meganursula’s blog

What's some good advice you've given to a friend, but not followed yourself? 
Submitted by robbbiedobbbie.

There is too much to count.  I find it much easier to give advice than to adhere to it.  I have, in recent years, attempted not to be hypocritcal about things, which involves following advice i know i'd give other people, but, that doesn't mean i manage the feat.

I think a lot of my advice falls into the form of, 'If you are unhappy, then do something about it.'.  If you don't like your job, think about switching jobs.  If you don't like your weight, go on a diet.  If you are worried that you are sick or injured, see a doctor.  If you are tired of staying home alone, contact a friend and plan to do something.  Etc.  I do try to keep this in mind all the time.  I believe that we do have control over our lives, and to a large extent our happiness.  On the other hand, i recognize that it can sometimes seem like one is stuck with the current poor situation.  This can happen because the required changes are more terrifying than an unhappy status quo, or because its just hard to imagine what exactly you can do to solve a problem.  I admit that i have fallen into this trap frequently, and i sympathize with others who fall into the trap, but i suppose our goal should be to keep trying even if we don't succeed the first time around.

What are the 10 most memorable music performances you've seen? (Remember, "memorable" may not be good.) 
Submitted by Bill. 

I'm going to leave out 32 years of Saturday night concerts at Indian Neck, mostly because that is a different story altogether.  I also refuse to order the shows.  So there!

*  The Jesus Lizard, (~1995, Pittsburgh, Graffiti).  This was my first ever punk-rock show.  Boy, how i loved the Jesus Lizard.  On top of that, Cop Shoot Cop opened for them.  I wasn't that familiar with Cop Shoot Cop at the time, but, i have loved them since.  Their percussionist made good use of a piece of corrugated metal.  So, the Jesus Lizard rocked.  It was really really high energy.  I was in the middle of the front row (and had bruises on my thighs for a week afterwards from being crushed up to the stage.  David Yow gave me his beer ('I'm giving a beer to the bald girl in the front row, pass it around'). 

* Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (Orange tour, Pittsburgh, Graffiti).  R.L. Burnside played the opening set, and, honestly, i think it was the way the two bands worked together that really made the show.  Judah Bauer played harmonica for Burnside, and Burnside did some songs with JSBX.  Orange is one of my favorite albums of all time, and the show really rocked.  They lived up to my expectations, for sure.  Jon Spencer played a theremin.

* Skatellites/Cherry Poppin' Daddies (~1998, Bumbershoot).  Josh and i sort of stumbled on to this show, actually.  We don't normally go to Bumbershoot, so much, but boy am i glad we caught this one.  For one thing, the Skatellites were almost already fossilized, so we were lucky to see them when we did.  They played a great set, too, and really rocked for some old guys.  The Daddies also played a wonderful set.  One of the highlights was this 5 year old girl, with dreads down to her but, who got up on stage and skanked to put all the rest of us to shame.  I think a couple of other ska bands played, and, the day was just to day for -- sitting in the sun at Seattle Center enjoying a good show.  Wow.

* Fugazi (~1998, UC at CMU).  I saw a lot of concerts at CMU.  Fugazi was the carnival band this year.  (Other memorable carnival bands included Bim Skala Bim, The Bosstones, JSBX.)  Generally, the shows i saw at the UC were hit or miss -- it was not exactly the best concert hall in the world.  If i had a guess, this was far from Fugazi's best show, too.  On the other hand, Fugazi!  They really played a clean and interesting set, and my respect for the band only increased with seeing them live.  I guess, i also feel thankful that i did see them in all their glory.

* Shudder to Think (~1995, IUP).  Craig Wedren, in this show, was one of the sexiest men alive.  I also have a real weak spot for Pony Express Record (the album the tour supported).  I thought the show was interesting, and well played, and quite good.  On the other hand, this show is also one of those things that is really personally meaningful, and i can't be quite sure it would hold such a place in my heart if it weren't for the surrounding events.  I drove to IUP with Erich, Dave, and Josh, and the trip alone was pretty fun.  But, more importantly, it was that weekend that Josh and i first, well, you know.

*Sasquatch Festival (2004?, the Gorge, Washington).  Here lies a show that was good because of the bands (Flaming Lips, Cold play, and many many more), but also good because Josh and i, on the spur of the moment, drove out to George, and spent a day lying in the sun in such a beautiful setting.  I know the music would have been good in another venue, but i don't know if the show would have made this list.  Although, i remember the line up being a whos-who of bands we'd like to see, too, and having so much good music in one place is always a treat. 

*Firewater (~2004?, Seattle, Graceland).  I don't really like Graceland.  Actually, Graceland may not longer exist, and i won't mourn it at all.  I've generally been pretty miserable at concerts there.  So, its saying something that Firewater managed to make it an awesome awesome night despite their location.   I know that part of the fun was that they had a burlesque show that took the stage before them.  I thought the burlesque was only so-so, but, at least it was interesting.  But, mostly it was just the incredible performances of the musicians.  TTod Ashley has a musical mind that i can only envy and be thankful for.  He appears twice on this list, did you notice?

*The Wedding Present (~2006, Seattle, Neumos).  I've never seen David Gedge and not enjoyed it.  The man is a genius.  I chose this particular show, though, for a few reasons.  One is that they played traditional Wedding Present songs, and i have a weakness there.  I've also become quite fond of Neumos as a venue, because even though it is a dank hole, i've seen a fair number of shows there that i really really liked.  Also, they have Frites next door, which almost makes up for things like shows running terribly late.  Another bonus for this show was that my company was next to none, and i just had a really pleasant evening.  And heard some great songs.

*Stinking Lisavita (~1995, Pittsburgh, Doherty Hall).  I don't know why Stinking Lisavita grabbed me so much.  Perhaps it was the kick-ass girl drummer, or perhaps it was the upright bass.  But, somehow they've edged their way into my permanent memory.  This is an instrumental band, and they never made it big.  But they sure did rock!  At any rate, i saw them in Doherty 2210 (a lecture hall of all places), sort of at the beginning of my tenure in the Pittsburgh music scene.  They're all tied up with being part of that small group of folks, of being recognized by the local music elite, of going to shows alone in crazy venues because the music was good.  And most of all, they really rocked.  It was one of those nights where i left with twice as much energy as i had when i went in.

* Belle and Sebastian (2001, Seattle, Paramount).  This show happend on 9/13/2001.  We'd had tickets to see TMBG the night before, but, they couldn't make it out of NYC.  I think the fact that Belle and Sebastian managed the drive up from Portland (where they'd been the night before) was sort of that much more meaningful.  I really respect the fact that TMBG had to stay in NY, and i wouldn't have wanted them to do anything differently, but, seeing Belle and Sebastian put on such a great show that night was the beginning of being able to move forward with life.  B&S started off the show with a moment of silence, but then they just moved on to play.  The mood was a bit weird - much more serious than i think it normally would have been.  But the music was beautiful, and what more could we do for the world than appreciate artistry and joy on such a dark day?  (I've seen B&S a number of times, and i hope to see them a number more.  They consistently put on a good show, and i basically just love their music.  I could have chosen any one of their shows as being memorable, but, obviously this one had a more profund  impact on my life than most.)

What were you doing one year ago today?
Submitted by CassandraMorgan.

One year ago today?  Well, i can't find anything about work, but, i know i was working on my general exam.

i was also taking a sea-kayaking class with the mountaineers and Eli.  And, this was the week that i started to experiment with riding up to Bothel after work to get in more long distance cycling.  It ws probably the start of my solo-riding (for real).  Of course, our mostly weekly wine & cheese game playing has been going on for more than a year, which is a nice thing.

In short, it doesn't seem like i've changed so very much in my day to day life in the past year, but, i do have a sense that i'm more put-together and generally happier.

Did you order Girl Scout cookies this year?  What kind?

Thin Mints, Thin Mints.  Yum.
But i buy them at the store because no one lets there kids go door to door around here.

One thing that i wanted to do on Vox, as opposed to LJ (my blather on forever journal), was to use the daily prompts to work on my writing.  For example, the question of the day seems like its a great prompt for working on a structured paragraph.

The problem i'm running into is that i have no ability to choose my 'favorite', my 'number 1', my 'worst', or any of those other superlatives.  Take today's <modified> question 'What is your favorite brand of coffee?'  Well, i can name some brands that i like, i can name some experiences, or preparations that i like.  But i can't choose my favorite.

I happen to love Dunkin' Donuts French Vanillia, sugar no cream, coffee.  I always get some when i'm back east.  By now it has taken on even more epic proportions because there are no Dunkin' Donuts here, so it is something associated with home, and growing up, and vacations.  But to say its my favorite brand??  I can't do that.  I have beans right now, and i find them to be drinkable, but certainly not brilliant.

I also loved the coffee that i sampled on the Kona coastline, because even though it didn't embrace any of the ceremony that i wrap around my coffee consumption it was just really delicious coffee. 

There are two very different cups of coffee, and i value each one.  I value each one for very different reasons, so i certainly can't choose between them.

The upshot of all this is that i find myself unable to answer the QotD prompts.  I wonder if i should just start choosing a 'good cup of joe' and writing about that, instead of trying to limit myself to only the superlative?

What's the best way to get on your good side?
Submitted by Manon-It-All.

I don't think that anyone has ever gone wrong by surprising me with a cup of good coffee.