the parrishioner

Crash

Wheel. Railroad track. Knee. Elbow. Shoulder. Helmet. Handlebars.

Cold water. Clean rags. Scrubbing. Ice. Ice. Ointment. Gauze. Tape.

30-Minute Meals. Dead Poets Society. I Am Trying To Break Your Heart. Con Air. Giants at Padres.

Water. Cheese sandwich. Beer. Crackers. Beer. Dinner. Wine. Wine. Advil. Advil. Advil. Cookies. Ice cream. Water.

It came out (mostly) magical

  New Pornographers at Bimbo's, San Francisco

Speaking of Canadian supergroups...I got to see Vancouver phenoms The New Pornographers last night. It rocked about as much as I can ask for a rock show to rock. It was excellent. I'd be willing to bet they could make almost as joyful a noise without eight people on stage, but whatever. (My buddy Dave did a pretty good riff about a the band hiring a management consultant to identify cost efficiencies - maybe they could downsize the extra keyboard player and switch the rhythm guitarist to part-time status with no benefits.)

Why was it not completely magical? Because Ariel was not there, and she really would have dug it.

Some news that may surprise you

One of my earliest posts on this blog was about getting offered a promotion within my company, where I'd been working for 7+ years. I felt a little sheepish about the fact that I'd been there so long, but it was a good opportunity, so I went for it. I speculated that it would be my last job with the company.

I wasn't quite right. In the intervening two years I was offered another promotion, which I took, and so here I still am. Or was, until today, when - and I cannot believe I am writing these words - I gave my notice.

That's right - I have taken a new job, at a new company! I start in a few weeks. I am very happy. And yes, a little sad to be leaving my old place - but mostly happy.

You know who you are

I wish you would quit riding your bike the wrong way on one-way streets. You're kinda giving the rest of us a bad name.

Just go around the block. It's not that hard.

</uppity>

Such great heights, pt. 3

It warms my heart to see an indie recording skyrocket to success on its merits. Case in point - the Postal Service's Give Up (Sub Pop), which when it was released in 2003 must have seemed like a little throwaway side project for those involved, has sold more than 600,000 copies to date. It's a damn good album, and lately it seems to be ubiquitous. In the past few weeks I've noticed the songs showing up in tv ads - Kaiser Permanente used the catchy synth intro from "Such Great Heights" in one of its "thrive" spots, and the other night I heard "We Will Become Silhouettes" in a Honda Civic ad.

So how about this - The US Postal Service should ditch those Steve Miller Band commercials (sorry Ariel) and use a track by The Postal Service. I'm imagining the zippy instrumental break at 2:21 in "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight" - no voiceover, just pictures and sound. Then, just as the spot is ending, cut to that great moment at 2:44 where the guitars chime in - the music fades and leaves 'em wanting more - pure gold.

Such great heights, pt. 2

  Mt. Tam Hill Climb

The race photographer got one shot of me coming up the mountain. I'm the one in yellow.

Such great heights

  Great Highway

How have I lived in the city for seven years without discovering Sutro Heights Park?

It smells like a campfire in here

I thought I was smelling old soot in the fireplace, but in fact Ariel is baking some bacon in the oven. 'Smoky' doesn't begin to describe it. And this is no ordinary bacon. It is pig candy, and it is damn good.

Progress

Yesterday I did my first ever bike race, the Mt. Tam Hill Climb. I raced in Cat 5 (which is where they stick all the beginning racers, regardless of ability) and got 30th place out of 47.

Are you in a sleepy stupor? Would you like to be?

May I recommend that you (a) proceed directly to the Los Compadres truck at Spear & Folsom, (b) order one super chicken taco, one order of chips, and one side of spicy salsa, (c) go back to your desk, and (d) eat. Then your head will be on the desk, and when you awaken you may have regained feeling in your tongue.