Unlike most people who listen to the genre, I was not into heavy metal as a kid. My parents kept me pretty sheltered musically, and these days I wonder if I shouldn't seek therapy for all the Neil Diamond they made me listen to. But in my mid-twenties, I've discovered metal for myself and I've learned to see it for more than loud guitars and screamed lyrics. After seeing Mastodon at the 9:30 Club last Saturday, I've learned that a metal band can possess a technical brilliance rarely seen in rock. I watched in amazement as fingers flew across the fret boards, producing sounds I didn't think were possible from a guitar. The drumming incorporated jazz elements, albeit about a hundred times faster than any jazz drummer has ever dreamed of going. There were moments I felt as though I was watching a symphony as the various elements blended into a virtuoso sound. And that sound was loud. Very, very loud. Standing in the very back of the room, I thought I would be manly and decline the earplugs my friend offered me. About three songs in I changed my mind as the double kick bass drum threatened to rip my eardrums out of my head.
I will say that Mastodon is not for everyone. But it was one of the most exhilarating shows I have seen in a while. I highly recommend checking out their new CD, Blood Mountain, as well as visiting their website (www.mastodonrocks.com).
Friday, February 23, 2007
Weather Alert
I'm sitting at my desk and the Weather Alert email from DC.gov pops up in my inbox ruining my dreams of a sunny weekend. Must they spoil a perfectly good Friday afternoon by alerting people of freezing rain for Sunday?? Though i suppose by posting this, I could be spoiling your Friday afternoon as well. So sorry!
Winter storm watch for the Metropolitan Area for late Saturday night to late Sunday night. Saturday night; Chance of freezing rain, snow and sleet after midnight. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Sunday; Freezing rain and sleet likely in the morning and then rain in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 80 percent.
Winter storm watch for the Metropolitan Area for late Saturday night to late Sunday night. Saturday night; Chance of freezing rain, snow and sleet after midnight. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Sunday; Freezing rain and sleet likely in the morning and then rain in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 80 percent.
Weekend Picks - All about the Oscars
Use this weekend to catch up on all of the Oscar nominated films...
The National Archives is holding a an Oscar-Nominated Film Screening for films in the documentary and short film category. You can catch an Inconvenient Truth Friday at 7; My Country, My Country Saturday at 7; or the movie I HIGHLY recommend - Jesus Camp - Sunday at 4. Saturday afternoon you can catch the Live Action Short Film Nominees at noon or the Animated Short Film Nominees at 4. If you are free Sunday afternoon check out the Documentary Short Subject Nominees at noon. For the full schedule go here.
Now if you still are trying to catch up on watching all of the movies in the Best Picture category, you can spend all day AND night at a local AMC Theatre for their Best Picture Showcase. The price is $30 for all 5 nominated movies and unlimited popcorn and sodas. Unfortunately you have to go to Virginia to watch the movies. You can find more information here.
Once you are all caught up head to one of the local oscar viewing parties...
Felix's Oscar Night Party
Felix's annual party has the awards (with sound) on seven flat screen TVs, discounted drinks and a special $25 three-course menu. As always, there are cocktails named after the nominees; "Borat's Blast" (grape vodka, ginger, pear puree and honey) and the "Little Miss Sunshine" (vodka, berry liqueur and lemon topped with champagne) sound like the best bets. Bring a can of food for the Capital Area Food Bank and you'll get a free beverage; dress like a movie star and you could win $100 in the look-alike contest.
Oscar Night at LeftBank
The people who brought us the 007 party a couple months ago are back with another black tie event. The Awards Viewing Party at Leftbank starts with an open bar from 6 to 7, has all the action on two six-foot projection screens and Tiffany gift certificates for guessing the most Oscar winners correctly. There's also a cash prize for the most glamorous male and female outfits. RSVP now at oscarnightdc.com.
The National Archives is holding a an Oscar-Nominated Film Screening for films in the documentary and short film category. You can catch an Inconvenient Truth Friday at 7; My Country, My Country Saturday at 7; or the movie I HIGHLY recommend - Jesus Camp - Sunday at 4. Saturday afternoon you can catch the Live Action Short Film Nominees at noon or the Animated Short Film Nominees at 4. If you are free Sunday afternoon check out the Documentary Short Subject Nominees at noon. For the full schedule go here.
Now if you still are trying to catch up on watching all of the movies in the Best Picture category, you can spend all day AND night at a local AMC Theatre for their Best Picture Showcase. The price is $30 for all 5 nominated movies and unlimited popcorn and sodas. Unfortunately you have to go to Virginia to watch the movies. You can find more information here.
Once you are all caught up head to one of the local oscar viewing parties...
Felix's Oscar Night Party
Felix's annual party has the awards (with sound) on seven flat screen TVs, discounted drinks and a special $25 three-course menu. As always, there are cocktails named after the nominees; "Borat's Blast" (grape vodka, ginger, pear puree and honey) and the "Little Miss Sunshine" (vodka, berry liqueur and lemon topped with champagne) sound like the best bets. Bring a can of food for the Capital Area Food Bank and you'll get a free beverage; dress like a movie star and you could win $100 in the look-alike contest.
Oscar Night at LeftBank
The people who brought us the 007 party a couple months ago are back with another black tie event. The Awards Viewing Party at Leftbank starts with an open bar from 6 to 7, has all the action on two six-foot projection screens and Tiffany gift certificates for guessing the most Oscar winners correctly. There's also a cash prize for the most glamorous male and female outfits. RSVP now at oscarnightdc.com.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
and the oscar goes to...
as i try my best to surf away the last 15 minutes of the work day, i ran across this site where you can pick your "lineup" for oscar winners! its like fantasy football for those of us who, well, don't watch football (or at least not enough to have favorite teams). this post can also serve as a public service announcement for those of us who *gasp* forgot the oscars were on sunday, the 25th :)
Commute? What Commute?
As has been thoroughly detailed in this space, my wife and I walk to work every day. Unfortunately, once a year, I have to go to the "home" office in Herndon, VA (out by Dulles Airport). Having no car, I am typically limited to public tranportation but fortunately, this time I am borrowing Stephanie's (you're welcome) car for the trip. I expect the drive to take approximately an hour which, compared to the two hours it would take via public transit, is managable. I can't imagine what people that live in Front Royal do when their commute is 2 hours each way!
Apparently I have no style
Saturday night as I made my way down U Street, I was stopped by 2 girls who wanted to take a picture of my coat (the yellow one) for a new blog they have started called Project Beltway.
The site reads "I started Project Beltway because I was tired of hearing that Washingtonians have no sense of style. In a city where power dictates fashion, instead of the reverse, Project Beltway will go beyond the power suits and prove that the nation’s capital has a style as interesting as the people shaping its unique culture. What better way to play style anthropologist than through a literal and figurative snapshot of Washington residents?"
Its always nice to be complimented on my style so I agreed to the picture. I went to the site this morning only to find that I didn't make the cut. I guess I don't have style! Oh well - though i must say - my coat is much cuter then this fur jacket!
The site reads "I started Project Beltway because I was tired of hearing that Washingtonians have no sense of style. In a city where power dictates fashion, instead of the reverse, Project Beltway will go beyond the power suits and prove that the nation’s capital has a style as interesting as the people shaping its unique culture. What better way to play style anthropologist than through a literal and figurative snapshot of Washington residents?"
Its always nice to be complimented on my style so I agreed to the picture. I went to the site this morning only to find that I didn't make the cut. I guess I don't have style! Oh well - though i must say - my coat is much cuter then this fur jacket!
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