What is the coolest thing to see in Memphis? I'm taking submissions before my trip next week. Anyone? Anyone? Maybe I should go see Sun Records and hang out with Japanese tourists like in Mystery Train.

In other news, everyone who loves me should order up some snickerdoodles and send them my way...I'm hungry. That is all.
posted by Gray at 12:20 PM | | link

Cheap airfare...oh how sweet you are. Looks like I get to take a couple of trips between now and my birthday.
posted by Gray at 11:45 PM | | link

Awake! And listening to the KLF. Must...get...ready....
Isn't there supposed to be a day between Monday and Tuesday called Gameboysday?
posted by Gray at 7:26 AM | | link

Thanks to Becky, I have seen The Man Who Wasn't There before most of the people in the world. Sweet. (not that most of the people in the world are going to see it anyway...it's in b&w, and everyone knows that good movies are only in color) [yeah, that was sarcasm...I know, you don't get much of that around here.]

A very cool movie. I would say that it approaches Fargo with respect to its perfect balance of tragedy and comedy. Subtle comedy...but some very funny stuff for those who go for that kind of thing. Several of the Coen brothers' regulars show up, and good ol' Carter Burwell contributes yet another amazing score (tied heavily to the Beethoven sonatas that play a key role in the film). I'm not sure, but I think this is one that I could watch repeatedly.

...it's all about haircuts, dry-cleaning and Beethoven.
posted by Gray at 11:42 PM | | link

This truly cracks me up.
posted by Gray at 6:32 PM | | link

Rejoice, for Rob Zombie's new album arrives soon. He should make it a point to frighten, and then beat the stuffing out of, every one of these new-schooler wish-I-was-hardcore rap-rocker types he meets along the way as he tours.

Fred Durst: "Just one of those days..." *words words* *scratch scratch* *wikki wikki*
Rob Zombie: "RAARRRHHHH! Unleash the robotic killer zombie stripperbots!"
Fred Durst: *pees saggy pants*

Ah, in a perfect world...
posted by Gray at 12:38 PM | | link

Gastrointestinal distress....fading. Dave Groehl is on Kilborn tonight. Funny, funny man. Not the best at Five Questions, though.

Yes, I realize that Conan is the superior show...but Rosie is on that show. A Foo Fighter trumps Rosie anytime.

I do appreciate the comments, by the way.
posted by Gray at 1:13 AM | | link

ACK. WARNING. Don't eat the Duck Pizza! Apparently Duck Pizza = VIOLENT ILLNESS. I'm sure that doesn't happen EVERY time, but who wants to risk it?

*cringe*
posted by Gray at 8:30 PM | | link

HA! More weekly funny for us to enjoy! The Daily Probe. Check it out.
posted by Gray at 2:27 PM | | link

They have Duck Pizza at California Pizza Kitchen. Who knew?

Work with me on something, people... the super-geniuses at Fuddruckers have decided that the grilled fish sammich is no longer necessary on their menu. Apparently, market research or some such nonsense has convinced them that the only way Amer'cans want a fish sammich is if it's fried. I want my grilled fish sammich back! Go HERE to email the nice lady and tell her what's up. Even I need an alternative to beef once in a while.
posted by Gray at 1:57 PM | | link

You should all go find a comic book store and buy a copy of HEROES. This book is a tribute to the real-life heroes of NYC and DC who served so bravely following the events of 9.11.01 created by some of the greatest talents in the comic book industry. You don't have to be a comic book fan. You don't have to be an art fan. You don't have to be a big geek like me. It's just a really touching piece of work, and I think anyone can appreciate it. All profits go to the Twin Towers Fund, which is providing financial aid to families of firefighters, police officers, and other uniformed personnel who died during the attack on the WTC. Definitely worth your $3.50, I'd say...
posted by Gray at 8:44 PM | | link

Wow. You blog me. You really, really blog me. Warms my heart!

If you go to Bajaritos, do not order the Carnitas (pork) burrito. Stick with the old stand-bys. I recommend the Philly Cheesesteak burrito, because it RULES. The pork one does not. This has been your Public Burrito Service Message for Tuesday.
posted by Gray at 5:05 PM | | link

Now you can comment on my entries. It's encouraged, even. Talk to me...baby.
posted by Gray at 9:43 PM | | link

Late night out for Leah's birthday last night. Happy Birthday Leah! Dark Horse Tavern and then the eeen-famous Clairmont Lounge. Always an adventure, that place. The most entertaining patter from a DJ I've ever heard. "Move yo' car, or we WILL have it towed...and you know your daddy ain't gonna pay for a cab ride back up to Alpharetta." He was laying down the funk about 3 layers thick, and I enjoyed the mix quite a bit. Alright... a few pictures from the shindig's Dark Horse phase:

Leah, Ian and his buddies
Heather, Leah and Lisa
Schuyler and Wende smilin' it up
Schuyler, Wende, Leah and Mike muggin'
The rings we got LIGHT UP!
Leah & I (self-portrait = forget to smile)
Some of the gang as we depart the Dark Horse

It was cool to meet/re-meet some of Leah's friends. (hello to any of you reading this.) Email me with comments/ complaints about how I spelled your name/ requests for hi-res pictures for printing.

Of course, I concluded the evening with a stop at the Krispy Kreme on Ponce. Oh how I love those tasty rings o' dough.

Tons of cops on 400, by the way. I guess that's all they have to do at 3am. Damn The Man!
posted by Gray at 12:16 PM | | link

You WILL visit ZOMBO.COM!
posted by Gray at 11:28 AM | | link

It sho' is nice today. Nothing like a little Game Boy Advance in the sun. BOO YAH.
posted by Gray at 5:25 PM | | link

Why the smack do they have to start work so early? Oh well.

At least I have a new cool song. The mellow tune that plays in the VW van commercial where the guy who looks like John Cleese and his wife pick up all those hitchhikers is called "Invisible Pedestrian", and is performed by Bent. Nice stuff.
posted by Gray at 7:28 AM | | link

The soundtrack to Traffic is one of the best things I have found to leave playing for hours at a time while reading/sleeping/etc. Other selections in this category include Peter Gabriel's Passion and DJ Shadow's Endtroducing...

Yeah, I might be weird for letting stuff play over and over and over... but it's comforting. Albums this good are hard to get tired of. The soundtrack to HEAT and Willie Nelson's Teatro are also fine choices. If you're in the mood for something a bit more ominous... give Godspeed, You Black Emperor! a listen. Who needs music with words? Oh, and Chill Out by the KLF is good stuff as well. Steel guitars and train sounds rule in the morning.
posted by Gray at 10:36 PM | | link

How excited am I about this movie? VERY EXCITED. It is going to rock my world.
posted by Gray at 11:29 AM | | link

Well, the new Superman show, Smallville, is on now. Clark's dad is none other than BO DUKE. It's good to see one of my favorite good ol' boys back on TV in something besides Dukes reruns and bad Twister ripoffs. The show is pretty cool so far, but do they have to insert so much craptacular music in these shows? It's like it's Superman's Creek or some such thing.

WHOA...COOTER HAS A WEB SITE. That's right, your favorite Dukes of Hazzard backwoods mechanic has his own site. Go There. Now.
posted by Gray at 9:53 PM | | link

Oh yeah... I think this shot is worth sharing with the world. A true slice of life from The Pit starring Drew & Amy.
posted by Gray at 11:20 PM | | link

I've finally posted up the pictures from Jim's retirement party. Non-dynamic. Non-frufru. For a 2 week delay, you'd expect more, eh? No such luck.
posted by Gray at 11:02 PM | | link

It's not just about the US.

These tangential conflicts only seem to be getting worse. Bush has got a lot of smooth talking to do if he wants to truly have the entire (non-loony terrorist) Muslim world on our side. It looks like not everyone believes us yet.
posted by Gray at 2:51 PM | | link

This is the funniest thing I have read in a couple of weeks. Of course, I am the precise target audience... but still...
posted by Gray at 7:59 PM | | link

Oh yeah... and Bjork has a new video.
posted by Gray at 10:13 AM | | link

Well, the TOOL situation turned out just fine. I ambled on down to Philips Arena after work via MARTA (it's SMARTA), and wandered around for a few, scoping out the scalper situation. Of course, there was one guy working the escalator...scooping up most anyone who looked like they might need a ticket. I observed that he was paying a not-so-fat $25 for tickets, and moved on.

After eyeing the crowds out front and having flashbacks to that scene in Get Shorty where Yeyo spends a couple of hours at the airport 'staring at people's bulges', trying to spot the Feds, I kept on walking, heading toward the Tabarnacle. Long story short... heard a guy asking around, asked if he needed a ticket, and we agreed on a price that worked for both of us. We hung out together, and the show was good fun for all. Word up, Alex.

The Melvins, to whom I'd never listened, were good. Nothing spectacular, but enjoyable. One song sounded just like War Pigs for a couple of minutes. Then they remembered to play a new riff.

Tool kicked out the jams at about 8:30, and there was definitely plenty of quality music, and dang if those boys don't know how to use a Jumbotron! Some really cool stuff... and more blurry nudity than the opening credits of 4 James Bond movies. Schism was amazing. Aenima was powerful. Sober was... not performed! Surprise! Neither was Prison Sex. I guess they're ditching some oldies for new material. Dangit. I'll keep my complaining to a minimum, however, as it was a really good show. The freaky elephant-walkin' weirdos they had on stage were a nice touch.

Tired now. Must watch T2.
posted by Gray at 1:47 AM | | link

That guy in the P.O.D. video bounces around like a 7-year-old with 4 packs of Lik-M-Ade in his tummy.
posted by Gray at 12:34 AM | | link

Does anyone want to go see TOOL tomorrow night? I've got an extra ticket. [edit: wow, that toolshed link SUCKS. many popups. don't click it unless you really want to see that tool page.]

"Ma'am? Where do the high school girls hang out in this town?" Just kidding. I'd have to keep my standards at at least the Jr. College level. Hmm. Let's see if this show is sold out yet. *checks Ticketmaster* No, but only nosebleed seats left. I'm sure I can sell them to some Korn Kids if I really try. I really do NOT ENJOY dealing with scalpers in any way... either selling or buying. Need...restraint...(or more friends who like TOOL)
posted by Gray at 8:43 PM | | link

Al Qaeda threatens the U.S. and calls the hijackers heroes. Who ya gonna call?

Sorry. You have to have a little bit of levity once in a while. It's on the CIA's web site for some reason. I guess it's their version of McGruff the Crime Dog?

This is some kind of scary age we're living in. I suppose I just remain optimistic and hope that my family, friends and I won't be directly involved or affected in any way. Hopefully that'll really be the case, no matter how long this conflict lasts.

Why can't I go see DJ Shadow or Ian Moore this month? Come to Atlanta, you talented bastids!
posted by Gray at 10:30 PM | | link

If there ever comes a day when I have no interest in assembling a new LEGO model, I don't think I'll want to bother getting out of bed. Some things are enjoyable at any age.
posted by Gray at 11:52 PM | | link

Wow...a (relatively) giant lapse in bloggin' action. I'll have to make up for that. Once again, Alias is the coolest thing on TV this week. Fine televised entertainment. You should be watching it.

Timson's birthday party was last night. Fun for all, though the Bulldogs lost the game that was showing on Marc's GIANT TELEVISION. A house built for entertainment, I'd say. And a dog that can fetch beverages. Get yourself a smart doggy and pretty much any party turns to fun.

Claire Forlani on a new makeup commercial. Hubba.
posted by Gray at 10:38 PM | | link

Drink Coke. OR ELSE.
posted by Gray at 10:07 PM | | link

Previous Plan : Work, go to after-work-work-party, continue work, leave work, go work out.

Actual Action: Work, go to after-work-work-party, continue work, leave work, go buy Carl action figure, forget to go work out.

I think I have the attention span of a rubber chicken sometimes.

Oh well...at least I got a new Simpsons figure out of the deal. Who needs exercise anyway, eh? I think I read somewhere that bacon actually REMOVES fat from your hindquarters. Yep. The scientician said so. Really. More responsibility appearing at work. Not a bad thing. Must adapt. I can make myself better... faster... stronger.... I HAVE THE RESOURCES.

...at the moment, however, I think I have some reading to do.
posted by Gray at 9:33 PM | | link

Have I mentioned that I now own the first season of The Simpsons on DVD? *droolGARGLE*
posted by Gray at 9:59 PM | | link

Does anyone need a cheap ass-kicking? This guy seems ready to provide one.
posted by Gray at 9:23 PM | | link

The Sundown Cafe has a cool selection of tacos at lunch. Fish Taco + Shrimpy Corn Chowder + Rice = Taste Bonanza!
posted by Gray at 7:09 PM | | link