by Chester on February 5, 2010
The day the earth stood still.
Prelude: It’s been an interesting couple of months since I last wrote something here. Maybe not so much interesting; distracting is probably more appropriate a word. But one of the more compelling stories of late took place in December, over the holiday season, and is the driving force behind this post. Apologies to the people who I’ve already reenacted this story for and read this egocentric tripe of a post.
“I’m PMS-ing really bad,” my roommate states matter of factly when I open the front door. She’s stuffing jackets and clothes into white trash bags. The roommates before her left an inordinate number of things in the one closet we have. Things that have been there for six months—things that I won’t even repeat in writing.
[click to continue…]
by Chester on September 8, 2009
In keeping with last week’s ego trip (what is this, a blog?) I’ve decided to catalog the music that’s defined me, for better or worse. I’ll start at the ages of four through about 10 – that’s before I discovered radio stations other than ‘Oldies 107.5’ or music outside of my parents’ CD stash.
Bobby Hebb – “Sunny”
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This song gives me a nice, warm feeling. Pun most definitely intended.
J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers – “Last Kiss”
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Few things anger me as much as Pearl Jam’s cover of this song. Looking back, though, I guess it’s a rather morbid track for a six year old to jam along with. I would eventually graduate to the more nuanced dark love of the Cure.
Miami Sound Machine – “Bad Boy”
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I’m relatively certain this song was in a soundtrack around 1988 or so, because I would borrow my parents’ black and green boom box to scan the radio for this song. [Update: Of course. It was in Leonard Nimoy’s “Three Men and a Baby.” It always goes back to Steve Guttenberg.]
Supertramp – “Dreamer”
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My parents ran a rather strict home, musically speaking. I clearly remember a ban on MTV and Madonna. Having a limited music selection, my sister and me would play my parent’s Best Of Supertramp comp. A lot. I’m pretty sure there’s home video to prove it. Also, just so you know, the very mp3 attached is ripped from the exact copy that my parents still own.
Belle Stars – “Iko Iko”
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My family moved to Houston after a year in Staten Island in late 1988. While we were looking for a real home, we had an extended stay in the hotel that’s now the Doubletree Galleria. My parents got two adjacent rooms, the kind with the shared door. One night, they kicked my sister and me out of their room so they could see a certain movie titled “Rain Man.”
I was livid; not only would they not buy Chef Boyardee’s for dinner, but they wouldn’t let me see the movie with them. A couple days later, though, they consoled me with the “Rain Man” soundtrack on tape, and I played “Iko” more times than they probably liked. To this day, I make it a point to own every version of this song ever made. But that’s a Tuesday Tunes for another day.
[Note: You know, if you're reading this on Facebook, you can actually listen to and sometimes download the songs in this post by viewing the original post by clicking on the "View Original Post" link at the bottom.]
by Chester on September 5, 2009
First thing I did this morning was make a tasty omelette with mushrooms, green onions and asparagus.
Second thing I did this morning was watch “Ghostbusters 2.” It’s a beautiful day.
by Chester on September 5, 2009
I think I’m more driven to blog when I come up with ridiculous themes or categories that I feel beholden to update. I submit to you the first ‘Do It’ post, one of many instructive posts that will guide you on how to be a better person. In my eyes, at least.
One of the greatest sources of reliefs I’ve had these last couple of weeks is my unexpected immersion in a rad group of Houston folk. One of said Houston folk was explaining a project she has in the works, and I’m sincerely fascinated by it. The Folk Architecture Tour is the brainchild of one Delaney Harris-Finch and would have her travel from Washington state through the West Coast and ending her trek in Texas, all the while chronicling folk architecture so as to explore preservation standards for the uniquely odd structures that the fanny-pack wearing, hormone-driven you might not have appreciated on that road trip back in 1989, but that your allegedly enlightened adult self fondly recalls.
In Delaney’s own words now:
The tour sites have been chosen based on physical, cultural and historical significance. My written thoughts, research, interviews and photographs will attempt to document the value in each individual site as well as folk art structures as an architectural vernacular. This information will translate into individual recommendations for the preservation of each as well as inform the development of further preservation methods for America’s odd historical resources. Post tour, this information will be assembled into a book.
Obviously, I hope this strikes a chord with Houston people the most, not only because you’re morally obligated to support one of your own, but because cities like Houston (specifically Houston) could really benefit from a project like this, looking at how we can keep these structures that we love are still around for our children and making sure that they aren’t left by the wayside in the name of short-term urban development. Or something.
Anyway, consider becoming a backer for Delaney’s project. The more you pledge, the more you get and not just in the metaphysical sense. At the very least, you’ll be getting updates on her travels and a proper ‘thank you’ in the book. Big spenders get a litany of goodies, including a six-inch scale model of any of the scheduled tour sites that you’d like and only for a paltry $1,500.
Time’s running out though: she has to raise a total of $5,000 in pledges and only has until October 16 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. (That’s 10:59 p.m. for Houston.)
