weapons of massdistraction

Yesterday’s day trip to Duluth was a resounding success, despite some minor setbacks. Upon arrival we discovered the big used bookstore we’d been looking forward to pillaging is now out of commission. And Obscuriosities Retro also seems to be closed for business (but still taunts and tantalizes with a storefront that makes it appear as though they’re open). A promising looking vintage store on Superior is still in business…just not open Mondays or Tuesdays (when we were there). But still, we forged ahead and had a fabulous day. One that went by far too quickly. My companion and I both had good luck at the Ragstock. An enjoyable lunch was had at Sara’s Table followed by a stop at the Duluth co-op. Then it was back into the thick of things at a couple more thrift stores. One was the crappiest ever run by the world’s crabbiest and most unhelpful people - amusingly so - and at another I was tempted to purchase a most ridiculous 80s era padded shoulder jacket. After a stop at the Electric Fetus we nearly lost ourselves in a cavernous antiques mall. But we extricated ourselves and on the way out I ran into my old friend Barrett Chase on the street (while he was on a quest to attain manhood). And then it was all over in a flash. Didn’t end up having time to grab drinks with some other friends but instead stopped by a Goodwill on the way out of town. And on return drive we enjoyed mix CDs along with some quality Iraqi heavy metal from the band Acrassicauda. I still need to see the documentary featuring them.

Today has not been quite so fabulous. My hump day has been pretty bumpy. It’s been CRANKY O’CLOCK pretty much ALL DAY LONG. So here’s a bunch of grumpy-battling gems:

• John Waters narrates the tiny world of big time murder. Here’s a clip from OF DOLLS AND MURDER, a documentary by Susan Marks and John Kurtis Dehn. They’ve “almost finished this feature documentary that explores a haunting collection of dollhouse crime scenes and our universal fascination with murder. From CSI and real-life forensics, to the Body Farm and a crime fighting granny.” More here: Art of Murder.
• In other documentary news…it’s just been announced that Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields will open Wednesday, Oct. 27, at New York’s Film Forum with a limited release around the U.S. and Canada TBA.
• My love for Roger Ebert has just grown exponentially.
  

  This, for the benefit of future rock historians, is the transscript of a screenplay I wrote in the summer of 1977. It was tailored for the historic punk rock band the Sex Pistols, and was to be directed by Russ Meyer and produced by the impresario Malcolm McLaren. Who Killed Bambi?

• Enjoy the strangely titled Poems for Melting Children from this always interesting blog. And a bonus blog: stumbled across Feral Eyes.
• Since I recently posted an interview with Lightning Bolt’s bass player, how about one with the other half? Fort Thunder artist on art, music and Providence’s mill scene
• I would love to see Mark Ryden’s Olde Tyme Art Show in NYC but will have to make due with this time lapse video of him painting one of the main pieces.
• I should just unsubscribe from the All Tomorrows Parties related mailings to spare myself the aggravation. What I don’t know can’t hurt me, right? Unfortunately I do know that one of my all time favorite bands, The Clean, will be performing in the UK two weeks from today. And I won’t be there to bear witness to it. Unless someone comes up with wormhole technology right quick.
• Now for a shout-out to some locals: “MPLS.TV spotlights the unique culture of Minneapolis by featuring local artists, musicians and businesses in an entertaining and insightful way. MPLS.TV aims to foster a sustainable community of creativity and growth”
• The trailer for Robert Rodriguez’s upcoming movie Machete, with bonus Cinco de Mayo message to Arizona. Amazing. And just what I needed today.
• And lastly, what the fuck should I make for dinner? Actually has some decent suggestions (but not actual recipes) for omnivores and vegetarians alike.

Now to continue fighting off this crappy migraine. And comforting my kid, who took a nasty spill down the stairs after school. What a day. Oy vey.