The video is reminiscent of what you would get if you gave some nerdy 16 year-old boys in upper class suburbia hooked on Monty Python and weed a video camera.  




R.I.P. (Requiescant In Pace) by Banco del Mutuo Soccorso
Do you like surf-rock guitar riffs with your Italian opera? Do you wish more songs had rollicking silent film piano themes combined with the majesty of Mr. Roger's Trolley heading towards the Land of Make Believe? Then you will love R.I.P. by Banco. I saw this band about 2 years ago and fell in love with this song. I've never really gotten into the Italian prog scene (although I'm digging the New Trolls lately) but I might if all songs were as ridiculously catchy as this one. 





OK, back to the playlist and medication and turning my mop into fondue pot. 


Stay weird, my friends. xo

...But kinda sweet too you know...

Tonight I raise my ice soaked Jack Daniels to you, Dougie. I am still holding my end of the line in disbelief, but I know you are in a better place. You were always so funny. Smart. Genuine. Wickedly huge-hearted. And I loved that you were the type of person that wouldn't even flinch if I screamed "KEVIN COSTNER IS A CUNTFACE!" at the top of my lungs at a playground on a sunny afternoon in July.

I remember the first and only time we met. First words out of your mouth: "That's how Janis died? What a sickly way to go." And without skipping a beat I replied, "but kinda sweet too you know." I always knew I wanted to know you forever, quoting Bruce McCulloch and trading Beck and Yes bootlegs.

You loved music. No, you RESPECTED music. I was always in awe of your reverence, and I always will be. I still want to be as cool as you if I ever fucking grow up. The night I learned that you died I wrapped myself with Mike Keneally and Steve Hackett...they held me up but offered no comfort...

When we first clicked into place in this crazy, beautiful, dirty asshole tragedy of a universe one of my favorite sparks was our Seconds Out "Carpet Crawlers" moment. Our simple, silly, inside joke that we seriously acknowledged that this version of the song is superior to any other version, especially any version vocalled by Gabriel. And for the past 12 years and until I join you and Janis I will think of you whenever I am blessed to listen to it. And I smile.




Goodbye, Doug.
I wish we had more time...

Beard Season: The Final First Update

Just a quick note to let you know that Philadelphia Phillies outfielder and Cole Hamel's rival for the most awkward white guy in the world, Jayson Werth, may now also be known as the greatest new beard entry for the 2009/10 season. This comes as no surprise after I pointed out his giant facial FAIL in a previous blog. I'm glad SOMEONE reads this damn thing. 

Not only is this some glorious beardage, but his untamed mane is also worth a bark at the moon. I am confident if Werth maintains this premium face fuzz, we will be seeing the Phillies in the World Series this year. Halla-what whaaat??