Daily Slacker: Audio-Visual Edition

Music to Slack To - Volume One

2006-11-10T13:44:00.000-06:00

The first of two Slacker compilations, I took the music I like to rock out to. When I had all the music on I-Tunes, these were some of my 5 star songs. They might not be the best songs ever, but they always get me going. Enjoy!

1. Land of Confusion – Disturbed
2. Whatever (I Had a Dream) – Butthole Surfers
3. Imagine – A Perfect Circle
4. Counting Bodies Like Sheep To The Rhythm Of the Wardrum – A Perfect Circle
5. Shout 2000 – Disturbed
6. They Came In – Butthole Surfers
7. The Passenger – Michael Hutchence
8. Red Right Hand – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
9. Girl On Fire – Rob Zombie
10. Hoodoo/Voodoo Medicine Man – Aerosmith
11. Keep the Faith – Bon Jovi
12. Rest In Peace – Extreme
13. Shake My Tree – Coverdale / Page
14. The Dam at Otter Creek – Live
15. They Don’t Care About Us – Michael Jackson

I’m working on getting some copies of this made since I still owe one to a few of you and want to get the deputies one as well if they’d like. Lemme know what you think of the mix and stay tuned for Vol 2!

A Summer of Festivals

2006-08-09T10:37:00.000-05:00

The Twins Cities are a GREAT place to be when summer rolls around. Having to live through our frigid winters definitely teaches us to have fun when we can. When the weather turns nice, the fun begins! Almost every weekend there's a fair or festival of some sort and tons of opportunity to have a good time!

Here's a few pictures (albeit crappy cell phone ones) and a recap of some of the fun events I've hit up so far this summer and a few yet to come!

Legend:
Green Dot - Slacker HQ
Light Blue Dot - Harriet Island
Dark Blue Dot - Basilica of St. Mary
Purple Dot - Minneapolis Riverfront

Basilica Block Party

Two of the best music festivals that come around every summer are Grand ol Day (Which I previously Blogged about) and the Basilica Block Party. The BBP is put on every year by the Basilica of St. Mary as a fundraiser and general good time. There's two stages of music, one right by the Basilica steps and another a block away with one of the best view any music stage could have, the Minneapolis Skyline:

The main headliner this year was Train. It marked their third appearance at the BBP since they just love coming back. I can't think of many cities who's skyline can rival the beauty of Minneapolis'. Having that behind some good music is hard to beat!

Taste of Minnesota

The taste of MN is held every year for the days and weekend surrounding the 4th of July. They Have fireworks every night and an even bigger show on the 4th. Located on Harriet Island and a another small island nearby along the Mississippi River, they have 4 stages of music and LOTS of food. I spent about $20 gorging myself and then we hung out to watch the fireworks. I was just about the 4th and I was watching them past an American Flag, so I couldn't help but snap a picture:

Minnesota Aquatennial

I'm sure you're asking what the hell an Aquatennial is and, well, most people around here do too. Basically is a yearly week-long celebration that tends to focus on water. Minnesota is the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" you know.

They'll have concerts and sailing regattas and all sorts of stuff throughout the week. My favorite part though is the fireworks show. We all know I love things that go boom. Especially big pretty ones like fireworks.

The show is held on the Minneapolis Riverfront, just north of downtown also overlooking the historic Stone Arch Bridge and the old Mills that mad Minneapolis the City it is now. The best part of the show is when the lit what basically became a HUGE waterfall of sparks of a high bridge across the river. Very, very cool.

I couldn't get a good shot of the waterfall since it was so bring, but I got some of the other fireworks. I had to zoom way out since we were basically sitting right underneath the fireworks, but that orange dot on the bottom is the downtown skyline again.

Rib Fest

Now who can't appreciate a festival devoted to eating one food: Ribs? Oh hush up all you veggie types! For years this too was held in Downtown Minneapolis, but the lot they held it in is now our brand spankin' new Downtown Library. Last year and this one it has been held down at Harriet Island. I don't mind this since I can walk there is I so choose from Slacker HQ. The walk back does suck a little though since its All. UP. Hill. Think river bluff, not gently rolling.

There are of course many vendors of Ribs that have won awards all over the place. My favoritely named place was "Sgt. Oinks" and my favorite ribs came from Texas Thunder. Here's a shot of all the rib places lit up with the Saint Paul Skyline in the background. Not a majestic as Minneapolis, but not bad either.

Anyway, this year they had some decent bands playing on the two music stages, but there was one I wanted to see in particular. Now, when you think of a festival devoted to eating animal flesh, you might think of lots of bands. Ok, maybe not lots. But one man in particular may just be the perfect guy to have play at such a fest: Ted Nugent. For those of you who don't know, Ted's a HUGE proponent of hunting and fishing and loves the mantra "Kill it and Grill it." There was actually a pretty big crowd for it so this is the best shot I could get:

Some highlights included Ted shooting a cardboard Cut out of Osama Bin Laden with his compound bow and tossing back beads thrown onstage saying "I don't need your damn hippy beads!" Fun times! hehe

Irish Fair

This weekend I'll be heading back down to Harriet Island to enjoy some live Irish music and of course some beer. They have two music stages (one small one right on the shore of the Mississippi) and a stage with traditional Irish dancing. It's always a good time! Then next weekend I'll be in Michigan checking out the NASCAR Race, so I'll need to get some alcohol in the bloodstream to tolerate 4 days camping with my dad.

MN State Fair

It's almost that time again. Time to go wander the fairgrounds, ride the rides, see the animals and of course, eat WAY too much. I'll of course keep you updated on my daily gorging when the Fair rolls around.

Anyway, time to get back to the real world, See you at the next fun festival!

Moooooooooooooooosic!

2006-05-10T14:35:00.000-05:00

So it's been a while since I did a real Magical Musical 8-ball Meme, and with all the uncertainty lately with life and my job, I could use the advice! So here goes:

How's it go? Basically I ask my Oracle (in my case iTunes) 10 questions. 5 are standard from week to week, and 5 are new for each week. The Oracle randomly selects a song as the answer to each of the questions... the interpretation is up to me though!

So here goes!

Standard:

How does the world see you this week?
Green Day - Geek Stink Breath
"I'm on a roll. No self control. I'm blowing off steam with methamphetamine. Don't know what I want. That's all that I've got."
- Wow, iTunes, how kind of you. Not! Anyway I know I'm a geek, I have a blog for crying out loud! Anyone got a breath mint?

Will I have a happy week?
Tom Petty - Free Fallin'
"Gonna free fall, out into nothing. Gonna leave this, world for a while. And I'm free, Free fallin."
- I really hope this means my week is going to be carefree and not that it's going to go into free fall!

Do people secretly lust after me this week?
White Zombie - More Human Than Human
"I am the Astro-Creep a demolition style hell American Freak."
- Ok, if you have ever heard the opening to this song you'll know the beginning of it is all about lust heh. Hopefully they'll stop being secret ;O)

What should I do with my week?
Santana feat. Eric Clapton - The Calling
Not really any lyrics...
- Hmmm, so who am I supposed to call?

What do I think my theme song of the week is?
Paula Cole - Where have all the cowboys gone?
"Oh you get me ready in your 56 chevy, Why don’t we go sit down in the shade. Take shelter on my front porch, The dandy lion sun scorching, Like a glass of cold lemonade?"
- A better question is: why should I care? Or is the message more in the lyrics? Should I be someone's John Wayne?

What kind of week will I have?
Van Halen - Why Can't This Be Love?
"Oh, here it comes, that funny feeling again Winding me up inside every time we touch. Hey, I don't know. Oh tell me where to begin. 'Cause I never ever felt so much. And I Can't recall any love at all. Oh baby, this blows them all away."
- Oh no, not another one of those. Hmm, who;s she going to be though? I don't even have prospects....?

This week:

Should I get a new job or hope things work their way out here?
Prince - Pop Life
"What’s the matter with your life, Is the poverty bringing u down? Is the mailman jerking u ’round? Did he put your million dollar check, In someone else’s box? "
- Damn skippy he did. I should find him and kick his ass. A guy in my building is a mailman though... hmm...?

Should I try out match.com again?
C+C Music Factory - Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)
"Come on and dance guys grab a girl don't wait make the twirl. It's your world and I'm just a squirrel. Trying to get a nut to move your butt to the dance floor"
- Sounds a lot like and affirmative to me, time to get back out there and dance eh?

Will I be able to get the year old sidewalk project done this weekend?
Jackyl - Push Comes to Shove
"Push me on off the ledge, I'm standing with my toes hanging over the edge. I'm worried about a push coming down from above. I'm ready for you, when push comes to shove."
- So I'll be ready to do it then? Umm, huh?

Will the usual Wednesday Stub and Herb's trip finally happen this week?
Yes - State of Play
"You can hear the siren screaming, Take me to the promised land. See the intervention, Take you higher and higher. See we are the giving world, We are responsible. We're not about to break."
- Play eh? so I guess that means it will happen. In fact I know I'll be going one way or another since I just made an appointment to go over kickball stuff for Stub and Herbs as well!

What should I watch out for this week?
Rod Stewart - Every picture Tells a Story
"I couldn't quote you no Dickens, Shelley or Keats, 'cause it's all been said before. Make the best out of the bad just laugh it off. You didn't have to come here anyway. So remember, every picture tells a story don't it."
- Hmm.. so what incriminating picture does someone have?? hehe

Quick-Fire Friday

2006-05-05T16:28:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Quick-Fire Friday edition of the magical musical 8Ball meme! Usually there's a full one on Wednesday but since I was still ill I never posted so here's a speedy Friday edition! I have the same standard 5 questions and two questions for this week. No lyrics, but hopefully you can know the song ;O)

Standard:

How does the world see you this week?
Warrant - Cheery Pie
-Hmm, a song about a girl he really likes.... does that mean the world sees me meeting a good one? Here's hoping!

Do people secretly lust after me this week?
Stone Temple Pilots - Interstate Love Song
-So you're saying someone who saw me on the interstate loves me? I really hope they didn't get in an accident then!

What should I do with my week?
Elvis Costello with Brian Eno - My Dark Life
-I'm not sure what you're trying to tell me here Musical 8Ball... Do You want me to take a look at the dark sides of my life or what?

What do You think my theme song of the week is?
Extreme - Evilangelist
-Heh, I shall go forth and preach of the evils of the lands! All shall hear!

What kind of week will I have?
Dido - My Lover's Gone
-Umm, iTunes, yeah, I kinda don't have one... or since you talk about meeting one earlier, does that mean I'll get one and then she'll be gone? Arg, not again... guess we'll see!

This Week:

Will I make it the 90 days without being late?
Incubus - Drive
-Ok, I just get done complaining about how the traffic is eventually going to screw me and you give me this. iTunes, you suck. Well fine I'll take the advice and wait with open arms for whatever tomorrow brings.

Will I get a date out of the dance thing tomorrow night?
Disturbed - Sacred Lie
-The war is far from over eh? So, umm, a yes or no would have been, like, usefull n' stuff. I'll take that as not much is going to come from it...?

Almighty, you all have a great weekend. Keep slackin!

2006-04-12T12:35:00.000-05:00

Since it's Wednesday it's time to find out what the magical musical fortune teller has to say for me! this is based on the Original 8-ball meme. You can do this as well, just come up with your questions, set your music player on random and the answer to each question is the next song!

Standard:

How does the world see you this week?
Staind - Epiphany
"I am nothing more than, a little boy inside, that cries out for attention. Yet I always try to hide. Cause I've talked to you like children, though I don't know how I feel. But I know I'll do the right thing, if the right thing is to feel. Cause it's always raining in my head. Forget all the things I should have said."
--I'm not quite sure what this means, but apparently the world thinks I'm either going to have an encounter with God, or make a big realization... hmm...?

Do people secretly lust after me this week?
Jackyl - Mental Masturbation
"Oh, Mental Masturbation, I think it's time to use my fist."
--Oh.Good.God. iTunes, you're dirty! DIRTY!

What should I do with my week?
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
"People always told me, be careful what you do, don't go around breaking young girls hearts. My mama always told me, be careful who you love, be careful what you do, because a lie becomes the truth."
--Hmm, so I should find a girl named Billie Jean? Or do you mean I need to watch out for some girl saying I got her pregnant? I doubt the latter considering the amount of time since I actually got some. heh.

What do You think my theme song of the week is?
Warrant - You're the Only Hell Your Mama Ever Raised
"Your the only hell, your mama ever raised. she tried to tell ya, but your had to grow up your own way. Shoulda known, known much better, but you must be going through some phase."
--Ok, so what stupid thing am I gonna do that would make mom say "told ya so?"

What kind of week will I have?
Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing
"You step inside but you don't see too many faces. Coming in out of the rain to hear the jazz go down. Too much competition too many other places, but not too many horns can make that sound."
--Hmm, so a msic filled one? Jazzy? I guess we'll find out!

This week:

How will my first blind date ever go tonight?
CPR - It's All Coming Back to Me Now
"And I get snapped into focus, by that oncoming train. I got too much to lose, I got so much to gain. And it's all coming back, it's coming back to me now."
--Hmm, so yeah, I guess it'll all come back to me as it goes ;O)

Will any other people respond to The Challenge?
Aerosmith - Get a Grip
"Same old, same old everyday, if things don't change you're just going to rot. Because if you do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got. Uhh could that be nothing?"
--Well sheesh, you didn't need to be rude iTunes! You could have said something like "probably not" instead. sheesh. Nut then you tell me to do something different which is what I WAS doing... soo??

How will I resolve my little credit card snafu?
Collective Soul - Where the River Flows
"I'll give you answers, To the questions you have yet to ask. Silence is beauty, Words they only complicate the task."
--So I'[ll take that as get some advice, listen and then go with the flow...

Which did you like better, the longer hair or shorter?
Rednex - Cotton Eye Joe
"He came to town like a midwinter storm. He rode through the fields so handsome and strong. His eyes was his tools and his smile was his gun. But all he had come for was having some fun."
--What the hell is that supposed to mean? You like me better cottony? Or set to hoedown-techno? or maybe you're saying my eyes and smile are better?

Should I keep doing the Music 8-Ball?
Prince - When You Were Mine
"Cuz I love you, baby, that's no lie. I love you more that I did, When you were mine."
--Umm, iTunes, it's not like we were dating or anything... sheesh. Umm, can we still be friends or something?

Wist, Tell Me My Fortune!

2006-04-05T10:33:00.000-05:00

Yep, it's Wednesday. that means it's time for a Wednesday Wist with magic 8-ball twist! Basically I took 5 questions from the Original 8-ball meme then added 5 questions of my own for the week. I set the music player on random and each song is the answer to my question!

Shall wee see what it has to say for me this week?

How does the world see you this week?
Stone Temple Pilots - Unglued
"This confusion is my illusion. Nowhere to look, but know where to find ya."
Oh really? Come on people! I'm not crazy! Yeah a little confused here and there, but not nuts! :O)

Do people secretly lust after me this week?
Soundgarden - Superunknown
"Alone, in the superunknown. Alone in the superunknown. First is steals your mind and then it steals your... soul"
Ok, if even the Magical Musical 8-Ball doesn't know, I certainly don't have a chance! I mean it's not just unknown, it's SUPER unknown. Oh well!

What should I do with my week?
Kid Rock - I am the Bullgod
"I'm the t-o-p to the d-o-g or the p-o-t to the g-o-d"
Umm, so I should become a cowboy? Bullgod? That's two weeks now you're telling em to be one so maybe I should!

What do You think my theme song of the week is?
Chubb Rock - Treat 'Em Right
"Always say hello, cause I'm a modest fellow. Never try to play a superstar that's mellow."
I'll certainly try! I try to be a good guy so this shouldn't be hard to live up to!

What kind of week will I have?
Guns 'N Roses - Human Being
"I just gotta walk around, with my head hung down, just like a human, oh no, human being. I can hold my head so high, just like a human, a real proud human being"
So it sounds like it's going to be a week of ups and downs eh? Hmm... guess we'll see!

This week:

Should I go back and ask out that cute server with the adorably nerdy story about being in love with the Periodic Table of Elements?
Sly Fox - Let's Go All the Way
"Sitting with a thinker, trying to work it out. It's a traffic jam of the brain, makes you wanna scream and shout."
Well that sounds like an affirmative to me! I tried last Friday but she wasn't working, hopefully I can get over there for a lunch this week!

How will my term as President of the MN Twin Cities Division of Kickball go?
Prince - The Max
"When the tell me to walk a straight line, I put on crooked shoes. When they tell me that I can't forever, I pay some overdues."
HELL YEAH! I totally want this to be a kick ass season. We're definitely going to have fun to the max :O)

Will this TPOT that's bringing me down still go away any time soon?
Extreme - Hole Hearted
"This heart of stone is where I hide. These feet of clay kept warm inside. Day by day less satisfied. Now fade away before I die."
Ok, that's not very encouraging there iTunes. I already know how I feel though, the questions was will it go away!!! sheesh

When will the next chapter of Slacker's Dating Odyssey begin?
Wendy & Lisa - This is the Life
"Just in a dream, the pressure of dreams is the killer... of dreams. And it only gets harder. This is the life, this is my life."
You're right iTunes, I need to stop worrying about the dreams and just live life! heh

What should I do this weekend?
Qkumba Zoo - The Child (Inside)
"Who's that? Dancing? Laughing, crying hitting day by day. The child inside, the child is still inside."
Hmm, ok, so I'm supposed to appears the inner child eh? I'll have to see what I can find!

Wistical 8-Ball

2006-03-29T15:11:00.000-06:00

Yup yup, it's that day again. And I liked the magic 8-ball meme so much last week, I'm going to make it recurring. I'll take some of the questions that were good and easily modified to be recurring from the original, and then add my own questions of the week to it. It'll be like my own musical horoscope each week! Shall we see who it goes?

We'll start with the standards and I'll add mine at the end:

Standard:

How does the world see you this week?

Aerosmith - Same Old Song and Dance
"Fate comes and knockin', don't start lockin' your old time connections, change your direction. You ain't gonna change it, can't rearrange it, can't stand the pain, when it's all the same to you my friend."
-Well I guess that sounds about right. This week really hasn't been anything special. The little benefit thing on Monday was fun though.

Will I have a happy week?

Tesla - Wonderful World
"Ever since Chicken Little said, the sky was fallin' down upon his head
I told myself, what a wonderful world"
-Well that sound promising! I hope you're right magic iTunes! :O)

Do people secretly lust after me this week?

Extreme - Tell Me Something I Don't Know
"If every song been sung, under the sun, what's left for me then, eat drink and have fun. It must go on, as for the show. So tell me something . . . Something I don't already know!"
-Dammit, that's what you're supposed to be doing for ME right now iTunes. Don't get lippy or I'll use napster or Windows Media player instead!

What should I do with my week?

Metal Church - Gods of Second Chance
"A candle flame before me, flickers in dance, as I sit here prayin', hopin' that I'm swaying, the gods of second chance."
-So, I'll take this as meaning I'm supposed to give someone a second chance? Well, I AM going out with O'Gara's girl on Friday? Hmmm…? Maybe it means I'm going to be a getting a second chance?

What do I think my theme song of the week is?

Shaggy (W/ Maxi Priest) - That Girl
"Girl to make you break your silence and speak, just a glimpse upon the silhouette my knees get weak. Mmm Mmm Baby Baby, so unique, a real romantic lover. Make your life complete."
-Yeah, Hi. Help me out here. WHICH ONE????

What kind of week will I have?

Monster Magnet - Temple of Your Dreams
"Well I've wasted enough of my time on the edge of forever, and I paid all the god damn dues that I wanna pay. If I can't slip into the 13th house of your twilight baby, oh plant a bomb in temple of your dreams."
-Ok dammit. Stop being cryptic. Media Player has shuffle too!

This week:

Will I end up dating any of the women I currently know?

Guns 'N Roses - Double Talkin' Jive
"Double talkin' jive get the money motherfucker cause I got no more patience."
-Well jeez, you could have just said no.

What should I do to cheer myself up?

Phil Collins - Something Happened on the Way to Heaven (Live)
"You can run, and you can hide, but I'm not leaving unless you come with me. We had our problems, but I'm on your side. You're all I need, please believe in me."
-So, I should be a stalker? :-P

Will Idiot Boss ever stop being an idiot?

The Offspring - Smash It Up
"We've been playing now for much too long, And now we're gonna dance to a different song. I'm gonna scream and shout till my dying breath. I'm gonna smash it up till there's nothing left."
-Umm, iTunes, are you saying I should just kick his ass or what?

What should I beware of this week?

ZZ Top - Planet of Women
"If you have the answer, drop me a line today or send a straight jacket something in a shade of gray. I think I've sprained my brain 'cause it won't unwind. Every day it's man against man on the planet of women, oh yeah. It's driving me insane"
-Holy crap!! We're going to be invaded by Amazonians from another planet??? I must warn the world!!!!!!!

Should I play poker at Stub and Herb's tonight?

Filter - Hey Man Nice Shot
"That's why I say hey man, nice shot. What a good shot man."
-Hmm, sounds like give it a shot to me! I guess I will give it a try!

Well there you go! Feel free to do you own version of the Original 8-ball meme if you wanna! I'm going to go start preparing for the invasion of the Planet of Women.

Wistery of the Magical Musical 8-Ball!

2006-03-22T15:25:00.000-06:00

So yeah, in reading Miss Charades' blog I came across a meme type thing that I thought was really cool. It was much like the typical Wednesday Wist in that you set your music player to random, but instead of just listing the first five songs, you put each song as the "answer" to a list of questions. Just like the magic 8-ball saying "Yes" or "Outlook Cloudy" the song will speak the truth :O) And come on, who doesn't want their iPod to answer life's questions and make important life decisions for them? So let's have at it!

How does the world see you?
Tool - Ænema
"Don't just call me pessimist. Try and read between the lines. I can't imagine why you wouldn't, Welcome any change, my friend. I wanna see it all come down."

-So yeah, if you don't actually read the lyrics you would think it's all about being pessimistic, but really it's just being fed up with all the bullshit in the world. I can see how a lot of people see me as pessimistic, even though I'm really not, so sounds fair!

Will I have a happy life?
Collective Soul - Untitled
"See, I don't believe in the sorcerers or the preachers. I just believe in you. And I don't believe in the scholars or the wise men. I just believe in you."

-Untitled? Is that like the Musical Magical 8-ball equivalent of "Try again later?" At least it's a song about love, so maybe that's a good sign?

What do my friends really think of me?
Jewel - Intuition
"Follow your heart, your intuition. It will lead you in the right direction. Let go your mind, your intuition. It's easy to find, just follow your heart baby."

-This one seems pretty good, many of my friends come to me for advice. G-Spot calls me her relationship radar because I can read people well and can usually feel out a situation very well.

Do people secretly lust after me?
Korn - Got the Life (Josh Abraham Remix)
"Get your boogie on..."
- After about the fifth line of the song, it pauses and that line cuts in, is that a sign? I don't really know! heh

How can I make myself happy?
Shakespeare's Sister - Let Me Entertain You
"Don't you want to put your trust in, someone who's not ordinary. Don't you want to put your trust in someone like me."
-Yes I promise you this really was the fifth random song that played. I'm not sure what to think, it talks about a woman for hire, so maybe I need to find a prostitute? Then it talks about being loved as a star, so I need to get famous? The it asks if my soul is for hire, so, sell my soul? And the big question… WHO!?

What should I do with my life?
Garth Brooks - Rodeo
"It's bulls and blood, it's dust and mud. It's the roar of the Sunday crowd. It's the white in the knuckles, the gold in the buckle. He'll win the next go round. It's boots and chaps, it's cowboy hats. It's spurs and a lotta gold. It's the ropes and the reigns and the joy and the pain and they call the thing rodeo."

-Oh for crying out loud. All this time and money I've spent studying to be an Aerospace engineer and all the while I should have been learning to ride Broncs and Bulls? Dammit! These things need to make up their mind, that stupid aptitude test way back in school said I should be a surgeon. Arg, ok, where's the nearest ranch.

Will I ever have children?
Aerosmith - Livin on the Edge
"Livin on the edge, you can't help yourself from falling. Livin on the edge, you can't help yourself at all."
-So, it's iffy then? Damn you Musical 8-Ball, be more specific!

What is some good advice for me?
Faith No More - From Out of Nowhere
"One minute here and one minute there, Don’t know if I’ll laugh or cry. One minute here and one minute there, And then you wave good-bye..."
-So, umm, I should travel then?

How will I be remembered?
Aerosmith - Kings and Queens
"Living times of knights and mares, raising swords for maidens fair, sneer at death, fear only loss of pride. Living other centuries."

-YES!!! I knew it! I will be king!!! :O)

What is my signature dancing song?
Michael Jackson - Thriller
"You try to scream, but terror takes the sound before you make it. You start to freeze, as horror looks you right between the eyes, your paralyzed. Cause this is thriller!"

-Who didn't try to learn the zombie dance from this video? Come on, stop denying it. You know you did. And try to laugh like Vincent Price at the end. Mwahh HA HA HA!!!

What do I think my current theme song is?
Anastasia and John - So Sad
"I wouldn't change you. I just think it's strange you prefer to be, so sad. And if I can help you I will. Maybe just stay here until you no long feel, so bad."

-Ok, I don't think I like this anymore. :-P

What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
Prince - Sexy M.F.
"We need 2 talk about things. Tell me what cha do, tell me what cha eat, I might cook 4 u. See it really don't matter cuz it's all about me and u, Ain't no one else around. I'm even with the blindfold, gagged and bound. I don't mind. See this ain't about sex, It's all about love being in charge of this life, And the next..."

-HA. Ha ha ha ha. Ha. Ha. Oh that's good. Ha. Lemme just chuckle this one off for a bit. iTunes, I love you. Way to make up for that last one. Hehe.

What song will play at my funeral?
Disturbed - Violence Fetish
"How do you live without playing the game. Sit on the side and expect to keep sane. Step right up and be a part of the action. Come get a piece of it before it's too late."

-Man, I hope not. But, I guess it's not too bad since it's talking about taking action and I usually don't have too much problem stepping up…?

What type of men/women do you like?
Method Man - The Riddler
"I got your mind twisted. Unrealistic wavelength draining on your brain-strip inflicted. Crosswords puzzling your self. Questioning your own mental health (yeah) it's like a maze within itself"

-You know, this one's pretty true as well. I'm not a fan of books you get the full content of just by reading the jacket. Gotta have some intrigue.

What is my day going to be like?
Chicago - Love Me Tomorrow
"Love me tomorrow, won't you please, promise me. Love me tomorrow like today. Love me tomorrow, hurry back, can't you see. I need you much more than yesterday."

-This isn't in reference to any woman I know of, so it must be about all of you! So, will you still love me tomorrow? :O)

Wistapalooza

2006-03-15T15:11:00.000-06:00

Yup yup, it be Wednesday and that means time for a Wednesday Wist!

How do you participate in Wednesday Wist? You take whatever music player you use, put it on shuffle, grab the first 5 songs and write what that song makes you remember. If it's a new song...and you can't relate it to a memory....do you like it? Leave a comment if you do it on your site and if you don't have a site, comment your wist here! Oh...and feel free to comment about my songs as well!!!

Bush - Everything Zen:

"Raindogs howl for the century. A million dollars a steak. As you search for your demi-god and you fake with a saint. There's no sex in your violence. There's no sex in your violence."

-I got into Bush my freshman year in college because my roomie was a huge fan of them. I love most of the songs off of 16 Stone but they pretty much disappointed me after that.

A Perfect Circle - Imagine:

"Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can, No need for greed or hunger, A brotherhood of man, Imagine all the people Sharing all the world..."

-This is a very cool remake of the John Lennon original. Gives me chills when I listen to it. It definitely has the typical Perfect Circle sound to it, but still retains the feeling of the Lennon version. I highly recommend checking it out.

Van Halen - One Way to Rock:

"Now quickly, check the hands on the clock It's 8:05, it's time to rock And this world can disagree They don't understand how it can be And it's not my point of view It's a fact, and you know that it's true."

-I'm not such a big fan of this song, but it came on the Right Here, Right Now live CD. Overall the 2 disc set is pretty good, it's fun to hear some of the music live. Can't say much else about it! heh

Metallica - The House that Jack Built:

"Open door so I walk inside. Swallow me so the pain subsides. And I shake and I take the sin. Let the show begin."

-One summer I was home from college working I think I listened to this CD about 80% of the time I was in the car. I like the refrain of this CD a lot, the rest of it is mediocre. it was damn good music to rock out to on my lunch breaks though :O)

Fiona Apple - The Child is Gone:

"And I suddenly feel like a different person. From the roots of my soul come a gentle coercion. And I ran my hand o'er a strange inversion. As the darkness turns into the dawn."

-Her Tidal album is a great jazzy, relaxing CD. Until I ripped my CDs to iTunes I don't think I had listened to this CD in years. I forgot how much I love jazzy piano music like this. Gotta be careful on the mood though,for some reason if I'm down, that music can weight on me. Not sure why though?

Anyway, there's another wist down, hope you enjoyed!

KWST Wednesday Wist Radio

2006-03-01T18:06:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the Audio-Visual Week edition of the Wednesday Wist! Read up on the songs and hear snips of them later!!

Nine Inch Nails - Dead Souls:
"When figures from the past stand tall. And mocking voices ring the hall. Imperialistic house of prayer. Conquistadores who took their share."

-This song is off the soundtrack of my favorite movie, The Crow. I just love something about the music, it's got a great rhythm to it. Slightly spooky but fast enough to be pretty cool. Anytime I hear it I picture the scene from the movie where he's running across the rooftops. Wish I could do that. heh.

Korn - Data Track

"The hurt inside is fading,This shit's gone way too far. All this time I've been waiting, No I can not grieve anymore. For what's inside awaking. I'm not, I'm not a whore,You've taken everything and oh I can not grieve anymore."

-While given a different title, this is really a sweet almost funk remix of "Here to Stay." The bass track makes you just wanna blast it! Definitely Easy to rock out to!

Guns 'n Roses - Estranged:

"I don't know how you're s'posed To find me lately. An what more could you ask from me? How could you say that I never needed you, When you took everything, Said you took everything from me."

-One of the "epic" songs from the Use Your Illusion set, I swear when I listen to it I envision a whole mini-movie in my head when it plays. While Axel might not have the best mellow singing voice, ok he doesn't really have one at all, it's still a beautiful song. I love when the guitar kicks in. Love it. I used to listen to this CD all the time in high school, definitely some good tracks to chill to and to rock out to. I remember listening to this song frequently after at least one break up.

Jewel - Have a Little Faith In Me:
"Cause for us there is no end. All you gotta do is have a little faith in me. I said I will hold you up, I will hold you up. Your strength gives me enough, So have a little faith in me."

-Anyone who thinks my music collection is one sided has another thing coming. Just look how this wist has developed: Hard Rock, Hard Rock, Hard Rock, Jewel... "WTF? Jewel? Is he Gay?" It's good music, shut the hell up! This one happens to be a remake that's been done so many times, I don't know who wrote it, but it's a good song and Jewel does have one heck of a voice. Good song too, way to many people suffer from a lack of faith in anything.

Rust - Perhaps:

"Perhaps it's something to think about. I'm not sure, I'm just in a band!"

-Another one of my CDs from a band few people have probably heard of. I love their songs because it's almost like silly thoughts that go through my head, yet put to music. One of their other songs talks about hating the alarm clock and contemplate calling in dead. Fun!

Audioblog: Veggies a cool Gift?

2006-02-28T20:27:00.000-06:00

Visual: Who Says Christmas is Over?

2006-02-28T19:43:00.000-06:00

Time to unleash some of the backlog of pictures I know you are all clamoring to see!

As tradition since I have moved to Minnesota, I head back home to Madison, WI to visit the family for Christmas. I drive down chill out and enjoy the family time and then skip town with as much loot as possible ;O)

My family suffers from a disorder that seems to be fairly prevalent in society: C.S.S. or Christmas Splurge Syndrome. It's sad I know, but true :O) The foot of our tree is rarely chilly for long and at least one present must be purchased on Christmas eve.

Speaking of the tree:

Don't think about messing with it, there's an attack cat close at guard:

Me in my tradition gift opening spot, in front of my huge collection of snow globes (get one each year!):

Dad in his:

Gramma in hers:

And mom's picture was all fuzzy :O(

The stockings keeping watch:

Every year, gramma gets the newest Elmo toy, starting with Tickle Me and this year's was Chicken Dance Elmo. Which Kia, I'm pretty sure, wanted to rip the gizmos out of. Or snuggle with. She's unpredictable like that.

Someone got a Lump of Coal. Oh, Wait, that's kia in her present!

The seemingly cheesy gifts...:

(Note: The Mom, bought the veggies when I was just starting college so I would "Have My Veggies" but then managed to forget where she "hid" them for, oh, 6 years or so hehe)

...are hiding good ones!

And of course, on Christmas morning, those stockings are stocked!

Yes, Santa is good to our house, but hey, when I was a kid, we didn't put out no stinking milk and cookies. NO! Santa went home with a bottle of Korbel Brandy after dropping off our gifts!

Jolly indeed!

Audioblog: Hello Slackers!

2006-02-27T20:03:00.000-06:00

Audio: 720° Wist with a Backflip

2006-02-15T18:13:00.000-06:00

Yup yup, it's Wednesday again so that means time for a Wednesday wist!

Seal - Kiss from a Rose:

"There used to be a graying tower alone on the sea. You became the light on the dark side of me. Love remained a drug that's the high and not the pill."

-Ahh yes, on of the love songs you know are supposed to be a love song even though a bunch of the lyrics really don't make much sense. Gotta love em. I remember this being a song that reminded me of whoever I was in love with at the time. Now it's just a cheesy classic ;O)

The Bangles - Going Down to Liverpool:

"Hey now, Where you going with that load of nothing in your hand? I said, hey now, All through this green and pleasant land. I'm going down to Liverpool to do nothing."

-For being on the Bangles Greatest Hits CD, this one really isn't all that great. Guess ya gotta get filler from somewhere. Must have been one of the band members favorites or something. heh.

Bryan Adams - This Time:

"This time everything is alright. No way she's gonna get away. This time everything is easy. Any day - I'm gonna make her mine"

-I swear there was a rash of stalker-esque songs and this really seems like one of em. There's a fine line between persistence and obsession... Bryan my man... watch yourself ;O)

Phil Collins - Dreaming While You Sleep:

"In and out of darkness, in and out of sleep, trying to keep my hands upon the wheel. Never saw the corner in the driving rain. I never saw her step into the street."

-I love the voice track in this song, they use the reverb and stuff to make it kinda haunting. Very cool. I've always wondered if he actually did something or if he just wrote this because of someone else... any of you happen to know?

Metal Church - Losers in the Game:

"The endless years and hard luck tales, and some that have just moved on. I guess it could be envy, when I wonder what's gone wrong. Fingers point at all the problems, but that won't change my mind. I must have been held back in hardknox school a few more times."
-So here's a band I'm sure most of you have never heard of. I got a hold of this CD in High School and still like it quite a bit for some reason. Definitely not one of the best metal bands of all time but they have some tunes I really like on this disc. I remember listening to this while playing Nintendo and on my first Discman. Good times, good times :O)

Ok, so there's a little more music for ya, hope you enjoyed! You may now resume you regularly schedule slacking. yup.

Audio: Holy Wist Batman!

2006-02-09T18:12:00.000-06:00

Hey all! Sorry about the delay with the Wist, I was sick yesterday and did a whole lot of nothing. but her it is all ready for your enjoyment! :O)

I now have 1600 songs from all of my CDs in my playlist so this will probably start being rather eclectic, my music tastes are freakishly broad...

1. Michael Jackson (With Janet) - Scream:
"With such confusions don't it make you wanna scream. Your bash abusin' victimize within the scheme. You try to cope with every lie they scrutinize. Somebody please have mercy 'cause i just can't take it."
-He might have more issues than National Geographic, but he does have some good music. Another line from the song is "Stop Pressurin' me, you make me wanna scream." Now who hasn't felt like that before? heh

2. Trapt - Still Frame:

"A small reflection on when we were younger. We had it all figured 'cause we had everything covered. Now we're older it's getting harder to see, What this future will hold for us, what the fuck are we going to be?"
-Ahh, the partial life crisis. I've definitely been feeling a good deal of that lately. Go from having all the dreams and seeing so much of the future when I was younger to now not really being able to se much more than a year out. It's kinda crazy. This is definitely a goos theme song for me right now, just need to unstick the picture and break out into something new!

*Short Offspring track omitted because it's not actually a song*

3. 3 Doors Down - By My Side:

"Sober mind time now is gone, they carved my body not of stone. A pretty maze emptiness, I’ve said the hell with all the rest."
-I don't really know this song, it's one of the hitchhikers with the songs I do like from 3DD. Although I do find it to be a poignant take on the fragility of man. Heh, ok, maybe not, I jsut felt like using big words :O) Oh and cool 3 Doors Down was song #3 hehe

4. Megadeth - Youthanasia:

"Who'd believe with the way things are here, We'd be going anywhere telling people how to live? Who'd believe we'd spend more shippin' drugs and guns, than to educate our sons? Sorry but that's what they did."
-For a good while Megadeth was probably my favorite band. I do have about 5 of their CDs. Now if gotten a lot more diversified and would be hard pressed to pick a favorite. I love the guitar riff in the background of this song though, very cool.

5. The Offspring - Staring at the Sun:

"If I seem bleak, Well you'd be correct. And if I don't speak, It's cause I can't disconnect. But I won't be burned by the reflection, Of the fire in your eyes, As you're staring at the sun, As you're staring at the sun."

-Apparently The Offspring really wanted to make it into the wist this week! They snuck their little intro track in and now they a real song mentioned as well. I think I first heard The offspring in late high school or maybe early college and loved their music. I think just about every one of their songs makes me laugh. And the songs that didn't make me laugh were still cool enough to like!

Well, there you all go, another glimpse at what I'm listening to. Hope you enjoyed! make sure you check out the updates to the Slacker Music Library to see all the music I have!

Audio: 10,000 Wists in the Air

2006-02-02T18:11:00.000-06:00

Ok, so there won't actually be 10,000 wists today, I just listened to the new Disturbed CD and blatantly stole the title from that. Deal with it ;O) Anyway, now that I'm done with that, it's time to click random and let the wist begin!

Disturbed - Fear:

"Reject, Are you no one? Fear you nothing? You know I'll bet you think, You have a good reason to be living, In the limelight of the fortunate ones."

-OK I just finish one Disturbed CD and the first random song it decides to give me a is a song off of one of their older albums. I even made sure it was random heh. Anyway, good music to start the morning with, get the energy moving a little bit. Though, since I still do have to work with Idiot Boss, I probably need to be careful that I don't get too pumped up and want to kick his ass :O)

Aerosmith - Come Together:

"Here come old flattop he come grooving up slowly. He got joo-joo eyeball he one holy roller. He got hair down to his knee. Got to be a joker he just do what he please."

-The original is always the best, but this is one of those songs that's pretty good no matter who does it. I think through all of my CDs I have this song done by four different bands. Good song but it really doesn't bring anything to mind...

Clint Black - Put Yourself in My Shoes:

"Put yourself in my shoes, Walk a mile for me. I'll put myself in your shoes, Maybe then we'd see. That if you put yourself in my shoes, You'd have some sympathy. And if I could only put myself in your shoes, I'd walk right back to me."

-Pretty typical Country :O) It's the plea of the desperate, see things from their perspective. We've all been there. The problem is that if they left, they probably never saw things they way you did anyway and they're probably not going to start or they're just not going to try.

Prince (Well, o(+> or something like that at the time) - Love to the 9's:

"Don't use that magical, mysterious, Intoxicating joy, fantastic, fascinating Word called love Unless u love me 2 the 9's. This is the only kind of love That I've been dreaming of The kind of love that takes away. Ur body, mind, and soul. Love 2 the 9's, baby. I wanna b loved 2 the 9's."

-I have met the guy a couple times and despite the fact he's one of the littlest men I've ever met he's pretty cool. I was pissed at him for a while because he was going to be filming a new years special at his recording studio here in the Twin Cities and have fans be the ones dancing around, but left hundreds of his fans out in the freezing cold with no explanation. And no apologizing until way after the fact as well. Turns out it was because Lenny Kravitz decided to come 5-6 hours late. Hey Lenny, You suck.

*House of Pain - Jump around was previously Wisted, being skipped*

Rednex - Hittin' the Hay:

"You better hold on tight when we go hittin the hay, You better hold on tight and pray. You better hold on tight cause we go hittin the hay, or darling better run cause I won't hold back my horses"
-Mix banjo hoe down country music with techno and mix in some funny ass lyrics and you get Rednex. I found this group in High School after one of their songs "Cotton Eye Joe" was all popular. Come to find out, the other songs were just about as good, yet even more funny. this was another CD I would crank on the stereo system that cost more than the car it was in... hehe

Ok! There you all go, another Wist in the books, I hope you enjoyed it! Lemme know what you think!

Audio: Wistity Do Da!

2006-01-25T18:09:00.000-06:00

So I'm actually going to do my Wednesday wist ON a Wednesday! Yay!! Aren't you all proud of me :O) Since I'm sure you want to hear about the music and not about me, I'll get my groove on...

Bon Jovi - Runaway:

"So you sit home alone ’cause there’s nothing left that you can do, there’s only pictures hung in the shadows left there to look at you. You know she likes the lights at nights on the neon Broadway signs. She don’t really mind, it’s only love she hoped to find."

- This is totally a good (or bad) driving song. I used to crank this all the time in high school just cruising around in the car. Always gets the energy flowing, that's for sure. Thought I do have t make sure that energy isn't all directed into the gas pedal!

Clint Black - No Time to Kill:

"There's no time to kill between the cradle and the grave, Father Time still takes a toll on every minute that you save. Legal tender's never gonna change the number on your days. The highest cost of livin's dyin', that's one everybody pays. So have it spent before you get the bill, there's no time to kill"

- This is part of my own personal theory on life. Why waste too much time looking back? remember the good times and feel free to look back on those, but let the bad stuff go, and don't spend all your time looking back. It's hard to move forward if you're not looking at where you're heading!

Alanis Morissette - Ironic:

"Well life has a funny way of sneaking up on you, when you think everything's okay and everything's going right. And life has a funny way of helping you out when, you think everything's gone wrong and everything blows up in your face."
- A little more insight into my own theory on life. Never take the good things that happen for granted (even the little ones) because they can disappear just as quick and they came along. Conversely, never assume thing cant get any worse, and never dwell because things will get better. I still do have a problem with the lyrics in this song though since most of what she mentions is unfortunate, but not really ironic at all... anyway...

Robert Miles - Fable (Message Version):

"Tell me your fable. A fable.."

- Most people remember Robert Mile for "Children" and most of the rest of his music sounds pretty similar. I like fable because it adds in just enough vocals to kick it up a notch. It's weird it's somehow energizing, yet relaxing. Figure that on out and get back to me ;O)

Bon Jovi - Keep the Faith:

"Faith: you know you're gonna live thru the rain. Lord you got to keep the faith. Faith: don't let your love turn to hate. Right now we got to keep the faith."

- Out of 1231 songs right now only 14 of them are from Bon Jovi, but apparently iTunes feels like playing songs that give you more insight into Slacker's Theories on Life. So yeah. I think too many people lack faith. And by faith, I'm not necessarily implying faith in any deity, but faith in general. Faith with other people, faith in themselves, faith in anything really. Maybe that explains some things in society eh?

Ok, so there you go, another Wist is now complete. This one gave you some nifty insight into me, hop ya enjoyed it!

Audio: Wistfully Late

2006-01-19T18:08:00.000-06:00

I'll do it on time one of these weeks, I swear!

So since I was sick yesterday, here is this week's belated Wednesday Wist.

On with the show:

Nine Inch Nails - Physical (You're So):

"I wanna take you baby, I wanna take you out. I wanna wine and dine you. Oh I wanna twist and twist and shout."
-Ahh yeah, takes me way back to 92-93. I was in middle school and had a huge crush on this one girl Tracy. She was a total tomboy, but in a really hot way. Definitely wouldn't have minded being physical with her. :O)

Econoline Crush - Hollowman:

"Maybe I'm phony, baby, Just like you.Maybe I'm lonely and you're something to do, Something to do.Maybe I'm broken and I can't be fixed. Misunderstood, misguided, misfit, I'm it."

-Econoline Crush was part of my post-college music expansion period. I was trying to get out and find new stuff from lesser known bands. I heard them and loved them. Soon after I heard Surefire on the radio. Hollowman I heard the first time live in downtown Minneapolis.

Metallica - Hero of the Day:

"'Scuse me while I tell ya how I feel. Cause things return to me that still seem real."

-Even though I won't be buying any more of their CDs because the whole Lars Vs. The World - "Give me more money so I can feed my kids (off gold plates)." affair. But I can definitely enjoy the ones I already have right?

The Offspring - Why Don't You Get a Job:

"My Friend's got a girlfriend and he hates that bitch. He tells me everyday. He says 'Man I really gotta lose my chick, in the worst kinda way.' She sits on her ass he works his hands to the bone, to give her money every pay day. But she wants more dinero just to stay at home."

-The Offspring rock, their songs are always hilarious and often about something all of us can agree with. Reminds me of my roommate's girlfriend sophomore year. Two quotes: "Homework? You computer is for me to play games on, you can do homework later!" and (after getting $2 to get snacks at the vending machine) "I only got stuff for me, if you wanted me to get something for you, you should have given me more money. 'I don't have much money.' Well, the money you do have is for me to spend!"

10,000 Maniacs - Candy Everybody Wants (Unplugged):

"If lust and hate is the candy, if blood and love tastes so sweet, then we give 'em what they want. Hey, hey, give 'em what they want."

-I remember listening to this CD with my second girlfriend. Usually had it on while driving around, or doing various activities a her church. Man I miss those days of puppy love when things weren't serious.

So there's another wist for ya! Hope you enjoyed it! make sure to check up on the Slacker Music Library as it got a bunch of new editions!

Audio: Straight Up, With a Twist

2006-01-12T18:07:00.000-06:00

Internet Gremlins hereby thwarted, I now bring you my Wednesday Wist, even if it's a day late. Call it a Thursday Twist, call it what you will, but it's music and it's here :O) So listen up ya slackers and enjoy!

Since it's been a while or, if you don't know,:

This week's Wist comes from my new and growing Music Library due to the discovery of iTunes on my computer.

1. Shakespeare's Sister - Catwoman:

"I'm a super-human 3D Baby, a Hollywood brainchild to drive you crazy. I'm coming your way real soon, I'm the catwoman, from the moon."

Mostly know for their big hit "Stay" they actually do have some other pretty fun tracks on this CD. I first heard this CD back in high school when I borrowed it from a friend since I liked "Stay". After I heard the CD though I had to buy it because it was fun :O)

2. Disturbed - Believe:

"Penance can't absolve your sin. All your belief, cannot absolve your sin."

Pretty much all disturbed songs remind me of living in my crappy green house on campus circa 2000. A roommate there introduced me to them and I definitely like a good deal of their music. He may have walked out on the rent and still owes me about a grand, but at least I got good music out of it. heh.

3. Dido - Take My Hand:

"Take my hand and if I’m lying to you, I’ll always be alone. If I’m lying to you. Take your time, if I’m lying to you. I know you’ll find that you believe me. You believe me."

This becoming the "Lies and Deception" themed Wist or what? heh. This is actually the first song I ever heard by Dido and I heard it live. A girl I was dating took me to this concert and I just loved the music. Still do :O)

4. Jackyl - I Am the I Am:

"I am now where I wanna be, No longer under your rule, your thumb, I am now free. I am now in touch with me, I now walk the walk, I rule, I am now free."

I love Jackyl, their songs are usually just funny. Some nice Dixie rock to go along with it too! And have you seen Jesse James Dupree's mustache? hehe Best since Rollie Fingers.

5. AC/DC - What Do You Do For Money Honey:

"You're working in bars, Riding in cars, Never gonna give it for free. Your apartment with a view, On the finest avenue, Looking at your beat on the street. You're always pushing, shoving, Satisfied with nothing. You bitch, you must be getting old."

this is a question I've been asking myself lately s I explore the job market again. Exactly what will I do for money. I had an interview weds morning that seemed to go pretty well, but it was only the first round of probably three. So who knows.

Anyway, there you go, a little music for ya on this Thursday morning. Enjoy!

Audio: Slacker Music Library

2006-01-12T18:05:00.000-06:00

So it's been a while since I updated you on the status of the growing music library on my computer and since then I have added a good number of the CDs from my collection. Just in case you're wondering what I'm listening to (and I KNOW you are!) here's the current library! Enjoy!

Current Library
Data:
Updated: 09Feb2006
Total Songs: 1599
Length: 70.7 Days
Size: 6.39 GB

Content (Newly Added Items In Bold):

10,000 Maniacs - MTV Unplugged (Whole CD)
3 Doors Down - The Better Life (Whole CD)
A Perfect Circle - eMOTIVe (Whole CD)
A Perfect Circle - Thirteenth Step (Whole CD)
AC/DC - Back in Black (Whole CD)
Ace of Base - The Sign (Whole CD)
Aerosmith - Permanent Vacation
Aerosmith - Big Ones (Whole CD)
Aerosmith - Pump (Whole CD)
Aerosmith - Aerosmith's Greatest Hits (Whole CD)
Aerosmith - Get a Grip (Whole CD)
Aerosmith - Nine Lives (Whole CD)
Alanis Morrissette - Jagged Little Pill (Whole CD)
Almost Famous - music from the Motion Picture
Audio slave - Audioslave (Whole CD)
The Bangles - Greatest Hits (Whole CD)
The Beach Boys - 20 Good Vibrations - The Greatest Hits
Black Sabbath - Reunion (Whole CD, Both Discs)
Bon Jovi - Blaze of Glory/Young Guns II
Bon Jovi - Cross Road (Whole CD)
Breaking Benjamin - We Are Not Alone (Whole CD)
Bryan Admas - So Far So Good (Whole CD)
Bush - Sixteen Stone
Bush - Razorblade Suitcase
Butthole Surfers - Electriclarryland (Whole CD)
Caroline's Spine - Attention Please (2 Tracks)
Caroline's Spine - Monsoon (3 Tracks)
Charlie Daniels - Super Hits (Whole CD)
Clint Black - Greatest Hits (Whole CD)
Club Mix '97
Club Mix '98
Collective Soul - Hints Allegations & Things Left Unsaid (Whole CD)
Collective Soul - Collective Soul (Whole CD)
Collective Soul - Disciplined Breakdown (Whole CD)
CPR - CPR (Whole CD)
The Crow - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Whole CD)
Cze-Johnson Fever's Greatest Hits - High School Dance Edition (Whole CD)
Dangerous Minds - Music from the Motion Picture
Danzig - Thrall-Demonsweatlive (5 Tracks)
David Bowie - I'm Afraid of Americans CD Single (Whole CD)
Def Lepard - Vault: Def Lepard's Greatest Hits
Demon Knight - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (5 Tracks)
Dido - No Angel (Whole CD)
Disturbed - Believe (Whole CD)
Disturbed - The Sickness (Whole CD)
Econoline Crush - The Devil You Know (5 Tracks)
Evanesence - Fallen (Whole CD)
Extreme - Pornograffitti (Whole CD)
Extreme - III Sides to Every Story (Whole CD)
Faith No More - The Real Thing (Whole CD)
Fiona Apple - Tidal
Future Leaders of America - Lvl IV (2 Tracks)
Garth Brooks - The Hits (Whole CD)
Genesis - We Can't Dance (Whole CD)
Green Day - Insomniac
Guns N' Roses - Appetite for Destruction (Whole CD)
Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion I (Whole CD)
Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion II (Whole CD)
Incubus - Make Yourself (Whole CD)
Jackyl - Push Come to Shove (Whole CD)
Jann Arden - Living Under June (Whole CD)
Jewel - 0304 (Whole CD)
Jimmy Page & David Coverdale - Coverdale/Page
Josh Johnz - The Labyrinth (Whole CD)
Korn - Issues (Whole CD)
Korn - Life is Peachy (Whole CD)
Korn - Untouchables (Whole CD)
Live - Throwing Copper (Whole CD)
Marilyn Manson - Antichrist Superstar (5 Tracks)
Meatloaf - Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell (Whole CD)
Megadeth - Countdown to Extinction (Whole CD)
Megadeth - Youthanasia (Whole CD)
Metal Church - Hanging in the Balance
Metallica - Black CD (Whole CD)
Metallica - Load (Whole CD)
Michael Jackson - History [Disc 1] (Whole CD)
Michael Jackson - History [Disc 2] (Whole CD)
M:I 2 - Music From and Inspired By
Monster Magnet - Powertrip (Whole CD)
Nickelback - Silver Side Up (Whole CD)
Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine
Nine Inch Nails - Broken (Whole CD)
Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral (Whole CD)
Nirvana - Nevermind (Whole CD)
Nirvana - In Utero (Whole CD)
No Doubt - Tragic Kingdom (Whole CD)
The Offspring - Americana (Whole CD)
The Offspring - Smash (Whole CD)
Pearl Jam - Ten (Whole CD)
Phil Collins - Serious Hits... Live! (Whole CD)
Pink Floyd - The Wall (Whole CDs)
Poe - Hello (Whole CD)
Prince - The Hits/The B-sides (Disc1) (Whole CD)
Prince and the New Power Generation - O(+> (Whole CD)
Radiohead - The Bends (5 Tracks)
Rage Against the Machine - Rage Against the Machine (Whole CD)
Rednex - Sex & Violins
Rick Springfield - The Day After Yesterday (5 Tracks)
Robert Miles - Dreamland (Whole CD)
Rob Zombie / White Zombie - Past, Present & Future (Whole CD)
Romeo + Juliet - Music From the Motion Picture
Santana - Supernatural (Whole CD)
Seal - Seal (Whole CD)
Shakespear's Sister - Hormonally Yours (Whole CD)
Smashing Pumpkins - Adore (Whole CD)
Soundgarden - Superunknown (Whole CD)
Spin Doctors - Pocket Full of Kryptonite
Stabbing Westward - Wither Blister Burn+ Peel (Whole CD)
Staind - Break the Cycle (Whole CD)
Stone Temple Pilots - Core (Whole CD)
Stone Temple Pilots - Purple
Styx - Greatest Hits (Whole CD)
Temple of the Dog - Temple of the Dog (Whole CD)
Testament - The New Order
Tool - Undertow (Whole CD)
Trapt - Trapt (Whole CD)
Twisted Sister - BNig Hits and Nasty Cuts (6 Tracks)
Ugly Kid Joe - America's Least Wanted
Van Halen - Live: Right Here, Right Now
Van Halen - Balance (Whole CD)
Vertical Horizon - Everything You Want (Whole CD)
The Wall Flowers - Bringing Down the Horse (Whole CD)
Warrant - Cherry Pie (Whole CD)
White Zombie - Supersexy Swingin' Sounds
The X-Files - Son'gs in the Key of X
Yes - Talk
ZZ Top - Greatest Hits (Whole CD)

Audio: Wisty Audio Inbloggeration!

2005-12-07T11:03:00.000-06:00

Hello and welcome to the inauguration of the Daily Slacker: Audio Edition! This version of The Daily Slacker will concern all things audio. I will have some audio posts from your truly and also have any other audio related posts. One major ongoing item will me the iTunesification of my CD library. Check in for updates on how far I have converted to the darkside! ;O)

Seeing as it's Wednesday and this will be an audio oriented blog, what could be a better inaugural post than the Wednesday Wist?

In case you just uttered "Wednesday wha?" here you go:

How do you participate in Wednesday Wist? You take whatever music player you use, put it on shuffle, grab the first 5 songs and write what that song makes you remember. If it's a new song...and you can't relate it to a memory....do you like it? Leave a comment if you do it on your site and if you don't have a site, comment your wist here! Oh...and feel free to comment about my songs as well!!!

(Titles are now linked to a clip of the song, if possible!)

1. Fastball - The Way

"They made up their minds, and they started packing. They left before the sun came up that day. An exit to eternal summer slacking. But where were they going without ever knowing the way?"

I'm all about the summer slacking. Can't wait till that season rolls around again! This reminds me of a girl I dated years ago, like 1999ish, maybe 2k. We went to one of those big outdoor summer concert things that have like eight bands. The last two to play were Fastball and Def Lepard. Fastball managed to play "The Way" and then proceeded to get monsooned off the stage. We're talking heavy, horizontal rain. There was much flashing in the hour and a half it took them to get the stage dry enough for Def Lepard to come on. She broke up with me soon after because after 4 months of dating I didn't want to be married. What is it with some people?

2. Blues Travelers - Hook:

"It doesn't matter what I say, So long as I sing with inflection, That makes you feel that I'll convey, Some inner truth of vast reflection. But I've said nothing so far, And I can keep it up for as long as it takes. And it don't matter who you are, If I'm doing my job then it's your resolve that breaks."

Ahh, the mind skips back to chilling in someone's, probably Indy's or John Lennon Joe's, dorm room having a few cocktails and just having fun. Now those were the days!

3. Jerry Lee Lewis - Great Balls of Fire:

"You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain. Too much love drives a man insane
You broke my will, But what a thrill. Goodness gracious great balls of fire!"

I always saw the scene of Goose and Maverick singing this an thought that was the kind of fun I want to have with my friends. I might not have learned to play the piano, but I certainly have had a blast making fools of ourselves signing badly to songs at other parties with friends!

4. Technotronic - Pump Up The Jam:

"I want a place to say: "get your booty on the floor tonight." Make my day. I want a place to say: "get your booty on the floor tonight." Make my day."

Anyone who went rollerskating in the 80's heard this song at least once per visit. You still find it in "workout mixes" and according to Yahoo Music there are about 8 remixes out there. It also makes me remember doing Model United Nations in High School. One year our delegation was the tiny African country of Djibouti (Said Jih-Booty). During roll calls each day our group person would say: "Is Djibouti on the dance floor?" heh

5. Christina Aquilera - Genie in a Bottle:

"I'm a genie in a bottle baby, You gotta rub me the right way honey. I'm a genie in a bottle baby. Come, come, come on and let me out"

Now this is one girl that can go from incredibly hot, to incredibly hideous on one hell of a hurry. But tell me you guys out there didn't wanna rub her the right way when this song came out? Yes, I am sad at the state of my MP3 collection, but now that I found iTunes on my computer here.... it's on ;O) This also reminds me of the whole Kaycee Nicole thing since she was the one who introduced me to Xtina just prior to her running her way up the charts.

Anyway, there's another Wist down! Hope you enjoyed laughing at the sad state of my MP3 collection! :O) Hope you enjoy the Audio edition as well! Make sure to stop back later, I'm going to post my first Audioblog comment later tonight after work! And stop back often to see the updates to the iTunesification of my Music Collection!

Visual: Wintry Whiteness

2005-11-16T12:08:00.000-06:00

So it's that time of year up here in the northlands. Nevermind that it was 60 a couple days ago, but mother nature decided to drop off a little present to remind us it really is winter.

I thought I would toss up a couple pictures so you cold blooded type can enjoy these from the warmth of wherever you are right now.

Enjoy!

Visual: Slacker Week - NewYorkness

2005-10-20T16:30:00.000-05:00

So, as promised, here are some of the pictures I took while I was in New York. I only managed to stay for an extended week, next time I'll stay longer and actually go out, have fun and let FINY get me drunk.

I'm a fan of skyscrapers so I always love seeing the cities from a distance. I love the big beautiful buildings rising in the distance.

The world famous Times Square area during the day:

And here's the way it SHOULD be seen:

Gotta love Central Park, but no way you're getting a night picture of that! :O)

A little Radio City Music Hall action. Fogginess is fun sometimes.

One of the most beautiful ladies in the States, even though she is French:

I'm glad I didn't get a bowlingball or a watermelon dropped on me!

Inside the Empire State Building:

Go skaters go!

And now for the best pictures, all of which happened to come from the same place: Rockefeller Center

Atlas:

The Main Foyer:

And for probably THE best picture I have ever taken, Rockefeller Center at night:

Visual: Tour de Cubicle!

2005-10-18T13:04:00.000-05:00

So, You all got a Tour of Slacker HQ before, but you hadn't seen where most of the slacking occurs: Slackerland Cubicle Edition! Well now you will!

We start on the outside of the cube:

On the right is an artwork of a car a originally had hand drawn, then the progress through various modeling stages to the final model. Notice the pole. It used to be my enemy, but now I have learned it's going to save me from having to SHARE a cube with another person.

Moving inside to the left:

This is where various Sobe cap sculptures reside. Currently it's an octopus, but Previously there has been a Castle and a Giant Lizard.

To the right:

These are the other artworks I have on my wall. Both of those I drew with charcoal.

In the back right:

This is my wall pride. Any awards I have received get shown off here!

And the Main Slacking Zone:

This is the land of dual flat screen monitor goodness. Notice the Lava Lamp for added relaxation during long durations of slackerness. Also, with Marvin the Martian guarding things, I know my work is safe. Ok, back to slacking!

Visual: Turtley Tandem!

2005-10-17T14:20:00.000-05:00

So there's a New Turtle in Slackerland! In addition to Mr. (Larry) T, his brother Curly Mrytle T has moved in! CM was apparently lonely and depressed after his two brothers departed so his owner gave him to be in hopes that being reunited with his bro and being in a nice big tank would perk him back up. And so it did! CM's half the size of LT so he's got some catching up to do!

Here are a few pictures to get you all started, more will be posted later tonight!

Here's the full set up in is new location at the front of the Great Room in the window nook overlooking the street:

From the side:

From the Top:

Here are the boys hanging out under their basking platform:

Being Swimmy under the log:

Their little heads peeking out the water:

Digging around for some food:

Taking a breather:

Curly Myrtle getting a tan:

Both of em getting some sun:

Visual: Mr.T's New Pad!

2005-09-13T12:39:00.000-05:00

SO I decided that Mr.T didn't seem very happy in his tiny old referenda bin thing. He didn't eat much and rarely swam around, so I got him some new digs.

If you don't remember the old bin, click here.

I went all out and got him a nice big fatty 20 gallon Turtle Tank, with a cork log for him to crawl on, a power filter, a heater, gravel on the bottom, a basking light and also a full spectrum light.

Here's the new set-up:

Much more room eh?

Holding true to his namesake, Mr.T likes checkin himself out in the glass:

He's super happy now and spends the whole day (Well what I see of him) swimming around the tank and pushing pebbles around:

At night when it gets chillier, he likes to get all snuggly with the tank heater:

He likes to Bask a lot too, but only when there is no one around, I'll usually get home and see him on the Cork Log basking. The second he sees or hears me though he jumps back in the water and swims like mad. I think I might have to set up a "TurtleCam" once we get the net running at Slacker HQ. He's eating a lot more too, so I'm glad he loving the new digs!

Visual: Races at MIS

2005-08-31T13:51:00.000-05:00

Ahh yes, Michigan International Speedway. The racing is fun and all, I'm a NASCAR fan, I'll admit that. The racing is only have the fun if you actually go to the track though. If you stay in the campsites around the track it's basically a weekend-long (or week long if you get ther early) big ass party. Everyone loves a party!

For the record, first group shot of the weekend: 10:47am Saturday morning. Maker's Mark Bouron it was.

Here's the front of the Camping area we were in:

Right across the street from the Track:

Besides drinking a lot, it's tradition to have campfires, usually by late in the night, if there's little wind, the camping area may as well have fog around it with all the camp smoke.

Chilling by the fire, niotice the ring of empties around the fire, another tradition:

Of course it has to be a good fire. Dad piled it on:

Along with our other tradition of getting extra branches from the woods next to the site, it growed up:

At one point I was going to take a picture of eveyone sitting around again, but caught a full moon:

Then Dad joined in... anyone know how to disown parents? What's worse, he doesn't drink...

The next morning, the beautiful can ring lies in ruins:

The Truck is packed full for the trip home:

Yes, it was a fun weekend...

And here's a bonus, try fitting this in your bath tub:

Visual: The Slacker Mascot!

2005-08-17T11:56:00.000-05:00

Meet Mr.T!

Swimming in his little pen:

Taking a gander out of the corner:

Hiding under the plant:

So there he is! Cute eh?

Visual: Long Lost Friends

2005-08-17T11:48:00.000-05:00

So here are some pictures from when Orientation Girl came to visit!

Here's me and OG:

John Boy and OG:

The whole crew:

Me, OG and the infamous Shot List:

Visual: If I Were a Girl... and a Cat...

2005-07-21T16:50:00.000-05:00

So yeah, you all sort of chose to see kitty pictures, so here they are.

My parents got this cat and then called me to ask what she should be name. They gave me two choices, Kia and some other lame name. Kia is what I would have been named if I was born with a second X chromosome...

So yeah, here she is!

I think she was a little grumpy that I interrupted her nap...

What is it with lasers that drives cats nuts?

She even knows what a recliner is for... Reclining :O)

Look at the big bad cat hiding in the jungle...

Careful! She sees you!

You've heard of the Cat in the Hat? Meet the Cat in the Bag! Have bag? Will crawl in.

Well there you go! :O)

The next vote will be between pictures of NYC or some of the Badger Midget Races!

Visual: Flaming Goodness!

2005-07-06T14:51:00.000-05:00

I promised you pictures, so here's some fireworks!

All of these were taken at Rhythm and Booms 2005 in Madison, WI.

The show rocks, the sky is constantly full of fireworks, with usually 3-5 going off at a time and all of it is choreographed to music. This year they had live music with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, so imagine orchestra music playing ;O)

Here's a couple multi-shots:

(click to view full size)

Some more random shots from throughout the show:

Sucks to be the people sitting to the north... How's the smoke?

Oh, and there's the stage where the orchestra was playing and a big vid-screen for people to see them.

Back to the fireworks!

Here's the finale bit by bit, imagine 105mm Howitzers firing here and there as these are going off as well...

So there you have Rhythm and Booms. Hope you enjoyed it! I'll put more pics up on Friday!

Visual: Slackerdom Central!

2005-06-29T11:59:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Slackerdom Central. This is the home base of all Slacker operations. Hidden in the roof of a non-assuming building in a historic neighborood of St. Paul.

You can see the original no furnished pictures here.

Shall we begin the tour complete with furnishings?

I'll skip the entryway since that isn't any different.

(click images for full size)

Great Room

Here's the view from the top of the stairs looking into the main great room area. much slacking is done of that futon.

Here's the view from the dining area. the Slackerdom reading facility is that papazan. The Pub entrance is to the right of it.

Here's the view from the Slackerdom Reading Facility. The SD Dining Facility and Wine Stock is in the background.

Closer view of said Dining Facility and secondary wine stock.

"Marvin's Pub"

Here is "Marvin's Pub" a full service bar completely stock with 20 different kinds of liquor and at least 3 kinds of beer. Right now there is only the dart board on the right, I'm working on foosball or dome hockey.

Here's the view fom behind the bar. Now you see why it's Marvin's Pub.

Access to the rest of Slackerdom. Dormitory on the left, Kitchen and Head in the middle, Technology Center on the right.

Dormitory

Here is the Slackerdom Dormitory. This is HQ of the most extreme instances of slacking.

The HQ entertainment area comlete with a Green Orgasm (aka Giggling Flubber).

HQ entrance and secondary clothing storage unit.

Technology Center

Here is the Slackerdom Technology Center complete with wirelss network that is typically used from the recliner 6 feet away.

Said recliner with laptop and the Slackerdom Library.

Now the final two areas have been redone since previously toured. I'll include links to the before shots.

Kitchen

In true slacker style, this isn't used as much as it should be. Well, everything besdies the pizza oven anyway.

Before
After:

Before
After:

The tile was a pain, but I love it.

The Head

And finally the bathroom.

Before: Here and Here

After:

And the finally Bio-Waste Refuse Center.

So there you go. You now know what Slackerdom central looks like. If you happen to be in the Twin Cities area, feel free to request a personal tour!

Visual: Fotos Di Moi!

2005-06-23T16:08:00.000-05:00

Three words three languages. Rock!

So pictures of me won out over my condo.. So here goes!

(Click to view full size)

Damn I was P.I.M.P!

Yeah, I had the big mouth since birth...

I'm tellin ya, I had Mojo... Who could resist THAT face?

In WI, they start us young... Maybe this explains the intelligence AND the high tolerance..?

Here's me all growed up in my crowded room 4 houses ago...

Here's me lookin all suave... Mom's on the phone.

Here's me and Freak Out Girl... Ripped a headboard off the wall that night...

And to finish things off...

Here's my tat. It's in the top center of my back, about 8-9 inches across.

Disclaimer: The Daily Slacker and The Daily Slacker Visual Edition and not liable for any damages to material or electronic devices such as but not limted to clothes and keyboards by any actions voluntary or involuntary by the viewer of the above pictures.

Visual: Archaeologist at Work!

2005-06-21T12:31:00.000-05:00

(Click to view full size)

Here's the current status of the sidewalk project:

Here's a view of the area we're trying to reclaim as a garden from my Office window:

A closer view:

This is the original chunk that I found while digging out weeds:

Here's the trench I dug trying to find out how far it ran:

Here's the progress I've made so far, it does have it's cracks, but it's probably 50+ years old:

In case you wonder where the dirt went... It's going to help fix our front lawn which was killed in that tragic Round-Up incident:

Visual: Slacker's Art at Work

2005-06-17T14:54:00.000-05:00

Click pictures to view.

Drawings

It's a cell phone cam pic, but those are a few of my drawings I've entered in our bi-annual art show here at work. The bottom one I added some censor spots (See close-up) to it because someone complained about a guy being naked in this different drawing ;O) Definitely added to the piece!

Here's a few of my past Sobe cap art pieces:

The Sobe Castle

The Great Sobe Lizard

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sobe

Visual: Tour De Condo!

2005-06-16T12:34:00.000-05:00

For the first entry into the Daily Slacker: Visual Edition. I figured I would put up the pictures of my Condo I took prior to moving in. Enjoy the vitual tour!

The Building

This is the front of the building. I own the whole third floor. Hidden up in the roof ;O)

Entryway

My main entrance is actually on the second floor, so I have a neat little entry area and stairs!

Great Room

In the middle is the fromt stairwell, the right is bedroom #1 and the left is BR#2.

Left to right: Stairs, BR#1, Kitchen, Office

SW Corner

NW Corner

Bedrooms

Here's Bedroom #1, which I'll actually use as a bedroom.

Here's bedroom #2 which I'm going to turn into a pub area because the old hardwood reminds me of one.

Office

Kitchen

This horrid green has been replaced by tile and a deep red color.

Bathroom

This weird brownish purple has been replaced by light and dark blue.

Layouts

Yes, I'm a geek. here's a 3d model of the whole place!

New Visual Edition

2005-06-16T12:21:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the new Visual Edition of The Daily Slacker! Soon there will be posts filled with pictures on here. Enjoy the break from my wordiness to enjoy some visual stimulation!