Category Archives: music

Ookla/Greg Klyma show August 1

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Text stolen from an email Rand sent his friends:

Sixteen years ago, Ookla the Mok performed their first live show at a bar in Buffalo called Broadway Joe’s. Ten years ago, Greg Klyma left the security of a day job and began the life of a professional touring musician. Ookla and Greg (along with friends Tom Bianchi and Sick) will celebrate these variant anniversaries by performing a show together at Broadway Joe’s on August 1.

This show will serve as CD release party for Greg’s new album, “Rust Belt Vagabond,” as well as a return for Ookla to the venue that started it all.

The Place: Broadway Joe’s
3051 Main Street (Buffalo)
http://bjoes. com/

The Date: Friday, August 1, 2008

The Time: Doors at 7:30, show at 8:00

The Price: Ten dollars at the door.

Please help us spread the word — let anyone you know who loves Greg Klyma or Ookla the Mok know about this show. While you’re at it, let anyone you know who you *think* might love Ookla the Mok or Greg Klyma know about the show as well.

And as always, thanks for the support!

The song remembers when*

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(this will be the first of a series of posts)

During the move, I found a box full of old cassette tapes. Most of them were mix tapes I’ve made at one point or another…I thought it might be fun to pull them out and post the track listings with a bit of background as to what was going on in my life at the time.

I’ve arranged them more or less in chronological order. People who know me well will notice some major holes, and here’s why…after every breakup I’ve ever gone through, there’s been a massive purge. I made *dozens* of lovey-dovey mix tapes for K in college, and they’re all gone. I just couldn’t bear to have them around, and putting them in a box and hiding them wasn’t enough…

Ahem, anyway. The first one is titled “And So It Goes…”, and it was made during the summer of 1993, between my freshman and sophomore year of college. Earlier that year, I had broken up with J, and when I came home for summer vacation, I briefly dated this guy (we’ll call him E) with whom I’d engaged in mild flirtations with the previous summer. E was also freshly out of a relationship. We tried to do casual, but neither one of us seemed to do that very well…and when he finally broke it off, I made him this mix tape:

Side A

This Night — Billy Joel
And So It Goes — Billy Joel
Take This Heart — Richard Marx
Kiss — Prince
Send Her My Love — Journey
Can’t Fight This Feeling — REO Speedwagon
In Your Eyes — Peter Gabriel
Something About You — (I have no idea…I don’t even know what song this is.)
If You Leave — OMD
The Longest Time — Billy Joel

Side B

No Ordinary Love — Sade
All Shook Up — Elvis Presley
Kiss the Girl — from The Little Mermaid
Fever —
If — Janet Jackson
Paradise City — Guns ‘n Roses (this one had an inside meaning)
Can’t Help Falling in Love — Elvis Presley

(I had thrown in a couple of lame instumentals to fill up space. and as with most mix tapes, the first side is much stronger than the second…)

Was I in love with E? Did he break my heart? I don’t know…I was in a pretty vulnerable place that summer. When I think about this tape, I remember sitting alone at night on a swing at the park, wondering if anyone would ever love me again, though I know that was more about J than it was about E…

I linked to the lyrics to “This Night,” because that song, more than any other one, sums up that short-lived romance with E. We’ve been in contact since then. He’s married. And I, after a few wrong turns, soon will be. I have no hard feelings, and I smile when I think about him and the summer of 1993…

*post title is from a Trisha Yearwood song that I always powerfully identified with. Music is so strongly tied to our emotions, isn’t it?

Fun with Eminem

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I’ve talked before about my irrational love for the song “Without Me” by Eminem. Nothing makes me want to get up and boogie quite like this song. So much so, that I really want to play it at my wedding.

The tricky part is that the song is pretty, uh, profane. I downloaded the *clean* version, and I listened to it all the way through today. It makes for some pretty entertaining sections of the song. To demonstrate, here are the lyrics. I’ve replaced all the profanity with a [EXPLETIVE DELETED]

Two trailer park girls go round the outside;
round the outside, round the outside
{*scratches*
Two trailer park girls go round the outside;
round the outside, round the outside
{*scratches*

Guess who’s back
Back again
Shady’s back
Tell a friend
Guess who’s back, guess who’s back, guess who’s back, guess who’s back
guess who’s back, guess who’s back, guess who’s back..

[Verse One: Eminem]
I’ve created a monster, cause nobody wants to see Marshall no more
They want Shady, I’m chopped liver (huh?)
Well if you want Shady, this is what I’ll give ya
A little bit of [EXPLETIVE DELETED] mixed with some hard liquor
Some vodka that’ll jump start my heart quicker
than a shock when I get shocked at the hospital
by the doctor when I’m not co-operating
When I’m rockin the table while he’s operating (hey!!)
You waited this long, now stop debating
Cause I’m back, I’m on the rag and ovu-lating
I know that you got a job Ms. Cheney
but your husband’s heart problem’s complicating
So the FCC won’t let me be
or let me be me, so let me see
They try to shut me down on MTV
But it feels so empty, without me
So, come on and dip, bum on your lips
[EXPLETIVE DELETED] that, [EXPLETIVE DELETED] on your lips, and some on your [EXPLETIVE DELETED]
And get ready, cause this [EXPLETIVE DELETED] about to get heavy
I just settled all my lawsuits, [EXPLETIVE DELETED] YOU DEBBIE!

Now this looks like a job for me
So everybody, just follow me
Cause we need a little, controversy
Cause it feels so empty, without me
I said this looks like a job for me
So everybody, just follow me
Cause we need a little, controversy
Cause it feels so empty, without me

Little Hellions, kids feelin rebellious
Embarrassed their parents still listen to Elvis
They start feelin like prisoners helpless
’til someone comes along on a mission and yells [EXPLETIVE DELETED]!!!
A visionary, vision of scary
Could start a revolution, pollutin the airwaves
A rebel, so just let me revel and bask
in the fact that I got everyone kissin my [EXPLETIVE DELETED]
And it’s a disaster, such a catastrophe
for you to see so damn much of my [EXPLETIVE DELETED]; you asked for me?
Well I’m back, na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Fix your bent antenna tune it in and then I’m gonna
enter in, endin up under your skin like a splinter
The center of attention, back for the winter
I’m interesting, the best thing since wrestling
Infesting in your kid’s ears and nesting
Testing, attention please
Feel the tension, soon as someone mentions me
Here’s my ten cents, my two cents is free
A nuisance, who sent? You sent for me?

A-tisket a-tasket, I go tit for tat with
anybody who’s talkin this [EXPLETIVE DELETED], that [EXPLETIVE DELETED]
Chris Kirkpatrick, you can get your [EXPLETIVE DELETED] kicked
worse than them little Limp Bizkit [EXPLETIVE DELETED]
And Moby? You can get stomped by Obie
You thirty-six year old baldheaded [EXPLETIVE DELETED], [EXPLETIVE DELETED] me
You don’t know me, you’re too old, let go
It’s over, nobody listen to techno
Now let’s go, just gimme the signal
I’ll be there with a whole list full of new insults
I been dope, suspenseful with a pencil
ever since Prince turned himself into a symbol
But sometimes the [EXPLETIVE DELETED] just seems
everybody only wants to discuss me
So this must mean I’m dis-gus-ting
But it’s just me, I’m just obscene
No I’m not the first king of controversy
I am the worst thing since Elvis Presley
to do black music so selfishly
and used it to get myself wealthy
(Hey!!) There’s a concept that works
Twenty million other white rappers emerge
But no matter how many fish in the sea
It’ll be so empty, without me

Pretty amusing, eh?

Did you know…

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That Creed Bratton (that’s Creed from The Office) was the lead guitarist for The Grass Roots?

If you’re like me, and you click on the link for The Grass Roots and don’t recognize any of the song titles, hop on over to YouTube and check out some videos. I’ll bet you know them. Here’s one to get you started:

And that’s your random fact for Thursday. 😉

Friday photos

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I finally got around to uploading the photos that were on my camera. I have no idea why it took me so long.

This is from (I think) when Rand and I went out to Korea House with John. We were amused by the chopsticks that were labeled “CHOP STICK,” just in case there was any question as to what they were. 😉

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And here’s a close-up.

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This is from the Fibs/Ookla/other guests show at Nietzche’s a couple of weeks ago. Carl Thiel, who used to be one of the Fibs but really only does guest appearances with them now, did a short solo set.

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Rand and Adam performing. (I couldn’t really see Wolfram from where I was sitting. Sorry, Wolfram!)

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One of the professors at D’Youville brought his two little girls, who are big Ookla fans. Aren’t they the cutest?

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I also uploaded a couple of photos of my wedding invitations preparing to be mailed. You have to be logged in to flickr (and marked one of my friends) to see them. More on this over at the wedding blog.

Lazy weekends and deadlines

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So, I’m in the middle of writing my article for Toasted Cheese which needs to be ready to go up on the site, oh, Tuesday. Procrastination is bad. 😉

The weekend has been lazy and generally relaxing. This is a good thing. Rand and I talked about going out to a movie, but didn’t see anything that we wanted to go out for. We want to see Forgetting Sarah Marshall, but that isn’t out until next week. Ah well.

We found ourselves in possession of a wee bit of extra disposable cash, so we went out to eat several times this weekend. Yesterday, we went to May Jen, and I had the yumtastic ginger garlic chicken. And we have leftovers, which will probably be eaten tonight. Mmmm…leftovers.

We’re in the process of decluttering, and took a couple of boxes of CDs and DVDs to trade in. We spent way too much time doing that today! While we were in F.Y.E., I asked a salesperson what music was playing. It turned out to be a new release called Unfold by Marie Digby, which I just decided I need to buy on iTunes. (only 6.99, and I still had some credit left from a gift certificate Samantha gave me for Christmas. Yay, me!)

Rand bought the full Northern Exposure box set with his credit. We also traded in a bunch of CDs at Record Theater and bought a few new things with the credit (and we still have a bunch of credit left). Sadly, we have a small selection of stuff nobody wanted. Sniff.

I still have some photos from Rand’s birthday that I have yet to post…I treated him to dinner at Marinaccio’s, a place neither of us had ever been. We both enjoyed our meals very much. More on that soon. Besides the dinner, I (with contributions from both our parents) bought Rand a new iPod…he wanted one with more space. So guess who else gets a new (slightly used) iPod? 😉 Of course, now I have to go through the process of getting what I want onto the iPod. Oh, the trials.

I also have some photos of my pretty, shiny new earrings that people who follow me on twitter heard about yesterday. They will be posted soon.

Oh, and that long-term sub job I mentioned at the beginning of last week? I got it. Since it’s a shorter period of time than my other job (and in a different district), there are no benefits…but it is steady work, great experience, and a wee bit more money than I’d be making as just a day-to-day sub. I went in on Friday to shadow the teacher I’m filling in for and meet the kids and my soon-to-be coworkers. It seems like it’s going to be great, and I’m very happy to have the experience. This week is spring break, so I’ll be starting a week from tomorrow. 😀

More? I’m sure there is, but I should probably get back to work…hope you’re having an excellent weekend!

Go on

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I don’t think I’ve shared this…someone posted a Firefly fan video on YouTube (specifically, a Mal/Inara fan video) set to “Go On” by Ookla the Mok. If you’re either a Firefly fan or an Ookla fan (or both!) you should definitely check this out!

Happy Monday

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I had a busy weekend and thus a lot to report on…but I’m feeling kinda blah right now. 😛

Quick version: Friday night, went to see Ookla’s bass player play with a cover band in North Tonawanda. Missed the first Buffalo Tweetup, but hope to make it to the next one!

Saturday, went to Club W to see our friend’s girlfriend compete in some sort of talent competition. From what we saw, she should have cleaned it up. She’s a singer-songwriter, and she rocks. Socialized at Pano’s afterwards.

Sunday, attended the “ladies who blog” brunch arranged by Jen. It was a lovely time. Hung out with Jen for a bit afterward, which was also nice…we don’t do that nearly enough! 🙂

Oh, and on Saturday, the two new pens I ordered arrived! I have pictures, and I’ll write a whole post about them soon. 😉

Mix tapes…er, CDs

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I recently made a mix for a new blogfriend and I wanted to share!

  • What About Everything (Carbon Leaf)
  • P.M. Prima Donna (Ookla the Mok)
  • Black Horse and the Cherry Tree (KT Tunstall)
  • Cold, Cold Heart (Midge Ure)
  • Striptease (Hawksley Workman)
  • Solar Circle Girl (Einstein’s Sister)
  • The Future Soon (Jonathan Coulton)
  • Ordinary Day (Great Big Sea)
  • The Girl That’s Never Been (Escape Key…aka Michelle Dockrey)
  • How’s it Goin’ (Greg Klyma)
  • Bubblegum 45s (Jim Boggia)
  • On the Verge (Collin Raye)
  • Crackstatic (Ron Hawkins and the Rusty Nails)
  • Molly (Jackdaw)
  • We Used to be Friends (The Dandy Warhols)
  • Amigone (Goo Goo Dolls)
  • Steady, As She Goes (The Raconteurs)
  • The Sunnyside of the Street (The Pogues)
  • Salesmen, Cheats and Liars (The Lowest of the Low)
  • Cupid’s Chokehold (Gym Class Heroes)
  • Hockey Monkey (written by James Kochalka, perfomed by Ookla the Mok)
  • I’m a Rover (Great Big Sea)

There’s no thematic connection. They’re all fairly upbeat songs that make me happy. 🙂 I could easily make another entire mix with stuff that’s on my iPod but not on my computer (a situation I hope to remedy soon!).

If you think this mix is awesome and would like one for your very own, contact me. I’ll pass on Jessica’s promise. I’ll happily send you one, if you promise to reciprocate!

Happy St. Paddy’s Day!

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Are you wearing green? I am!

Working today. I’ve been having trouble with my blog since wordpress got upgraded–specifically, accessing my blog using Internet Explorer on the computers at work. I could log in, but I couldn’t *do* anything. I solved the problem today by downloading the portable version of Firefox for my USB key. Looks good so far! 🙂

I had a nice mellow weekend at home. I got all domestic, making chocolate chip cookies on Saturday and meatballs on Sunday. I also did laundry, read a bit, watched some TV, and didn’t spend a whole lot of time online. I did play on facebook here and there (I have two ongoing Scrabble games–feel free to grab me if you want to play!) as well as some other stuff.

I had a fun day teaching math at the middle school on Friday. The 7th graders celebrated Pi Day by decorating digits of Pi to hang on the wall, playing games, and eating pie that they brought in! (Yes, I ate a piece, but only one!) I can’t believe they paid me for that. 😉

And that’s the news on this end. Hope you’re all having a happy St. Pat’s! Enjoy some of my favorite irish-esque music, eh? (I might add some videos when I get home and can access YouTube.)

Jackdaw

Great Big Sea

Carbon Leaf