Weezer

Monday 10/20 was the Weezer concert, which I'd been looking forward to for a long time. @G and BS were there but in the cheap seats, whereas I had a floor ticket. It is awesome to be so close, especially when ACL-fest (where it's practically impossible to get close) is still fresh in my mind. We met up beforehand and I (probably unwisely) accepted a few mini-bottles from @G to put in my drink. That's hard to resist when beer is $7 each. Unfortunately it also means I don't remember as much of the show as I want to. The set list was a good mix of old and new Weezer. Apparently there's a lot of folks that think the newer Weezer albums are crap, but I don't agree. They might not be as good as the older ones, but I still love 'em. The setlist was a good mix of new and old. "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived" is my favorite new song, and the only song that I remember wanting to hear that they didn't play was the new song "Thought I Knew." It was great to hear them play "Susanne," which must only be on the Mallrats soundtrack because I don't own it, but also recognize it. They did play one song I didn't recognize at all and I think it might've been a cover. At one point Rivers rode around the crowd piggyback on a roadie. One thing I'll never forgive myself for is the hootenanny. Fans got to go up on stage and play along to "Island in the Sun" and "Beverly Hills." I don't know the details, but had I done a little research beforehand I imagine I could've been one of those lucky fans. One guy played a great trombone solo during "Beverly Hills." The clarinet solo was not so great. The show may not have been quite as exciting as the first time I saw them three years ago, but I really enjoyed it and I'll see them any chance I get.

Uptown 10K

Last week was exhausting and I think I'm still paying for it. It started off Sunday the 19th with the IBM Uptown Classic 10K. In a previous entry I mentioned that I might have been stupid to stay out late the night before, but apparently that is the right thing to do because I set a PR of 52:43 (8:29/M), with a negative split 27:33 (8:50)/ 25:09 (8:04). The course was easier and the weather nicer than the Capitol 10Ks I'd done. The IBM-worker band was amusing to watch, which was probably full of talented musicians, but the bass player kept on speeding up and obviously wasn't listening to anything but himself. The whole band didn't sound together at all because of it. I amused myself imagining that the bass player must be some higher level management type that the rest of the band couldn't criticize or they'd risk getting fired. I figured I'd take a nap but I managed to stay up all day doin' useful stuff that I don't remember after so long.

Last Week

I swear there is just not enough hours in a day, or week, for that matter. I'd like to write about the Weezer concert, the Ben Folds concert, the BRC, the costume hash, and the other stuff I have going on, but it will have to wait some more.

Braving Beerland

Against my better judgment--since I was scheduled to run a 10k in the morning and even had to show up extra early since I forgot to pick up my race packet--and since I am still wary of the venue--I went down to Beerland to see the Ugly Beats. There were four bands but went to LJ's during the first two, since I didn't want to be scared off early by any aural terrorism I'd experienced there previously.

I enjoyed Shapes Have Fangs who I've see a bit of before. They feature very reverby vocals, guitars--everything really--but it defines them, in a good way. I really got into their first three or four songs but then I took a bathroom break and none of the rest of the songs were exciting enough to get me back up on the dance floor. Now with very reverby effects going, the sound system is very susceptible to feedback, especially when no one is playing between songs. That's just what the audience was treated to, after the first song, the second song, the third song, and the fourth song. The band was aware that the sound guy was being retarded and tried to start each next song as soon as they could. After the fourth song, the sound guy finally got a clue and started to adjust levels to stop the feedback between songs to keep the audience from bolting.

The Ugly Beats were great as usual, and also as usual I danced more than I expected to. They have plenty of songs now that aren't on their two albums that I recognize from hearing them live so much. I should start taking notes on those songs so I can at least play them in my head. There's the "just don't know" song, the bumblebee song, that new song the drummer wrote. What else am I forgetting that I like? I hope they put out another album soon. Something a little different about this performance were the three go-go dancers on stage. I was a bit puzzled by their outfits because they looked a whole lot more like flappers than go-go dancers to me. I suppose if the band is playing 60's music in the 2000's, the go-go dancers are also allowed to be off by 40 years. I picked one out in particular I wanted to talk with but stupid common sense got the best of me and I left promptly at 2 so I could get up at 6:30 this morning.

Cheap Tickets

Come see Weezer with me on Monday! Look, really cheap tickets!

Buy Weezer Tickets for 10 Bucks on Thursday

On Thursday, October 16, Weezer/Workforce ticket sale! Starting at 10:15 a.m., tickets are on sale for Weezer's upcoming show at the Erwin Center on Oct. 20. Special price: $10.15 (convenience charges may apply) at Texas Box Office or by calling (512)-477-6060. This is a one day sale and subject to availability.

Senile like Brownie

Dang I might be getting senile like Brownie because after I packed my running gear this morning I failed to take it to the car. So, I was unable to run at Town Lake. Instead, I got to experience what a normal downtown to uptown commute is during rush hour. I don't know how people do it. Extremely slow stop-n-go traffic the ENTIRE way. I was expecting I-35 to be that way, but not 183 and N Mopac too. I know the wet roads probably had something to do with the slowness, though I'll never get why rain slows everyone down to a snail's pace when only snow should really do that.

Tonight I went for a nice 3.7 mile run through the neighborhood. Luckily I'll also be working in the city tomorrow, so I can still do Town Lake then.

In The City

It's been a long time since I've gotten to work in the city. I don't care if it's raining, or hot, or humid--I'm going to run Town Lake after work today!

Weezer in One Week!

That's it!

Oh wait--double showcase winner on TPIR today!

22:15? Really?

It can't possibly be true. 22:15? That's just over a seven minute mile pace. Could I really have kept that up for a whole 5K?

The Skirt Chaser 5K was last night at 5 pm, and it was definitely a lot warmer than the 5K last Sunday (where at first I thought I finished at 24:25, but probably mixed up my time because my Forerunner said 25:24). I guess the fact that this course was flat and I was chasing women most of the way might have made me run a little faster, but three minutes faster? The course MUST have been short! Unfortunately I forgot my Forerunner this time so I can't check the distance. Then again, the Forerunner did say that last 5K was 3.4 miles... hmm....

Anyway, since I goofed reading my time last Sunday, I stared at the clock for a good ten seconds to make sure I was reading it correctly. It actually said 25:19, but the men were not allowed to start until 3 minutes into the race. I know I crossed the start line at 3:04. I even confirmed my finish time with a guy from LJ's who was about half a minute in front of me.

For the record, I set my 5K PR in high school CC at Yahara Hills, at a "blistering" 22 minutes and change (something like 22:08) --and I also thought that course must've been short because I never came close to that time before that or since. I was never fast enough to even make the JV team, but it's nice to know that I haven't lost any speed over the last 15+ years.

I had plenty of free beer at the end in celebration. It was also nice to feel relatively popular. I didn't know if I would see anyone there that I knew and I ran into three separate groups of people that I knew--people from the hash, work, and LJ's.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday...

Yeah, I had a lot of fun Wednesday night. Thursday was a waste. Thankfully my schedule allowed me to keep a low profile at work, and I did manage to get some things done. I went to sleep almost as soon as I got home, though. Yesterday I logged 4 miles after work, but that's about it. Thats OK, because I had to save up for the Skirt Chaser 5K this evening, which has free beer at the end. I can thank Gagger for unwittingly making me aware of this event by having it on her blog schedule, but she has since removed it so I guess she's still having trouble completing a 5K! Or maybe she's avoiding me on purpose now!

Triple Play

This was one of those days where I have to wonder whether or not the world just might revolve around me. I'll skip the work related stuff (which also revolved around me) and head to the evening. After my 20 min run I headed down to Stubbs. I didn't expect to post about the PUSA show at all, but it was so much more entertaining than I expected that I'll most likely post more details about it tomorrow. I bought the ticket on a hunch, and not only was I not disappointed, but everyone who reads my blog in Austin should regret missing this show. This is play #1.

Play #2 happened when I decided to go to LJ's for a wind down beer. A recognizable face showed up after I was seated at the bar. I couldn't be sure until after he left, but he is a host of the late night talk show on ABC. For once, he looked just like he did on TV, not any shorter or smaller, etc. He stayed at LJ's for a long time and wasn't hounded like he might have been elsewhere. I'm sure he enjoyed his stay because of that. On the one hand I wish I would've talked to him (and gave him sh@t for not being all that funny), but on the other hand I'm glad I behaved my normal Austiny self.

Play #3 happened at Kebablicious. I ran into someone in full "The Onion" garb and had to strike up a conversation. It turns out he is the manager of the Austin edition and talks to AW on an almost daily basis. He is going to fax my name and info to AW tomorrow, and who knows what reaction he'l have after that! I gave the guy all my info and got his 608 cell number too. I can't help but think that there is more 608-512 melding to be done. Maybe I can turn this connection into a part-time music reviewing gig? Because I know what I like and other people should like too!

Even though I ran 2+ miles today, I am completely out of beer now--so it may just be a 10K tomorrow. G'nite!

Dream Mile 5K

I've been running consistently for almost two months now, and I've been getting anxious to try some races. Last week I signed up for the Vibha Dreammile 5K, which was this morning on campus. The course was a tight loop, so tight in fact that it never even touched what would be considered to be the borders of campus, and part of the course was repeated twice.

It has been a very long time since I've ran a 5K, so I was pretty nervous and didn't sleep well last night. I did the Keep Austin Weird 5K this year, but wearing all the trinkets I could find around the house and stopping for melodica solos with the bands meant I wasn't running that one for time. Perhaps the last one I did was Hot to Trot a few years ago where I finished at 28 minutes. I've been doing practically all of my running on the treadmill since I started running again, and based on my 20 minute interval workout I estimated my achievable 5K time to be somewhere around the 26 minute time frame, though I also knew I would probably run faster in a non-treadmill/racing situation.

I forgot how different a 5K is. Oh yeah, I need to do a warm-up run before the race! I need to start at a running pace, not a slow jog! How must faster can I run to last 3 miles instead of 6? Water stops are for waving at the volunteers, not stopping for water!

I ran a slow half mile before the race, and started the race too fast. I expected I'd do that. It took no time at all for my breathing rate to go to one breath every three steps, which was worrisome because on the treadmill I've been breathing one breath every eight steps mostly, increasing only to one every four when I'm running fast. So that got me wondering if I was going to have to stop and walk for awhile. I didn't, but I slowed to what felt like a slow jog a few times. I also experienced side cramps and damn near threw up at the end of the race. After the race, my muscles felt tighter than they have in a long, long time.

I finished in 24:25, which is great, but it was the award ceremony that surprised me. I didn't win anything, but if I were one month and a day older I would have won second place for my age group and received a medal! I realize this has more to do with the small field rather than my running ability, and that this kind of thing may not happen that often, but it's enough to make me consider getting an award at a race a goal--especially since I think I can still improve my time a bit.


Forerunner confusion: Hmm--it has my time about a minute longer than the clock time. Maybe they didn't start the clock until after everyone crossed the start line? Still, a minute seems a bit long for everyone to get across. Or maybe I remembered my clock time wrong. Was it 25:24, not 24:25? Also, the Forerunner has the course at 3.4 miles, which would make it at least two minutes longer than a 5K. So I guess I have to accept that my result time may be a minute fast or a minute slow. In any case, it was still my fastest 5K in Austin!

TSO at Lambert's

Last night I went to Lambert's to see The Story Of. The Unfortunate Heads were the opening band. They were OK but they were kind of putting me to sleep. Too quiet, chords and melody were too repetitive. I did enjoy the theremin though, I haven't seen one of those used in a while. I thought it was cool that the restaurant started off the in-between-band music with one of my favorite Ugly Beat songs. I might have enjoyed pointed that out to someone, but she never showed up.

The Story Of set seemed so short! They played a few new songs, but mostly old ones. It was hard for them all to fit on that small stage, but they managed. I still get a kick out of the rhythm section moving around in back of the lead guys. I talked a little bit with a couple, one of which works with the lead singer. I told them that I knew someone who worked with the other singer, but that she was too lame to show up. She even posted on her blog that she was going. I guess I'll stop believing what I read there! Anyway the guy was yelling "Wonderlust" near the end of the set, which is cool cause that's my favorite song too. So I yelled it once or twice as well. They didn't play it, and early in the set they mentioned something about not having their sixth member or something--I believe they were referring to some equipment perhaps because I think the band only has five guys.

After the show I ran into another couple on the street who had gotten lost and were looking for La Zona Rosa. I guided them there and they bought me a beer, but nothing interesting was going on so everyone left soon after that. I haven't been in that particular area in quite some time and it looks a bit different with the remodeled Austin Music Hall and high rise condos.

BPM Update

I know you're all wondering if I could stick to my beer per mile rule during ACL. Obviously it was a challenge, because what is better than drinking cold beer while sitting in the sun listening to music outside all day? I responsibly saved up 25 by Thursday, which should've been enough for the whole weekend. However, since I took Friday off, I started partying Thursday night. And, going to the Carousel on Saturday cost me a few extra that I didn't plan for. I realized I'd need a few more for Sunday, so that's why I ran 4 miles that morning. That was a good idea anyway, because taking four days off from running is too long. See my updated graph below.

PUSA

Presidents of the USA ("Lump" "Peaches") and the Black & White Years (good local group) are playing at Stubb's next Wednesday. I'm going! Anyone else want to go?

ACL Sunday

First I should say that I'm the best music fan ever. After ACL on Saturday, I didn't go home, instead I went to the Carousel to see my favorite Austin band the Ugly Beats. So, that was a late night. The next morning, I ran 4 miles before arriving at ACL around 12:15! I normally show up around 3 or 4, but I had a hunch about Nicole Atkins and the Sea who were playing at 12:30. I'm really glad I made it so early and hope I can do the same for future ACLs. I kind of expected there not to be a big crowd that early, but hadn't really thought how that would translate into a better experience. I saw the last few songs of Sybris, and while I didn't write anything down about the band, it was great to see a band up close without being in a crowd.

Nicole Atkins and the Sea were just awesome. I got to stand in the second row and must say I enjoyed every aspect of that set. The songs were good, the arrangements were clever, and Nicole was very down to earth and funny. And she has quite a powerful voice, full of vibrato. I had seen a video of hers on MEtv, which I recall not liking at first for some reason, but I've completely changed my mind and love it now. I thought there was only one song of hers that I've heard but I actually recognized two. They also did a cool version of the Doors' "Crystal Ship" which highlighted her strong voice. Being the best fan ever, I helped my side of the audience "kick the other side's ass" (her words) in the audience participation portion of the set. I enjoyed the set so much that I also watched her 15 minute set on the Austin Kiddie Limits stage and bought her CD. Unfortunately, I didn't see her at the autograph booth to tell her how awesome we both were.

I caught bits and pieces of band sets after that: The Kills, Neko Case, Blues Traveler, The Racounteurs, Tegan and Sara, but was never close enough to the stage to really enjoy them like that last set. I watched most of Galactic from closer and enjoyed their groove.

Foo Fighters was last, and I wasn't planning on getting anywhere near the stage. I saw them a couple of years ago when they toured with Weezer and thus didn't feel the need to. However, halfway through the set I found an easy way up the left side and managed to get a lot closer than I expected. It was a bit of an angle but I could see Grohl clearly and it wasn't crowded at all. Grohl's behavior on stage is completely opposite of Beck, he just yammers on about whatever, which is fun. They did "Big Me" during their encore, which surprised me because I read somewhere that they never play that one.

That's it, another fun time at ACL. I'll be buying tickets for next year as soon as they are announced!

ACL Saturday

Saturday I made it down to ACL a bit after 3. Even though I reviewed my entries from previous years about transportation, I didn't write why biking can be a bad idea. So I won't make the same mistake next year, here are some notes: if you haven't biked in a year, your butt and back will get sore. Also, it's dangerous to ride in traffic or on the sidewalk while you remember how to ride, you get dirty removing your tires and getting the bike into and out of the car, and you don't really save much time since you have to walk when it gets crowded anyway. On to the show.

I made it down in time to see the last half of the Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings set. Several songs featured great audience participation on stage. The brass section was heavily involved in every song, complete with subtle choreography. The baritone sax sounded great. That deep sax is practically required for a good brass section.
CSS was very good. They're the Brazillian band Apple used in their iPod Touch commercial ("Music is my boyfriend...") The chick lead singer swears and screams a lot, but in a cute funny way. Several members of the band were into dousing the crowd with water from their water botttles. They had one false start, no big deal. No one was bothered by it. They got the crowd to participate by jumping up and down and waving their hands. They also used a keytar for a few songs. You don't see that much. The lead singer was brave enough to get body passed.

John Fogerty didn't disappoint. I'm amazed that he still has the vocal range to sing all of his songs--nothing sounded transposed down. His set consisted almost entirely of his well known songs. One or two from his latest album. He ended it with Fortunate Son and Proud Mary.

Beck was the one act I really wanted to see, thus I skipped the entire Robert Plant/Allison Krauss set to be sure I could get relatively close to the Beck stage. He played all his hits, but I was happy that he played a few songs from the one album I own, Midnite Vultures. He played "Nicotine & Gravy," and surprisingly my favorite Beck song "Mixed Bizness." Surprisingly, because I think the brass is integral to this song. Somehow he was able to get away with performing without brass this time. The last song he played must have been his latest single, because, while I didn't recognize the song, it seemed that everyone around me did. Beck didn't add any to the show in the way of comments or conversation with the audience, but that didn't surprise me. He also finished a good twenty minutes before the end of his allotted time, but that didn't bother me as much as others. I also must mention that the plaid shirt wearing chick guitar player/vocalist was awesome. I need to find someone like that.