Sophie Says Sooth (2002.09.02): "Avoid graduation at all possible costs. This may sound crazy now, but by the time you're out of school for a year you'll know exactly what I'm talking about and you'll really start to miss caring about back-to-school sales. Enjoy this time while you can."

Sophie Says Sooth (2002.08.26): "When you call your children unexpectedly, do not express concern if they were out until 4, 5 or 6 AM. They are now the masters of their own bedtimes. If someone of the opposite sex answers the telephone at 7 AM on a Sunday, say nothing."

Sophie Says Sooth (2002.08.19): "It was once required that ten witnesses be present at a marriage ceremony to outsmart jealous demons. (I don't know who really thought this would work but let's play along for the sake of the story.) Bridesmaids dressed similarly to the bride and groomsmen's attire resembled the groom's in an attempt to confuse the spirits who wanted to harm the couple."


Silverchair / Diorama: "Musically, it is one of the best of the year. Rich orchestrations sweep across beautifully arranged songs, a feat quite remarkable for a band unaccustomed to such complex string and horn work. This is due, in part, to help from the legendary Van Dyke Parks, whose resume boasts such names as U2 and the Beach Boys."

Miniviews 2002.08.02: "While reining his noodling tendencies way in for the two Guided By Voices records released by TVT, his side projects exploded. The Fading Captain series, home to numerous collaborations and throw-away 7" singles, has probably had a release or three just since you started reading this piece."

Miniviews 2002.07.28: "If John Lennon and Yoko Ono had been in little-known power pop bands, then decided to do a record together with John's brother and a pseudonymous drummer for a Spanish label you've never heard of, Double Fantasy would've sounded a lot like Sound It Out."


San Diego Comic-con 2002: Part 1: "A lot of it sounded like standard conspiracy theory bullshit; I would like to believe him about the income taxes, though. Apparently it has something to do with the improper ratification of the 16th Amendment and taxing our privilege of earning money."

"Glamour Hose": A 14-piece photographic series from Natalie Meyer


"Pixel Worship": A new short narrative work from Aaron Veenstra





2002/04/20

I received my shipment of unnecessary Etc. House merchandise a couple days ago and I must say that I'm fairly impressed with Cafepress's product. The "micro-fiber" hat is clearly going to take some breaking in and molding but the image transfer is superb. The t-shirt is very nice, another great transfer but its newness makes it stand out from my other, dingier "white" shirts. I'm sure I'll take care of that sooner than later, though; I've only worn it once and it's already gotten full of clay.
posted at 18:12


2002/04/18

I'd like to think there's something altogether American about the way we manufacture political news to fill a vacuum but there really isn't. Doesn't stop me from using my latest Fast Lane to pound on the idea of John McCain being a Democratic Presidential nominee, though.
posted at 18:59


2002/04/17

Even though Joe Sacco wrote his first major piece of comics journalism, Palestine, almost ten years ago, it seems like it's never been more relevant than at this very moment. My review really only scratches the surface; there's a lot of important information in there that couldn't be easily broken down for analysis.
posted at 10:16


2002/04/16

I think it was Sting who once said, "A star fall, a phone call, it joins all, synchronicity." When I finally got around to hearing Bruce McCulloch's lone comedy album, Shame-Based Man, this week, I felt that very thing. You see, the third to last track on the record, "Vigil," is another Kurt Cobain tribute track, albeit one that didn't get the attention of, say, R.E.M.'s "Let Me In."

"Vigil" isn't terribly funny, except for maybe this bit about Wayne Gretzky and the L.A. Kings checking into a Winnipeg hotel, and it tries to not be about Kurt or even the April 10, 1994, vigil that gives it its title. It's a stand-up oratory performed in a recording studio that leads to Bruce looking out over Seattle and wondering aloud, "What didn't he see?" It's eight years later now and it still pains me to think that I'll never know what he didn't see and that I'll probably never know whether I'm missing it too.
posted at 21:38



Tonight on the WB's New Tuesday: Sarah Veenstra takes the new Goo Goo Dolls record out to the woodshed and doesn't come back until it's learned its lesson. Strong language, violence, partial nudity. Viewer discretion advised.
posted at 12:06


2002/04/15

To help you start your week out right, there's more Sophie Says Sooth today, in which Sophie addresses age-old issues regarding casual sex and uses up her monthly allotment of drop cap F's. And remember: questions, questions, questions!
posted at 07:40


Log Archives