Mr. Pirate:

The pudding was worth honorable mention. It was a mysterious sea of pudding. Enigmatic, even. But enough about hog farmers.

I have a secret about ________.

A. pudding
B. shotgun diarrhea
C. horses
D. The French

Started work on the final edit for a documentary on the Ukraine. Actually it's about a lot more. It follows students from the US who create a coproduction in Kiev following the fall of communism. The play interprets the life of a Russian poet sentenced to death by Stalin. During the production, a real coup takes place as the hard liners try to reclaim the government. It's engaging material. Good people involved. More on this as it develops.

WalMart Blitz has hit the air. (Post Thanksgiving spots geared to power-purchase Republican Christian types). Shitloads of shit flying around with price points. Harpies racing to their death. Must've seen those spots play 20 times in 2 days.

Thanksgiving was pleasant. Met the folks in Waxahachie. Watched biblical amounts of Fox News and played Super Scrabble.

One Scabble moment of note: I was at a loss for a word and could have gotten a really good one had I not been playing with Ginger's parents. It could have been a triple word score. The taboo word - CUNT. Just couldn't do it. Not in front of the Christians. Maybe if they were Scottish.

Ready for the Octopus video. Must shoot and build in the next few weeks. G5 will get here next week.

Counting down the ship date for my imac G5: On or before Dec. 2. Can't wait. I've been dying to get out of 1998 - I've been running the clunky beige g3 desktop since Clinton was in office.

I've been trying to follow Pleix since Wiley showed me the "Beauty Kit for Little Girls" short a few years ago. Just found a little interview with them -

PLEIX INTERVIEW

The work is technically amazing, not to mention darkly humorous. The team really works well together, meshing 3d and 2d beautifully.

Bought a Komeda album years ago just because I liked the video. I sometimes buy shit just because I like the cover art. That's how it goes. Aside from having the obvious pop comparison to Stereolab, they are just about as perfect as a pop band can get. The new album Kokomemedada, which is probably a year old at this point, is making me very happy right now. I had written them off as an blue-speckled egg anomaly, but I saw a video for 'Blossom' on sputnik7 recently. It was enough to get me out to the store. Maybe it's the colder weather. The crispy air kind of lends itself to pop music.

komeda site

sputnik7

Been working with Wayne Coyne this weekend on the "Psychic Wall" video for the Spongebob Squarepants movie. Mostly green screen work of the guys in a crows nest of a pirate ship. All this became more ironic as I talked with Wayne about his past experience as a cook at a Long John Silvers. He had this job from 1977-1990. This floored me. Kind of inspiring. I like them even more. What a busy fucker, too. Building sets for his film, recording, touring... Never really taking a day off. I admire that.

Another thing floored me this week. I found out Jandek palyed a show in Scotland.

I have nothing to report but heat misrery on all fronts.

Items purchased today:

a) French press b) 3 way lightbulb c) 4 40-watt lightbulbs d) flip-flops e) coffee f) a fine plate of enchiladas from an interior-Mexican restaurant establishment.

I can honestly say that these products have enhanced my life and will continue to do so for years to come. I would recommend them to anyone in need of life-enhancing accoutrement.

I can't seem to get the opening riffs of "Breakin the Law" out of my head. I know this makes me a loser. If I had any will power whatsoever, I would be able to erase this stain upon my mental jukebox.

Jandek albums purchased as of late!
a) Staring at the Cellophane b) Hopeless Recluse

Not much into Staring quite yet, but hopeless was a long overdue acquisition.

Purchase!

Back from Las Vegas -- An extended stay of 3 days that would have sufficed at 2 days. Pictures were taken, but it will take years to post, as I live in the dark ages and am one of the few who do not own a digital camera. Won $500. Lost $500. Ate a footlong chili cheese dog as the sun came up. Drunkenly. (Goes without saying). Noone in their right mind would do that sober. The dog was the only way I could complete myself after losing money and half of my liver.

We all have a French policeman inside of us

Wiley, Tamara, Josh, Ginger, and I exploded 8 pounds of ground beef with M-60s and Black Cats. I know it's retarded, but I feel a sense of accomplishment. Partially because the 45 minute ride to escape the illegal use of fireworks in Austin led us to an open train track outside of Elgin. After riding around for nearly an hour, we defeated what Wiley termed, "fiasco status". This journey was best completed with a barbecue feast at Meyer's Elgin BBQ.

For some unknown reason, I ate BBQ the following day with friends at the Salt Lick. I'm surprised I haven't broken my stomach.

Saw The Fall last weekend. Mark E. Smith sat behind a desk with 2 microphones.

This is either truly brilliant, or something to commit suicide to.


FAMILY AUTO MART

I'm behind on the news these days.

INVASION OF THE WILD BOAR

Trying to quit smoking. Again. Ever hear of a drug called Inversine? It was used originally in the mid-20th century to treat high-blood pressure. It's been adapted recently to treat Tourette Syndrome. The possiblities are growing: now it's nicotine and alcoholism. From my limited understanding, it blocks the receptors which put one on edge when craving a cigarette. This sounds great. I'd like to see if I could shut those receptors off when I walk in a bar, though.


INVERSINE LINK

AHHH!
Fear!
AHHHH!
Work take soul, make fear! Run, hide, BEWARE!

In the parking lot of work today, a couple, in their thirties/fourties, were approaching the entrance. The odd thing was that they both had pink shirts on. It became much worse when considering the possibilities: (one) They were brother and sister. Maybe they're creepy close, like kissing cousins, but brother and sister. Don't want to think about it. (two) They're names are Scotty and Joyce. They are still riding high from that prom night in '82 where they made out to Air Supply in the back of Dad's Chrysler LeBaron. They decided that matching pink shirts will be a symbol of their 80's love and solidarity through the years. (three) They are here to help me witness for Christ. They will touch me on my shoulder and smile telling me, the Lord REALLY does have a plan for us.

By the time I got to the door, and they were at the elevator, I caught the name tags on their shirts. At first I thought they were monograms a la Laverne and Shirley, but nay. They work for Rockin Ritas. They seemed nice. I felt bad for making shit up. I still think they were doin' it to Air Supply.

Unrelated: Mayo Thompson is a good egg:

Richie Unterberger Interview

Discography

Lionel Richie is touring here soon. I still have horrifying childhood memories of that music video (Hello, Is It Me You're Looking For?) where the blind woman sculpts a bust of Lionel's head. Complete with moustache.

In other news, I no longer have a moustache. I blame Lionel Richie.

Not Another Tired Parody of the Bush Administration.

This is indeed the most disturbing and brilliant rendering of our horrific Administration. We're all going to hell in a HUM-V.

LINK

COCK ESP
These folks need to come back to Austin. Oh wait, they are:
APRIL 05
Church of the Friendly Ghost
w/ Static Storm System, Rotten Piece

I forgot to mention that, as I was walking into the office building early today, an elderly man was following me. Not getting a good look at him, I was convinced he was perfectly capable to open the door himself. Being the polite citizen, I thought about it a few seconds, and decided to enter without providing the courtesy "hold the door open" favor. When I got to the elevators, the old man came around the corner, and to my surprise, he was missing an arm. His other hand was carrying assorted books, so he could possibly have needed "a hand" in opening the door. So much for courtesy.

This is my first post.