Madness?

I got to see the mash-up DJ Girl Talk perform live in Iowa City last night at the IMU Ballroom. In a word, the show was insanity, packed wall to wall with people and speakers with enough bass to rattle the foundation of the building.

Personally, I found it a great experience to see Girl Talk live. Many criticize him as a "lazy" musician who doesn't know how to make his own music, so he just mashes up others' tracks. I personally dare any critic to try doing what he does (for three minutes, let alone for two hours) and then tell me that he is somehow lazy. In his two hour show, GT didn't go out of sync or apparently make a mistake once, which is quite the feat for any DJ.

Poison Control Center opened for the DJ. They were good, but were little beyond typical indie rockers from Ames. Too much screaming for their type of music, in my opinion. Still, I was impressed by them and their lead vocalist who had an uncanny knack for audience participation.

I also managed to get some videos out of this as well, and I'll post the links to them once they are posted...

much respect,

josh

PS: To see more (cooler) pics from the concert and an article that I wrote about the concert, click HERE to visit the KRUI Blog.

I overslept...

Damn, G. I hit that snooze button one too many times. My apologies for not posting for so long, but things have been hectic recently. While writing and creativity are always first and second in my life, the blog sometimes has to take a backseat to other, more pressing issues that I've got facing me. I don't intend upon ending the blog anytime soon and I'm thinking that after this little hiatus I'll be a bit more refreshed when it comes to my writing.

Just yesterday, I had the profound pleasure of taking part in an on-air interview with hip-hop journalist, activist, and Media Assassin Harry Allen. He's long been one of the most outspoken (and well-spoken) advocates of hip-hop music. You can listen to the entire interview here. I was honestly surprised by Harry's demeanor. For someone who is so courageously outspoken and who holds such firm opinions when it comes to hip hop, he was one of the most cordial and non-confrontational people I've ever met, in addition to one of the most eloquent.

It's also been a good week for film watching (or just staying out of the shitty Iowa weather in general). In my Film Analysis class we watched Brian Singer's "The Usual Suspects" as well as Sam Raimi's "Evil Dead." Drastically different movies, both awesome on their own levels for entirely separate reasons.

It was my first time seeing "Usual Suspects," and although I absolutely loved it, I would have loved it a lot more if I didn't already know the ending. I won't spoil it for you if you haven't seen it yourself, but the ending to this film is among one of the most widely talked about in the history of film. If you don't know who Keyser Soze (the bad guy) is already, don't ask anyone who has seen the movie. I've learned that most times they won't hesitate to tell you, assuming you've already seen the movie. This was what happened to me, which is kind of a shame. I was not at all shocked by the twist ending, but I can say that it was orchestrated incredibly well and I'm genuinely impressed with the directing ability of Singer.

"Evil Dead" was also a first for me. For those who don't know, this is the über-gory indie horror film that launched the careers of director/producer Sam Raimi (who directed the Spiderman series) as well as Bruce Campbell (Bubba Ho-tep, Burn Notice, some of the more recent Old Spice advertisements). While it's beyond the realm of could be considered campy, it's a genuinely great horror film. Don't watch it if you're not a fan of the gore, otherwise this film is a must for anyone who likes movies, even if only for ironic reasons.

much respect,

josh

Movies and Parades

I made a conscious decision earlier this year not to go to Key West, Florida for spring break. I had the means, motive, and opportunity to do so, and I turned it down in favor of finding work for summer. This was a decision I was certain that I would grow to regret, but I am beyond enthused to say that I have been proven wrong.

I've seen a surprising number of good movies recently. Funny how that goes, whenever I see a great movie, I seem to see three or four at a time. About a week and a half ago, I saw "Dead Man," a 1995 'post-modern' western starring Johnny Depp. Bizarre film, but darkly humorous and worth looking through a few video stores to find this rarity. I also finally got around to seeing "Requiem for a Dream," and "Slumdog Millionaire," both of which I'd been meaning to see for quite some time.

"Requiem," was a beautiful film and everything I expected, if a little bit depressing. "Slumdog" also made an impression on me and I understand why it is so acclaimed now. While I think that the film is an eastern film pushed through a westernized filter, I don't think it at all affects the quality of the film. If anything, I feel that the film is yet another achievement for an already established Danny Boyle.

The St. Patrick's Day parade in Des Moines was also an unbelievable blast. It felt nice to let go for a few hours and scream my head off for beads and candy (no, I didn't flash anyone). I even managed to get a free shirt out of it, from some pub I've never heard of in Urbandale. I've even met a few more great people at the parade, which just reinforces my belief that I made the right decision to stay in Des Moines. I love spring.

much respect,

josh

a day to listen to radiohead.

There couldn't be a grayer day possible for Iowa City today. Bleak and rainy outside, the fog is so thick that it's harder so see much further than about 50 yards or so, but that might just be my near-sightedness kicking in.

Frankly, though, I love these sorts of days. It isn't really cold (in fact there's next to no wind, so it feels like it's in the mid-50s) and I've gathered that the weather in England is not all that dissimilar to this. There's just something about it that makes me feel productive and professional inside. I have the sudden urge to dress up more than what is really necessary and get things done for the sheer sense of accomplishment. Simultaneously, however, I'm starting to get really weary of classes and spring break (which is this next week) could not be coming at a better time.

Also, for all of you facebook addicts out there, my friend Ming Tran sent me this video. I relate to it and can't help but chuckle (and be just a tad fearful inside) that communication has distilled itself all the way down to this.

much respect

josh

PS: As I finished writing this post, some frat guy (no I'm not profiling, he was wearing his letters) walks through the slightly busier than normal coffee house where I happen to be at this moment in time, and loudly moaned, "What the f*ck is it with these people? Don't they have jobs?" I'm not a truly violent person, but I have never wanted to punch someone so hard in my life, and I'm guessing, judging by the look on their faces, a number of other patrons feel the same.

incognito

Only a handful of people may know this, but I actually returned to Des Moines this weekend, with next to no planning. My dad came down to visit and we decided that it would be nice to leave Iowa City for a weekend and spend it in a city we were both familiar with. It was nice stopping by and seeing a few select friends and family members (please don't be offended if you weren't one of them, I had a very limited amount of time) while running about town doing the things I used to (and still do) love to do.

Additionally, a friend of mine told me about this blog website, Tumblr, on which I've created a second (yes, SECOND) blog. I hesitate to use that word, though. "Blog." It's a much more static, unfiltered representation of myself and my web-surfing habits. Expect more random thoughts and links from my tumblr as opposed to actual entries that you get in this blog.

Lastly, the new episode of my podcast is out now, available through ZShare as always. Give it a download if you like.

much respect,

josh

A thought I had today in my (boring) Film Analysis screening

It's a well-know fact, fringing on cliché here in Iowa City that 90% of the people who attend the University of Iowa are either from Des Moines or "a suburb of Chicago." I think, therefore, that it is worth noting when I come across someone from a place that does not fall into either category outlined above. 

In the past week and a half, I've met people from Rochester, New York; Madison, Wisconsin; and Los Angeles, California. This bring the number of people I've met (not even people that I personally know) from states other than Iowa and Illinois to just 11, a number I find slightly low. I've previously met someone else from Rochester, NY as well as people from Potosi, WI; Dearborn Heights, MI; Anchorage, AK; St. Louis, MO; Minneapolis, MN; and Omaha, NE. I've also met a girl from London, England, which is equally cool. 

I don't know why I find this so significant, but I do. I just think there's something to be said for meeting people from other places on this Earth of ours.

Songs listened to while composing this entry:

Bright Morningstar by Tiësto

Human by The Killers

much respect

josh

These kids and their damn college classes

We seem to do so much awesome stuff in my basic acting class. Whoever wrote the syllabus is a pure genius, as I've yet to be anything less than entirely engrossed in each class session we've had so far. The other day we did a sense memory exercise that involved us recalling something that we've always wanted to say to someone but have never had the courage to follow through on it. We were to pick someone at random in the class and say it to them. Some of the comments that people chose to share started off rather lightly but progressed to some heavy stuff by the end of the class. It was a stunning experience, really. Something that will really make you think deeply and give you an odd sense of empowerment. I feel better having done it.

On a separate note, my Film Analysis professor actually bragged (I emphasize that bit) to the class on Wednesday that he had not seen a single Star Wars film and saw no need to. I love the University of Iowa as much as the next hawkeye, but I'm beginning to question my film education. I was absolutely flabbergasted to find out that one can apparently become a professor of film studies without having seen any of those films. I don't even expect him to like any of them (I honestly don't think he would), but any more you almost have to make a conscious effort not to see those movies, considering their permeating ubiquity.

much respect

josh