Totes...Probs...Babes

Tebow Panty Party

2009-04-29T21:47:00.009-04:00

INTRODUCING THE TEEBOWS!

"What Are TeeBows?

Excellent Question! To be brief (pardon the pun...) these are for the ladies... Fun and functional, these T-Backs are a sturdy blend of 90% cotton and 10% lycra, resulting in a sexy - yet athletic - undergarment perfect for that Gator Gal in your life. Buy them for your sorority (or even family) sisters, your 'better half', or simply for yourself!

The Details...

Available in 3 styles, these comfy little garments are the perfect compliment to your Gator Game Day Outfit. No one but you needs to know that you're a Gator to the core! They're the next best thing to bleeding orange and blue...

So make sure you get your 'Teebow' before supplies run out, You can find them at Teebows.com."

Seriously, Gator fans are such sluts... Dana, belated b-day idea for me! :)

Thanks Elan for the heads up!

Oldie but Goodie

2009-01-29T15:43:00.003-05:00

I must admit, I made out like a bandit for my 31st b-day, a blue fleece bandit.

Old people need Snuggies cause its really rough on us when we have to get up to grab a phone call and the blanket falls off of our cold frail bodies. Thank you Sar & Drew!

Thanks to my wonderful friends for another great year, aging ain't so bad with you guys around!

No need to hate on 2008

2009-01-21T01:29:00.011-05:00

It wasn't always rainbows and unicorns, but I've been reflecting and I've decided 08 got a bum wrap. It wasn't a total wash.
Some rad stuff happened, lets reminisce:

Barack was elected!

Some indie rock bands made totes awes albums:
- Wolf Parade, At Mount Zoomer
- TV on the Radio, Dear Science
- Santogold, Santogold
- AA Bondy, American Heart
- Girl Talk, Feed the Animals
- Fleet Foxes, Sun Giant EP/Fleet Foxes
- Hot Chip, Made in the Dark
- Of Montreal, Skeletal Lamping

This horse was not harmed in the making of this concert

Spencer drips for Dane

I must admit, I liked a few movies.

Delaney Kate and Oliver Holden were born!

We had good times at 12 Seneca for a second summer in a row!

Indoor crotch Kadima, a Fire Island sensation

We bonded with Scoots and frolicked in fall color!

Woot,requisite Storm King sculpture pose

Sarah and Drewber got hitched!

Jaime got preggo!

Practices birthing a pumpkin

Dana discovered Twilight.

Saved by Zero Kills

2008-11-25T13:45:00.003-05:00

I found this on my new fave Facebook group, Saved by Zero: Who the hell asked "Zero" to save me?. I think we can all agree that this commercial is the worst thing to happen to the football season, ever.

It's a good thing I'm not the administrator for a Toyota focus group web site anymore, huh?

Inspired x 64, 521,172

2008-11-06T18:05:00.004-05:00

The victory is still sinking in. It took me a day to compose my thoughts (and get over my hangover) and I'm still not sure I can articulate how inspired and overcome with emotion I am by Barack Obama making history.

So I will just say this. I'm trying to think of a time in my life when I was more proud to be an American. I cannot. Its just so exhilarating, such an amazing time to be alive in this country. And I hope that all the people who didn't vote for OB recognize this sooner than later.

Borrowing from my latest Huff Post guest blogger John Cusack:

The world looked to America... we showed our best.
For one night at least, the world was sane.
The planet sighs in relief and deserves a righteous party.

Yes We Did! Now who wants to go to the inauguration with me? :)

Fall 08 Highlights and Lowlights

2008-11-03T23:30:00.011-05:00

Considering my joblessness, I should really be posting more. There’s no excuse and there is def a ton going on. I knew it was time to log on when my sis started to nag me. So now I gottta cram it all in. Are you ready? I'm going to make like a sitcom "Last Season on the Shaps Show" montage and catch you up:

GOT LAID OFF
If you haven't heard or deducted from the first sentence of this post, Drillteam ain't my homeboy. I'm cool with it tho, frees me up for more pilates, MSNBC and fiiiiinnnnally eBaying all that shit thats been piling up in a corner of my bedroom since 2005. But seriously, if you know of a job, don’t hold back – send me deets!

ACL
The trip to Austin went a lil something like this: Hangin with Delaney, Migas, Tubing, Salt Lick, Migas, Cool Kids, 90s Dance Party, Migas, Chicken Cone, Spiritualized, MGMT, Allison Krause, Beck, Nicole Atkins, Mega Concussion, Chillin on our very own plantation. More Migas.

THE ELECTION
Obama inspires me to tears. I've become a crazy Huffington Post junkie. I think I have a lot of OB’s stump speeches memorized. I wake up in the morning (at 10, its fine) and race to the brontosaurus laptop to check out the latest Obama slideshows. “Another B and Michelle Greatest PDA moment?” “What ARE the candidates eating on the campaign trail?” “I wonder what Sasha and Malia were for Halloween.” I’m shamelessly obsessed. Like Dana and Pearl Jam or Dana and Wolf Parade or Dana and Sharks.
Here's me nerding out on some Barack show tunes:

RIP Toot, it makes me so, so sad she didn’t get to see her grandson win the presidency. Don't worry Madelyn, I'm votin for your boy tomorrow. EVERYONE VOTE!!!!!

FALL ADVENTURES
Dane’s adorable VW Golf, Scoots, goes back home to Wisco at the end of the month so to get our inflated gas-money’s worth, we’ve been cruisin’ upstate on all kinds of awesome autumnal adventures. New Paltz was bountiful with fall color, apples, cider, pumpkins, goats and chili. Mountainville offered us acres upon acres of majestic sculptures at Storm King. Sleepy Hollow spooked us out with a special “Legend Weekend” where Dana found romance with the Headless Horseman. And last but not least, Hackensack, NJ provided us with Cheesecake Factory indigestion. Mmmm, pumpkin cheesecake.

MSG SCREAMFEST
Not in a frightened way, in an excited teenage girl way. As promised, we rocked American’s Best Dance Crew Live (thanks Kell Perk) which featured the ridiculously badass Jabawockeez (Dane’s mind was blown) and my faves, Supa Cr3w.

Check out em battling each other in Boston, is this shit right out of Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo or what?

Also popular: Joey, the deaf Asian dancer from ASIID. The uber-hyper high school chicks behind us screamed in vain “I love you Joey, I want to be your girlfriend!”
Not but a month later, I found myself screaming the EXACT same thing, but to Joey MacIntyre at the oh-so amazing NKOTB show. Imagine if you will, being surrounded by thousands of screaming women (not 12 yr olds) in side pony tails and vintage neon t-shirts, waving their hands in the air to “Hangin Tough” like it was their job. I reverted to my middle school self and did whatever the boys told me to. I had no say, I was under their spell. They're all still playing their 1991 roles: Donnie is still thuggish, Joey is still boyishly adorable, Jordan is still the sexy lead man with a falsetto that could crack glass, Jonathan is still shy and awkward (and apparently gay! I had no idea!) and Danny is still the one no girl fantasizes about. Although he did do some sweet breakdancing. (Huh??) For Dana’s take, read here.

UNFORTUNATE COCKTAILS
Ice luge-chilled Espresso vodka, Halloween's "Witch's Brew" (it involved Midori, pineapple juice and gummy body parts) and that weird strawberry-basil beverage Sarah made me over the big b-day extravaganza in the Hamptons = Hangover Hell.

FLORIDA FOOTBALL
We're #4 in the AP and we’re crushin the SEC right now. Tebow broke Emmit Smith’s career RUSHING touchdown record on Saturday. And he’s the quarterback!!! If we can keep up the momentum, I predict an SEC Championship berth and possibly an Alabama upset. In Tebow I Trust.

SLUT-O-WEEN
We’re so clever. TPB represented on Halloween as slutty ex-presidents aka “Mount UsMore”: Boobraham Lincoln, Whorge Washington, Teddy Ho-sevelt. We’ll probably never get pics back of this eve (Jack?), but this clip pretty much describes our costume concept to a tee:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY OLD BUDDIES
All my best G'ville pals aged and because I couldn’t afford gifts (remember bullet #1? I don’t have a job! Get me one!), I figured they at least deserved a special blog shout out: Happy, happy b-day to Sarah B-D, Bri, Mere Phipps, Ilanis, Steph and tomorrow, Noah P!

How I Feel Today

2008-09-03T15:47:00.000-04:00

SeeqPod - Playable Search

Free Falling

2008-08-28T17:15:00.005-04:00

I have a love/hate relationship with Labor Day.

On the one hand it means, summer is ending - BBQs, outdoor shows and beach weekends will soon start dwindling and before we know it, Dana will be taking out her winter cardigans. On the other hand, fall is a lovely time for apple picking and pumpkin flavored lattes and oh yeah, FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!

Not sure how it snuck up on me, but holy shit, college football season is HERE! And to help kick things off right, Tim Tebow went and got his Men's Fitness on:

HELLO! That ain't photoshop people, this dude means biz. Heisman Repeat! Woot!

So if you need me for the next 12 Saturdays, just follow the cheering and Jaws theme to a great lil, semi-fratty Gator-fied bar with the most unfortunate name: Bounce Deuce. They make a mean omelette and have these obnoxiously gigantic beer "table tappers" that just scream date rape. One time, Sarah tapped it too hard, had a dance off with a USC fan and then vom'ed on the street. Go Gators!

In other Labor Day news, the Champers are getting ready for their Sept 2 Heavenly Bender debut with clever lil teaser clips on YouTube like this:

And this:

They can play instruments ANNNNND act? YES! And don't even get me started on their baseball skills.

Another reason to be pumped its almost September: the new season of Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia will be droppin' on September 18. I have a shameless crush on this show and I'm not afraid to say, I am counting down the days for Season 4. Here's a taste of its tastelessness:

And lastly, speaking of Fall, look at this lil prank Billy fell for the other day:

I don't really get it either but this dude really committed to the serenade. Props Fake Prince, you got em good!

Sooo anyway, whats everybody doin for Labor Day? :)

Trapped on the Left Coast

2008-08-24T16:02:00.003-04:00

Do you miss me?

Its day 7 of 9 in Los Angeles for work, it feels like its been months. I'm like Tom Hanks in Cast Away, 'cept with access to overpriced room service ($20 omelette, wha??) and Wilson is this fine dude named Abram at the valet. Hahhht.

Muchas gracias to all my west coast buddies (Norm, this is what the kids call a "shout out") for making it out to my little gallery opening soiree in Silverlake on Friday. I hope you all got your fill of acai berry vodka cocktails and warm beer. Totes success.

A trip down perm lane

2008-08-18T17:24:00.006-04:00

I was just greeted by the exciting news that I will be attending the NKOTB show at MSG this fall...and to celebrate, I thought I'd show you some old photos of how my love for them used to look like...notice how hip our matching Keds are.

The last photo is from their Alpine Valley show in 1990 I believe. If that is indeed true, then just to the right of us was the pre-pubescent squealing of one Chrashton Stavros. Our friendship was nothing short of destiny.

The Medal Count from Fire Island

2008-08-18T02:01:00.023-04:00

To celebrate the true spirit of the Olympic Games, 12 Seneca hosted its second annual Fire Island Field Day competition on Aug 9. Here are some highlights from our little Birds's Nest...

Opening ceremonies, the lighting of the torch...

Every good competish starts with a team huddle (read: everyone gathering to complain about when we'd start dinner)

Team "CapTan Dan's Short and Curlies, Bitches!" vs Team "We'll Eff You Up Seneca Style" in the dizzy bat finals...

Talking egg spoon strategy, hoping we don't get snubbed by the Australian judge.

Foul play afoot, Mere just can't stick her landing after getting attacked by a water balloon...

There are no winners or losers, we stand together as one...

Just kiddin, scoreboard bitches!!!!!!!

Later that night, the Olympic village was a-rockin. We kicked things off with celebratory feast where Hungarians, Robots, Cherokees, Deer, WASPs and chic people came together to eat, drink and be merry (and sing "Trippin Billies"...)

Euros are so weird (and its true what they say about their bad teeth)

Mere takes the gold for individual table dancing!

Then, with only 20 minutes between competitions, without a warm down, she takes gold again for her 50m piggybacking...(eat that, Phelps!)

See ya in Sept homies, USA!

Dane Cook is Finally Funny

2008-08-12T14:27:00.003-04:00

With his critiquing of the poster for his new movie...I finally find Dane Cook remotely funny.

Before the downpour let me just say that my new movie, "My Best Friends Girl," is the best / funniest film I've done yet. It's got a terrific cast. Kate Hudson, Alec Baldwin, Jason Biggs, and myself really kicked the funny around. This movie showcases our talents accordingly as it expands on them. It's a fun R-rated flick. An edgy comedy with a dash of romance.

That being said, let me address the fact that although I'm not a marketing major, I have a bit of a trusted reputation after 18 years self promoting. I'd like to inform you I had no say in this marketing campaign, but if I did, things would be different since it is obvious that this poster is boring / odd and has zero to do with the movie I performed in.

Here are a few things that truly blow about my upcoming movie poster to promote the release of the film opening on September 19th:

1. Graphics:
Whoever photoshopped our poster must have done so at taser point with
3 minutes to fulfill their hostage takers deranged obligations. They should have called Donnie Hoyle and had him give a tutorial using "You Suck at Photoshop" templates. This is so glossy it makes Entertainment Weekly look wooden.

2. My head:
The left side of my face seems to be melting off of my skull. I guess I am looking directly into the Ark of the Covenant? Are they going for the bells palsy thing here? My left side looks like Brittany Spears' vagina.

3. The Stare.
My character apparently has fallen in love with a strand of Kate Hudsons hair. Kate's mannequin is desperately in love with the inside of my right ear while Jason is half stunned, half corsage.

4. Lips:
It looks like I'm wearing Maybelline Water Shine Diamonds Liquid Lipstick. My characters name is now Winter Solstice and I'm a hooker with a heart of gold. Jason is my floral carrying pimp, while Kate is my first trick!

5. Fashion:
My character is sporting a very high collar I mean damn they should be snow capped at that altitude. It's going for the vampire lurking in the castle basement vibe. An Olympic pole vaulter would have a tough go clearing that collar. I'm also able to turn my head comfortably 180 degrees, because I was raised in an abandoned barn by a family of owls.

6. Flesh:
It's no secret that I'm more rugged facially due to a drunken visit by the teen acne fairy, but according to this poster I've got perfect porcelain flesh. I look like the fuckin' bathroom floor at Caesars Palace. One of Marie Osmond's dolls would look at me and say "shit ... that guys got flawless skin!"

7. Hair:
It's actually a close up shot of Tom Sellecks Magnum P.I. mustache they photo-slapped on my noggin'.

8. The set:
Pick one. This entire film takes place:

A. on Gattaca
B. at the Fortress of Solitude
C. inside a crystal wind chime

9. The cast:
Alec Baldwin is so fucking funny in this movie! Is he on the poster? I think so. He plays the wise talking plant Jason is clutching.

10. Final thoughts:
I set out to make a movie like the contemporary men and women, that you and I respect, are making. My generation of comedians, actors, directors and producers that I wish to collaborate with as I build a solid body of work.

Granted, one poster stinking up the joint isn't the end of the world. Yet it sends the wrong message about our movie and I just wanted you to know, that I feel the pain. I really love the film and I know from past missteps marketing wise that the wrong poster sends the wrong audience into the theater.

Thanks again for all of your support. If you have not seen the red band trailer (which is excellent and represents the flick accordingly) click on the link at the top of this page.

PS - "Its funny what love can make you do." I just threw up all over this awful poster.
Wow, wait ... it looks better.

Hey ... I love my new movie. Jeez ... it IS funny what love can make you do.

Lollapalooza 2008

2008-08-06T22:23:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone! First off let me apologize for being MIA for the past few weeks - I've had a lot going on! My dreams of moving back to LA were dashed when I got an awesome new job and I've been assimilating back to life in an office. While I miss the days of working from my couch in my pjs I enjoy the direct deposit, human interaction and Carroll Garden digs of the new office. But there was no way I was going to give up the freelance life just like that. Therefore I overbooked myself and decided to work on last music lounge @ Lollapalooza. Am I happy about my decision? I'm still not sure but at least I was entertained and have some pretty sweet stories. Here are some highlights:

1. Watching as Lindsay Lohan ran away from my friend Chip with fear in her eyes because she mistook him for Perez Hilton. Absolutely amazing!

2. I scored pot for Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. I was then presummed to be the resident drug dealer of the Hard Rock Hotel and had to fend off other requests.

3.Danny Masterson invited me to go to All Points West with him and kissed me on the cheek 20 times - perhaps he thinks we are old friends? All I did was make sure he had a Serato box and that his publicist had pizza.

4. Cinnamon Bobcat swept through the Hard Rock Hotel like a phenomenon with the help of Jory, our photographer and Twinkler. For those of you who don't know Cinnamon Bobcat is a karate move where the attacker blinds his/her opponent by blowing cinnamon in their face and then scratching at their eyes like a bobcat.

5. Christian got wasted and was yelling out the window of our cab to a crowd of 20 people about going to Angels and Butt Pirates (actually Angels and Kings) and then proceeded to get into a fight with the singer from Yeasayer that involved sticking their tongues out at each other.

6.Taking shots of tequila with the entire caterting staff in the kitchen of the Hard Rock.

7. Being told by Chromeo that I sounded like Linda Richman from Coffee Talk on SNL.

8. Becoming Girl Talk road kill. People at Lollapalooza are insane. I got pinned against a fence and sorta felt like crying. Then I broke free and danced my face off.

9. Having an ice cream social on the floor of a hotel room with Molly and Christian while Butch Walker played us tunes on his guitar.

10. Losing my voice to the point that not one person could understand me. Not the cab driver from the airport, not my co-workers, not anyone. Now I really wish I had decided to get those yes/no tattoos I talked so much about.

Good times USA. New incarnation of the blog, same desire to make lists of things I enjoy.

Heyo!

South Park Favorites- Week 2

2008-07-31T15:32:00.002-04:00

I remember watching this episode with Jamal Tang where Stan's dad vies for the world record of biggest crap, only to find out that the world record holder is Bono. All is revealed when we find out that Bono is actually a piece of crap himself. Classic South Park.

I think the kicker is the scene where Bono just runs off the shouting "Yeah Yeah Yeah". Jamal and I were speechless.

You Can't Win 'Em All But...

2008-07-29T23:11:00.008-04:00

Bummed to report that neither the Gators nor the Packers took the ESPN "Titletown USA" crown this week BUT for the first time ever, my alma mater was declared "#1 party school in the nation." UF has made the list for the last 15 years but apparently it took back-to-back national championships, Emmitt winning Dancing with the Stars (who wouldn't drink to that?), a Heisman and some alcohol related deaths for us to finally get our propers. Thanks Princeton Review!

My fave student quote in the announcement about the prestigious honor:
"We don't even need to study that much," says one junior. "We know that we'll still get the grade, even with a hangover." Orrrrrr maybs its cause Fla offers badass classes like Growing Fruit for Fun and Profit or The Meat we Eat. (I aced both...with a hangover natch!)

Find out if your college made the cut here.

Wherefore Art Thou Trent?

2008-07-29T11:33:00.005-04:00

Sandwiched in between my tween adoration of NKOTB and Eddie Vedder, and right after I fell for the guy who played Pony Boy in the Milwaukee Repertory Theater's version of The Outsiders (somewhere, there's a notebook where I wrote "I love Pony Boy" repeatedly in Mr. Butt's class).... there was the gymnast named Trent Dimas.

You may remember him from his near perfect high-bar performance at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. I remember him as the short gymnast who stole my heart. Watch and enjoy how he nails this routine right down to the triple tuck dismount. Swoon. My love for him even went so far as to drive me to chase his tour bus with Jamal Tang after local exhibition show. Sigh. His story is one for the legends...barely making it to the games, not even a contender, showing up and nailing the routine of his life. Thump thump!

Turns out Trent is more than just my heartthrob. After winning the gold medal, he went back to school, became a lawyer, moved home to New Mexico and now works at a bank. Brains? check plus! Heart of gold? you bet. He's currently sponsoring one of the US male gmnasts, Joey Hagerty, in this year's olympics. Long live Trent!

Current Obsession: Poppin 'n Lockin

2008-07-25T17:00:00.004-04:00

My latest guilty pleasure: Randy Jackson's America's Best Dance Crew on MTV.

For those who haven't discovered how brilliant this show is, let me break it down for you (see what I did there?)
Each week, ya got dance crews from all over the US getting challenged with some kind of themed choreography - one week there was a Janet Jackson challenge, one week there was a music video challenge. Last night they had to create beats out of high school gym equipment. Which may sound random but they totes all brought it. These b-boy dudes (and some chicks) can not only dance, they also have awesome comedy skills and are incredibly creative.
My fave crew is called "SuperCr3w". Here's a taste em:

Did I mention Lil Mama and JC Chasez are judges? Genius! Hands down, its the best thing on MTV since the first Real World. Ok, fine, since The Hills.

SAVE THE DATE:
America's Best Dance Crew LIVE
Sep 23- WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden

TPB Goes to the Movies

2008-07-23T19:03:00.006-04:00

It kind of shocks me how many movies I've hit up this summer. I mean, I've probably consumed 4 gallons of Cherry Coke (my exclusive movie theater beverage!), I have the entire Tropic Thunder trailer memorized and I've become very VERY good at sneaking outside food into the theater. What can I say? The AC is my amigo.
I'm no Neil Rosen, but I've decided its time for a mid-summer movie report card with Billiam, my movie theater etiquette-challenged bud, as my Ebert. Of course I'm Roeper.

Assuming the "blockbuster summer movie" season started in May and based on a scale of Totes to Maybs, here...we...go (grab popcorn now!)

Ironman: TOTES+
Holy shit, talk about a come back - I heart Rob Downey Jr in a major way now. More than I liked him in Chances Are and Less Than Zero. I laughed, I cried, I oohed and aahed. I even was a fan of Gwenyth P! Bravo John Favreau, you've completely redeemed Made. GO SEE THIS MOVIE IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY! You won't regret it.
The true test, did Bilf fall asleep? Hells no, he high fived me like, 3 times and more than once said in his regular speaking voice (not a whisper), "this is awesome!" and that was only like, 13 minutes into the film.

Indiana Jones: MAYBS-
I LOVE the franchise but I simply could not get behind this wackadoodle plot line. Come ON! I mean, the CGI was like, Shark Attack 3-esque. Loved that hot little Shia LaBoeuf as the rebellious greaser kid though, yum.
The true test, did Bilf fall asleep? Maybe twice, also complained a lot and ate 3 Taco Bell burritos loudly

Sex and the City: PROBS+
Sometimes I found myself laughing with the girls, a LOT of times I was laughing at them. Particularly at any outfit of Miranda's (as evidenced by this brown on brown on brown on brown number at right). Oh and the bridge scene, Steve's face was priceless. I know I was supposed to be crying, but my whole row of bushy beaver brigade bitches was rollin in the aisles.
The true test, did Bilf fall asleep? This was an all girls night, but I bet you money he would be snoozing before they got to Mexico.

Wall-E: PROBS+
So sweet. Loved the message, loved the animation and scenery. Didn't love the use of Fred Willard but forgivable. Not my fave Pixar flick but definitely memorable.
The true test, did Bilf fall asleep? For at least 15 minutes, then proceeded to complain about how there was no dialogue and hated how all the robots could say was each other's names...IN the movie, in his regular speaking voice. I think he also checked email and texted. That jerk almost ruined this one for me.

The Wackness: TOTES-
Anyone who went to school in the mid 90s will love this, espesh if you were into hip hop. Or weed. Or losing your virginity. Had some slow moments but overall, loved the whole cast and that adorable Josh Peck (who used to be not so adorable) AND the Fire Island shout out. It makes you want to go make a mix tape.
The true test, did Bilf fall asleep? He faked falling asleep a few times, just to grind my gears but ultimately liked it, especially when things got sexy. Perv!

The Dark Knight: TOTES+
I'd been looking forward to this one for a long time and not even a raging headache or Dana's panicked deep breathing was going to thwart my enjoyment. Heath's performance was completely hype-worthy. He successfully freaked Dana out, as evidenced by the scratches on Kyle's arms. With the exception of being a little overly gravel-y, C. Bale was SO hot! I even thought Aaron Eckhardt killed it (although, was that face necessary?!) The audience, including us, clapped and cheered and kinda gagged a little multiple times throughout this movie.
The true test, did Bilf fall asleep? I've heard he was awake, but barely. He said "meh" and pointed out a few plot holes but hes going to see it again on IMAX, so he couldn't have hated it.

Other upcoming summer movies with potensh:

Pineapple Express (duh!)
Hamlet 2
Tropic Thunder (RDJ, you rule!)

America's Next Top Model

2008-07-23T16:25:00.003-04:00

Looks like our pal Dave B took a break from his day job as a Fader edit staffer to be Joey McIntyre's stand-in for this photo shoot in last week's Time Out NY!

This dude's got legs and he knows how to use em....aaaaaooooow!!

So Long Estelle... a tribute by Holmes

2008-07-22T14:35:00.002-04:00

RIP Estelle Getty

I was 8 or 9 when "The Golden Girls" first arrived on the airwaves. I've always said that I may have been an old black woman in another life, and something about this show just hit a nerve with me in a way that it probably did very, very few other kids my age. I watched it a lot with my elderly great-aunts, who would babysit my brother and I on Saturday nights. Even if I didn't get a lot of the humor, it still made me laugh. Much to the chagrin of my friends, I kept watching "GG" re-runs through college and into adulthood, and I even managed to rope in a few people to slowly come to appreciate the show like I did (one of my buddies created a mock tribute to Bea Arthur on the late Web site PublicNigmity.com which outraged actual Bea Arthur fans online). As Sophia, Getty created one of the most memorable characters in recent TV history: a cantankerous 80-something Italian immigrant who raised so much hell at the nursing home (Shady Pines) that her daughter was forced to bring her back to Miami to live with her and her two roommates. Sophia cooked spaghetti sauce in the middle of the night. She always wore her purse, even when in her nightgown. She prowled for men while the other Girls were away on a Caribbean vacation. She stole daughter Dorothy's credit card and went on a Christmas shopping spree. And she made us laugh, a lot. We'll miss ya, ma! We're also renting "Mannequin" in your honor.

and now an episode of Sophia renting porn:

I Dare You Not To Cry

2008-07-16T17:12:00.001-04:00

Go out and buy Michael Lewis's The Blind Side immediately!

How I Could Just Killa Man!

2008-07-15T15:47:00.004-04:00

And that man might just be Packers GM Ted Thompson.
I am not thinking rationally right now- stay tuned for when I have a clearer picture of what is actually going on. Also, a blow by blow of my Miami antics to come.

Things that make you go Mmmmm...

2008-07-14T19:22:00.002-04:00

There's really nothing more American than gluttony and over the July 4th holiday weekend, the TPB crew got really effing patriotic. I don't know about the other babes but I'm still full from our good ol fashioned Brooklyn food marathon. Here’s a run down of the damage and some recos for our (5) loyal readers:

All-You-Can-Eat Blue Crabs at Clemente’s (Sheepshead Bay)
Thanks to Famous Fat Dave for tippin' us off to this authentic crab shack on the water. Even bigger props to El and Dave Dolgen for treating us to the Old Bay smothered crustaceans with all the fixins. John is probs still eating his leftovers at this very moment. Seriously, Jack please tell your ma and pa that they are the real deal!

Banana Splits and Shakes at Hinsch’s (Bay Ridge)
We were the only people in this old timey soda shop under the age of 80. (I overheard one grandma ordering shrimp salad and a coffee, she may have been on oxygen. But don't get me wrong, I love old people.) As we all sidled up to the counter, we knew it was a “go big or go home” sitch. Dane and I took down an ice cream explosion called the Banana Deluxe or something awesome like that - picture a dessert that Jughead of Archie comic book fame would order at Pop Tate’s.

Enchiladas and Margs at Alma (Red Hook)
Why is this the 1st time I’ve been to this spot? The margs were delish, the view of the city at sunset was even better. You can even spy the back of the Governor’s Island! I was so inspired by the vistas that I almost proposed to WiscoD.

Corn, Cuban Sandwiches and Frojitos at Habana Outpost (Ft Greene)
This place is a no brainer, especially after a fun little trip to the Brooklyn Flea (where we had an appetizer of zucchini papusas, woot!) I've yet to ride the smoothie blending stationary bike but after hearing that it's reserved only for non-alcoholic drinks, I'm kinda over it. One thing I'm not over: the amazing summertime social calendar which included a screening of Scarface and a party called "Jheri Curl Jams," no lie. I might need to go back for that one.

Believe it or not, we consumed all of these meals within one 24 hour period with little to no heartburn or pants splitting reported. And you can too! Now get out there and eat your face off!!
Burrrp!

New weekly segment

2008-07-09T15:09:00.003-04:00

I'm implementing a new weekly segment for the enjoyment of our readers titled "Favorite South Park Moments"

It's pretty self-explanatory what it will be about, so hopefully you, our faithful reader, enjoy the show as much as I do. So in the immortal words of Towlie, "wanna get high?"

This episode may rank up next to "Stan's Mutant Twin" as my all time favorite episode.
You can watch the full one here- www.allsp.com season 5 "Towlie"

Party Wrecker 911

2008-07-07T12:42:00.002-04:00

I've just learned via MSN that there are 5 types of guests who can potentially ruin you summer soirees. Bottom line - avoid inviting me to parties whenever possible. They do provide helpful tips on how to deal with your not so perfect friends so perhaps there is hope afterall...

The Spiller
He's animated, gregarious, and larger than life -- and it's one of the reasons you love him so much.

The MO: Put a drink in his hands and he wreaks mass destruction on the walls, window treatments, and upholstery. It's hilarious when he spills beer on the barstool at your favorite watering hole; it isn't so funny when he's sloshed red wine all over your brand-new sofa.

The Fix: It's summer, so keep the drinks, food, and entertainment al fresco. That way, when The Spiller gears up to tell that story about his drunken fishing trip with the guys, cleanup is just a hose away.

The Clinger
She's your best friend and needs to know she's your #1, but having her taped to your side as you're prepping the eats and trying to greet all your guests is exhausting (not to mention downright annoying).

The MO: No matter how long she's known your friends, she just can't resist being at your side all night long.

The Fix: You indulge her 364 days a year, but the day of your party isn't the time for extreme one-on-one bonding. Take her aside before the party; explain that you've got a lot of guests coming and that you need to be a gracious hostess and spend time with everyone. Ask her to invite another friend she can cling to while you're busy socializing.

The Fish
As in drinks like one. She blended into the scenery during your college days, but she's becoming an endangered species now that most of you are older and a little wiser.

The MO: She doesn't show up at the party ready to get completely hammered -- it just happens. The same way it's been happening for the past eight years.

The Fix: Let's face it: You're hosting a party, not an intervention. As Dr. Phil says, "The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior."So cut down on the late-night drama and ask her to spend the night beforehand. When you see that glazed look come over her, guide her straight into the bedroom to sleep it off.

The Fun Sucker
Otherwise known as "Debbie Downer."After a few minutes of her doomsday stories, your guests will be running to refill their drinks or -- even worse -- for the door.

The MO: Incapable of reading signs of distress and discomfort in others, The Fun Sucker's cloud can darken any room as she extols upon everything from the failing economy to her dysfunctional bowels.

The Fix: Stop her from cornering your guests by keeping the party circulating and the conversation flowing. Make food an event by setting up stations (think pizza or burgers with all the fixings or Southern barbecue with lots of sides). Games of all sorts -- not just athletic ones -- help keep the company and conversation light. If that doesn't work, take your friend aside and ask her to help you prepare dessert or man the grill. Distract her from depressing your guests!

The Vince Chase
You know, the guy with the entourage. He might not be as good-looking as Adrian Grenier, but he's got his very own Turtle, Drama, and E -- and not one of them is a friend of yours.

The MO: He RSVPs for one but always shows up with four or five other dudes. Your bash is just one of the stops on his all-night party circuit.

The Fix: If you want your summer party to be an intimate gathering of very close friends, you might want to think twice about inviting your own Vince Chase. If this is a summer blowout of massive proportions, invite him with the knowledge that he'll have his posse in tow. The more the merrier, right?

When you plan ahead, any party can be a success, no matter who's on the guest list. The most important thing is to allow for your friends' unique personalities and work around them. After all, the point of hosting a summer soiree is to enjoy the company of your nearest and dearest -- with warts and all.

"Live every week like it's Shark Week"

2008-07-07T12:29:00.004-04:00

If you haven't seen any of the new billboards around New York City for this year's upcoming Shark Week on the Discovery Channel, here's one for the scariest show of them all:

MEG: Sunset Shadow Showdown
"Once you see her MAC Sunset Shadow glow...it's too late."

Tune in July 27-Aug.2 for the best tv watching week of your life. If you don't get the book reference made above, you can read all about it here.

I tried to find that classic clip of the Tracy Morgan/ 30 Rock quote, but NBC's iron fist has apparently taken it down.

Tracy: But I want you to know something... You and me, it's not gonna be a one-way street. 'Cause I don't believe in one-way streets. Not between people, and not while I'm driving.
Kenneth: Oh, OK.
Tracy: So, here's some advice I wish I woulda got when I was your age: Live every week like it's Shark Week.

followed by another namecheck in a different episode-
Kenneth: Didn't you tell me to live every week like it's Shark Week? And that nothing's impossible except dinosaurs?

Just Copy and Paste

2008-07-02T17:18:00.002-04:00

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when your IM is annoying you- let the finger fly.
thanks Frank (via Ben at Secretly Canadian)! (although if the intention for this was not of the friendly sorts, then f**k you too!)

Looks who's back!

2008-07-02T00:30:00.011-04:00

Peaches. Corn. Rooftops. Baseball. S/S Friends Canvas Shorts. Totes Probs Babes.
After quite a long blog sabbatical, we are totes back in season! Just in time for Summah fun!

On the ol 08 To Do List:

1. The Return to 12 Seneca: New characters, new hot tub cover, new plot twists, new kegerator, same Tan Dan.
Don't miss the 2nd annual FI Field Day, winners get free tribal tattoos and a case of Coffee Patron!

2. Tubing + Camping: We join forces with the boys of the NY Surf Club to float down a river while recording a collaborative reggae jam and balancing plates on our heads. Celebrity Circus, eat your heart out.

3. Outdoor Concerts: Spoon. Sonic Youth. MGMT. Black Lips. Spoiler alert - you do NOT want to see Bob Dylan at Prospect Park. Trust me, juuuust trust me.

4. Red Hook Food Coma: I want my papusa, corn, mango, chocolate dipped frozen key lime pie on a stick, Swedish meatball, cupcakes and drinks on the roof on Rocky Sullivan's. And then lets go get some dinner 'round there, k?

5. El and Al Shaps in NYC: Best. Karaoke. Duet. Ever.

6. I Love Money on VH1: Holy shit, the Best Week Ever, Joel McHale and bloggers around the world are wetting themselves over this insanely genius show. I seriously hope Heather and Midget Mac hook up.

7. Governor's Island: Did you know they have free bikes over there? Boat me on over to see dem waterfalls!

8. The Dark Knight: Heath, I miss you. Christian, I love you. Batman series, I worship you. (But how will you hold up against my adoration for Ironman??!!)

9. Aunthood: I will spoil those kids rotten and teach them how to chomp, make 7 layer dip and mix cocktails.

10. The Olympics: If there is one thing I love, its good ol fashion American domination and bawling my eyes out over those damn athletes overcoming obstacles stories.

Rounding it all out: Jack's annual 3rd of July Cookout, Wet Hot American Summer @ McCarren Pool July 8, Wolf Parade @ T5 July 30 + 31, Walking with the Dinosaurs @ MSG on Aug 3, margs, chips, salsa, rinse, repeat...who's comin with me?

Rach's Bday Party Flyer

2008-01-24T15:15:00.001-05:00

St. Favre

2008-01-15T23:21:00.000-05:00

Could this pull at your heartstrings anymore? I'm weeping.

I've Quite Enjoyed The Latter Half of 2007

2007-12-17T17:37:00.000-05:00

ALL HAIL KING FAVRE!!!!

I'd like to go ahead and personally give the Green Bay Packers a shout out for making the 2nd half of 2007 such a great experience. It's been a long time since our team has been this dominant in the NFC and for the most part, the AFC,and it feels so good and natural for us to be in this position. I love my team, always have, so seeing them back at the top really lifts my spirits despite what has been a pretty rough year for me (paging Emo Erickson).

And so onwards and upwards for my team- I predict the Superbowl, but as a diehard Packer fan, I shall remain pessimistic for the sake of superstitions. However, I'm pretty sure Jessica "tits" Simpson will be the downfall of Tony Romo and the hated Cowboys. Big ups to my sister, who scored us sweet seats for the Packers vs Bears game this weekend at Soldier Field. I'm hoping to find my blow up helmet for the occasion, but if not, boob paint will have to do. Stay tuned for pictures.

Before I launch into my Top 10 Albums of the Year and Top 5 live shows, I'd like to remind everyone about Karaoke Caroling this Thursday at 2nd on 2nd around 10:30p.
Rad. Now, onto the roundup:

1.Of Montreal- Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
What a year it has been with this band. If you had asked me that we’d be where we are right now back in Sept 2006, I woulda said “Damn Gina, you crazy!” Basically none of us could have really known the answer, but in our heart of hearts, we all knew what a beast this record could be. And it’s frickin fun as shit!!!
2.Handsome Furs- Plague Park
Blasphemy you say?! Dan before Spencer?? I say yes. Actually I say yes with a killer springsteen meets elvis voice and a bumping drum machine to support it.
3.Sunset Rubdown- Random Spirit Lover
Spencer after Dan? Blasphemy you say?? I say yes. Can’t believe it, I love this disc will all of my heart. Who else can pull off a song called “Trumpet Trumpet Toot Toot” AND be destined to be my future husband? But the one thing that separates this album from #2 is memories. I put on Handsome Furs and I can immediately remember the time period when I first started listening to it. Magical. Both records have stood up quite nicely with the tests of time.
4.Daft Punk- Alive 2007
Dear God, it’s me Dana. Just wanted to give you a shout out for capturing the best concert of ’07 so perfectly. Never has my workout been so fun. Who knew weights could double as glow sticks?
5.Mgmt- Oracular Spectacular
Besides wanting to do naughty things to the lead singer, this debut album has shaken and stirred me with a dash of tart. So much fun from beginning to end. This band is a keeper. Did I mention I want to do naughty things to the lead singer?
6.Ween- La Cucharacha
Hilarity realized. Listen to “Your Party” and try and tell me you didn’t laugh out loud. Also one of my favorite shows of the year. I paid dearly for that night for days after.
7.Port O’Brien - The Wind and The Swell
Nautical imagery? Check. Shout out loud singalongs? Check plus. Next record is even better than this? Shazaaaaam!!!
8.LCD Soundsystem-LCD Soundsystem
"All My Friends". Nuff said.
9.Radiohead- In Rainbows
It's Radiohead. Duh.
10.The Teeth- You’re My Lover Now
I love this band, so why not include their new record. It may not be in constant rotation, but when it is, as MceDee's says, "I'm lovin' it"

Honorable mentions:
Voxtrot, Thurston Moore, Turbo Fruits, Band of Horses

Top 5 Live Shows of the Year:
1. Daft Punk – Keyspan Park- if I had the ability to get a boner, this would be the time to have one.
2. Wolf Parade- Warsaw
3. Ween- Terminal 5
4. Of Montreal- Roseland
5. LCD Soundsystem- Studio B/ Coachella

Stay classy New York City.

Fire Island Mustache Ride

2007-06-14T15:40:00.000-04:00

A legendary Fire Islander once tenderly said...

Another Fire Island weekend gone
And we are back to the grind.
Essential Friends, Memories, and Oils
Always On My Mind.
-Sebastian Gettoit

Here's a brief review of the essential memories that we've been creating out in Ocean Bay Park this summer:

12 Seneca Family Portrait, pictured clockwise from top left : Sinbad, Wendles, Dino, Shaps, Wiscod, Dan the Man (our House Manager and supplier of glow sticks), Barfy, Crashers and Mega

Billy exploits Mere's generosity, forces her to purchase expensive beer and then uses the kegs to pump up his bis, tris and lats to impress jabronettes by the OOL - typical!

Meet the Bikini Brothers, best damn tits on the entire beach! Deer mothers, hide your fawns!

Dropping it like its hot and limbo-ing are very closely related, I think they're first cousins

This just in, straight from the duck phone, WE WON, WE TOOK NEW HAMPSHIRE!

We don't steal bikes, we borrow them...

Linds, you crazy bitch....

...we've been putting knives in our mouths since before you were even born!!

Right after her 6th Red Bull, Mere did 800 sit ups, 400 push ups, got in a fight and sprinted all the way to the Pines to loan her outfit to a friend.

A totes tenderoni moment as we ferry off into the sunset, we miss you Fire Island but we will see ya real soon...xoxoxo

More More More B-day!

2007-05-23T12:12:00.001-04:00

Like a true rock star, Dana (with scuffed chin, warped neck and lingering hangover from the notorious bat mitzvah) couldn't help but continue to rock out on her real b-day yesterday. To celebrate, a group of us gathered in the basement of Izu for what turned out to be a karaoke war with show tunes loving weirdos. Appearances by Hal "I will sing anything put in front of me" Horowitz, Steve "Agro for my Destiny's Child song" Hahnel and even Dave and Paula "We just came from the Shenandoah Valley" Erickson, really added to the evening.
Big b-day ups to Dane for her rousing rendition of Rebel Yell, rivaling her amazing performance of Mother at the X-Mas Karaoke Extravaganza last December. Her vocals were strong, her moves were equally awkward and awesome and her commitment to the snarling punk anthem was beyond admirable! We rewarded her efforts with a b-day present that keeps on giving: a new tattoo (not a another sunshine on her wrist, damn it!!!!) that will help her remember her two little BFs forevs and evs.

HAPPY B-DAY DJ BUTCH, WE LOVE YOU!

Dive for Rocks!

2007-05-23T12:11:00.000-04:00

I try to resist doing anything that Billy says including, but not limited to, diving for rocks and touching electrified gum. But the fans have spoken and TPB must appease! This week TPB celebrated Rachel's awesome new job and Dana's 28th birthday. Both parties were beyond cray cray and I've enjoyed every minute of recapping Rachel and Dana's actions back to them - it is rare that I am in a position of such power! Actions speak louder than words, so here's some pictures of the gang in action.

There is only 1 possible thing going through Rachel's head: "Take my pants off"

The Norwhale mating dance.

The grand entrance.

Is that a Beastie Boy?

Push it real good!

Dr. Dre meets Sparkle Motion.

Jay to the rescue!

Things that make you go... it's 1992!

2007-05-15T18:29:00.000-04:00

Quick recap of Tuesday night's Sam Champion madness. They kicked so much ass. I was beaming like a proud mother for my boys.

Here's my attempt at rock photography...

after their set, a dance circle erupted due in part to the hot beatz being played and Yaps' rollover bachelor party

Last week I took care of a rad dog named Pip, alluded to in Mega's post, well here's a great photo of him that I took at the office. Ain't he a lil'Nugget. And no, he's not a rat, as I heard someone inquiring behind me while I walked him.

Things I'm looking forward to in the next week or so:

1. My frickin bday!!!!! I'm turning 28!
In the past year I have:
started a new job, stopped dying my hair, moved to Brooklyn, maintained my sanity...barely
In the past year, I have not:
stopped partying, stopped loving Wolf Parade and all assorted side projects, found an outlet to take out my love for spencer on(wha wha wha...shut up)

But I have realized I've come a long way from this:
Jamal Tang is rockin the mullet and I don't believe i've dressed girlier before or since this photo- which was taken at her bat mitzvah in '92. We're reliving it this Saturday night at Loreley. Yes, a bat mitzvah at a German Beer Garden. Only a goy like me could be so genius. Thank Moses Jamal is legitimately Jewish...

2. Shreddin' Sunday at Jay's- I may be a little rusty, but at least I know Nick is on the same page as me.

3. Getting a new tattoo. what what! i'd post what i'm getting, but then one of you wannabes would steal it.

4. Seeing Handsome Furs, not once, but twice.... and possibly having may parents come to wednesday's show at the Mercury Lounge. Strange, you think? Not really- my rents took me to my very first concert when I was 7... Bon Jovi at Alpine Valley. Best view in the house, sitting atop my giant father's shoulders in the grass seats... and by grass I mean all the pot smoking hair metal bitches my dad was trying to keep me away from.

5. Karaoke on my real bday... I've been practicing Rebel Yell.. so back off bitches!

New York I Love You, But You're Bringing me Down

2007-05-15T10:36:00.000-04:00

That's pretty much how I felt yesterday for the following reasons:

a. I fell while walking to work. I was rounding the corner from my street onto Houston and slipped on something and went down hard in front of 10 construction workers. Scraped up my whole leg, embarrassed myself, but pretended to be fine. 2 blocks later I stopped and screamed obscenities for a little bit. Great start to the week.

b. The guy at Dunkin' Donuts effed up my coffee order - again.

c. Work drama.

d. Elissa "I like to ruin Monday's for Meredith" Brown took me to a bar where they were doing a poetry reading and we had to whisper while we drank. BS!

But, like the light at the end of a tunnel, LCD Soundsystem turned everything around and ended my night with an amazing set at Webster. I'm almost positive it was the same set they did at Studio B on Saturday but it was only a quarter as hot in there and I could actually see so it seemed like a completely different experience. As soon as All my Friends came on the crowd really started letting loose and the rest of the night was fantastic.

After the show Elissa and I had the best/worst idea ever and decided that one Saturday this summer we are going to have St. Mark's Day. Basically we will spend and entire day just eating and drinking on St. Mark's and see how long it takes us to get from 3rd Ave to Thompkins Square Park. We'll stop for karaoke, perhaps a falafel, margaritas at La Palapa, pick up some goth clothes - it will be genius. If things get too out of hand we figure we can just get a room at the St. Mark's Hotel for the night. Almost forgot, the best part of this plan is that we will first meet at the 11th street flea market where we will all draw one of our friend's names and spend up to $30 on an outfit for them to wear during our St. Mark's adventure. I really hope I draw Balint's name. Robots are fun.

Adventures in Brooklyn and Beyond

2007-05-14T14:22:00.000-04:00

I went into this past weekend with extremely high expectations and was not disappointed in the least. As most of you know I am currently OBSESSED with LCD Soundsystem and have been looking forward to Saturday's Studio B show since I bought the tickets back in February. James Murphy is totes my hero and has taught me that I am unusually good at rave dancing with glow sticks. So good in fact that some of my friends are scared. The same friends who go to Burning Man and wore light up outfits to the show on Saturday. I'm just going to take their fear as a compliment. The show was fantastic from start to finish (they even played Someone Great!)and my only complaint was that it was hotter than the dance tent during mid-afternoon at Coachella up in Studio B. I poured my own drink over my head at one point to cool off. Eventually I just gave into the heat and continued to dance until the very end. Then I snagged somebody else's car to get home and will probably have bad taxi karma for years to come.

Other highlights of the weekend:

Rachel telling the guy at Rosarios it was ok to give us cold pizza since we were holding up the line.

Talking about Norwhales.

Park "whoring"

Blowing skank whistles

Pip.

Eating our way through Red Hook - chocolate covered key lime pie on a stick, mounds of Mexican goodness, corn, lemonade, mango, etc.

Watching Billy drop his cell phone down a sewer grate in front of the Lodge only to have the Mexican Macguyver and half of the bar come to his rescue and successfully return his phone to him. The entire place clapped when this happened. Sidenote, while sent on a mission to get duct tape to save said phone, Billy also returned with trick gum that shocked you. Amazing.

Niki and Elissa's costumes.

Jack's B-day BBQ. Sure I'll eat a chicken sandwich to wash down my hotdog. Yum!

Don't Call it a Comeback....

2007-05-03T14:27:00.000-04:00

Cause we never really left. We just stopped writing about all of the important and amazing things we had been doing. Watch out because all of that is about to change! Between the summer concerts, music festivals, Fire Island adventures, and encased meat consumption at various BBQs this summer it is going to be hard to get us to shut up. Smile, you love us!

Coachella 2007: The Quest for Baja Fresh is Completed

2007-05-03T11:41:00.000-04:00

We also were hired as playpen models while in LA for 5 minutes. Bikini bitches on a bouncey castle is our next gig.

Del's favorite musical happenings in 2006

2006-12-25T11:30:00.000-05:00

It was a solid year for music and I've decided to make a list of my top 20. Here it goes:

20. Sonic Youth- Rather Ripped
19. Beck- The Information
18. Yo La Tengo- I'm Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass
17. The Coup- Pick A Bigger Weapon
16. Man Man- Six Demon Bag
15. Beirut- Gulag Orchestra
14. Destroyer- Destroyer's Rubies
13. Tapes 'N Tapes- The Loon
12. Liars- Drums Not Dead
11. Joanna Newsom- Ys
10. The Decemberists- The Crane Wife
9. Gnarls Barkley- St. Elsewhere
8. Sunset Rubdown- Shut Up I Am Dreaming
7. Thom Yorke- The Eraser
6. Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Show Your Bones
5. Lily Allen- Alright, Still
4. Cat Power- The Greatest
3. The Raconteurs- Broken Boy Soldier
2. The Knife- Silent Shout
1. TV on the Radio- Return to Cookie Mountain

Now for my fave songs of the year (in no particular order with the exception of TV on the Radio's "Wolf Like Me" which is easily the greatest single that came out in 2006)

"Crazy"- Gnarls Barkley
"Knock 'Em Out"- Lily Allen
"The Greatest"- Cat Power
"Roscoe"- Midlake
"Blue Veins"- The Raconteurs
"We Used to Vacation"- Cold War Kids
"And I Was A Boy From School"- Hot Chip
"Be Mine Everyone"- Sam Champion
"Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken"- Camera Obscura
"Ridin'"- Chamillionaire
"Summersong"- The Decemberists
"Sad Sad City"- Ghostland Observatory
"Get Myself Into It"- The Rapture
"Wolf Like Me"- TV on the Radio
"I DOn't Feel Like Dancin'"- Scissor Sisters
"We Are the Ones"- The Coup
"English Bwudd"- Man Man
"Cellphone's Dead"- Beck
"Dani california"- Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Silent SHout"- The Knife
"European Oils"- Destroyer
"Young Folks"- Peter, Bjorn and John
"In the Morning"- Jumior Boys
"Smiley Faces"- Gnarls Barkely
"Insistor"- Tapes 'N Tapes
"Black Swan"- Thom Yorke
"Pull Shapes"- The Pipettes
"Hospital Beds"- Cold War Kids
"Yours To Keep"- The Teddybears
"Gold Lion"- Yeah yeah yeahs
"Fake Tales of San Francisco"- The Arctic Monkeys
"Totes Probs Maybs Theme Song"- Jack Dolgen
"Steady As She Goes"- The Raconteurs
"Massive Nights"- The Hold Steady
"The Funeral"- Band of Horses
"Pushover"- The Long Winters
"Smile"- Lily Allen
"You Eyes Are Liars"- Sound Team
"Sexy Back"- Justin Timberlake
"Like A Pen"- The Knife
"Ain't No Other Man"- Christina Aguillera
"Multiply"- Jamie Lidell
"Wildcat"- Ratatat
"Another One Goes By"- The Walkmen
"Star Witness"- Neko Case
"They Took A Vote and said No"- Sunset Rubdown
"Mr. Tough"- Yo La Tengo
"Winter Tour"- Britta Persson
"Incinerate"- Sonic Youth"
"Let's make Love and Listen Death From Above"- CSS
"Joker and the Thief"- Wolfmother
"Good Weekend"- Art Brut
"Goin' Against Your Mind"- Built to Spill
"The Book I Write"- Spoon

My Top Ten of 2006

2006-12-14T17:45:00.000-05:00

What a year it has been for music! My second post for the fall has to do with what albums really carried me through 2006. I also recently discovered flickr photo searches. hours of stalking entertainment. Here's an abridged version of what ruled my world. Hopefully i'll be able to muster up the time to explain my choices. Stay tuned for Mega and Shaps' lists.
xo wiscod

1. Sunset Rubdown—Shut Up I’m Dreaming of Places Where Lovers Have Wings

2. Swan Lake—Beast Moans

3. TV on the Radio—Return to Cookie Mountain
4. The Hold Steady- Boys and Girls in America
5. Band of Horses- Everything All The Time
6. Grizzly Bear- Yellow House
7. The Big Sleep- Son of the Tiger
8. The Thermals- The Body, The Blood, The Machine
9. Ferraby Lionheart- s/t ep
10. Final Fantasy- He Poos Clouds

When The Going Gets Tough...

2006-12-05T19:03:00.000-05:00

Wiscod decides to keep blogging.

So i've decided to try and keep Totes Probs Maybs alive, even if Probs...Maybs.... aren't involved. We'll figure something out. But I was thinking... where else am I going to be able bore you with the details of my Danzig kick? Certainly not face to face! So without further ado... I give you this:

Enjoy!

We Ain't Dead!

2006-10-10T18:48:00.000-04:00

OUR MAIN MAN FERRABY LIONHEART IS ON THE BILL. PLEASE COME CHECK HIM OUT!

DJ DEL ON THE MIX

FRI, NOV 3rd STUDIO B IN BILLYBURG

The show, which will be at Studio B in Brooklyn, will also feature live sets from Birdmonster, Ra Ra Riot, Sam Champion, Echo Station, plus a few more surprise guests.
Tickets are a super-cheap $10! All the bands will be playing full sets. And we got one or two surprises up our sleeves.

Here's the link to buy tickets:
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=72532

Hanging On By A Weak Thread

2006-09-28T13:34:00.000-04:00

Shit I'm tired. I'm in the middle of a marathon week- seeing 7 shows in 6 nights- and my weak psyche can't handle much more. So far since Sunday, I've seen two sunset rubdown shows, met the man himself - - my only memory is of him saying "mumble mumble Dana" - - bounced between Of Montreal and Grizzly Bear - - made an ass out of myself in front of Owen from Final Fantasy - - and kicking it with The Big Sleep at Spiegel Tent last night.

Highlight from that show? My favorite cast members from Guiding Light were there... inexplicably. But what do I care- it was rad! turns out the dude Jonathan on the show really dates his tv girlfriend, and his nemesis (with whom he is having a baby with) is their real friend! Acting! Rules!

Tonight the Icy Hots will rule the school and hopefully win our first soccer game this season. Kevers is taking my sweaty ass to Mobius Band after at the Merc.

Tomorrow is The Long Winters!!!!

BTW my rival for Spencer and I made amends and decided upon this:

Dukes Up!

2006-09-25T15:38:00.000-04:00

So yeah, as you've noticed, we at TPM have barely been able to post for the last week or so. Del and Rach were at ACL and then had to assimilate back into their normal, non-festival-going lives. Mad props to them for holding up the phone during Wolf Parade’s set for me. It’s almost as if I were actually there…

I had a massively successful album release and show for The Big Sleep this past Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks to everyone who came out and supported them- the show was so much fun!

And Mega is chilling with her mom in Italy, probs drinking boatloads of vino and massive quantities of pasta. Damn her!

Now, before I throw myself back into my life's work, I wanted to point out that there is someone out there who is willing to fight me for the president of the Spencer Krug fanclub.

Last week- this photo was in my email inbox:

and I countered it with this:

We shall see what happens tonight when both me and my adversary are in the same room with the man himself. CK1 (kate) and I were at the show last night and I’m still on a high from it. How can one band be so immeasurably talented? Spencer was in an amazing mood, cracking jokes and interacting with the rambunctious crowd. His new moustache is a thing of beauty… well maybe only to me. Someone in the crowd yelled out “You look like Magnum P.I.!” and when he put on his sweat-head band, he claimed he was The Karate Kid Magnum P.I.”

Oh that guy. He can do no wrong.

I’m pretty sure they played almost every song off of “Shut Up I’m Dreaming Of Places Where Lovers Have Wings”, plus a new one, as well as Winged/Wicked Things, and an updated Three Colours.

Anyways, hope you are coming tonight, or else you’ll be missing out BIG TIME.

Moments Like Deez

2006-09-14T18:44:00.000-04:00

Whoooooo Wheeee! What a day at the office I've had. It's been non-stop and I don't really forsee a break for awhile. But that's ok, I can't complain. Although I should point out that I offered a certain Holmes my first child if he'd help me out on a review.

Anyways, it's 6:40p and I'm taking a brief break, before I pound out somemore work and then head for the soccer field to avenge our last Icy Hot losses.

What am i going to do to relax you ask? well I'm glad you did.
1. I'm going to unwind to music that I love. Right now: Ferraby Lionheart, Eagle Seagull, Swan Lake (well only what has leaked), WP, Beirut, Destroyer, Ween... pretty much nothing has changed in my rotation of tunes for the past couple weeks.
Check out the new Eagle*Seagull video for Photograph. Yaps anyone?

2. Search Crateandbarrel.com for things to go in my new apt in Brooklyn with CK1 (Kate!)
Who wants to be the Jack to our Janet and Chrissy? Wait, please say I'm not Janet.

3. Fantasize about the weekend. Free Love as Laughter show AND bday parties for Sono Oto and 3xWes!

4. Check up on how my favorite panda, Tai Shan is doing at DC's National Zoo with Panda Cam.

5. Shooting angry thoughts at Rach and Del for going to ACL without me. How i'm going to make it through tomorrow's Wolf Parade set by phone... I do not know.

So What If I Like To Embed Things

2006-09-12T16:43:00.000-04:00

How sweet is this Ferraby Lionheart video???? So what if i'm using this blog as a vehicle to push artists I work with? Tell me this music isn't melting your heart. F y'all haters!

New Music Fridays

2006-09-08T17:46:00.000-04:00

Chrashers loves White Flight. Wiscod loves White Flight. Readers of TPM... will love White Flight. Watch all four of his videos here to figure out why.

Last night Chrashers told me that he often finds new music through his fave bands myspace top 8's. And so since Chrashers loves White Flight, he came upon his new love... Black Nasty. Listen to this Witchita, KS masterpiece and hear why this band, with songs like "Gimme Your Butt" and "Jheri Curl", is poised to become the next big thing. Check them out at http://myspace.com/blacknasty.

I LOVE YOU, MAN!

2006-09-07T14:14:00.000-04:00

Still can't get over how sweet this pic is. Who knew Mike Myers was a Joanna Newsom fan? Now you know. Anyway, I finally have replaced my camera and will have some great pics up of the Blender VMA afterparty which was totes fun and of some random photes from the last few weeks.

Here's an artist's rendering of the locked down Not So Lil Kim

Don't forget to purchase your tickets to see the Knife at Webster Hall on November 1. Get em here.

Cee-Lo performing at Tao at the Blender after party

Our pal Jason with someone who isn't Cee-Lo Green

Mr. Productshop admitting defeat after an awesome breakdance-off

Now That's What I Call A Video!

2006-09-06T13:55:00.000-04:00

Check out the new video for Band of Horses "The Great Salt Lake" featuring my boys from Seattle. All my friends are there- makes me miss that town so bad. If you watch the sidelines closely you can see 'Ja!

Meh.

2006-08-31T12:02:00.000-04:00

Meh. Not what I had envisioned (nor did Shaps) for this video. Oh well. Where's Spencer and Dan?

Farewell to Summer

2006-08-30T15:54:00.000-04:00

Summer is officially over - Pumpkin Spiced Lattes are back on the menu at Starbucks! It is only a matter of days before the streets of Manhattan are overrun with tiny girls wearing huge uggs and oversized scarves. Minus that incredibly annoying vision, I really enjoy fall in NYC. The leaves change, football season starts, CMJ rolls through , Halloween costume brainstorming begins, TV programming gets better, and I can begin the search for the perfect boots! I hope that everyone has a great Labor Day weekend and I'll leave you with a few songs (and photos) that TPM hopes will get you in the mood for fall.

Mere: Yo La Tengo "Autumn Sweater"
Dana: DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince "Nightmare on my Street"
Shaps: High Five and the Giggles "I Ate Butternut Squash Soup for Lunch"
Del: Tom Petty "Into the Great Wide Open"

Hi Fi 2nite

2006-08-30T12:12:00.000-04:00

Hope to see you fools there. Rumor has it that Sonya is bringing her tv and nintendo for a little Dr. Mario action for prizes. You'll also have a chance to kick Danny's ass at pool and school Gabe at Ms. Pac-Man.

Who else is totally not feeling this weather? I feel like I should be cast in the remake of Singles, with my current woe-is-me attitude, accented by a constant umbrella. Whoa! That would be so rad- Singles 2: Yep, I'm Still Single (and Miserable, But I Sure Do Listen To Good Music).

Congratulations!

2006-08-28T11:33:00.001-04:00

Just wanted to give a shout out to my BFF and her boo on their engagement - Congrats Stacie and Paul! You make an amazing couple and I wish you all the best in life, love, music and beer pong. Watch out for them in an upcoming issue of Blender Magazine - their band, High Five and the Giggles, is more or less the next Mates of State but with more primal screams and hard riffs.

The evil empire of beer pong

Shaps and I trying to distract the other team.

Never Have I Ever... Been More Proud

2006-08-25T11:46:00.000-04:00

Milwaukee is named 'Drunkest City'

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee has been ranked by Forbes.com as "America's Drunkest City" on a list of 35 major metropolitan areas ranked for their drinking habits. Forbes said Tuesday it used numbers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to rank cities in five areas: state laws, number of drinkers, number of heavy drinkers, number of binge drinkers and alcoholism.
Minneapolis-St. Paul was ranked second overall; followed by Columbus, Ohio; Boston; Austin, Texas; Chicago; Cleveland; Pittsburgh and then Philadelphia and Providence, R.I., in a tie for ninth.

Rick DeMeyer, 28, said Wednesday as he was celebrating his birthday at G-Daddy's BBC he could understand Milwaukee's ranking. "I have had people stay with me from London and Chicago, and they can't get over how much we drink," he said. "I guess we do."

But officials at Visit Milwaukee, the area's convention and visitors bureau, contend that the city has come a long way in ridding itself of its beer-guzzling image.

Milwaukeeans have plenty of other ways to entertain themselves without drinking alcohol, said Dave Fantle, a spokesman for the group. He noted a new convention center and baseball park had been built and the Milwaukee Art Museum expanded in recent years.

"We've gone from Brew City to new city," he said.
(from yahoo via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

to read the Forbes article- click on dis

What Music I've Been Listening The Shit Out Of Lately

2006-08-17T16:26:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the lack of posts this week, but it seems like we all are actually working. I have to get back to doing my thang, but I thought I'd share with you the music i'm currently obsessing over.

1. Eagle*Seagull. Thanks Senior Beacheroos for passing on the info that this band is the midwestern equivalent of Wolf Parade. I obviously took notice and now can't turn them off, but only for...
2. Beirut. Totally went to McCarren Park this weekend armed to hate, and came out making love not war. This kids voice is to die for and the eastern european backing music makes me swoon.
3. Swan Lake. Yeah I only have one song- "All Fires"- but it's still on repeat!
4. Ferraby Lionheart. Chrashers and Kevers tipped me off to this LA singer/songwriter, which normally I'd shrug off, but upon listening to his myspace site music and having a chat with him on the phone... he won me over instantly. He's just as mellow and thoughtful as his tunes.
5. Ween. Baby Bitch is incredible. Chocolate & Cheese in general is awesome both as a record and in my stomach... with emphasis on the cheese.
6. Wolf Parade. Found some new-old gems like "Killing Armies" and "Secret Knives" and some live shit I can't get enough of. Hello, I love this band. Bring on the Runner/Fancy Claps remixes bitches!
7. Modest Mouse "Edit the Sad Parts"- best Mouse song ever written. period.

ok back to work.

Dis and Dat again

2006-08-11T17:08:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday everyone!

I don't really have much to say, so I thought it was time for a Dis and Dat post.

First thing to call to your attention is this new video by Aziz. I was in the office when he was shooting his segments, but I was totally clueless as to what was going on. (my office is with the Beggars/Matador peeps). Holla back Tapes 'n Tapes!

Second thing to call to your attention- Time Warner Cable sucks. I took a half day at work today and all they did was screw up my order.

Third and most important- and we will remind you on Monday- is to tune into Sirius Blog Radio on Monday night- our very own Del will be co-hosting with Productshop NYC's Wes, as well as the best band in NYC- The Big Sleep. Since I'm their able-bodied publicist, I'll be attending, but I'm more going in hopes of getting a shoutout!

and finally, from Chrashers camera comes my favorite sequence of photos from our weekend in Chicago. Wiscod and Del trying to order up some Mexican at 3a.

Lolla recap Day 1: Probably my favorite animal in the world

2006-08-09T19:22:00.000-04:00

Some dude actually tattooed a Liger on his leg. Fantastic!

Palooza was a blast. Its hard to believe that the last time I attended this festival was in 1994 and Nirvana was supposed to be the headliner. A lot of things have happened since then, in fact I'm pretty sure there was no such thing as internet porn or even text messages. I mean, how would you be able to find your friends back then?

I escaped the New York heat for the slightly less oppressive Chicago heat. Don't get me started on the Miami Heat (I hate those guys). Got to Grant Park around 2ish and caught the tail end of the Eels set who were rockin' the house. They covered Peaches "Rock Show" and even did Tom Waits "Jesus Gonna Be Here". Next up I headed over to the Kidzapalooza stage where I saw the Blisters who are made up of four kids roughly aged 9-11 and two of them were Jeff Tweedy's kids. He was standing by like the proud papa that he is and they proved to be one of the highlights of my weekend. While none of them were virtuosos on their instruments, their covers of "Blizkrieg Bop," "She Don't Use Jelly," "Rockin' in the Free World," "Sweet Home Alabama" were more than enough to keep the crowd satisfied.

Heres lil Tweedy:

Caught some of the Editors and some of Ryan Adams, neither of which impressed me all that much and then caught the awesomeness of the Secret Machines who proved the even in the daytime and without their spectacular light show that these guys do not fuck around. By the time they finished the crowd at the AT&T stage was totes crowded to see Jacky White and the Raconteurs. Even though it seemed like we were miles away, they were great. Songs like "Level" and "Steady As She Goes" had the crowd really into it and their covers of Bowie and Nancy Sinatra seemed spot on. I left before the end of their set in order to catch a bit of My Morning Jacket and to get a spot for Sleater Kinney. After the seemingly endless trek we made it to catch a few songs of each. The Jacket sounded perfect like they always do and I was annoyed that I was forced to choose between them and the Raconteurs. I only chose the latter because I had just seen MMJ opening for Pearl Jam about a montha go. I still got to see their last three songs and was really glad that I did. However, this did mean I missed the Raconteurs covering Gnarls Barkleys summer jam "Crazy." By the way, it was one of three covers of this tune heard this weekend (the others were by Mates of State and Kanye West for anyone whos keeping score). By this time Grant Park was a total zoo. About 8:15 I made my trek back to the other side of the park yet again in order to catch my boys in Ween. These guys never disappoint and I honestly just feel sorry for anyone who were on the other side of the park watching the mediocrity that is Death Cab For Cutie. Ween was only given an hour and a half which is normally half of the time that they usually play, but it was more than enough time to absolutely kill it. They played stuff from all throughout their career and like always I screamed myself hoarse during "Doctor Rock" and "You Fucked Up." They won over some new fans including our own WiscoD. It was a great way to start of the festivities and we still had a lot more music and partying to go ahead of us.

Do I Smell A Reunion?

2006-08-09T18:54:00.000-04:00

First Os Mutantes did it... now two members from the only pop group you cared about from the mid-nineties have reunited. It's only a matter of time that Zack Attack is in full form! Til then, here are the leads embracing for Details Magazine.

(news tip care of Dr. Stevie von White Pants)

Lollapa-hotasballz-looza

2006-08-07T12:09:00.000-04:00

It's Monday morning and I'm sitting at my parent's computer in Milwaukee... overtired and a little dazed from my weekend in Chicago. I arrived in the Windy City on Thursday afternoon to kick off what would be a weekend of nothing but music... well almost. Chrashers and I made it to The Abbey to watch Cold War Kids and Mates of State for the Lolla kick off party. I had a great time, seen both bands before, so it was more of a concert primer for me.

Then I made it to two of the three days of Lolla. My old and weary bones couldn't hang for Sunday, so instead my parents drove down for lunch and a quick shopping spree before whisking me up to Wisco for some much needed chill time with my dogs.

I'm not going to go into a Lolla recap, since del will have a detailed report for you soon. But I will give you my top 5 from Fri and Sat.

1. Ween. Yeah I said it... can't believe I've never seen them before and I hope to see them again. The fireworks show behind the stage really put the cherry on top of lyrics like "baby bitch. fuck you, you stinking ass whore." Plus the crowd loved them, with lots of crowd surfing and unison fist pumps... and we all know how I feel about that!
2. The Raconteurs. Jack White can really get the masses moving, plus their bassist is a site to behold. Oh and Brenden Benson kinda resembles Orlando Bloom.
3. Thievery Corporation. I danced my already missing ass off.
4. The Blisters. Jeff Tweedy's sons' band. They had more talent than a lot of the bands at the fest and they are only tweens (cough Panic! At The Disco...cough)!
5. Secret Machines. I will forever love this band.

There were a ton of bands that I missed that may have made it on this list, but I ain't no clone!

Least favorite band:
Panic! at the Disco- are you kidding me with the Karma Police cover? I'm still seething. I hate this boy band and their lame costumes and theatrics.

Consumed:
1 italian sausage
2 hamburgers
1 bratwurst
8,000 beers

And best band to play Chicago while I'm there:
Wolf Parade! on my way back to see them in a few! Speaking of Spencer "Wiscod's man" Krug- peeps like Gorilla vs Bear and Brooklyn Vegan have been posting Swan Lake's new song "All Fires" while i've been away. And though i have already listened to it on repeat 20 times, and my mom even admitted to liking it, asking "is this indie rock?", I'm sure some of you will have your own (wrong) opinions.

2006-08-02T12:43:00.000-04:00

Speaking of all things music, my mom just IMed me this:

Mom: Dana is there a group--Indie Rock?

(I'm dying laughing right now)

Y'all Want to Party with Me?

2006-08-02T11:56:00.000-04:00

For anyone who will be heading down to Chicago for Lollapalooza I'm throwing some parties. Come have a drink with me :)

BMF Media Group is turning Lollapalooza weekend upside-down with the ck one Music Lounge @ Hard Rock Hotel Chicago during Lollapalooza 2006. 3 days and 3 nights of VIP/Invite only events. Join us in the lounge during the day for food, free drinks, live tattoo inking, internet, video games, special guest DJs, gifting, press and more....plus each night:

Friday --> ck one Music Lounge Opening night kick-off party with special live performance with buzz band Mute Math
Saturday --> Kanye West Presents The Official G.O.O.D. Music Afterparty and special performance by Sa-Ra
Sunday --> Metromix.com Wrap Event featuring a special DJ set by Pete Wentz of Chicago's Fall Out Boy

Feel free to pass this invite to a friend and let us know if you have any questions. RSVP at www.ckonemusiclounge.com for all-access credentials to all day and night events. Or alternatively, you can RSVP to the respective night party you wish to attend at the RSVP emails below.

Friday - mutemath@bmfmedia.com
Saturday- goodmusic@bmfmedia.com
Sunday- metromix@bmfmedia.com

Dis and Dat

2006-08-01T13:13:00.000-04:00

We've obviously been terrible about posting this week.
I moved into my new apartment in Carroll Gardens, Crashers moved in with me and I've had work things to do up the wazoo!

So I've decided to give you some small little nuggets for your day like-

I hate these shoes:

(hatred courtesy of Stevie White Pants)

I'm no longer abbreviating due to this article:

this blog is now called Totally...Probably...Mabelly

and that's it for today. more Dis and Dat to come eventually.

Overheard in New York

2006-07-27T10:21:00.000-04:00

No Malice Palace Bathroom 12:30 a.m.

drunk girl on cell phone: (slurring) Why do you think I'm ugly?

annoyed guy: What? I can't hear you.

drunk girl: Oh, you can't? Why did you hook up with that skank ass bitch?

Gotta love that place!

Least surprising news since George Michael came out of the closet

2006-07-26T12:02:00.000-04:00

Really looking forward to that new Odd Couple-type show with Bass and Fatone. How long before he comes out?

In unrelated news I was reminded of a great song from the Victoria Williams tribute Sweet Relief from several years back (thanks Merida!). The big tune off of this was Pearl Jam's cover of Crazy Mary, but another great one was Evan Dando doing Frying Pan. Check it out.

Evan Dando- Frying Pan

Also, a friend just sent me this link of Stevie Wonder on Sesame Street.
Click here.

Celebrity Sighting on Wooster Street!

2006-07-25T15:36:00.000-04:00

You never know who you might run into in this town. As luck would have it, I ran into this D-lister on Friday night at the Wooster White Party:

Give it up for Gay-Fed and friends!

Gay-Fed shows off some boy band ass.

Gay-fed with his band.

Some other, much cooler people, who attended the soiree.

Bands Wiscod Wants To Blow This Week

2006-07-24T15:45:00.000-04:00

Actually I don't.
But I do love this band.

Introducing Awesome Color.

They are on Thurston Moore's label Ecstatic Peace and I can't stop playing Ridin'.

Listen to their tunage here (myspace page) or here (official website)

Tonight's game night has been postponed due to our favorite weatherman-turned-rock band playing at Bowery Ballroom. Sam Champion is on at 9p- this is defs one of your last chances to see them before they blow up.... so you can say "I saw them when..." of course I get to say that from like over two years ago- so try and top that bitches.

This past weekend I spent trying to nurse myself back to health by taking it easy and camping out with Jamal and Mya in Park Slope, and i'd like to think I did a pretty good job. I saw both The Devil Wears Prada and Pirates of the Orlando Depp hotness. Both were really great, I especially loved the crustacean pirates- they were so cool looking!

Though the best movie quote comes from the tv rerun of She's All That:
"Check out the bobos on superfreak!"

Piznarty

2006-07-20T15:36:00.000-04:00

Make sure to come by DJ Del's Fontana's gig tonight starting at 10:30p! I'm sick as a dog and I'm still gonna make it. Dedi-muthaf-ing-cation.

Last week we saw celebrity drop-ins from Band of Horses and Sam Champion, as well as an Andrew WK look-alike.

flyer courtesy of Jeff, aka "this guy":

A cat that looks like Hitler

2006-07-17T16:17:00.000-04:00

I've been putting off talking to my new roomate about not wanting a cat in our apartment. He wants one, I don't. I'm just not a cat fan, its just that simple. Don't want to deal with the mess, smell or overall attitude- sue me. I will speak to him today, it's fine.

Joke of the Day

2006-07-17T15:45:00.000-04:00

What do Brooklyn and pantyhose have in common?

FLATBUSH!

(joke courtesy of Ackerman... who really really emphasized the "bush" part by raising his voice by 8 octaves)

Jack Shears' crotch- from Siren this weekend.... as seen on Holmes's Billboard's blog. It's my photo.

It's Facemelt Thursday!

2006-07-13T12:39:00.000-04:00

"We wanted to post an amazing mp3 that would garner unending praise form the music blog community...but we couldn't find one so here's a picture of WiscoD's boobs" - Neil

Not this time folks... (although all the pictures from Jamal's wedding focus on those bad boys- coulda posted at least one of those...)

Del has alerted me to the fact that there's a wee chance we'd be getting some more blog traffic today due to our mention on todays' Gorilla vs Bear. Thanks Chris- we owe ya! So I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce our new readers to some kick ass new music. Ladies and gentlemen I bring you The Big Sleep.

New York music lovers already know them, but our fellow out-of-staters and international readers (hi chrashers!) are none the wiser...yet. Signed to Frenchkiss Records, their debut "Son of the Tiger" is coming out Sept. 19th and it's a brand of rocking, heavy, and psychadelic influenced facemelt. Here's just a taste.

Murder mp3

There's a good reason why I decided to stay in last night... it was to prepare for tonight's doozy of an evening!

First I'll be heading over to Williamsburg to catch The Big Sleep play the pre-Siren Insound show at Supreme Trading. Jay Loose will be there raising his fist alongside anyone else who is in the know about good music.

Following the show that includes Professor Murder and Oh No! Oh My!, me and the crew will be heading over to Fontana's for DJ Del's inagural Thursday DJ night! See flyer below... yeah shut up. I'm aware of the grammatical mistakes.

And then if you can tivo it... Band of Horses are on David Letterman tonight!

Game On!

2006-07-13T10:42:00.001-04:00

While Adam was uptown geekily analyzing Simon & Garfinkel lyrics on Monday, a pack of us, um...er, non-geeks were partying hard at the inaugural "TPM & Friends BOARD GAME NIGHT" at Loreley Biergarten! Yes, the gigantic beers and brats were plentiful and the competition fierce, and Team Awesome (comprised of TPM, Jeff and Balint) barely lost to Team Wales (Nell, Wendles, and smarty pants co-workers Clark, BJ & Michelle) in a rowdy round of Trivial Pursuit 20th Anniversary Edition. What we lacked in knowledge of Olympic bobsledders and alien possessed actresses (ahem!), we totes made up for in spirit! We had so much nerdy fun, I declared summer 2006, Summer of the Board Game!

Clark answers the multiple choice question "what's 1 +1 =?" correctly. Phew!

Jeff quietly inches away fromTeam Awesome, but Mere alerts the troops just in time to answer the incorrect number of gears on a unicycle!Team Wales discussing the wonders of the babes of TPM....oh the wonders.

Next week we game again: perhaps Taboo, maybe Balderdash, I'd like to introduce a certain Texan to Uno even! If you're into it, let us know - we'd love ya to join up! We're specifically looking for folks who excel in geography, sports and whatever the hell the yellow category is...

Stay tuned for deets on the where and when for round 2!

We've all come to look for America

2006-07-12T14:29:00.000-04:00

On Monday night I headed uptown to the Beacon Theater to try and catch one of my musical idols, Elvis Costello. He was playing with New Orleans legend, Allen Toussaint and the Crescent City Horns so I knew that the show would be strong to quite strong at the very least. What I was treated to was two and half hours and 33 songs worth of goodness. The majority of their new album The River in Reverse was played and it sounded great. Also, Mr. Toussaint did several new arrangements on older Elvis songs such as "I Don't Want to Go To Chelsea" and "High Fidelity" that had the audience dancing in the aisles. One of the high points of the evening was when they did a version of Paul Simon's "An American Tune" that made me choke up. Elvis said that it should be our new national anthem. I was recalling the show to my friend Jeff who wasn't familiar with the song, although he thought I was talking about the similarly titled Simon and Garfunkel classic "America" and he mentioned that he never understood some of the lyrics in that song, particularly "I'm minty and naked and I don't know why." It was then when I lost my shit. Here are the real lyrics: "Cathy I'm lost I said though I knew she was sleeping. I'm empty and aching and I don't know why."

Paul Simon- American Tune

Simon and Garfunkel- America

2006-07-11T15:24:00.000-04:00

We have a bloody theme song!!!

2006-07-11T13:48:00.001-04:00

I arrived back to New York on Saturday and headed straight to Jack's rooftop party even though I had all my luggage from Dallas with me. There I received a hero's welcome and had whatever drinks were still left (bunch of booze mixed together that resembled a Flaming Moe). After some aborted dance-offs with the neighboring rooftop party we went down to Penthouse C to hear Jack's "Totes Probs Maybs Theme Song". Apparently, Wiscod requisitioned this tune to have a sort of "Puff the Magic Dragon vibe to it" and I think that has been achieved. Jack did a fantastic job. Have a listen.

Totes Probs Maybs Theme Song- Jack Dolgen of Sam Champion(yousend it)

Here's the early buzz on the song, sure to be #1 on the Hype Machine any minute now and a top contender for Song of the Year 2006:

"omf (oh my fuck!)it's the greatest piece of music ever written. fuck bach, fuck beethoven, fuck interpol. Sam Champion is seven degrees hotter than fire."
-Norm Schpeigalman

"Best piece of music EVER!" - Blender Magazine('s Rachel Shapiro)

"Why aren't there any shout-outs for me?" - Adam Mandel

Here's a couple of pics from the first McCarren Park summer show this past Sunday. Did I mention how glad I am to be back here?

Hipster Dodgeball: both better and funnier than the movie

Not actually Will Farrell, but Tim from Les Savy Fav

Mere and someone else being a grouch for a change

Meet My New Boyfriend

2006-07-10T14:27:00.000-04:00

I forgot to add this photo to Mere's 4th-o-July recap, but yours truly got herself a new man that weekend. To Wiscod's rabid male following, I'm sorry, but i'm off the market. Elissa's new family member is defs the hottest commodity in all of Plattsburgh.

Meet Duffy. The boy whole stole my frigid, man weary heart.

Mere Posted Below!!!!

2006-07-07T17:05:00.000-04:00

And if she doesn't.... feel free to leave the consequences in our comments section.

I left my camera in the rental car after our monumental trip to Plattsburgh this weekend, so here's a teaser photo from our stop at a montreal strip club.

Up Up Up the tacky neon stairs we goooooooooo to a land of underage stippers- ho!!!!

The Battle for Plattsburgh

2006-07-06T11:01:00.000-04:00

Better late than never....

Wow - what an amazing 4th of July weekend. Many thanks to the Brown/Larkin clan for making our trip so amazing. If only we could do it all again! But only after I catch up on sleep and my 20+ mosquito bites clear up.

From the very second we left the city last Friday it was easy to see that one of the main theme's of the weekend would be to battle it out to see who could throw down the best jokes and insults. Before we even reached Plattsburgh the battle lines were drawn and the hilarity that ensued would take forever to recap in its entirety. Basically, you learn a lot about your friends while sleeping in an attic, sharing a port-a-potty, eating every meal together, going to strip clubs and playing water sports together for 4 days. Here is the abridged version:

Friday:

After outing B & T to Elissa's family we all settled into our new digs and began happily eating, drinking and playing Dana's weirdo version of trivial pursuit. Eventually it got the best of Balint and he turned in for the night with sneakers on his feet and Paul Van Dyk blaring in his ears. Apparently he finds trance relaxing.

Balint loves Tarik's moves.

Saturday:

Today began much as the rest of our trip would - with Skippy McHappy Pants fidgeting around until someone would agree to run and/or swim with him. Now I fully understand why people enjoy choking him so much. After he successfully got us all up we played a bit of soccer before heading into town to catch the World Cup game. After a delicious dinner we got the bonfire going, shot off some fireworks and roasted marshmallows. The night ended with a kick-ass dance party and Megadeath roaring up in her transam blaring Bad to the Bone. That would be her one and only appearance in Plattsburgh much to the delight of me and everyone else.

Moments before Tarik began bouncing off the walls from his sugar high.

Don't trust this guy.

"I love America!"

Megadeath let's loose.

Sunday:

Blame Canada - for a totes awes day!

A rare daytime photo of Megadeath plotting to kill all of us, plus any french-speaking Canadian...

Classy!

The view out the car window as we pulled into Plattsburgh at dawn.
Monday:

Today was filled with all kinds of water sports adventures. Congrats to Balint and Tarik for learning to water ski and for getting some of the biggest laughs of the day by wiping out so many times. There is nothing funnier than watching people fall. Oh wait, yes there is - watching Tarik try to play trivial pursuit. I'm sure he would be amazing at the San Francisco edition though :)

Trivial Pursuit Champions!

Tuesday:

Farewell Plattsburgh - Until next year!

Moments before Skippy McHappy Pants woke us up - at 8:15 a.m.!

TPM Summer Essentials

2006-06-28T23:38:00.000-04:00

It's 11:30 on Wednesday night which means I'm sitting at my apartment watching Will and Grace and eating Ben and Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Cruch Ice Cream. Usually this doesn't inspire me to think about anything, except maybe that I'm kind of a loser, but tonight it got me thinking about how much I love ice cream which in turn got me thinking about how much I love summer. Thus, the TPM guide to summer essentials was born. These are the things you must do over the next couple of months to ensure you have the best summer ever!

1. Eat as much ice cream as possible - specifically mint chip from Mary's Dairy. It is divine. (Rachel recommends Cones on Bleeker)

2. Take the water taxi to Grimaldis, frolic in DUMBO park, and then stroll back to Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge with the wind in your hair.

3. Drink lots of water (read: beer and margaritas)

4. Go to as many BBQs as possible.

5. Go to the Bohemian Beer Garden in Astoria and head over to Water Taxi Beach in Long Island city just in time for sunset.

6. Go to at least one hot and sweaty music festival - I'm working at Lollapalooza this year so come out and visit me!

7. Get comfortable flip-flops.

8. Hit up some free outdoor shows.

9. Hang out on Jack's roof and have sing-alongs.

10.Dance your ass off at "Fun"-tanas every Thursday, starting July 13th, to the musical stylings of DJ Del.

Here is a preview of what you might see at Fontanas:

Cheers to an awesome summer!

Get 'em to 'palooza

2006-06-28T20:15:00.000-04:00

Vote here for Ra Ra Riot to be added to this years Lollapalooza this summer. If you can't make it then you can check em out at the Knitting Factory on July 8th. They're on early (7 p.m.) so don't miss it.

Top 10 Reasons Why I Love Brewtown USA

2006-06-27T11:34:00.000-04:00

So since Thursday afternoon, I've been chilling in my hometown of Milwaukee, WI for Jamal Tang and HerbyD's wedding. I had a blast- no need to divulge all the details, but I must say it was the best wedding on Earth!!!!!!!!
Anywho, on my flight home yesterday, I started to compile a list of the Top 10 Reasons Why I Love Milwaukee (from this weekend). And here they are:

10. My dogs. They are so frickin old!!!!!! choppy is 17 and yogi is 14. Both wear diapers, but they are still the cutest...even when yogi is dining on his own poo.
9. My family. Only saw them for a few, but it's always a pleasure. Especially that pops o'mine. He's the gentle giant.

8. My girlfriends. As I introduced them at Jamal's wedding, they are my harem of bitches.
7. My guyfriends. Nothing beats seeing one of them getting handcuffed to a stripper pole and getting ridden like a Harley. Nothing beats that except for the bleach I poured into my eyes after witnessing it. See #6.
6. Art's Performing Center. Milwaukee's finest strip club (see #7) is like your drug-addled step-brother who you only see on special occasions... like a bachelor party. Named by Maxim Magazine as Milwaukee's Worst, "No, it’s not a queer modern-dance theater—it’s a dismal topless strip club. One patron summed it up best: 'The girls here look like they’ve been hit in the face by a bag of nickels.'"
5. The food. Yes, most of the weekend was spent eating wedding food, but on Sunday night we went to eat THE BEST PIZZA IN THE WHOLE WORLD. No really, I've eaten pizza everywhere except maybe in Russia, and nothing beats De Marinis! Be warned: do not go to Mama De Marinis down the street... or else you shall feel the wrath of my grandpa.
4. Polish Fest. Held on the waterfront, I had set my sights on attending this event at some point in the weekend. Until yesterday I had thought I was a quarter Polish, and then my dad decided to reveal in the car that I'm German instead. Finally, there's an explanation for my love of beer and brats. German Fest (and Italian) here I come!
3. The lakefront. Seriously, Lake Michigan is a gem. It has all the benefits of growing up on the coasts, but without that stinging salt water. Of course, there is that pesky algae bloom problem that makes my city smell like one giant dookie...
2. The beer. Milwaukee has the best beer period. Lakefront, Sprecher, Leinies... take yer pick, but don't choose the Beast or you might as well be...this guy.
1. This time around, with all the East Coasters visiting for the wedding, I got to make fun of their accent. Welcome to my turf bitches! Ya-hey der!

Average Homeboy!

2006-06-21T19:54:00.000-04:00

I'll see your hot, sweaty tatted up Band of Horses lead singer and raise you one mulleted, middle class white rapper! He wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he cuts grass, works hard and he eats Fruit Loops...hes just an AVERAGE HOMEBOY.

We're totes thinking about signing him to the TPM label, ya know, help get him his big break. Check out his video, but please remember, its just a demo. Get blazed for this people! BLAZED!

More Hottie McStudmuffin

2006-06-20T17:40:00.000-04:00

No one else is posting. So I'm gonna put up another photo of Ben from Band of Horses. Take that slackers!

SMOKIN'HOTTTTTTTTT

I hearby dub thee

2006-06-19T13:24:00.000-04:00

Hottie McStudmuffin

I'm sure there are a lot of blogs writing up about Friday's Band of Horses show at Bowery.
I'm only going to steal this photo from Brooklyn Vegan and tell you that I loved it from start (the boys entering to a rap song) to finish (Hottie McStudmuffin by himself on stage).

These are my boys from Seattle, so any negative talk about them will not be tolerated. I wish more bands could be as enthusiastic to play as they were. I wish I could see them ten more times this week alone (one private session at my pad ;)

Eye of the Shark

2006-06-16T19:36:00.000-04:00

As Dana's best friend, I am often called upon by her (or force myself upon her) for pep talks, moral support and taking down people who wrong her. Thats right, folks, I'm keeping a list and I have a pair of nunchucks - nobody messes with WiscoD! On this particular day, a few months back, I build Dane's confidence and totes motivate her to carry on through a perfectly cliched after-school special...read on!

Shaps: i think i should be your trainer
Shaps: and get you all pumped up
Shaps: we should film it
Shaps: and send it to channel 101
Shaps: like lifetime television
Shaps: or the WE channel
WiscoD: hahahaha
WiscoD: perfect
WiscoD: you'll be like the trainer in rocky

WiscoD: and we'll climb a bunch of stairs
Shaps: right, or maybe, i will be hurling one of those medicine balls at you and everytime I throw it i'm like, “you're stupid”
Shaps: and then you hurl it back hard at me
Shaps: and i'm like, now THATS what i'm talkin about!
WiscoD: haha
Shaps: but i have one eye closed and i'm kinda talking out of the side of my mouth
Shaps: oh and i'm an old man
WiscoD: haha
Shaps: and then in the climax of a movie
Shaps: you go to a big gala
Shaps: and you're all dressed up
Shaps: looking like a princess
Shaps: and i'm like, darling, you're the bell of the ball tonight
Shaps: and the antagonist walks up and "accidentally" spills red wine ALLL over your white dress
Shaps: oh, that i made you with my own bare hands
Shaps: and at first you're just like, omg, and kinda wander away to go cry about it
Shaps: but then a bubble with my head in it pops up
WiscoD: "fight it"
Shaps: and i'm like, "you're not spineless, you're an inspiration"
Shaps: and its like fight or flight
Shaps: and you choose fight!
WiscoD: end credits
Shaps: you wish!!!!
Shaps: then you come back
Shaps: and you're like, ya know what, tiffany
Shaps: (cause all bitches are tiffanys)

WiscoD: obvs
Shaps: ya know what tiffany, you're a bitch and everyone here knows it!
Shaps: and then you say something about seeing her in chinatown buying fake prada bagsShaps: or something that would really pull the rug out from under a whore named tiffany
Shaps: and her bf runs up to you and is like, are you ok?
Shaps: and tiffany is like, um, braa-aad?
Shaps: (cause all hot guys are named brad or jake)
Shaps: and hes like, sorry tiffany, you've gone too far this time and well, dana, will you let me have this dance?
Shaps: and you're like, but...my dress...its ruined
Shaps: and he goes, hold on
Shaps: and runs out and brings you a new dress
Shaps: cause it turns out his mom is like, best friends with vera wang
Shaps: you change into it
Shaps: next scene, you're now wearing a tiara
Shaps: and you look hot
Shaps: your hair color has never been better
Shaps: and your bombs are practically glowing
Shaps: and everyone watches you come down some staircase, huge grin, slow mo
Shaps: and tiffany storming off
Shaps: and me winking in a cloud overhead
Shaps: and you saying, i never thought i could be so brave
Shaps: brad, lets party!
Shaps: roll credits

Save Screech's Wisco Abode

2006-06-15T14:05:00.000-04:00

I had no idea.
Screech Power's lives merely miles away from where I grew up.
and now he's about to lose his Port Washington, WI home.
Please help Mike D's bro (I know totes urbs leg) keep his house. He provided this young gal hours and hours of entertainment every saturday morning in middle school. He needs to be repaid.

my sister sent me the link to the article in the milwaukee journal-sentinel today.
The bell may not save him this time 'Screech Powers' could lose his home

Read the article. Buy a shirt. Save Screech!

No neccesito

2006-06-14T17:03:00.000-04:00

Walking around the streets of the West Village the other day I started to notice a few things in window shops that seemed completely unnecesary to me. I took some photos and decided to post them. Totes Probs Maybs has decided to have a photo contest and we're calling it Totes Photes. Send in your pics of anything absurd, things that really have no business being around whatsoever to totesprobsmaybs@hotmail.com

KFC's new Cardiac Arrest Bowl. This has chicken/potato/cheese/some sort of gravy concoction and God knows what else in it. Totes unnecessary unless you are Nicole Richie, tryin to gain weight for your estranged fiance DJ AM.

For some reason this lady bought a lovingly sketched portrait of Michael Bolton. WTF? Totes unneccesary!

(From webmaster D...TPM has taken out the previous photo due to Del's allergy to pedophiles trolling the net looking for child pornography (we're talking to you Nice Melons!)

Also, I forgot to post this pic that I took of the Raconteurs in-store at Tower Records a few weeks ago. By the way, it was very sweet. It had been awhile since I had seen Jacky White perform and I got to tell you that its almost scary sometimes.

If you were lucky enough to attend last nights Radiohead show you would know how truly special it is to be in the same room with these guys. I can't wait for Round Two tonight (we luvs ya Beach).

Two Things That Made Wiscod Tinkle In Her Pants Today

2006-06-13T12:47:00.000-04:00

The first tinkle came with this link to a recent live studio session with Sunset Rubdown on Daytrotter.com. Ravioli? Holy Canolli! I instantly re-lived the goosebump-inducing ending to Shut Up I Am Dreaming Where Lovers Have Wings - and now can do it over and over and over and over.

Second tinkle was these photos of two of my favorite bands Tapes 'n Tapes and Cold War Kids duking it out with a game of good old fashioned b-ball and football for the Inagural Post-Blog Rock Super Bowl. Our good friend Gorilla vs. Bear coordinated the action and took the shots. Ladies and some of you gentlemen, get ready to drool over these athletic studs.

Let's add a third tinkle. My friend Kate was here this past week, and is permanently moving here in August to live with me. We had the most glorious of glorious days on Sunday- walking to Grimaldi's, eating some 'za, bridge wandering, and shit punching (care of doug). Here's the crew- minus Doug-e-Fresh, who was taking the photo...

and here's a cute picture of Mya that Kate took.

Fractions Are My Only Friends

2006-06-09T15:49:00.000-04:00

Jack Daniel is not my friend.
Kettle One is not my friend.
Patron is not my friend.
Corona is not my friend.

Basically, I'm hungover as shit. I wanted so badly to cancel my 1 pm dentist appointment but I figured it would be best to get it out of the way. I was straight up with the dentist and admitted that the "chilled out" look he complimented me on was really just a massive hangover. He then told me how to cure a hangover, told me where to meet the hottest guys and asked me if I've ever blacked out before. I don't even think he is a real dentist but I love him anyways. After this experience I decided to go to the Burger Joint and drown my troubles in a delcious burger. I still feel horrible. Please help.

Brats, Brats, Bands, Brats, Beer, Brats = Heaven

2006-06-08T16:23:00.000-04:00

I love Loose Record and all that is associated with it. So that is why, instead of getting blotto and heading out to LI to see some horses race 'n shit, I'm going to fast for approx the next two days so I can shove as much bbq down my throat as possible. Oh, who am I kidding, I'll eat til my heart's content for now and then throw back my body weight in meat on Saturday. Take that, diet!

But at least I'll be able to enjoy the kickin tunes of Love as Laughter to ease my overeatin' pain. What can those horses do for you? fart in your face? sick bastards.

Definitely not Poops McGee

2006-06-05T23:13:00.000-04:00

June has been sweet so far. I've been back in the New York groove and loving every minute of it. It's been pretty non-stop which is how I like to do things here so I'm a bit cashed out right now. My friend Holmes took me to Pearl Jam at the Continental Airlines Arena the other night and it was fantastic. I was singing along to almost every word. "Glorified G" anyone? I'm hardcore, fool. Eddie V and crew sounded awesome and he easily polished off two bottles of red wine before trying to make some sweet rock star jumping moves that did not end so smoothly (read: he went down like a ton of bricks) and it looked like he might be sore the next day. Who cares the show was awesome.

This weekend revolved around my friend Greg Katz's 30th birthday. It was great. Steak dinners. Late nights with lots of hooch. Tons of old friends getting lit up. Pop burgers. Oh, and did I mention that the Mavericks are in the frickin' FINALS? In-cred-ible. One cool thing about Dallas I guess. When they showed old photos of Mark Aguirre, Ro Blackman, Sam Perkins and Roy Tarpley at the end of the game this here blogger got the chills. Everything is coming up Mavs, get ready to celebrate with me.

Take that you Phoenix sons of bitches!

Sunday was one big trek to DUMBO for a block party which was fun filled with lots of cute kids. We got to hang with Mya (awesomest dog ever).

Here she is wanting some of Dana's bagel stick:

King of France playing for a newly married couple down in DUMBO

If you want a haircut on St. Marks St. could I suggest the #25? I hear its coming back.

Here is our favorite Cougar practising her young boy seduction technique. Don't be afraid to use your nails, girl.

Shap's Shout Outs

2006-06-05T12:06:00.000-04:00

Yawn, stretch, what a weekend, huh? The rain tried to hold us down but we fought back like drunken soldiers. I was told by the UHB (Unemployed Hot Bitches) that if I didn't start pulling my weight in posts around here, I was "out of TPM" so I decided today I would send some love out to those who helped make this weekend positively delightful (regardless of the hangover). Photos to come from those other jerks...

Greg Katz!
A close friend of the Mandel tribe and all around awesome dude, Greggy celebrated his 30th b-day this weekend with tons of pomp! Pals from across the country, including Ad's bro Cary and gf Jordana, trekked to NYC to fete the man of the hour and get totally wasted, open bar style. Rumor is, one of our own gave him his fave present! Also, mad props to the waiter at Essex who took pretty good care of our brunch party of 19!!

The Youth Center on 10th Street
After a tipsy brunch, we stumbled upon a swingin band of 9 years olds with guitars and saxophones - as big as them - covering danceable faves from James Brown and Wilson Pickett. It totes made my day and then made me bitter about dropping out of piano lessons in 2nd grade.

Fontana's
Dear Fontana's, you never cease to amaze us. Love, TPM

Cute Hipster Kids at DUMBO Block Party
Any tike who can rock a Led Zepplin tee and get down to the sweet sounds of King of France (you're a badass Matt!) is just lookin to be kidnapped by me. Keep the fire burning bright you adorable bunch of rugrats.

Mya
Could you be any cuter? I love this dog, even when she farts on me.

Sarah "Bushwick" Bartlett
Her "Q" skills are unrivaled, her hospitality neverending. Thanks for the delicious rooftop feast. I'm still bloated. Congrats on the amazing new apt, 4 stops on the F, 13 stops on the G and 6 stops on the L train was totes worth it for that lil slice of paradise! And the sliders, bratwursts, BBQ chicken, shish kabobs, gigantic salmon filet, Paco...

Tapes N' Tapes
Member these guys? How could you forget? They're back with a vengeance and have a new awesome bassist in tow. Sounded freakin awesome last night, lookin forward to an encore at Bowery with Cold War Kids and Daylen's boys The Figurines on Tuesday. Can't manage a ticket for the sold out show? Thats weak but whatevs, you'll have another chance at this July's Siren Festival in Coney Island.

Merida
As our #1 reader, lets face it, you deserve lots more shout outs. Big gracias for takin care of our weary crew last night. Xo

And to Dana, Mere and Adam, you lil shits better reinstate me!

Ghostland Ouchetory

2006-06-02T14:10:00.000-04:00

Jay Loose told me I should work with this Austin band called Ghostland Observatory, so i've been listening to their song Sad Sad City on repeat. On constant repeat that is. This shit is so hot that I just started dancing by myself in Jamal's apt and decided to throw in a handstand (back in the day I was a pretty darn amazing gymnast...jamal don't say a word). Bad move. Bad move indeed. I heard a pop in my already arthritic wrist and now it's a tad swollen. Looks like "Cysty" the ganglion cyst has decided to rear her ugly head in retaliation for my kickin dance moves.

anyways- listen to Ghostland Observatory here and here and decide if my pain was worth it. My bet says yay.

and happy belated blog posted bday wishes to our faithful reader Merida!

Blogger Appreciation Day

2006-05-31T17:38:00.000-04:00

Today's feature will focus on our friends in our newly returned to the side...sidebar (no thanks to jamal's giant boob photo).

Please scroll down til you hit the link for Secrets Are Retarded. Written by my friend Phoebe, be prepared to piss your pants. Oh and I'm totes mentioned in the latest post, yet another reason for you to read. enjoy!

I'm not cut out for 3 day weekends...

2006-05-30T16:07:00.000-04:00

(mere at the bbq. courtesy of wiscod)

One President's day weekend I was carried out of No Malice by Niki and Elissa but not before putting up a hell of a fight and trying to drag a bar stool out with me. Last Labor Day I lost my shoes - Jay quickly escorted me out of 2A once it was discovered I was barefoot. I went into this holiday weekend with plans of relative sobriety and woke up this morning with a handful of bruises and a headache that is just now beginning to subside. Yesterday I woke up at 3 pm, headed over to Yap's BBQ and was promptly put in a cab by Dana at 7:30. It was probably the shortest day I have ever had. Bottom line if anyone sees me near any type of alcoholic beverage this week please feel free to yell at me and remind me of all the offensive things I did and said over the weekend.

2006-05-30T12:22:00.000-04:00

erm... can someone please tell me how to fix the blog? why is our sidebar at the bottom?

I Hate You

2006-05-25T15:54:00.000-04:00

Dear group of rowdy drunks at last night's Sunset Rubdown show at the Merc,

I hate you. You ruined the show for me and Shaps. Why couldn't you take the hint that everyone found you to be obnoxious and wanted you to shut the fuck up? You think we thought you were funny when you screamed "yyyeaaaahhh" until your voice was scratchy and about to blow? I was praying to God that your voice would become so strained that it would give out. And how about you, Ms. Trashed but this is My Favorite Band even though I'm going to block everyone's view and talk and makeout with my boyfriend during the show? What do you have to say for yourself? Die bitch.

With venemous rage,
Wiscod

whew glad I got that off my chest. cheers to Shaps for telling them off. What a bummer.
The show was still great- opening with Sinead O'Conner's Nothing Compares 2 U. But it was no Monday night... I still love you Spencer!

here's some fun You Tube links for you so you can stop watching the video of me dancing below.
1. My friend Gareth from Wisco (note the Packers visor) and his friend Evan (from the Dr. Pepper commercial) made a funny video about high stakes poker

2. This is what the Blender party on Tues was supposed to be like, but we had to just settle for good times with Art Brut, Ghostface Killah, and Ice-T's wife Coco.

Found: Home footage from Coachella

2006-05-24T12:34:00.000-04:00

I was worried that this (yousendit)didn't come out but luckily Mere has figured out how to use her new camera and we can all have a great laugh at the expense of the birthday girl, Wiscod.

Also, I caught Ice Cube at the Gypsy Tea Room last night and he was awesome. The new jams sounded great but the highlights definitely were "It Was A Good Day" and a medley of tunes from his N.W.A. days which included: "Straight Outta Compton", "Fuck the Police", and "Gangsta Gangsta." His new album "Laugh Now, Cry Later" drops on June 6th- he must have told the crowd ten times, its burned into my brain.

Like Whoa...part 2

2006-05-23T18:08:00.000-04:00

Smokin hot Spencer- photo taken from Brooklynvegan.com thanks!

Another day, another post by Wiscod.
Last night's Sunset Rubdown show was truly cathartic. I've never seen such an enormous amount of talent ooze from one man... as well as the amount of sweat. TPM's own Shaps managed to sneak in a heckle about it.

Heckler #1: What's your name?
Spencer: I'm known as "that dude from Wolf Parade"
Shaps: Don't sweat it Spencer!
Spencer: I already am sweating

Amazing work Rachers!

If you can find a way to get in, I suggest you come to Wednesday's show. You won't see anything better. and thanks to West Coast What, Kate, Andrea, Wendles, Jamal Tang, Jonny D, Shaps, and Mere for taking me out to dins for my bday. And thanks to Matt, Mere, Jason, and Ryan for keeping me company at Fresh Salt til the wee hours of the morning... when I had to start my new job today!

Like Whoa

2006-05-22T13:27:00.000-04:00

Cheers to a fun bachelorette weekend spent in Miami for

Jamal Tang.

Oh and Happy Birthday to me since it seems like I'm the only one who posts lately. See you at Sunset Rubdown. Front row.