Rainy weather and lack of sleep notwithstanding, we're safely in Greensboro, about to have an all-company meeting. I must say, the Breakfast Dagwood at Denny's is one man-sized breakfast sammich. I didn't really need lunch after that bo-hwee-moth.

I will post up the picture of Dick Dale, Zito and I when I get a chance... a nice memento of the show. The Penetrators opened things up beautifully (I got their faux-soundtrack CD -- art directed by some demigod genius), and Dick and his band soon followed things up with an equally masterful set. 3 hours of world-class surf rock for $10 is hard to beat! Throw in the aforementioned additional entertainment, and the evening was quite a bargain. There still seem to be details I need to note about the show, but I'll try to fill those in later.

There was treasure involved in the night's activities. A stop at my beloved Criminal Records yielded a copy of the new Dan The Automator project -- Lovage, the recent Mixmaster Mike mix disc, and some new comics (Deadpool, Angel & The Ape, Magic Pickle, Ultimate Marvel Team-up and an old Planetary preview book, if you're curious).

Tired of typing...wish I could project this stuff from my brain.
posted by Gray at 3:04 PM | | link

Too much to type about at the moment. It's 3 AM (eternal) and I have to be somewhere in 4 hours. In theory, there should be some sleep in there somewhere...not sure how well that's going to work.

It matters not, though, because I got to see Dick Dale and The Penetrators and talked to a crazy woman. Also, there was a Zesto double cheeseburger with tater tots in the mix, and I got some new CDs and comic books.

...but I'm just gonna have to fill in the details tomorrow. For the moment, let's all remember that we're supposed to "Tell the chairman that Richard isn't the one that I'm going to work with to bring prayer back into the schools of the USA, but it's gonna be Todd Davis!" (Todd Davis being the creator of Pepper Ann...which he based upon the crazy lady that was spouting this hooey)

Need rest.
posted by Gray at 3:05 AM | | link

There are no NERF guns to be had at Target. That's a severe breakdown in American culture when a kid (or a 26-year-old webmonkey) can't go to his local megamart and purchase the means with which to pelt his fellow webmonkeys and webmonkeyettes (or additional ammunition for said pelting). If I find out Dr. Laura is behind all this, there's going to be reciprocity.

Do you hear me, Dr. Laura? Don't F with our firepower.
posted by Gray at 2:32 PM | | link

Pretty good day today. We got some pretty positive feedback on some issues at work, and semi-resolved a couple of things. Zero heavy lifting involved. New comics obtained on the way home. Exxxcellent....

There was a tornado yesterday about a mile from the houses of my closest family in Mississippi. Way too close for comfort. Keep it in Jackson, please?

...and now...Tonight's list of Things That I'm Enjoying:

Cinematic Orchestra
Daredevil comics
air conditioning
chair & couch
anticipation of reading Planetary
Jet Grind Radio
downloading Marvel vs Capcom 2
Mello Yello
James Lavelle mix

...thank you, and have a pleasant tomorrow.

[addendum to list]
THIS WEBSITE
posted by Gray at 12:39 AM | | link

We need more movies like THIS ONE. Hail to the King, baby.
posted by Gray at 9:38 AM | | link

Thanksgiving journey completed. Back in the old chair. My dad's office chair. The seat of command of the late, great Whitten Cotton Company. Damned cancer...he was happy and successful here.

It was a good trip. Good food, and another birthday party, to boot. This one for Chad, one of my closest cousins. There were roasted marshmallows, and a hayride (which my 87-year-old Mamaw took part in) -- good fun for all, I think.

Lyza doesn't get to traverse the nation in her Lyzamobile. Everyone think happy thoughts for her. Damn The Man and his disruption of our industry!
posted by Gray at 12:31 AM | | link

Back in the land of Elvis... on the road to the ATL today. $50 Dreamcast in hand. Man, I'm a sucker. Too cheap to resist, though.

More words later. Stay tuned!
posted by Gray at 10:19 AM | | link

Fajita Consumption Mission: Accomplished. God bless mom and her 2-for-1 Rio Bravo coupon. I do love that corn pudding...whatever the heck it is.

Undeclared is worth watching...true indeed. Why is it, then, that more people will watch some craptastic Judge show than this one? Whole lot of stupid out there...and an unfortunate amount of it is in control of remote controls and network programming.

Off to Mississippi in the morning...so the 3 of you that read this probably won't see any updates til Sunday or Monday. There's always the slight chance that I'll hijack a computer somewhere in Grenada County, but it's not highly likely. I hope you all have a good weekend. Keep an eye out for that GAP spot with my wife, Sheryl Crow and Liz Phair. Hubba.

note to self: don't ever act like that freaky guy in CompUSA today who told the kids who were happily playing HALO that they should be playing another game because it showed off stuff that 'only the XBox can do' -- wow...that was painful to watch. He puttered away in silence...buttons unbuttoned and hair unkempt... muttering to himself. Heh.
posted by Gray at 8:52 PM | | link

If anyone out there loves me, they can buy me THIS.

...but let me know you're doing it, because I'm gonna pick it up at the store on Wednesday anyway. Must...solve....mystery...
posted by Gray at 12:32 PM | | link

SAY WHAT AGAIN!
posted by Gray at 10:50 PM | | link

Speaking of the Justice League...the creator of the whole 'Animated Series' look (originated in the Batman series, and later used for Superman, Gargoyles, and Batman Beyond) is Bruce Timm. Go check out his site if you like comic book art. Or girls.

Need fud. Must forage.
posted by Gray at 9:31 PM | | link

Justice League is on, finally! Pretty cool so far.

I left the house today...really I did!
posted by Gray at 7:22 PM | | link

Outside raking leaves in shorts and bare feet in the middle of November! God bless America! More specifically, God bless the sunny climate of Forsyth County, Georgia!

I heard a mom yelling to the attendees of a party down the street, "BIRTHDAY CAKE! WHO WANTS BIRTHDAY CAKE?!" I thought it would be really funny to go run into their yard at that time. I doubt she'd have seen the same humor that I did. Anyway. I'll get back to having half a life now. Enjoy your weekends!
posted by Gray at 3:04 PM | | link

Oh look... they closed our airport again. Sounds like somebody was looking to get 2 to the head.
posted by Gray at 2:42 PM | | link

I'm not sure what I think of this article. No, I do know... I know it makes me think 'silly people...learn how to use a computer!' The question is though, how well will that opinion serve me in doing my job? Maybe not too well. I'm usually an overly-concise guy, and the idea of elaborating more than is traditionally considered necessary is almost painful to me sometimes. Some truths are genuinely frustrating.
posted by Gray at 11:26 AM | | link

The Star Wars trailer deluge continues! You WILL click this link...
posted by Gray at 9:11 AM | | link

Do you like comic books? Do you like conspiracies and mysteries and mythology? If you answered yes to these questions, you should be reading Planetary.
posted by Gray at 1:28 AM | | link

Well that was just a really cool commercial for The Man Who Wasn't There I just saw. In case any of you missed my previous testimonial, you should GO SEE IT.

...and jumpin' jehosephat, John Brown has updated his site!
posted by Gray at 12:00 AM | | link

Free cookies! Rejoice!
posted by Gray at 12:51 PM | | link

Whaddaya know? The Bernie Mac Show is pretty funny.

Cheers to the Tronies for landing a new account today! Mo' money in the agency is never a bad thing.
posted by Gray at 9:14 PM | | link

I had my 1-year review today. Pretty cool to actually have one after 2 years of shifting leadership and ownership kind of robbed me of any chance for advancement in the previous incarnations of this job (my first real one out of college). So, a little mo' money, a lot more focus, hopefully.

SOMEday I'll figure out what I'm gonna be when I grow up...
posted by Gray at 12:27 AM | | link

YOU should be watching 24.
posted by Gray at 9:43 PM | | link

I finally got the Episode 2 trailer from the DVD...then found a downloadable one for anyone who stumbles across this link.
posted by Gray at 9:06 PM | | link

After being shut down for a few days, my newly-awakened computer sounds as if it wants to launch its CPU fan at me -- a whirling scythe of death -- as payback for making it run and run and run all the time. Also, the Star Wars DVD refuses to yield the new trailer to me via the In-ter-net. Curse you and your proprietary software, George Lucas!
posted by Gray at 8:02 PM | | link

Barely back on the ground and another plane's falling out of the sky.

At least I got to play a Gamecube on the way home. Mmm....Star Wars....
posted by Gray at 12:34 PM | | link

I'm back in Graceland-land after a 2-day jaunt down into Mississippi for 2 birthday celebrations (pictures may follow tomorrow...I was pleased with a few of the shots I got) -- happy, well-rested and full of ham, Kool-Aid and John Deere-themed birthday cake. A nice little trip, and it sure made my Mamaw happy, which makes me happy. She's 87, and I had the priveledge of giving her her first taste of Mountain Dew CODE RED. She liked it, and the look on her face was worth the trip.

Fox season premieres were tonight. The comedies were high quality. The X-Files showed promise for the season... we'll see. Strangely high naked-female-back level in this episode...not that I'm complaining. I just hope my taping of Alias back in the ATL went off without a hitch. *cross fingers*

Ugh...6am flight. I think I'm gonna go start sleeping now. Wish me luck. $nowman over and out from TrashleyHQ.
posted by Gray at 10:45 PM | | link

Saw Ash's play. High production values, as expected. Entertaining villains. Confusing to adults born in Mississippi, apparently. Whatever...there was a BELLY DANCER in the lobby at intermission. More theaters should learn from this one!

Now we should get on the road to Holcomb for a grammaw-related birthday celebration, and a possible engagement party for some friends. I must take more pictures along the way. Slacking off so far...though I think I got at least one good shot of said belly dancer. wink wink.
posted by Gray at 11:52 AM | | link

Airport Adventure: Successful! MARTA went smoothly. Security check-in did too. I boneheadedly forgot to leave the little pocketknife behind this time, but I guess I got some of those really sharp screeners, because it passed through in my carry-on suitcase just fine. I'll wrap it in dirty socks on the way back. All this lack-of-hassle resulted in lots of free time for Castlevania and Tetris once I reached the gate. Nothin' wrong with that, though. I finally beat those accursed dragons! Oh....Kennedy. How could I forget? A little girl named Kennedy next to me at the gate. Not yet 2 years old, and jacked up on pure TANG powder and Pixy Stix dust or something. I kept my eyes on the tetrads and tried to keep from laughing at times as her mother lost control. A damn fine rendition of "The Wheels on the Bus" for a 1-year old, though.

Airplane -- I sat on the next-to-last row by the very noisy engines...headphones were useless, behind a friendly OBGYN, and in front of a ridiculously friendly Ole Miss student who was planning for 'divinity school', which I suppose is like seminary. He was greatly impressed by the current state of handhelds when I let him try out Castlevania for a few minutes. Nice lady next to me with her own little bundle of hellfire... Austin. I bought a bit of silence by giving him my extra Blue Razzberry Blow-Pop. The kid was 1.5 years old and had on a leather jacket...she claimed he had a fur coat at home. A FUR COAT. Obviously necessary. As long as she's got her priorities straight, I suppose.

Time to sleep now...too much of that missed this week. Over and out from Graceland.
posted by Gray at 2:34 AM | | link

I think I'm ready to get to leavin' on a jet plane. Clothes...Game Boy Advance...toothbrush.... ready to go, yo! See ya on the other side.
posted by Gray at 7:14 PM | | link

An entertaining comment on the general populace as it relates to DJ Shadow and good music in general:

"You are giving people way too much credit. Most people don't wonder how a guy made a sound. Most people don't know what a sample is. They think it's when Puffy makes a song that sounds exactly like a song they liked when they were younger. Do you know how dumb the average person is? Well, by the definition of the word average...half the people are dumber than that."

-Jordy G. on In/Flux
posted by Gray at 12:14 PM | | link

This may be an eye-opening article for you. Most of us have seen pictures of soldiers in Afghanistan who seem to be nothing more than children. Click the link for some elaboration on their background and inspiration.

With this type of culture perpetuating itself, how soon can a generation of Afghan children that know peace even hope to exist?
posted by Gray at 2:12 PM | | link

I was successful in NOT WINNING any free stuff this morning. At least I got to spend an hour outside with....uh... well, it sure wasn't Nature. What's the opposite of Nature? That's what I was with.

If YOU had gone with me (whoever you might be), you would have won. They called the number issued immediately after mine. Que lastima!


posted by Gray at 8:35 AM | | link

Here you go, TOR GUNDERSEN.
posted by Gray at 9:46 AM | | link

Yeah, I'm at work at 8am. 7:30, even, but I had stuff to do before posting. Proof that I am not always tardy! haHA!

[traffic STILL sucked]
posted by Gray at 8:08 AM | | link

Some people in China don't like us very much.
posted by Gray at 9:56 AM | | link

Hit me baby one more time. For $15,000.
posted by Gray at 10:45 PM | | link

I'm watching Uprising on NBC (because there's no Alias on tonight). Pretty powerful stuff for a TV movie.

I hate Illinois Nazis.

How could the Germans have done what they did? Pissants. I'm glad they got better.

...and why do commercials for Friends look like a soap opera instead of a sitcom? Does not compute.
posted by Gray at 10:28 PM | | link

Who gave anyone permission to start pimpin' Mannheim Steamroller CDs on TV already? Let us digest our Halloween candy, people! Sheesh!
posted by Gray at 11:45 AM | | link

Current perpetually-looping track: "Renaissance Affair" by Hooverphonic. Dig it.
posted by Gray at 11:40 AM | | link

Can someone get me a yellow jumpsuit for Christmas? Or Festivus? Whatever works.

...and get K some fuzzy pants while you're at it. And a yellow jumpsuit.
posted by Gray at 12:16 AM | | link

Testing some stuff with the layout...lemme know if it gets royally screwed in your browser.

Wow...nice eyecandy on this MOBY PLAY DVD.
posted by Gray at 12:34 PM | | link

Despite the fact that I had just knocked back a Mountain Dew Code Red, I didn't even make it through Law & Order: SVU last night. That's what getting horizontal on a comfy couch does for ya, I guess. That's just a slice of the excitement that is my life, folks. Enjoy.

But hey, I got to see Monsters, Inc., and that was great fun. Throw in a new Star Wars trailer and some Sour Patch Kids and you've got 2 hours of solid entertainment! Too bad those young ladies next to me didn't decide they needed some man-company for the rest of the evening. I wasn't aware that cute girls went to see Pixar movies on Friday evenings without provocation. Encouraging, indeed.

Adding to the fun, my car is up the road in the shop right now, because the brakes scream like an unholy banshee-demon-car. Hopefully the boys at Tilden Auto can fix things up without forcing me to sell anything valuable to cover the bill. Wish me luck on that one.
posted by Gray at 10:34 AM | | link

It's the day after Halloween and there's CANDY FOR EVERYONE!

Oh, and also, some manwhoring.
posted by Gray at 3:51 PM | | link