Imagine a life when the California water shortage is so severe that you have to pay to pee.
This is the problem facing the poor folks in the musical "Urinetown." When the water shortage became too severe, Caldwell B. Cladwell, owner of the Urine Good Company, handled the situation. Cladwell closes down all private restroom facilities in the city and opens up public urinals that citizens must pay to use.
The urinals run by Urine Good Company's agents are dirty, expensive and constantly the host of long lines. The poor people of the town are being bled dry of the little money they have but do not dare use other facilities for fear of being sent to the dreaded Urinetown. None of the citizens actually know where Urinetown is or why they fear it, but each person has his or her suspicions and the authorities do their best not to confirm or deny anything.
Rae Robison and Elisabeth Harrington directed the play and performed by Humboldt State University students. It will be performed in the John Van Duzer Theatre the weekends of October 25-28 and November 1-3.
Actors and directors alike are happily anticipating sharing this kooky story with Humboldt state students and the surrounding community. Clayton Cook, the narrator and chief of police known as Officer Lockshock, the "Nazi-esque" man in charge of upholding the water preservation codes, could not be happier to be a part of Urinetown.
"The show is a whole lot of fun," he said.
The play is smart and ridiculous and makes fun of the standing foundation of the musical theatre world while being less than serious with itself at the same time.
Cladwell, played by Keith Renouf, is your typical bad guy as the head of Urine Good Company. His character is the reason for the suffering of the poor citizens waiting in line to pee. "You have to think of the bad guy not as a bad guy but as a guy with good intentions," Renouf said. "It's never as easy as 'you're right and they're wrong.' You have to understand the conflict within the character."
While at times it does seem as though Cladwell really does have the environment's best interest at heart, it is apparent that big piles of money have a great deal to do with his decision to conserve water through paying toilets.
The upbeat, cheery music of the show is in the typical style of most musical theatre classics such as "Wicked" or "Hairspray," but don't be fooled by the candy-coated exterior, this is no typical Broadway musical. "Why is the music so happy when the words are so sad?" Little Sally asks during one of the songs. "This is a musical," Officer Lockstock returns. "The music has to be happy."
Bobby Amirkhan, who plays the upright bass in the show's band, said that this play is unlike any other show he has played for. "There aren't quite as many ballads or jazzy tunes in this musical as there were in 'Chicago' or 'Kiss Me, Kate,' which allows a bassist to have more fun, but it's still fun music to play," said Amirkhan.
And what is the often whispered about Urinetown? "Well, you'll have to see the show," said Cook.
Printed October 24, 2007 in The Lumberjack.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Wowza! Holy Primal Yoga, Batman!
Sometimes all a person needs to feel better is stretch their arms to the sky and release the negative energy with a single, loud yell.
Wowza, the "High Priestess of Wow!," known professionally and published under the name Elisa Lodge believes deeply in the healing power of this primal knowledge and following these instincts in creating a more wonderful world around herself and others.
"At 70 it is important to reinvent ourselves," Wowza said in reference to her life journey from actress to shaman. Wowza bases her teachings, books and workshops off of the doctrines of a Burning Man group known as the "Church of Wow!" The group teaches the "total freedom of expression" and the "recapturing of youthfulness of spirit" to ensure a sense of spiritual vitality.
"Everything is just beginning for her," said Humboldt State University yoga instructor Paula Scott. "She says yes to life."
Scott and the Blue Lake community will be welcoming Wowza on the weekend of Oct. 21 and 22. Wowza will be holding a class on Primal Energetics.
Scott became enthralled with Wowza after meeting her four years ago in a workshop. "I saw something really special," Scott said. "Something in her eyes sparkled with a deep joy for life."
Scott became more intrigued with Wowza and her life when she learned about the traumatic past she overcame.
Wowza was abused as a child by her father and as a result of the physical abuse and mental struggle developed eczema over much of her body. Scott said Wowza believed if she could withstand the physical abuse her father put her through, then she would be worthy of his love.
At age 11, Wowza's mother gave her a floor-length mirror for her birthday and she was forced to confront the physical and mental ugliness in her life, Scott said.
Once she was able to deal with this pain she began shutting her door and dancing by herself when she felt upset. She called herself the "Ugly Dancer" and would perform for herself as a way of releasing the negative energy. This was the beginning of the enlightenment that would come a year later.
There was a picture that hung in her house, Scott said, that showed a woman with a waterfall coming out of her and a child playing at her feet. When Wowza asked who the woman was, her mother replied that the woman was Mother Earth. The young Wowza called the woman "Humma" and she became her inner companion. Through humming and with the guidance of her inner companion, Wowza broke out of her "Ugly Dancer" shell and went on to act in movies along side Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley.
Acting, Wowza said, showed her the art of wearing masks. She believed she could show any mask of any person to the world and each mask had a specific role it played. She chose to wear the mask of "Wow!" to express her feeling of gratitude for the world she now inhabits and the discoveries she has made and encourages others to do so through her workshops and books.
Fritz Mussmann was one such student to be moved by her seminar. Unsure of what to expect going in, he was surprised and excited to find what he calls "authentic play."
"Authentic play means playing from the inside out," Mussmann said. "It comes from the core of the being." It is an expression of sound and movement in a safe, comfortable environment that is completely instinctual instead of choreographed.
Wowza describes primal energetics as a type of yoga that stretches and relaxes your mind and spirit along with your body. By giving in to primal instincts and allowing yourself to create the sounds your vocals chords naturally want to create, you get in touch with your primal instincts and release tension.
Christiane Johnson, a third-year Wildlife and Zoology major agreed with this idea. "When you're frustrated you release all the stress off your back [when you] give out a grunt or a sigh. 'Rrrrrrrr!' and it's all out," Johnson said.
Wowza has written several books about the healing powers of the primal noise and yell including "Primal Energetics" and "The Hum of Love" expressing the importance of allowing yourself to give in to the desire to make the primal grunting noises of joy, love, sorrow or anger. These expressions are "more than noise, [they are] our intuitive voice link to Wholeism," Wowza said.
Wowza believes that this seminar is very important for all people in this age of knowledge and technology because people are beginning to forget their primal roots. They are so concerned with socially accepted ways of acting that the need to yell out or hum to themselves is completely suppressed, she said. Every person is born brilliant, Wowza said. "The body is a holographic universe. There's so much intelligent information [in the world today] but very little on embodiment of a new paradigm of being."
Wowza said the problem is we are raised from a very young age in a very hierarchical society and are shaped into a very static posture that we are constantly aware of and only a small part of our teachings are how to live to a greater spiritual potential. By practicing the primal outcries that come naturally to us, we can better equip ourselves to create a higher plane of being for ourselves and live up to our highest potential.
"Primal yoga is stretching with desire," Wowza said. "It is exponentially huge in how it stimulates all parts of the body and opens up our voice to expression."
Printed 10-17-07 in The Lumberjack,
Wowza, the "High Priestess of Wow!," known professionally and published under the name Elisa Lodge believes deeply in the healing power of this primal knowledge and following these instincts in creating a more wonderful world around herself and others.
"At 70 it is important to reinvent ourselves," Wowza said in reference to her life journey from actress to shaman. Wowza bases her teachings, books and workshops off of the doctrines of a Burning Man group known as the "Church of Wow!" The group teaches the "total freedom of expression" and the "recapturing of youthfulness of spirit" to ensure a sense of spiritual vitality.
"Everything is just beginning for her," said Humboldt State University yoga instructor Paula Scott. "She says yes to life."
Scott and the Blue Lake community will be welcoming Wowza on the weekend of Oct. 21 and 22. Wowza will be holding a class on Primal Energetics.
Scott became enthralled with Wowza after meeting her four years ago in a workshop. "I saw something really special," Scott said. "Something in her eyes sparkled with a deep joy for life."
Scott became more intrigued with Wowza and her life when she learned about the traumatic past she overcame.
Wowza was abused as a child by her father and as a result of the physical abuse and mental struggle developed eczema over much of her body. Scott said Wowza believed if she could withstand the physical abuse her father put her through, then she would be worthy of his love.
At age 11, Wowza's mother gave her a floor-length mirror for her birthday and she was forced to confront the physical and mental ugliness in her life, Scott said.
Once she was able to deal with this pain she began shutting her door and dancing by herself when she felt upset. She called herself the "Ugly Dancer" and would perform for herself as a way of releasing the negative energy. This was the beginning of the enlightenment that would come a year later.
There was a picture that hung in her house, Scott said, that showed a woman with a waterfall coming out of her and a child playing at her feet. When Wowza asked who the woman was, her mother replied that the woman was Mother Earth. The young Wowza called the woman "Humma" and she became her inner companion. Through humming and with the guidance of her inner companion, Wowza broke out of her "Ugly Dancer" shell and went on to act in movies along side Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley.
Acting, Wowza said, showed her the art of wearing masks. She believed she could show any mask of any person to the world and each mask had a specific role it played. She chose to wear the mask of "Wow!" to express her feeling of gratitude for the world she now inhabits and the discoveries she has made and encourages others to do so through her workshops and books.
Fritz Mussmann was one such student to be moved by her seminar. Unsure of what to expect going in, he was surprised and excited to find what he calls "authentic play."
"Authentic play means playing from the inside out," Mussmann said. "It comes from the core of the being." It is an expression of sound and movement in a safe, comfortable environment that is completely instinctual instead of choreographed.
Wowza describes primal energetics as a type of yoga that stretches and relaxes your mind and spirit along with your body. By giving in to primal instincts and allowing yourself to create the sounds your vocals chords naturally want to create, you get in touch with your primal instincts and release tension.
Christiane Johnson, a third-year Wildlife and Zoology major agreed with this idea. "When you're frustrated you release all the stress off your back [when you] give out a grunt or a sigh. 'Rrrrrrrr!' and it's all out," Johnson said.
Wowza has written several books about the healing powers of the primal noise and yell including "Primal Energetics" and "The Hum of Love" expressing the importance of allowing yourself to give in to the desire to make the primal grunting noises of joy, love, sorrow or anger. These expressions are "more than noise, [they are] our intuitive voice link to Wholeism," Wowza said.
Wowza believes that this seminar is very important for all people in this age of knowledge and technology because people are beginning to forget their primal roots. They are so concerned with socially accepted ways of acting that the need to yell out or hum to themselves is completely suppressed, she said. Every person is born brilliant, Wowza said. "The body is a holographic universe. There's so much intelligent information [in the world today] but very little on embodiment of a new paradigm of being."
Wowza said the problem is we are raised from a very young age in a very hierarchical society and are shaped into a very static posture that we are constantly aware of and only a small part of our teachings are how to live to a greater spiritual potential. By practicing the primal outcries that come naturally to us, we can better equip ourselves to create a higher plane of being for ourselves and live up to our highest potential.
"Primal yoga is stretching with desire," Wowza said. "It is exponentially huge in how it stimulates all parts of the body and opens up our voice to expression."
Printed 10-17-07 in The Lumberjack,
Sunday, October 14, 2007
CCAT Gets a New Home
Imagine a life where if you wanted to turn on a light, you had to generate your own electricity.
After three years in a temporary establishment, Campus Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT) moved into their new permanent home in House 99, located outside of the new Behavioral and Social Sciences building, said CCAT Co-director Niki Beckman.
While most students on campus have heard of the group, most are not entirely certain as to what it is that they do. CCAT is a student- and volunteer-run program at Humboldt State University. It began in 1978 with a goal to educate people about their impact on the environment. They also educate people in ways to reduce the harmful effects of humans upon the environment, caused by generations of abuse and overuse of nature's resources.
This group lives completely by its word to give back to the environment as much as it takes and by taking only what it needs. They grow their own food, generate their own power and are constantly aware of how the things they do will affect the world around them. The positive influence of this group can be seen all over campus with the addition of compost bins grouped with the usual trash and recycling bins.
CCAT was located on the site of the new Behavioral and Social Sciences building from 1978 until three years ago, when plans of the new Behavioral and Social building got underway. The group spent the intervening three years in Jenkins Hall, waiting for a new location for the new facility.
The group is very happy to be in the new, larger facility said Beckman. The remodeled space now features new classrooms, a library, meeting rooms, workspaces and living spaces. Beckman believes it is the model home for "green attributes" and an environmentally-conscious living.
Having the extra space is very important to the members of CCAT as they can now educate more people about their environmental beliefs and still have the separation between the work and living areas.
Humboldt State student William Jacks is glad that CCAT was able to re-establish itself in its new, larger home. However, he does not believe that those in charge of funds for building on campus had their head in the right place. Jacks said he firmly believed that all of the money that was involved in building the BSS building should have gone to improving the CCAT building instead.
"CCAT is the most important part of this university," Jacks said. "CCAT is an avenue for change and an example for the entire nation."
The feeling of support and the welcoming of change is apparent with those students who are aware of the program and its goals. "It is cool they're trying to educate people about alternative living and taking care of the environment," said Humboldt State student, Marcia Garcia.
Published September 26, 2007. The Lumberjack.
After three years in a temporary establishment, Campus Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT) moved into their new permanent home in House 99, located outside of the new Behavioral and Social Sciences building, said CCAT Co-director Niki Beckman.
While most students on campus have heard of the group, most are not entirely certain as to what it is that they do. CCAT is a student- and volunteer-run program at Humboldt State University. It began in 1978 with a goal to educate people about their impact on the environment. They also educate people in ways to reduce the harmful effects of humans upon the environment, caused by generations of abuse and overuse of nature's resources.
This group lives completely by its word to give back to the environment as much as it takes and by taking only what it needs. They grow their own food, generate their own power and are constantly aware of how the things they do will affect the world around them. The positive influence of this group can be seen all over campus with the addition of compost bins grouped with the usual trash and recycling bins.
CCAT was located on the site of the new Behavioral and Social Sciences building from 1978 until three years ago, when plans of the new Behavioral and Social building got underway. The group spent the intervening three years in Jenkins Hall, waiting for a new location for the new facility.
The group is very happy to be in the new, larger facility said Beckman. The remodeled space now features new classrooms, a library, meeting rooms, workspaces and living spaces. Beckman believes it is the model home for "green attributes" and an environmentally-conscious living.
Having the extra space is very important to the members of CCAT as they can now educate more people about their environmental beliefs and still have the separation between the work and living areas.
Humboldt State student William Jacks is glad that CCAT was able to re-establish itself in its new, larger home. However, he does not believe that those in charge of funds for building on campus had their head in the right place. Jacks said he firmly believed that all of the money that was involved in building the BSS building should have gone to improving the CCAT building instead.
"CCAT is the most important part of this university," Jacks said. "CCAT is an avenue for change and an example for the entire nation."
The feeling of support and the welcoming of change is apparent with those students who are aware of the program and its goals. "It is cool they're trying to educate people about alternative living and taking care of the environment," said Humboldt State student, Marcia Garcia.
Published September 26, 2007. The Lumberjack.
HIV Testing to become easier, more common
No one likes to think they could carry HIV. Sitting with a counselor for half an hour and filling out paperwork could deter even the most confident patient looking to get tested. Fortunately, this may change.
More than 40,000 people are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus every year and between 25 and 35 percent of the people who contract the virus do not know that they are infected. Out of that 40,000 that are infected, 50 percent of them are infected by people who do not know they have the virus, said Jake Molofsky, an administrator at the Open Door Health Clinic.
"All the consent in the world isn't making one drop of difference in bringing the rate of HIV down," Molofsky said. The number of new cases per year has remained the same for the past 13 years which presents the idea that strategies of attack on this virus are no longer effective and it is time to try something else.
In efforts to decrease the number of cases and increase state-wide awareness, California State Assembly member Patty Berg introduced Bill 682, which makes HIV testing a routine part of physical exams.
The new bill will eliminate the mandatory paperwork and counseling sessions that are currently required before receiving the test. Instead of having to suffer through the embarrassment of asking for the test, the person performing routine blood work on a patient will simply suggest that at that time, HIV testing be conducted. The patient has the right to refuse if he or she does not feel it to be necessary and the remainder of the visit will go on as usual. "The whole idea will de-stigmatize [HIV]," Molfsky said.
Valerie Small Navarro of the American Civil Liberties Union believes differently. By making HIV testing into "just another test" people who truly benefit from the test no longer will. In some cases, Small Navarro said, health facilities who have given the test as a regular blood test without the permission of the patient have used the status of HIV positive against patients, denying them treatment in cases where the patient may not even know of his or her HIV positive status.
There is a concern for the knowledge of the patient, Small Navarro said. By eliminating the required paperwork and counseling sessions from the HIV testing process, physicians are denying patients their Constitutional right to the knowledge of what it is they are giving consent to do.
Humboldt State Health Center director Rebecca Stauffer said the bill will streamline the process of getting tested. "[The legislation] will bring the process in California in line with [Centers for Disease Control] recommendations, while safe guarding confidentiality," she said.
Last year more than 150 students requested an HIV test at the Student Health Center and more than 760 tests were given at the Six Rivers Planned Parenthood Center. These groups believe that the new bill will drastically increase their numbers and as a result, make more people aware of their health and their surroundings.
"It gives [patients] power," said Six Rivers Planned Parenthood director of education, Debbe Hartridge referring to the knowledge of whether or not the patient is at risk.
Hartridge and Molofsky share the passion to get people tested early so that if the virus is present, treatment can be provided early before the onset of complications. People between the ages of 14 and 64 are the most at risk age group and are strongly encouraged to go in for testing.
With the passing of this bill, Molofsky hopes that the nervousness that was previously associated with the test will be eliminated. "[Doctors visits] are always so awkward," said Sean Gillespie, a third-year business administrations major. "I would be more likely to get tested if the HIV test were simply lumped in with the rest of normal blood tests or vaccination."
The bill is currently waiting the approval and signature of Governor Schwarzenegger. The governor has until October 14 to sign the bill.
This is a big deal, Molofsky said, "People don't have to die from this."
Published October 3, 2007. The Lumberjack.
More than 40,000 people are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus every year and between 25 and 35 percent of the people who contract the virus do not know that they are infected. Out of that 40,000 that are infected, 50 percent of them are infected by people who do not know they have the virus, said Jake Molofsky, an administrator at the Open Door Health Clinic.
"All the consent in the world isn't making one drop of difference in bringing the rate of HIV down," Molofsky said. The number of new cases per year has remained the same for the past 13 years which presents the idea that strategies of attack on this virus are no longer effective and it is time to try something else.
In efforts to decrease the number of cases and increase state-wide awareness, California State Assembly member Patty Berg introduced Bill 682, which makes HIV testing a routine part of physical exams.
The new bill will eliminate the mandatory paperwork and counseling sessions that are currently required before receiving the test. Instead of having to suffer through the embarrassment of asking for the test, the person performing routine blood work on a patient will simply suggest that at that time, HIV testing be conducted. The patient has the right to refuse if he or she does not feel it to be necessary and the remainder of the visit will go on as usual. "The whole idea will de-stigmatize [HIV]," Molfsky said.
Valerie Small Navarro of the American Civil Liberties Union believes differently. By making HIV testing into "just another test" people who truly benefit from the test no longer will. In some cases, Small Navarro said, health facilities who have given the test as a regular blood test without the permission of the patient have used the status of HIV positive against patients, denying them treatment in cases where the patient may not even know of his or her HIV positive status.
There is a concern for the knowledge of the patient, Small Navarro said. By eliminating the required paperwork and counseling sessions from the HIV testing process, physicians are denying patients their Constitutional right to the knowledge of what it is they are giving consent to do.
Humboldt State Health Center director Rebecca Stauffer said the bill will streamline the process of getting tested. "[The legislation] will bring the process in California in line with [Centers for Disease Control] recommendations, while safe guarding confidentiality," she said.
Last year more than 150 students requested an HIV test at the Student Health Center and more than 760 tests were given at the Six Rivers Planned Parenthood Center. These groups believe that the new bill will drastically increase their numbers and as a result, make more people aware of their health and their surroundings.
"It gives [patients] power," said Six Rivers Planned Parenthood director of education, Debbe Hartridge referring to the knowledge of whether or not the patient is at risk.
Hartridge and Molofsky share the passion to get people tested early so that if the virus is present, treatment can be provided early before the onset of complications. People between the ages of 14 and 64 are the most at risk age group and are strongly encouraged to go in for testing.
With the passing of this bill, Molofsky hopes that the nervousness that was previously associated with the test will be eliminated. "[Doctors visits] are always so awkward," said Sean Gillespie, a third-year business administrations major. "I would be more likely to get tested if the HIV test were simply lumped in with the rest of normal blood tests or vaccination."
The bill is currently waiting the approval and signature of Governor Schwarzenegger. The governor has until October 14 to sign the bill.
This is a big deal, Molofsky said, "People don't have to die from this."
Published October 3, 2007. The Lumberjack.
Play Discusses Gender Struggles
There was no knowing what to expect upon entering the Homo Expo: A Queer Theatre Extravaganza judging by the title, and even if the poster told the passerby what to expect, you would never believe it.
The lights went down in the intimate quarters of Gist Theatre and the spotlight focused on a beautiful drag queen as he strutted glittering and proud toward the stage.
"I've always wanted to be a diva!" Greag Brown said, proudly soaking in the spotlight, allowing it to shimmer across the sequins of his dress.
The Homo Expo is running for one more weekend starting Thursday. It is more than just drag queens dancing around lip-syncing to Tina Turner classics and fabulous gay men and women recruiting audience members to their over-the-top lifestyle. It was a journey of the soul to those hidden places we have within ourselves that we never let anyone see.
The actors gave heartbreaking accounts of the pain and suffering that goes along with being the person they cannot change and the person they want to be.
"You've got to know what you want you for," said Traci Thomas in her monologue about being the only Asian lesbian stand-up comedian in the world. So precedes the theme of the night; the true desires of people and how they are forced to explain themselves to society every moment of the day.
One of the major issues that recurred throughout the show was the reaction of parents finding out their son or daughter is gay. Noe Tolenetino told of a father who refused to allow his son to enroll in ballet lessons as a small child because he thought "ballet would turn him gay" and allowed him to enroll in tap dancing instead.
"Ballet won't turn you into a big homo," Tolentino said, "tap dancing will." Despite all the fear and anticipation of coming out to their parents, the reaction each mother and father had was filled with love and support.
The second act gives a rare glimpse into the world of those who were born as the wrong gender and the circus that goes on around them in their quest to look the way they feel on the inside.
Brendon O'Loughlin, who played a transgendered character named Kate, felt challenged and honored to portray the character and have the opportunity to show the community the hardships and risks that transgender people must face coming out to friends and family and in everyday life.
Director Jean O' Hara was proud to see her circus come to life through her actors. Many actors were learning new talents, such a stilt walking for the show. They gave the community a rare glimpse of what it is like to live with the discrimination people face on an everyday basis because of their differences.
Published October 10, 2007. The Lumberjack.
The lights went down in the intimate quarters of Gist Theatre and the spotlight focused on a beautiful drag queen as he strutted glittering and proud toward the stage.
"I've always wanted to be a diva!" Greag Brown said, proudly soaking in the spotlight, allowing it to shimmer across the sequins of his dress.
The Homo Expo is running for one more weekend starting Thursday. It is more than just drag queens dancing around lip-syncing to Tina Turner classics and fabulous gay men and women recruiting audience members to their over-the-top lifestyle. It was a journey of the soul to those hidden places we have within ourselves that we never let anyone see.
The actors gave heartbreaking accounts of the pain and suffering that goes along with being the person they cannot change and the person they want to be.
"You've got to know what you want you for," said Traci Thomas in her monologue about being the only Asian lesbian stand-up comedian in the world. So precedes the theme of the night; the true desires of people and how they are forced to explain themselves to society every moment of the day.
One of the major issues that recurred throughout the show was the reaction of parents finding out their son or daughter is gay. Noe Tolenetino told of a father who refused to allow his son to enroll in ballet lessons as a small child because he thought "ballet would turn him gay" and allowed him to enroll in tap dancing instead.
"Ballet won't turn you into a big homo," Tolentino said, "tap dancing will." Despite all the fear and anticipation of coming out to their parents, the reaction each mother and father had was filled with love and support.
The second act gives a rare glimpse into the world of those who were born as the wrong gender and the circus that goes on around them in their quest to look the way they feel on the inside.
Brendon O'Loughlin, who played a transgendered character named Kate, felt challenged and honored to portray the character and have the opportunity to show the community the hardships and risks that transgender people must face coming out to friends and family and in everyday life.
Director Jean O' Hara was proud to see her circus come to life through her actors. Many actors were learning new talents, such a stilt walking for the show. They gave the community a rare glimpse of what it is like to live with the discrimination people face on an everyday basis because of their differences.
Published October 10, 2007. The Lumberjack.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Students Assist Fighting Wildfire
As the residents of Santa Barbara County prepared for festivities in the early afternoon of July 4, the smell of smoke and the low drone of fire trucks disturbed their merrymaking.
Humboldt State University student Chris Braden, a resident of the Santa Barbara area, witnessed what has been categorized as the second-largest fire in California's history. He was in Santa Barbara from day 14 to day 28 of the fire.
"The smoke and ash being dropped onto the Goleta and Santa Barbara area was intense," he said.
Firefighters such as Kyle Luker, a wildland firefighter from the Santa Barbara Fire Department, spent more than a month taming the blaze that consumed more than 240,000 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Several Humboldt State students helped control the burn. Jenifer Muha, a forestry student in her second year, assisted firefighters from the air as a Geographic Information System (GIS) operator for two weeks in July and August.
"Please don't call me a firefighter. I'm not," Muha said. "I'm a GIS technician. Firefighters work on the ground fighting fire. I'm a nerd who tracks the fire."
It is typical, both Luker and Muha said, for a fire technician to travel large distances to assist other fire departments in taming major blazes. Luker, who is going into his fifth season with the Santa Barbara Fire Department, has traveled to Arizona to assist in the control of a blaze, but spoke of comrades who have fought fires in nearly all fifty states.
"One is more likely to go out-of-state when they work for the U.S. Forest Service since it is a nationally run agency," Luker said.
When Luker worked for the forestry service, he was able to fight fires in Arizona, but that same crew has gone to many other states as well. Now that he works for a county municipality, his main job is responding to fires within the Santa Barbara County.
Student firefighters make the choice to go to school full-time during the school year and fight fires only in the summer or only attend school during the spring semester when it is no longer fire season. Muha, on the other hand, remains active with her unit while she attends classes.
"I am still working weekends with my crew," Muha said. "I have the ability to work a few days and give one of the other GIS techs a few days off."
The opportunity to go out and help firefighters as a GIS technician has strengthened Muha's faith in her career choice. "I love my job. It is the best job I have ever had," she said. "I hope next summer is even better."
printed 9-19-07
Humboldt State University student Chris Braden, a resident of the Santa Barbara area, witnessed what has been categorized as the second-largest fire in California's history. He was in Santa Barbara from day 14 to day 28 of the fire.
"The smoke and ash being dropped onto the Goleta and Santa Barbara area was intense," he said.
Firefighters such as Kyle Luker, a wildland firefighter from the Santa Barbara Fire Department, spent more than a month taming the blaze that consumed more than 240,000 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Several Humboldt State students helped control the burn. Jenifer Muha, a forestry student in her second year, assisted firefighters from the air as a Geographic Information System (GIS) operator for two weeks in July and August.
"Please don't call me a firefighter. I'm not," Muha said. "I'm a GIS technician. Firefighters work on the ground fighting fire. I'm a nerd who tracks the fire."
It is typical, both Luker and Muha said, for a fire technician to travel large distances to assist other fire departments in taming major blazes. Luker, who is going into his fifth season with the Santa Barbara Fire Department, has traveled to Arizona to assist in the control of a blaze, but spoke of comrades who have fought fires in nearly all fifty states.
"One is more likely to go out-of-state when they work for the U.S. Forest Service since it is a nationally run agency," Luker said.
When Luker worked for the forestry service, he was able to fight fires in Arizona, but that same crew has gone to many other states as well. Now that he works for a county municipality, his main job is responding to fires within the Santa Barbara County.
Student firefighters make the choice to go to school full-time during the school year and fight fires only in the summer or only attend school during the spring semester when it is no longer fire season. Muha, on the other hand, remains active with her unit while she attends classes.
"I am still working weekends with my crew," Muha said. "I have the ability to work a few days and give one of the other GIS techs a few days off."
The opportunity to go out and help firefighters as a GIS technician has strengthened Muha's faith in her career choice. "I love my job. It is the best job I have ever had," she said. "I hope next summer is even better."
printed 9-19-07
Monday, September 17, 2007
Excitement, concern stir new PE building
[DISCLAIMER: Until I can get some work writing about music or until I find some gigs to attend, I'm afraid some of the content of this site will be non-music related. On the upside, this does show diversity.- The management]
The long-awaited addition to the Forbes Complex, which includes a six-lane swimming pool, will be open March 2008, said Humboldt State Senior Communications Officer, Paul Mann.
Previous plans to demolish the currently standing Forbes Complex have been broken upon gaining permission from the California State University Chancellor Charles Reed to preserve the building and allow it to house offices and classrooms for the ever-expanding campus, Mann said.
Jan Henry, a member of Humboldt State's physical education staff and member of the building committee is pleased with the news that both gymnasiums will be available to her program.
While some areas are expanding, others are shrinking. The locker rooms, which are being moved to the new building, will house fewer lockers than before.
"This shouldn't be a problem," Henry said. She is looking forward to having brand new lockers for students to use.
The new building is called the Physical Education and Athletics Facility and features an additional gymnasium, natatorium (indoor pool) and an expansive picture window that looks down onto Union Street. The building will also house a dance studio, classrooms, locker rooms and staff and faculty offices and costs Humboldt State $42.8 million.
While there is an air of excitement among students toward the new facility and all it has to offer, there are concerns about whether or not the facility will address all of the needs of the students.
Humboldt State student Bri Georgi believes that it would be a waste for the school to spend such great amounts of money and in the end, find that the students have not gained anything by it, and fears that the new gymnasium may lose some of the charms of the former gymnasium.
"I'm excited about the pool," Georgi said.
Chris Weingarten, Humboldt State alumnus and physical education intern, is both thrilled and concerned about the new facility. The former football player worries that the new basketball court will be too spread out and the gym will lose the intimacy that is crucial in creating an air of excitement during games. The echoing effect of the roar of the crowd in the smaller gym is what keeps the team in high spirits, and it would be a shame to lose that, he said.
Weingarten hopes the climate-control system is remodeled to make for more comfortable workout sessions. The current air input system leaves the building hot in the summer and cold in the winter, and does not make for comfortable work out sessions, he said.
While students are excited to see how the new facility will cater to the growing sports and athletics groups on campus, there is also a feeling of relief that the old facility will not be destroyed and can remain a reliable source of recreation and enjoyment as the campus grows and expands.
Published in The Lumberjack: 9-12-07
The long-awaited addition to the Forbes Complex, which includes a six-lane swimming pool, will be open March 2008, said Humboldt State Senior Communications Officer, Paul Mann.
Previous plans to demolish the currently standing Forbes Complex have been broken upon gaining permission from the California State University Chancellor Charles Reed to preserve the building and allow it to house offices and classrooms for the ever-expanding campus, Mann said.
Jan Henry, a member of Humboldt State's physical education staff and member of the building committee is pleased with the news that both gymnasiums will be available to her program.
While some areas are expanding, others are shrinking. The locker rooms, which are being moved to the new building, will house fewer lockers than before.
"This shouldn't be a problem," Henry said. She is looking forward to having brand new lockers for students to use.
The new building is called the Physical Education and Athletics Facility and features an additional gymnasium, natatorium (indoor pool) and an expansive picture window that looks down onto Union Street. The building will also house a dance studio, classrooms, locker rooms and staff and faculty offices and costs Humboldt State $42.8 million.
While there is an air of excitement among students toward the new facility and all it has to offer, there are concerns about whether or not the facility will address all of the needs of the students.
Humboldt State student Bri Georgi believes that it would be a waste for the school to spend such great amounts of money and in the end, find that the students have not gained anything by it, and fears that the new gymnasium may lose some of the charms of the former gymnasium.
"I'm excited about the pool," Georgi said.
Chris Weingarten, Humboldt State alumnus and physical education intern, is both thrilled and concerned about the new facility. The former football player worries that the new basketball court will be too spread out and the gym will lose the intimacy that is crucial in creating an air of excitement during games. The echoing effect of the roar of the crowd in the smaller gym is what keeps the team in high spirits, and it would be a shame to lose that, he said.
Weingarten hopes the climate-control system is remodeled to make for more comfortable workout sessions. The current air input system leaves the building hot in the summer and cold in the winter, and does not make for comfortable work out sessions, he said.
While students are excited to see how the new facility will cater to the growing sports and athletics groups on campus, there is also a feeling of relief that the old facility will not be destroyed and can remain a reliable source of recreation and enjoyment as the campus grows and expands.
Published in The Lumberjack: 9-12-07
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Ink Me Up, Baby!
It has appealed to men and women of all ages and backgrounds for centuries; the tattoo. Permanent body paint used to display warrior’s courage, experiences, wisdom, snippets of time, significant moments, everlasting relationships and no so everlasting relationships. Each design permanently engraved into a person no longer being merely a picture, but becoming who the person is or will be.
In ancient times, before men were “civilized” and wood was still used for weapons rather than metal, warriors would light their blades on fire to make their attacks on their enemy therefore making the wounds more severe. The burning wood would leave ash in the wound therefore creating a permanent blue streak under the warrior’s skin creating the first tattoos. The warriors wore these scars as badges of bravery and honor. Thus, the honor and pride as well as the tattoos themselves were unintentionally born.
Fast-forward to 1902, New York City in a shadier part of town near Little Italy and
Chinatown. Small tattoo shops began opening up in closet sized room with a single light bulb hanging overhead and a lone tattoo chair. The air always stunk of something like urine, blood and vomit and the bucket of water and rag used to clean off the blood during the tattooing process never seemed to be changed. But the customers didn’t care. In this rough area of town cleanliness was not an issue. These dirty conditions were another way to show you were tough and could handle anything. Age limit did not matter to the artists either. Children as young as 13 would come into the “parlors” to get tattoos small enough to hide from there mothers but large enough to keep them from being beat up on the way to school. Since tattoos were so cheap in those days (a quarter per tattoo) an epidemic broke out in the grade school and parents began to complain to the teachers about their young children coming home with tattoos that rivaled those of the local sailors.
But to the sailors tattooing was merely to show they were tougher than the other kids on the block. To the sailors the tattoos were badges of honor for things they had done and mementos of the various places they had been while in the service. Soldiers also got tattoos of their lovers to give them hope of what was waiting for them at home and to show that they would be loyal to their girls while they were gone. Sadly, the boys would come home only to find that their one and only had left them for another man and so the lovely Rhonda on their chest had to be changed into a sailing ship or a dragon to hide the embarrassed lad’s mistake.
The amazing part of this entire tattoo craze was that is was not reserved for the lower class citizens and laborers as it is today. Men and women alike, no matter what the status felt the need to inscribe ink into their skin. Upper class women would typically get religious symbols, butterflies or hearts, while the men would get patriotic symbols and birds of prey. Even the upper class would get involved. Judges would be fully tattooed from head to toe with suck things as sock outlines and the general public would never know. The upper class women would get their eyebrows tattooed on, have there lips reddened, their cheeks to be rosy.
During the depression the tattoo craze died down and most artists went out of business due to lack of customers. The people who before had brought the artists so much business were now broke, suffering and some were unemployed. The fad had died out. All that was left of the tattooing world were the scars of yester-year. It appeared that an era was over.
Over, that is, until the 1950’s when rock and roll was king, kids were rebellious and a tattoo was just another way to make mom and dad angry. The ink the hot rodding boys and girls displayed on their skin to show that they had no cares for authority, their parents or anyone’s rules at all. The tattoos were their way to prove that they were their own person with their own rules and they were going to do things the way they wanted.
The design of tattoos began to change as well. No longer did people want the plain designs of the olden days and single tattoos. Full sleeve tattoos became popular and eastern designs worked its way onto the flesh of the young Americans. New designs began to evolve. No longer was the focus on birds of prey, flowers and patriotic symbols they now displayed sex, drugs, cars, and rock and roll. And the tattoos were no longer widely accepted; in fact the opposite was true. Tattoos were reserved for lower working class citizens and young delinquents. Parents everywhere were outraged at the monstrosities displayed on their teenage children’s bodies. The controversy was back and so then the fad was back.
Though tattoos may never be as widely accepted, as they were when they first were presented to the general public, they will always exist as a time capsule for an individual. Each drop of ink will always represent the adventures, loves, losses, passions, and sometimes drunken nights that a person will never be able to forget and never want to forget.
Originally published for Daddy-O magazine 2004. (Daddy-O magazine is written, designed and published by myself.)
In ancient times, before men were “civilized” and wood was still used for weapons rather than metal, warriors would light their blades on fire to make their attacks on their enemy therefore making the wounds more severe. The burning wood would leave ash in the wound therefore creating a permanent blue streak under the warrior’s skin creating the first tattoos. The warriors wore these scars as badges of bravery and honor. Thus, the honor and pride as well as the tattoos themselves were unintentionally born.
Fast-forward to 1902, New York City in a shadier part of town near Little Italy and
Chinatown. Small tattoo shops began opening up in closet sized room with a single light bulb hanging overhead and a lone tattoo chair. The air always stunk of something like urine, blood and vomit and the bucket of water and rag used to clean off the blood during the tattooing process never seemed to be changed. But the customers didn’t care. In this rough area of town cleanliness was not an issue. These dirty conditions were another way to show you were tough and could handle anything. Age limit did not matter to the artists either. Children as young as 13 would come into the “parlors” to get tattoos small enough to hide from there mothers but large enough to keep them from being beat up on the way to school. Since tattoos were so cheap in those days (a quarter per tattoo) an epidemic broke out in the grade school and parents began to complain to the teachers about their young children coming home with tattoos that rivaled those of the local sailors.
But to the sailors tattooing was merely to show they were tougher than the other kids on the block. To the sailors the tattoos were badges of honor for things they had done and mementos of the various places they had been while in the service. Soldiers also got tattoos of their lovers to give them hope of what was waiting for them at home and to show that they would be loyal to their girls while they were gone. Sadly, the boys would come home only to find that their one and only had left them for another man and so the lovely Rhonda on their chest had to be changed into a sailing ship or a dragon to hide the embarrassed lad’s mistake.
The amazing part of this entire tattoo craze was that is was not reserved for the lower class citizens and laborers as it is today. Men and women alike, no matter what the status felt the need to inscribe ink into their skin. Upper class women would typically get religious symbols, butterflies or hearts, while the men would get patriotic symbols and birds of prey. Even the upper class would get involved. Judges would be fully tattooed from head to toe with suck things as sock outlines and the general public would never know. The upper class women would get their eyebrows tattooed on, have there lips reddened, their cheeks to be rosy.
During the depression the tattoo craze died down and most artists went out of business due to lack of customers. The people who before had brought the artists so much business were now broke, suffering and some were unemployed. The fad had died out. All that was left of the tattooing world were the scars of yester-year. It appeared that an era was over.
Over, that is, until the 1950’s when rock and roll was king, kids were rebellious and a tattoo was just another way to make mom and dad angry. The ink the hot rodding boys and girls displayed on their skin to show that they had no cares for authority, their parents or anyone’s rules at all. The tattoos were their way to prove that they were their own person with their own rules and they were going to do things the way they wanted.
The design of tattoos began to change as well. No longer did people want the plain designs of the olden days and single tattoos. Full sleeve tattoos became popular and eastern designs worked its way onto the flesh of the young Americans. New designs began to evolve. No longer was the focus on birds of prey, flowers and patriotic symbols they now displayed sex, drugs, cars, and rock and roll. And the tattoos were no longer widely accepted; in fact the opposite was true. Tattoos were reserved for lower working class citizens and young delinquents. Parents everywhere were outraged at the monstrosities displayed on their teenage children’s bodies. The controversy was back and so then the fad was back.
Though tattoos may never be as widely accepted, as they were when they first were presented to the general public, they will always exist as a time capsule for an individual. Each drop of ink will always represent the adventures, loves, losses, passions, and sometimes drunken nights that a person will never be able to forget and never want to forget.
Originally published for Daddy-O magazine 2004. (Daddy-O magazine is written, designed and published by myself.)
Devil Doll "The Queen of Pain"
Daddy-O knows that its readers only want the very best and that’s what we’re here for, to give you the very best. We traveled the country with our team of experts to bring you the next big thing in Rockabilly, test it out, and bring it straight to the people. Here it is, Daddy-O’s pick of the month! This month we’ll be taking a closer look at Devil Doll’s new album, “Queen of Pain.”
From the first notes of “St. Christopher,” to the last notes of “Union Square,” Devil Doll’s sultry voice entices the listener and puts them under a spell making them feel high than any drug could take them. Devil Doll combines her intoxicatingly ingenious brew of a silk soft voice with the gently plucking of her upright bass to bring back the rhythm and feel of lounge singers of the 1940’s. Ella would be proud.
Her voice grows and swells from a seductive growl in “Heart Sized Crush,” to a smooth, soothing purr in “Walk with Me,” to a seductively angry snarl in “King of Brooklyn” all the while remaining smooth, sultry, controlled and precise. She is all a lounge singer should be and so, so much more.
Devil Doll, born Charleen, has been wowing intoxicated crowds for years with her confident eyes, well sculpted body, piercing green eyes, soothing yet energizing voice and the power of her upright bass. With the help from one of her hopelessly devoted fans Devil Doll has moved her sultry swooning from the bar to the recording studio to great her demo masterpiece that is available to you, my lucky readers, to listen to as much as you want whenever you want in the comfort of your own home. Yes my friends, you are free to drool and some monkey of a bouncer will not kick you out for it.
When asked what she thought of her new album Devil Doll replied, “You know, I’m really happy about the way it turned out. I was a little skeptical going in because the producers wanted to use more instruments than just me and my bass and that’s what I’m used to. I mean, I’ve been doing shows with just myself and the bass for years. But in all honesty, I think that everyone did a great job maintaining my personal style for the songs and enhancing my stylizing on the bass with the other instruments rather than drowning it out. I would defiantly bring these bad boys on tour with me.”
You can catch Devil Doll at Taylor’s Lounge in Redlands, CA on December 11th (see calendar section for more details.) You can also find out more about this luscious lady and her new album by visiting her website at www.devil-doll.com. Album also available at www.cdbaby.com.
So the votes are in and it’s unanimous two thumbs way, way up all across the board. Kids, get on the internet now and buy this album for anyone you know. This album is great for anyone from your grandma who listens to Ella Fitzgerald, to your 12 year old nephew who listens to Brian Setzer and thinks he started it all. It’s all the pleasure of a lounge without the lounge itself. Go, Daddy-O!
Songs to check out: “Heart Sized Crush,” “King of Brooklyn,” “16 Days"
originally published May 2004 for Daddy-O magazine (magazine written, designed and published by myself)
From the first notes of “St. Christopher,” to the last notes of “Union Square,” Devil Doll’s sultry voice entices the listener and puts them under a spell making them feel high than any drug could take them. Devil Doll combines her intoxicatingly ingenious brew of a silk soft voice with the gently plucking of her upright bass to bring back the rhythm and feel of lounge singers of the 1940’s. Ella would be proud.
Her voice grows and swells from a seductive growl in “Heart Sized Crush,” to a smooth, soothing purr in “Walk with Me,” to a seductively angry snarl in “King of Brooklyn” all the while remaining smooth, sultry, controlled and precise. She is all a lounge singer should be and so, so much more.
Devil Doll, born Charleen, has been wowing intoxicated crowds for years with her confident eyes, well sculpted body, piercing green eyes, soothing yet energizing voice and the power of her upright bass. With the help from one of her hopelessly devoted fans Devil Doll has moved her sultry swooning from the bar to the recording studio to great her demo masterpiece that is available to you, my lucky readers, to listen to as much as you want whenever you want in the comfort of your own home. Yes my friends, you are free to drool and some monkey of a bouncer will not kick you out for it.
When asked what she thought of her new album Devil Doll replied, “You know, I’m really happy about the way it turned out. I was a little skeptical going in because the producers wanted to use more instruments than just me and my bass and that’s what I’m used to. I mean, I’ve been doing shows with just myself and the bass for years. But in all honesty, I think that everyone did a great job maintaining my personal style for the songs and enhancing my stylizing on the bass with the other instruments rather than drowning it out. I would defiantly bring these bad boys on tour with me.”
You can catch Devil Doll at Taylor’s Lounge in Redlands, CA on December 11th (see calendar section for more details.) You can also find out more about this luscious lady and her new album by visiting her website at www.devil-doll.com. Album also available at www.cdbaby.com.
So the votes are in and it’s unanimous two thumbs way, way up all across the board. Kids, get on the internet now and buy this album for anyone you know. This album is great for anyone from your grandma who listens to Ella Fitzgerald, to your 12 year old nephew who listens to Brian Setzer and thinks he started it all. It’s all the pleasure of a lounge without the lounge itself. Go, Daddy-O!
Songs to check out: “Heart Sized Crush,” “King of Brooklyn,” “16 Days"
originally published May 2004 for Daddy-O magazine (magazine written, designed and published by myself)
Catching up with 7-40-7
Daddy-O: Defiantly. I think energy is definitely essential to make any good band. And when we write a song we have never had any difficulties. We work well in that sense. Someone brings a riff or a general idea and we jam it out and make a structure that makes sense to us all. “My Space” is helpful in getting your name out there or is the turn out at your shows about the same?
Rob: Our turn outs have gotten better not only due to “My Space,” but also due to us getting our more making more contacts with bands. “My Space” has helped a great deal as far as getting out of town gigs. For instance, in January we will be playing in Vegas at the Cooler Lounge with a burlesque troupe. It's also fun and good for moral to hear feed back on our music from people not only in LA but outside too. People tend to appreciate bands more.
Daddy-O: With modern technology the way it is, it defiantly seems easier to get connections and become friends with other bands. What's your favorite song to play live?
Rob: oh yeah way easier. For local bands trying to get their names out there. That’s the way to go. You hear about bands just flooding their songs to record labels they throw those away. You have to make ripples in the pond to get noticed.
My favorite song to play live has to be “Wreckingball”. It's a more rockabilly/psychobilly-ish song. Starting kinda slow, then it gets hard and the lyrics are pretty good. Girls like it a lot. Well, maybe I like to play it just 'cause the girls like the song. *laughs*
Daddy-O: Any bras onstage?
Rob: no not yet *laughs* but there’s always girls trying to be cute to get free shirts and cds. Although [a girl came] on stage in g strings and pole danced on the mic stand. That was pretty sexy.
Daddy-O: Alright since this is also a car magazine. What do you drive?
Rob: *laughs* Well, I am currently working on a get around car. It's a 1990 mustang 5.0 v8. I got it for 500 bucks and I'm putting a cold air intake and performance exhaust. My baby is my 1969 Lincoln Continental with suicide doors. I worked on it my self. Rebuilt the engine. 462 7.5 liter monster. So yeah, I'm more into the old lead sleds. The other guys in the band have modern cars except for Dan who has a V.W. bus. [I’m] not sure what year but he's also working on it himself.
Daddy-O: Very nice! You've got some nice toys there. But what's your dream car?
Rob: My dream car would be a 59 Bonneville with all the chrome interior. I love those cars. They’re so classic. You'd think a guy like me would want a hot rod. *laughs* Nah, I like the nice sleek luxury cars. The kind you see old guys on discovery channel cherrying out. They’re pretty nice. As far as hot rods go, I guess I'd like a Model A with a big Lincoln motor in it. That would haul ass. [I want one] that’s red. I'd make mine look like the car from the “Munsters.”
Daddy-O: I think the red paint makes it go faster.
Rob: Yeah, paint is important to performance.
Daddy-O: I always thought it was.
Originally published May 2004 in Daddy-O magazine (a magazine written, designed and published by myself.)
Rob: Our turn outs have gotten better not only due to “My Space,” but also due to us getting our more making more contacts with bands. “My Space” has helped a great deal as far as getting out of town gigs. For instance, in January we will be playing in Vegas at the Cooler Lounge with a burlesque troupe. It's also fun and good for moral to hear feed back on our music from people not only in LA but outside too. People tend to appreciate bands more.
Daddy-O: With modern technology the way it is, it defiantly seems easier to get connections and become friends with other bands. What's your favorite song to play live?
Rob: oh yeah way easier. For local bands trying to get their names out there. That’s the way to go. You hear about bands just flooding their songs to record labels they throw those away. You have to make ripples in the pond to get noticed.
My favorite song to play live has to be “Wreckingball”. It's a more rockabilly/psychobilly-ish song. Starting kinda slow, then it gets hard and the lyrics are pretty good. Girls like it a lot. Well, maybe I like to play it just 'cause the girls like the song. *laughs*
Daddy-O: Any bras onstage?
Rob: no not yet *laughs* but there’s always girls trying to be cute to get free shirts and cds. Although [a girl came] on stage in g strings and pole danced on the mic stand. That was pretty sexy.
Daddy-O: Alright since this is also a car magazine. What do you drive?
Rob: *laughs* Well, I am currently working on a get around car. It's a 1990 mustang 5.0 v8. I got it for 500 bucks and I'm putting a cold air intake and performance exhaust. My baby is my 1969 Lincoln Continental with suicide doors. I worked on it my self. Rebuilt the engine. 462 7.5 liter monster. So yeah, I'm more into the old lead sleds. The other guys in the band have modern cars except for Dan who has a V.W. bus. [I’m] not sure what year but he's also working on it himself.
Daddy-O: Very nice! You've got some nice toys there. But what's your dream car?
Rob: My dream car would be a 59 Bonneville with all the chrome interior. I love those cars. They’re so classic. You'd think a guy like me would want a hot rod. *laughs* Nah, I like the nice sleek luxury cars. The kind you see old guys on discovery channel cherrying out. They’re pretty nice. As far as hot rods go, I guess I'd like a Model A with a big Lincoln motor in it. That would haul ass. [I want one] that’s red. I'd make mine look like the car from the “Munsters.”
Daddy-O: I think the red paint makes it go faster.
Rob: Yeah, paint is important to performance.
Daddy-O: I always thought it was.
Originally published May 2004 in Daddy-O magazine (a magazine written, designed and published by myself.)
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
April Dresden Dolls album release show
The Dresden Dolls, Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione hit the stage at Virgin Megastores in
The free show held to promote the new album “Yes, Virginia” drew a crowd of more than three hundred fans ranging in age from pre-pubescent to adulthood and offered and array of clothing styles that seemed all too appropriate for the Punk Cabaret sound that the Dresden Dolls are famous for.
Having just come off the stage across the street at the Jimmy Kimmel Show, the Dolls appeared onstage in street clothes, sans makeup and hair still drenched with sweat.
The tell-tale signs of a full out performance prior to their appearance did not hinder this band in any way and the fans were not left wanting.
“The show had great energy,” said Jonathan Reilly of Reseda, a new fan of the Dolls. “The lack of make-up and the exhaustion didn't affect the show at all. If anything- it made the crowd feel more appreciated. For people who can't get out from behind their instruments, it certainly didn't feel like it.”
The set list for the evening consisted of a mix between old favorites such as the self-love anthem, “Coin Operated Boy” and tale of the result of Generation Prozac in “Girl Anachronism” to selections from the new album ranging in themes from sex changes, alcoholic friends to the affects of mass advertising.
“The show was very interesting; buzzing with a sort of subtle yet high-power energy that I'm sure everyone could feel,” said Lisa Purviance of Santa Clarita. “The album itself seems at first very calm and subdued, for the most part. However, if one were to pay attention to the lyrics and music and melodies, they would be able to tell that there is a lot more to it than what one would initially be able to pick up on.”
After the ten-song set was complete, Amanda Palmer leaned into the microphone to announce that she and Brain intended to “sign every fucking album and shake every hand,” proving that there still is such a thing as humility in the music industry.
As the second album in the Dresden Dolls catalog, “Yes, Virginia” solidifies the Dolls’ place on the underground punk scene blending a hypnotic mixture of pulsing drum beats, dissident piano chords, and the haunting vocals of Miss Palmer creating a sound that can not be compared with any of the pop groups on the radio today.
The social commentary of “Modern Moonlight” and obvious despair of “Delilah” and “Me and the Minibar” show Palmer’s sincerity as a song writer and artist to depict her true thoughts and feelings to her audience and her passion for the written word.
Each album the Dresden Dolls release is another in window into the hearts and minds of Palmer and Viglione.
“Yes,
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