Dead Sea Monsters

Above - a rather choppy Dead Sea (there was quite a breeze coming from the East). The Dead Sea really is just so beautiful. On the Jordan side, there are only three resorts and not much else so it's not crowded or anything. We had a wonderful dinner outdoors overlooking the water and watching a French belly dancer. I think I may have smoked too much hubbly-bubbly (I haven't smoked anything in over a year so, ugh). I think the Dead Sea Marriott resort is one of my 'must-see' destinations.
Tomorrow I plan to sleep late and go out searching for musical instruments. I might go to the Roman ruins in Jerash, but I'm not sure yet.
Also, I've turned the comments back on (after getting a bunch of spam comments) - you don't need to register but there's an extra step if you want to leave a comment

More foreign swains

So I'm back in Jordan...this is the second thing I never thought I'd do twice this year (the other being Def Leppard, of course). Anyway, not having a great day today - couldn't sleep due to horrible pain in my shoulder and then I lost my wallet this morning. I'm online trying to find the telephones of the credit card companies. Getting a new driver's license is going to be the biggest hassle when I get home though. At least I took out my car registration and other documents like that.

So on to the swains...I still have an incredible facination with the white dishdashas worn by the lanky, bootylicious men of the Gulf states (really, don't ask). I also have been talking more with our friend Khalid (also known as ubiquitious Matt) and today I met a Palestinian/Cherkess guy...tasty. [I'm not going to post them, but I have pictures of both and I'm trying to get Hasan into the cult of Coheed - I gave him a cd today]

All right, I guess I'm going to go cancel my credit cards and watch more tv. Since I was up all night in pain I did manage to catch up on my movie viewing (finally saw that 'Dawn of the Dead' remake -much quicker pace than the original, though I missed the bikers) and I saw my favorite Welsh hotties' new video (for 'Monsters') on MTV Europe

Thurs - I'm off to the Dead Sea - photos coming soon. I've been yelled at a couple times today now by our consultant and I need to sit there with my walkman for a while...Ah, Coheed...eases the pain...

Review: Verbal 8 18 2005

#28
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Verbal
Thao Nguyen
DC9
Photos!!!

Verbal - we already know these guys....famous Frank, infamous Bill, and Dempsey. Opening with a new song - taking a chance. That's what they're all about. Another fan commented on the more verbal nature of the newer Verbal songs.

Thao Nguyen - Frank's protégé of sorts, of the female singer-songwriter persuation. This was her cd release show. Not really my thing, but I think she's really talented and all her songs are very personal. Lots of guest appearances for her set.

DC9 is far superior to most small venues in DC. I should probably go there more often...they have all my favorite kinds of beer too.

Review: Bear vs Shark 8 17 05

First check out my horoscope:
A romance could flourish nicely and so will you when your Venus ruler is in Libra, back home where she belongs. Although the goddess can increase your allure and social graces, it is expansive Jupiter in your sign that'll heighten your chance of experiencing a story-book kind of love. Since Jupiter lends considerable support to idealistic Neptune, a person or project that took center-stage in March, when they last formed a favorable trine, reclaims its prominent position. The benefits are mutual, but not long-lived. Carpe diem.

#27
August 17, 2005
Horse the Band
Curl Up and Die
Bear vs Shark
At All Cost
Look What I Did
random local bands
KC's, Fredericksburg VA
Photos!!! More Photos!!!

I guess part of this show was a Combat Records showcase in preparation for the now-defunct Hellfest (Oh well, I couldn't go anyway....)

Briefly (since it's 3:30 am and I've got to sleep and do a bunch of stuff tomorrow):

random local bands - pretty good

Look What I Did - I dozed off and woke up to find that they were all shirtless...ew. Weird men who scare me need to stay fully clothed. Musically it reminded me of Nirvana a little.

At All Cost - I thought they were great. Hard rockin, heavy shit. I'd definitely check them out again.

Bear vs Shark - Mike thought it was their worst show of the tour. They did seem a little off, but it was still enjoyable. Photos and stuff will be up soon. I am expecting the mail...

Curl Up and Die - sounds kinda like FBtMoF. Matt (hey, I remembered your name!) is hott. I got some photos of them too.

Horse the Band - unfreakinbeliveable...put Dillinger Escape Plan, Guns 'n' Roses, the singers from The Black Dahlia Murder, Bane and River City Rebels, and an old skool Nintendo or Atari in a blender - serve over ice. I don't know how to describe them *chocolate* go see them *chocolate* you won't regret it *chocolate*

Other:
-Poker
-Rifts
-Rolling a 20-sided die to see if Nickelback is Derek's Rift's character's favorite band (intentional shout-out?)
-some girl with a pierced upper arm (WTF?)
-Hot&Spicy Cheez-Its
-big ups to Ms. E and Mr. S
-Marc was homecoming king?

And now it's time for 3 Ridiculous Questions with the Bass Player. This week's guest is Derek from BvS. Post-question comments from Mike of BvS.

MoS: If you were a terrorist, what would your demands be?
DBvS: I would wish for animals to be free and for people to stop making rash judgements about terrorists.
post-commentary from Mike - that sounds good

MoS: Cookies or cupcakes?
DBvS: Cookies
post-commentary from Mike - what? that's all wrong... [I agree]

MoS: Who would you pit against Curl Up & Die in a ladder match?
DBvS: [he didn't know what a ladder match was, though] Sepultura
[Mike didn't know what a ladder match was either]

Review: 3 Inches of Blood

Weekend of Blood, part II
#26
August 14, 2005
Chimaira
Six Feet Under
All That Remains
3 Inches of Blood
The Recher Theatre, Towson MD
Photos!!!

Mmmm, oh baby....OK, I think I'm OK now...or possibly not

Due to yesterday's traffic nightmare and the fact that I really had nothing else to do all day, I headed up to Towson early and explored their giant air-conditioned mall for a couple hours. I got some nice booty jeans and a cute top that's kind of pirate-wench looking. I also had an excellent cheeseburger at the Rec Room next door to the Recher and chatted with a couple of PA people who had come down for the show (we were all there for different bands).

So anyway, 3 Inches of Blood are fuckin awesome. I was right up front and took over 100 photos (quite a few are stalker-wall-worthy). Their new drummer is amazing too AND he's got neck tattoos. I'm not sure how I managed to keep myself together...beards, a cute redhead, neck tattoos, they're foreign...mmmm. Oh yeah, they played for a decent amount of time, even though they were the first of four bands. Included of course were my two favorites 'Premonition of Pain' and 'Wykydtron' and even 'Ride Darkhorse Ride' from Battlecry Under a Winter Sun. Oh and 'Crazy Nights' which was also awesome because I love that song too. OK I love all their songs, so what?
5/5

All That Remains were pretty much the same as last time. Oli is an awesome guitarist and what's-his-name looks good shirtless. That one other one is cute too. It was funny watching him check out some chick when he was sitting at the merch table - ah, booty shorts...
4/5

Six Feet Under...not my thing, so I decline to comment. They were cool to their fans though - taking pictures with people and stuff.

My second viewing of Chimaira and I think I was just about as tired of standing as the first time. They really put on a great show though, playing old old stuff, in-between stuff, and brand new songs. The entire set must have been over an hour. Those fog/smoke machine things really bother my eyes and lungs though. Ugh. They were also super-nice to the fans.
4.2/5

After chatting with Justin at the merch table and going to 7-11 with Jamie, Shane, and Brian, I finally found Cam to give him the 'Real Men Hit the High Notes' shirt that I made for him. I did not follow through on my threat to kidnap one of them and take him back to my basement lair, though. I was trying to figure out when I became THAT GIRL that hangs around even though I'm not like an FOB or anything (I'm still not one of THOSE GIRLS, though, thank god). I blame Coheed...
I forgot to ask any of 3IoB THE QUESTION and I forgot all about the pirate pick-up lines too. And I had a good steel-cage match question and I forgot about that too. I get all distracted by their hotness, dammit. Nothing can ever cure my thirst except for more 3IoB.

Random Stuff:
-Don't forget about Talk Like a Pirate Day (we plan to do it all day at work)

Review: Most Precious Blood 8 13 05

Weekend of Blood, part I
#25
August 13, 2005
Most Precious Blood
Ottobar

Horrendous traffic, 100+ degree heat index....It took me more than 2 hours to get to Baltimore and this show started at 4:30 in the afternoon (I arrived at 6).

MPB had already started when I walked in. The crowd was small and very lame (not that I was much help - at least I clapped and stuff though). I thought they rocked harder than last time when they were w/o Rachel. The drummer seemed off on a couple songs though.
Was I the only person in the place who got the James Brown reference? Damn kids...
5/5

Review: Still Remains 8 7 05

Hello new beardo! Haste the Day 8 7 05

#24
August 7 2005
Haste the Day
Stretch Arm Strong
Still Remains
Ottobar
Photo album

So I wanted to check out Still Remains and find out what they're all about (JC) and get the dirt on 3 Inches of Blood (they're 'sweet guys'), so I finally forced myself to get dressed and drive to Baltimore by 8:30 pm (since I can never seem to get there for the opening band anyway). Also, as you may have noticed, I finally figured out how to use the black & white setting on my camera. The b&w shots all look great too. I think b&w is better because it gets rid of the contrast with the colored stage lights.

Still Remains - I finally got confirmation that they toured last summer with Across Five Aprils, so this was my third viewing. They seem to look different every time...maybe it was just the humidity or something. I don't know. They rock though and I bumped them up a couple tenths this time.
4.6298/5

Stretch Arm Strong are old skool style hardcore from South Carolina. They put on a very energetic set and are a fun band. Plus the singer is hott.
4/5

Haste the Day are from Indianapolis and are another one of these newfangled Christian metal(core) bands. How come when I was all keen on Jesus and went to concerts with my church youth group all we ever saw was Michael W. Smith and Carman? And there weren't any hot guys either. Whatever. All I can say about Haste the Day is that they blew me away. Rock! Full-body headbanging. Crazy metal riffs. A cute bearded guy. Awesome. I will definitely check them out in the future.
4.2085/5

I was talking to the bouncers at the door about feeling old and one of them said that Coheed is 'radio rock' - have they really sunk that low and I just didn't notice? Ew.

Review: Coheed and Cambria 8/6/05

#23
August 6, 2005
Bebe
Coheed & Cambria
Aterciopelados
Latin Alternative Music Conference Summerstage NYC
Photo album

The hot hot weather gone for the weekend, I took the train up to NYC and met up with my friend BB (who can usually be found roaming the streets of Petersburg) for a free concert in Central Park. We didn't get there as early as planned but I guess it was better that way since we didn't have to stand in the sun so long. I think that without Coheed there would have been about 2/3 less people there.

Up first was Spainish pop/rock singer-songwriter Bebe. I thought she was pretty cool, although it was pretty sad that I couldn't understand most of what she said and sang until she put on a blonde wig and did some kind of anti-Bush thing with an American accent. Clearly the Spanish in the corners of my mind is not enough to actually figure out anything beyond bus ads... I did like the fact that her drummer played a wooden box when he wasn't playing the drum kit.

Is 20 times too many to see a band? Not to me (obviously) but BB now thinks I'm in some kind of cult. Anyway, I HAD to go to this show because according to the press release this was "a one time only event that is a must see for true fans." They had a special guest percussionist who was pretty cool (and was not who I thought it was going to be so...bleah) even though I don't really think he added that much. I mean, 3.5/4 of Coheed is about as Latin as I am. Anyway...
They played a great set and were much more 'on' than I have seen them in a long time. They played 3 new songs from the upcoming GAIBSIV VI:FTTEOM - Welcome Home and The Final Cut (both played at Music Midtown) and what is (according to some smarty on the Coheed board who 'knows people') the bonus track Monstar in Flames. They also played Favor House and Blood Red Summer (of course), Devil in Jersey City (the Scion-Ara theme song), and Velourium Camper I & II, which OK... I guess for a general audience that was probably a good set. I did get some video - the opener Welcome Home and the jam at the end of The Final Cut which was the closer. One thing that I was very happy about was that Josh did the 'coo coo cachoo' part on Faint of Hearts...I think the last time they actually bothered to do all the backing vocals was way back in Coheed week '04 when Mitch was playing the cowbell on that song.

I stuck around for part of Aterciopelados, mostly to keep an eye out for hot Columbian men (which there were several). I didn't really like them much - it was kind of folky Dave Mathews kind of stuff. Apparently they are quite popular though. Edited to add that I did see the Mars Volta guys (as reported on the Coheed board)...I knew that I recognized them from somewhere...

I didn't really do anything else in the city. Most of the places I used to go no longer exist and I was hot and slightly sunburned and tired. I spent a bunch of money at Ricky's (I bought yet another Loop NYC bag) and then just basically waited for my train home. Hopefully I'll get back up to the city again soon and actually plan better in the future.

Here's the money shot: Claudio at NYC Summerstage 8/6/05

Not like the movies

Combining the grand literary tradition of such short plays as 'Smells like cupcakes' and 'St. Swithin's day' with the romantic fantasy of Xenia Navarre, Murrain of Swains presents:

Scene from a Bus Stop

A one act-play starring a drunk woman on a cell phone

Late afternoon; a drunk woman sits on a bench holding a cell phone to her left ear:

[speaking into phone, loud enough to be heard a block away] I was just calling to see if you were still eating....Breadsticks and, um, buffalo wings. I still got some breadsticks right here.

[after a long pause to listen, she begins shouting - her right arm making a wild chopping motion] I'm a good mother-fucking woman, Joseph! And you're supposed to be my man! What am I supposed to do when my man...

[pausing to listen] I just love you so like I love you! So much!

Off-stage there is a crunching sound followed by gasps and 'Oh my god!' sounds

[shrieking, jumping up from the bench] Oh my god, Joseph, the bus just hit a pole!

Curtain pulls back to reveal a metrobus which has crashed into a Rosslyn map-sign and settled over a toppled fire hydrant (which is sadly not spraying into the air like a geyser, because this is a play and not a movie).