Happy Nevada Day!

"Congratulations, Mr. Lincoln! It's a state!"

As we all know, today is the day that we celebrate the birth of the Silver State. Happy Birthday, Nevada! Hope you all have a safe and sane Nevada Day celebration.

Oh yeah, it's also Halloween.

I always loved that we got the day of Halloween off of school when I was a kid. That was awesome. Candace said they don't do it anymore. To that I say: "WTH?!" How else can we celebrate the day that our fine state was pulled, bloody and screaming, from the womb of these 50 Nifty United States? Also, how else can we celebrate sitting around, waiting for it to get dark so we can get candy? For free! For free, I say!

Somehow, this is all Ann Coulter's fault.

Anyway, remember to check your candy. There's some real nutballs out there. Keep it tizz-ight for shizzle. I've got to go steal some of my daughter's candy and smash some pumpkins.

Peace.

Boys Becoming Men, Men Becoming Wolves

Did anybody else almost pee themselves with laughter when Tracy mentioned his "spooky, scary hit," "Werewolf Bar Mitzvah" a couple of weeks back on 30 Rock? Because I sure did.

Well, NBC.com is hosting a contest where you can shoot your own video for the song. Yeah, it's a shameless grab for some sort of viral fame, but hey, if it draws people to the show, I'm all for it, because I don't think I can stand the heartbreak of losing a show this good. Not after Arrested Development.

That made say this: " : ( "

More exciting than this though is that fact that they have the full version of the song available to download right here. See? There on the left. Sweet, right? And just in time for Halloween, too.

This makes me say: "Wheee!"

Anyway, So I've Been Thinking

I've been thinking about New Year's Resolutions for some reason this week. Normally, I think they're a load of crap. Well-meaning crap, but crap nonetheless (you know, sort of like America's Most Wanted). Last year I had hoped to read an average of a book a month, which I pretty much did. I also had the goal of posting on this blog 365 times. It's looking like I'll hit (and hopefully exceed) that number. That I have accomplished these feats is excellent, as I have never accomplished a New Year's Resolution like, ever. Right, barely-started awesome comic book script? Right, showering at least once a week? Right, cure for cancer? Right?

So, anyway, I've been thinking, and this is my long list (some of which are fake, but I guess you'll have to figure out which ones) of possible New Year's Resolutions:

* Eat 125 tacos.

* Write something of a substantial length (essay, short story, review, etc.) every month.

* Have a monthly mixtape giveaway for the faithful blog readers/commenters.

* Learn to speak Elvish. No, not "Elvis." "Elvish." It's what elves speak. Why would I want to speak "Elvis"? That's just nerdy.

* Take public transportation whenever possible.

* Find some way to volunteer for that one politician I really admire but shall not name for fear of hate comments because for some reason once you start talking politics on the internets, some people (not you people, of course. You people are good, decent, level-headed people. I mean those other people. You know the ones. NASCAR types. Them.) just stop being civil and forget that other people might see things differently than they themselves do.

* Stay caffiene free, baby.

* Wear more sombreros.

* Ty not to get too excited about the new Star Trek movie, despite the fact it will most likely rock my socks clean off.

* Make my way through the 36 chambers of Shaolin Kung Fu and defeat the dark master that waits inside that final and deadly chamber.

* Resist the urge to grow a mustache, even as a joke.

* Purple.

* Pick up my sobbing guitar and play it every now & then.

* Continue with my Picture Of the Week (aka POW!). Finish off that roll of film still left in my Holga. Use the Lomo Quadshot more.

* Continue to rage against the machine. And by "machine" I mean "the evil that is the jelly donut."

* Think about maybe starting some sort of exercise thing. Because I am getting old.

* Play more video games. Seriously.

* Kill that darned Sasquatch once and for all.

Anyway, so that's the long list. Care to help me weed it down? I know, hard to pick, right? Well, if you want to help, comment below.

Yet Another Hare-Brained Lost Theory!

So basically, Jin is a dead man. Right, Mr. Eko, Libby and Ana Lucia? Getting arrested for drunk driving hasn't exactly worked out forLost cast members.

[sigh]

Well, at least my boy Hurley hasn't been pulled over. That would suck big time.

POW! #20 - Autumnal Apples

From our recent trip to the pumpkin patch/orchard/farm just south-west of Cleveland. Candace blogged about it here.

Best Way To Self-Induce A Seizure. Ever.

Hey! You out there! Yes, you! Have you ever wondered "How can I give myself a seizure in the comfort of my own home and/or place of business?" Well, you're in luck! Now you can do this very thing using only the sound of every Beatles album ever sped up to 800 times their original speed? This, ladies & gentlemen, is what technology was invented for. Well, this and Photoshopping images of Chuck Norris karate kicking sharks... ON THE MOON!

You are welcome.

Do not listen while operating a motor vehicle or heavy machinery. Do not listen to if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant. For external use only. Do not use while sleeping. May cause anxiety, heart palpitations and/or explosive diarrhea. You may also grow extra toes and forget how to do math. At the very least, you will get a headache about seven minutes in. Big Red Robot and its parent company, AOLTimeWanerPfizerNewsCorpKillerRobotsInGorillaSuitsLLC, is not responsible for any unwanted side-effects experienced as a result of exposure to the Sped Up Beatles Thing. Also, we are not liable if you get pregnant from it. It's strong stuff.

BRR Goes To the Movies, vol. 22 - the Last Picture Show

Okay, so I have no clue what this is about (time travel? immortality?), but it's the first "real" Coppola movie in a long time (his last directorial effort was the Grisham adaptation, the Rainmaker which was excellent and easily the best of the "Grisham adaptation" genre). So, yeah. I'd like to see this one.

He's said that seeing the films of his daughter, Sophia (who has directed three pretty excellent films: the Virgin Suicides, Lost In Translation, and Marie Antoinette - all of which come recommended by the Big Red Robot) has inspired him to get back to work. And he has. Big time. According to IMDB, he has three films in production, including an adaptation of On the Road (which he's only producing, but still), which normally I'd be wary of.

But it's Coppola.

I'd Queue Youth Without Youth, if only because the man deserves at least that. Seriously, go watch the Conversation. It's a masterpiece.

And that's it. The trailers are over. The lights have moved from "dim" to "off" and the projector clickclickclicks to life as the feature starts in fits and jumps. It's still. It's electric. It's a great feeling, isn't it?

More Than Meets the... Oh, Forget It

Okay, so I watched Transformers over the weekend and man! that movie is the very definition of "craptastic." It's totally loud, moronic, and awesome. Basically, imagine it as being E.T. written and directed by a 17-year-old with ADD and an unhealthy love for the US military (also pronounced: "Michael Bay"). And instead of a cute little alien that looks like somebody melted your grandma you have a bunch of giant transforming robots.

From outer space.

Also, there's Jon Voight as the Secretary of Defense and the always amazing John Turturro as a psychopathic secret government agency spook. So yeah, tough call. Did I mention the giant transforming robots? From outer space? This movie is part genius, part trash and all somewhat satisfying in the same way that eating and entire box of Charleston Chews can be satisfying.

Let me just say this: I am in no way advocating this movie, especially if you have no love at all for the 80's toy property, as any "fun" to be had is entirely dependent on some sort of warm (if misguided) nostalgia for the Robots In Disguise™. But it's as good as a movie based on a bunch of old toys should, and possibly could, hope to be. I mean, remember the Garbage Pail Kids Movie? (Which, along with Lancelot Link: Secret Chimp, I honestly believed I had made up, since every time I talked to anyone about them, people looked at me like I had just said "Hey! Let's eat dirt!") This easily could have been that bad (or Masters Of the Universe even, which - let's be honest - uses a fairly similar plot), but, despite itself, it isn't. It's like Independence Day, only slightly better, probably because Will Smith isn't anywhere near it.

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times: Nothing spoils a good time quicker than the Fresh Prince. Them's words to live by.

Also, this movie is way too long. Like, an hour too long? An hour and a half? Seriously. And Michael Bay loves him some Army men, doesn't he? He should have just made a big loud war movie separately and got it all out of his system because as it stands, it feels like two movies stitched together. And as long as I'm kvetching, where does that last battle take place? I mean, they're at Hoover Dam and then they're heading to "the City" which, if this were at all based in reality - and it isn't, let's just settle that there so you can enjoy it a little bit more - would mean Las Vegas, right? But it sure looks like, I dunno, downtown LA (it was probably shot somewhere in Canada, though) or something, to me.

Anyway, so that's my review of Transformers: It's terrible, but awesome. If you expect the worst, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Or at least not totally irate.

And until next time, the balcony is closed.

BRR Goes To the Movies, vol. 21

A big, huge oil period epic starring Daniel Day-Lewis? Okay, sure. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, director of Boogie Knights, Magnolia and Punch Drunk Love? Uh, okay? Sure? I'm flagging this up for the sheer unexpectedness of it. PTA's a fine director and I applaud the heck out of him for trying something so... not-Paul Thomas Anderson-ish. I'd thin kabout Renting it. Why not?

:(

So, the Indians lost. No, I don't want to talk about it. Insert obligatory "We'll get 'em next year," "the better team won," "blahblahblah" loser talk in the space provided:

_______________________________________.

POW! #19 - Parallel Lines On a Slow Decline

A parking barrier at my RTA Park & Ride station.

Paging Dr. Dylio

My eMac got sick. I got it a few years ago when I was a student and it has served me well for what it is. But it is old. I'm running old versions of the software (when Leopard hits, I will be two versions behind) and well, stuff happens.

See, I tried a couple weekends ago to install Tiger (the most current and soon-to-be-outdated version of the Mac OS) on my wimpy, old machine. It did not go well. The installer program pretty much laughed at me. And that is how I screwed my computer up.

I ended up having to take it in to the Apple store over in Legacy Village to get it fixed. It is a heavy machine. I think it's filled with bricks. Well, bricks and some technology stuff too, I guess.

I always imagine the Apple store employees rolling their eyes (if not physically then mentally) when they see such an ancient, unwieldy (but still pretty, don't get me wrong) relic pass through their doors and on past the skinny, gleaming machines that Apple keeps perfecting (those new iMacs are sick! Just look at that keyboard! You could cut fruit with that thing, it's so skinny!). Sort of like how I would roll my eyes at the "old" ladies who came in to the Gap and demanded the (now thankfully discontinued) Classic Fit jeans (you know... Mom Jeans?). Yuck.

Anyway, so I screwed up my computer with Tiger and have been having troubles here and there for the last couple of weeks. The final straw came when I went to add a printer last night and the Printer Setup Utility kept crashing. Repeatedly.

Not good.

I tried this and that and finally had to just wipe the system clean and reinstall the OS from scratch. Don't worry, everything got backed up on the external hard-drive (hopefully everything... we'll see), but I've spent, literally, the entire morning reinstalling all the apps and updates from forever ago. I'm pretty sure there was one for if your computer gets attacked by saber-toothed tigers in there.

Anyway, so that's been my Saturday morning. Well, that and a few cartoons. I think I'll head over to the library once I get showered (please don't check the time stamp on this post, as it will reveal the severity of my Saturday morning laziness). I'll post the POW! later and we will have the final BRR Goes To the Movies post, oh, let's say tomorrow, shall we?

Until then, take care, Internets.

Let Slip the Hounds Of Hyperbole! (or) Challenging Challengers

Jesse, are you serious? Challengers = Revolver? As my man Pete Doherty, aka Babyshambles, would say: "Put the pipe down." I kid, I kid. Alright. I'll play along.

Five Albums From 2007 That Are Better Than Challengers:

1. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
2. LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver
3. Band Of Horses - Cease To Begin
4. Sondre Lerche - Phantom Punch
5. Super Furry Animals - Hey, Venus!

And as long as I'm list-making, here's a few more that I'd rate higher than Challengers:

Jens Lekman - Night Falls On Kortedala
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
Gruff Rhys - Candylion
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - #3
They Might Be Giants - the Else
Peel - Peel
*edited to add: Panda Bear - Person Pitch
I also just downloaded the new David Byrne Live From Austin album which makes the list for a couple of reasons:

1. It contains his mind-blowingly rad version of Whitney Huston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody".
[and]
2. It's features David Byrne. 'Nuff Said.

Which puts Challengers firmly outside the Top 10.

:(

PS. I am fully aware that these lists are totally subjective. I just like to argue now and then. It's fun, right? It's like Music Nerd Fu. Me, I fight Mantis style. My fist is like the hammer of heaven raining down upon the necks your ancestors. My Pao is Kung of the Highest Order. Anybody else got a "Top 5 Of 2007 So Far" list they wanna post? Then do so... NOW! FIGHT!!!

Okay, I'll Admit It...

That new New Pornographers album is not that bad. I wouldn't include it in any end of year "Best Of" lists, but it's a good, solid album. Especially when mixed in with their other albums. It's sort of like R.E.M.'s Monster which I hatehatehated when it came out - it was so overly glammy and same-sounding - and slightly adore now. It works well with the rest of their catalog.

So... okay, Jesse, you win. There. I said it. Happy now?

Switching gears. Let's talk TV. Specifically NBC's Bionic Woman. To borrow liberally from that American patriot Stephen Colbert, Bionic Woman: you are on notice. Stop being so mopey and whiny and be the really awesome espionage/action/drama you were designed to be. It is your destiny. The Emperor has foreseen it.

I'd also like to take a minute and spread the love for Life, which comes on after that show that should be awesome but isn't. It's a lot of fun. Very recommended.

Finally: Kittens.

Until next time, amigos.

BRR Goes To the Movies, vol. 20

Okay, so this one doesn't look so good. But (and like Rosie O'Donnell it's a big but - oh yes I did!) the Bucket List has Morgan Freeman (is there a movie he's in that doesn't involve him narrating it? Do you think he narrates his own life? If not, he should. That'd be hilarious.) and Jack Nicholson (who looks like he's playing the same curmudgeon he played so well in As Good As It Gets). In the same movie. Together.

I'll wait for reviews, but I'll most likely Queue it. Why not, right? It's Freeman and Nicholson. It's like peanut butter and chocolate - what's not to love?

It's Tribe Time...

Okay, so I'm loving the playoffs (Go Tribe! Sorry, Patti, but we must crush your team) but I hatehatehate those Dane Cook promos. Seriously, whose idea was that? When you say "baseball," I do not think of Dane Cook. If you say "talentless, gum-smacking, mouth-breathing frat reject who can't write his own material and therefore must steal it from others while also being the coolest guy that he himself knows," then maybe, but baseball? Come on.

Anyway, apparently Floyd from 30 Rock agrees:

Are Dane Cook's 15 minutes up yet? Can I fast-forward through them? No? Well then can I just sleep through them? Promise to wake me? Thanks. You're a pal.

And while I'm venting, those promos - the originals - aren't even funny. I thought comedians were supposed to be funny. Was I misinformed? Or is Cook's brand of humor so far beyond the ken of mortals like me that what he's doing is comedy, is in fact the very future of comedy, a future where "unfunny" is the new "funny," and I'm just too slow and too backward-thinking to grasp it's inherent hilarity? Perhaps Dane Cook is from a cube-shaped Bizarro planet where people are born old and grow to be babies and grass is red and grows underground and the sky is orange and filled with Studebakers and lawyers are like our Earth comedians and their comedians are like our CPA's and donuts taste like broccoli and cats marry dogs?

Stranger things have happened.

Sargon, Hammurabi, Ashurbanipal, and Gilgamesh

I've already spoken about how They Might Be Giants' latest album, the Else is pretty dang good so I won't go into it any further. Instead, I'll just post a video for my favorite track from that album: "the Mesopotamians":

A Quick Flyer

For the Novelty Act's Halloween show. I may rework the image and turn it into an art print to sell in Candace's Etsy shop. What do you think? Would you buy a Blacula art print? I know I would.

BRR Goes To the Movies, vol. 19

Hmmm. I expected Sweeney Todd to be more of a dark comedy than the drama the trailer seems to be painting it as. Still, it's Tim Burton and that guy's gained a lot of leverage simply by directing Ed Wood - one of the best movies of all time. Period. - and Big Fish, which is pretty much a flawless film, so, I'll Rent it, if only to escape the inevitable deluge of obnoxious goth kids that accompany the release of any Tim Burton &/or Johnny Depp movie. [sigh] I'm so glad I no longer work in the mall. Can you imagine how (much more) obnoxious Hot Topic will be?

I Walked Into the Wall.

I am such a battered wife for Star Wars. No matter how badly and how often he hurts me, I can't help but remember the good times and fool myself that he wasn't always like this. That when it's just us two he's very sweet and caring. Sure, sometimes he flies off the handle, but that's just the midichlorians talking. It's not him. Not the real him. Star Wars doesn't mean it. He still loves me, I know it.

To prove my point, I present that I got all kinds of giddy over this news item, despite all sense dictating that this will eventually and undoubtedly break my poor little heart into tiny bits of sadness and denial. Did I learn nothing from the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles?

He still loves me. I know it. It's just a rough patch. Every relationship has rough patches, right? Right?

BRR Goes To the Movies, vol. 18

Joe Strummer was a freaking prince, right up to the end. I'll definitely Rent it, only because I don't think it will hit Cleveland in the theater. "Punk Rock Warlord", indeed.

POW! #18 - Birdbrain

The last couple of weeks I've been trying to take the train to work. Mainly because I feel a little wasteful driving only myself every morning when I live a few blocks from a Park & Ride station. Add to that the fact that the Cleveland Rural Transit Authority can boast being the #1 public transportation system in North America and, well, yeah, there's no reason not to ride.

Also, my car is dying. So there's that, too.

Anyway, the stop where I get off, the West 25th/Ohio City/Westside Market stop has these really cool photo-collage murals. This one is at the landing of the steps I run up every morning on my way to work. I like the way it's all very confusing when you look at this picture of this picture of pictures.

Did I just blow your mind?

Quote For the Day

"If you really want to hurt your parents, and you don't have the nerve to be gay, the least you can do is go into the arts. I'm not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven's sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something"

Kurt Vonnegut
A Man Without A Country

BRR Goes To the Movies, vol. 17

This movie is either going to be the most interesting film ever or a complete train wreck. Either way, it looks like it will be fun (impossible no to?) to watch. I think I'd Rent it, if only because it's too bizarre not to see. Plus, Cate Blanchett as "speeding-out-of-his-mind-1966" Bob Dylan? How can you say no?

I Know I Said I Wasn't Posting Again Today...

But then I saw this:

Awesomeness = achieved.

My Birthday Gal

Not a lot to post today, but I did want to give a big birthday shout out to my main lady: the one & only Candace. Happy birthday, Candace. I loves ya.

I loves the rest of you, too, just not in the same way. I'll be back tomorrow. Until then, something to think about - Who would you rather be stuck in an elevator with: a mummy with athlete's foot or a rabid hedgehog?

Answer below.

Postscript: I am also sending out a "Happy Birthday" shout out to Rose. You go, Super Gadget Girl. Birthdays for everyone!

BRR Goes To the Movies, vol. 16

Oh heck yes. It's No Country For Old Men, which features the Coen brothers in their element: bloody, loud and darkly funny (see also: Miller's Crossing, Fargo, Blood Simple... man those guys can make movies when they want to, can't they? Don't even get me started on the Big Lebowski. That movie is amazing. Toally foul and inapproproate, but Ah. Maze. Ing.). This looks like the illegitimate offspring of Raising Arizona and Blood Simple, which, if that doesn't sell it... well, then there is no hope for our children's future.

This one is Theater all the way... if I can find someone to go with me, that is. I doubt that Candace would want to sit through that much blood, right, lady? Hey, anybody wanna come see Cleveland? I'll pay for your ticket.

Well, your movie ticket at least.

Matinee.

No popcorn, though. You're on your own there.

Okay. I'll buy popcorn.

But no soda. Final offer.

There's also a "Red Band" 17+ trailer at the movie's site so be prepared to verify your age.

Dude.

How exciting is this. Seriously, JJ: please stop being so awesome. You're making the rest of us look like total idiots with no good ideas.

When you pitch a show as being in the same vein asAltered States... you know you have me. That movie freaking rules.

JJ, take your rightful place at the right hand of James T. Kirk:

Photo courtesy John Kendall.Yes, that John Kendall. Your mixtape is on its way, sir. I promise.

By the way, 118 days until season four of Lost kicks off. Now would be a stellar time to catch up on DVD. I'm just saying...

In the Spirit Of Full Disclosure...

I feel it only fair to alert you to the fact that I can't stand Gwen Stefani. When it comes to this fact, there can be ( . . . w a i t f o r i t . . . w a i t f o r i t . . . ) no doubt.

Yeah. I went there.

There's Nothing Up My Sleeve / Nothing That's Cool

Those of you around my age will no doubt have some sort of connection with the R.E.M. album Automatic For the People. I remember hearing "Drive" on the radio while I got ready to go to seminary one morning and being completely blown away. It's a beautiful, haunting (if somewhat dated) album and one that, at its cultural zenith, completely captivated me. Yes, I was one of those arty, sensitive types in high school, writing lonely, wounded poetry while trying to decipher the obtuse lyrics on Fables Of the Reconstruction. Heck, I still am that person. Well, minus the awkward poetry.

In honor of its 15 year anniversary, music blog Stereogum has put together a tribute album of indie artists doing a song-for-song cover of the record. It's called Drive XV and you can download it here. Some high points include Rogue Wave covering "the Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite," the Veils tackling "Drive" with their usual overblown drama and the Shout Out Louds doing "Man On the Moon."

It's free music. What more do you people want?

BRR Goes To the Movies, vol. 15

I've been pretty vocal about how I think Woody Allen's best work is behind him, but this one, Cassandra's Dream, I'll see, despite the fact that Collin Ferrell is in it. Match Point was a masterfully made movie (even though it was just Crimes & Misdemeanors with the "funny" Alan Alda/Woody subplot removed and it was sort of creepy) and I would love for Woody to surprise me. I love that unlovable miscreant, what can I say? In a perfect world, this would be Theater material.

POW! #17 - 20 Lanes

More lettering from the sign from last week. Is the fact that I love bowling another testament to my slackerisness? Perhaps.

No Woman, No Cry

When I die, I request that my headstone read thusly:

Also, can you book Grand Funk Railroad to play "We're An American Band" as they lower the casket? That would be boss. If you could get the actual living members of Grand Funk, that'd be preferable, but I'd settle for a cover band. I mean, I can't really complain if it's not the actual "American Band," can I?

Thank you, and will see you on the other side. I will save you a seat if it's not too crowded. I will be wearing a green velvet suit and matching pants.

Fake tombstone courtesy of this link.

BRR Goes To the Movies, vol. 14

Ridely Scott (that dude makes some pretty amazing Man movies, doesn't he? Between him and his brother Tony, it's a miracle every woman who sees a trailer for a Scott doesn't automatically, instantaneously, get pregnant. With quintuplets). Denzel Washington. Russel Crowe (doing a highly suspect NY accent). Guns shooting. Should be good.

To be honest, I'll probably never get around to watching it, so American Gangster, go sit in the Queue, next to the Aviator. Maybe I'll watch you someday.

Okay...

So I just watched the season premiere of 30 Rock and I will say this slowly for anybody out there who may be missing out on this show: 30. Rock. Is. The. Best. Show. On. Television. And. If. You. Don't. Agree. You. Are. A. Communist. Seriously. Just. Watch. It. You. Will. Pee. Your. Pants. For. Reals. Though. Man.

That is all.

Drumroll, Please...

Ladies & gentlemen. Boys & girls of all ages. I present to you the winner of the Alphabet Town mixtape:

None other than Mister John Kendall of Portland, Oregon. And I promise he didn't win just because he threatened my pet, appealed to my sense of mercy or because he wants to have babies with me. Well, maybe because of the last one. He is a very handsome man, right, my buddy Bat?

A big "thanks" to everyone who played along. I'll have another one to give away sometime soon. I am addicted to Mixtapery. I gots it bad!

Recent Work, vol. 2

Another one of my recent pieces for the local Red {an orchestra}, a brand we (meaning my company, Twist) helped build from the ground up. In honor of their sixth season, we came upon the idea of Russian Matroyshka dolls (there's generally six of them inside) and thought that the idea of surprise and experience fit well with an orchestra who has done concerts that featured puppets, the music of Frank Zappa and orchestral arrangements of Led Zeppelin songs. Not all in the same concert, though. That would be crazy.

The brochures arrive like this:

The brochures (there are five of them: an introductory brochure, one for each concert and a subscription brochure) are slid into a sleeve that, once you pull them out of the sleeve, replicates the Matroyshka experience.

,p>Each concert has its own illustration to go along wit the feeling of the event. We just found out that the last concert, the one featuring Oscar-winning composer-conductor Tan Dun has been postponed until next season as Tan Dun is the music coordinator for the Olympics and can't make it this season, so... yeah.

Anyway, so there's my latest work. Just thought I'd share.

BRR Goes To the Movies, vol. 13

Welcome to John Cusack Week at Big Red Robot. Yeah, it's another Cusack movie. What can I say, I think the guy's great. Seriously, I'd watch the guy in anything... I mean, I watched Must Love Dogs which was just... yeah, not good. I am a firm believer in the tenet that any movie can be made better by the addition of John Cusack. I call this the Cusack Equation. C (where "C" = Cusack) + AM (wherein "AM" = Any Movie) = B (where "B" = Better) x 10. Citizen Kane? Better with Cusack. Casablanca? Dude, come on. the Sound Of Music? Oh heck yeah.

This one looks a little, okay a lot, cheesy, but it's got the irresistible (well, to me at least) John & Joan one-two punch, so, Martian Child, take your place in the Queue.

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

Here's Jens Lekman's newest video "Sipping On the Sweet Nectar" from his forthcoming release, which I have already preemptively raved about. We are going to see him here at the Beachland Ballroom in less than a month. I'm pretty excited.

Anyway, so here's the new single. It's got a good beat. I can dance to it. I'd give it a "9". Roll it:

Also, don't forget that you must post on the 500th ("Happy Birthday To Me") post in order to get entered in the drawing. Those are the rules.

Recent Work, vol. 1

A printer we do a lot of work with recently held their annual Clambake. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, it's basically a barbeque. With seafood. Namely, clams. Anyway, I was given the job of creating their invitation and some take-away pieces for them.

Here's the invite front:

Then we flip it over:

We open the outer flap:

We get the inside with their logo. They like to try and do something interesting with the "L" every time. Here we have a a pretty clam-digging lady:

We open the inner flaps and are treated to fake newspaper (I mean, what else do you wrap seafood in?) with news stories like "Local Man Eats Own Weight In Cor On the Cob" and "Man-Sized Clams Spotted In Lake Eerie," which was sort of fun to write

The invite itself is a coaster that can be used before the event as well as placed at tables during the event:

The back of the invite contains all pertinent information:

We also created t-shirts for the event. Here's the front and arm sleeve (it's supposed to be sort of like a tattoo):

And here's the back:

i also designed a box for the shirt, but it didn't print so well (ironic, I know), but it was pretty cool to see all of this stuff at the clambake. It was a fun project and I think it turned out pretty well. So... this is what I do all day. Awesome, right?

A Quick Announcement...

I will be holding the drawing for the winner of the Alphabet Town mixtape on Wednesday night and will post the winner in Thursday's post. Intense, right? I was going to draw the name today, but remembered that the weekend is my least-viewed/commented time of week (who said you were allowed to have lives? Come on, people!), so in an effort to give you all a fighting chance, I moved it back a couple days. I know, I know, I'm too nice, but... well there it is. You have until Wednesday night to post a comment here to enter yourself in the super-exclusive drawing.

That is all.

An Open Letter...

Dear Kohl's Department Store,

Admit it: you're really just Mervyn's with a different name. You're not fooling anyone. Seriously.

Sincerely,
Dylan

BRR Goes To the Movies, vol. 12

Today we have Grace Is Gone. Let's see, John Cusack as a sad-sack military man-wife widower? You had me at Cusack. I'll bite. Rental, for sure.