November 2009
3 posts
Waiting for the bus
I feel like a foreigner. Since the 3rd Infantry Division arrived at FOB Speicher, everyone has thick southern accents. I’m the only person at the bus stop that doesn’t sound like I’m from Georgia. I’m also the only person who doesn’t end my sentences by spitting tobacco.
~Chris
The Problem With Music →
Are Friends Electric?
October 2009
10 posts
Friday
It’s easy to lose track of what day it is while I’m in Iraq. Most days are not disguisable. There is one day I look forward to, one day that is a beacon hope. The day before, when we’re leaving the office, Eric always asks, “Do you know what tomorrow is?” Of course I do, it’s Taco Friday!
I guess we could have picked another day to get excited about. It’s not like we have weekends off, but I...
New wardrobe
Christopher: I need to pick out some clothes so that when people look at me they say, "boning time." To which I'll reply, "Sorry dude, I like ladies."
Andrea: Where do you buy clothes that say "boning time"?
Christopher: You can buy them anywhere but you have to make the stencil yourself to spray paint boning time on it. People usually read it out loud.
3 tags
5 tags
In and Out of Control
I’ve seen the Raveonettes a few times. All of them were at the Magic Stick in Detroit. I don’t think any show had more than 50 people there. They were on Sony at the time and it baffled me that a major label band could have a small turnout.
I was trying to find a review of a Roland Juno Di that didn’t read like a catalog description when I saw an article on the new Raveonettes album In and Out of...
3 tags
Rip It Up and Start Again
I was burned out on post-punk a month ago. I was reading a horrible book called Rip It Up and Start Again about the history of the genre, and by the time I was finished I didn’t want to listen to anything post or punk. It was written like the worse Wikipedia entries. You know, the ones that people start so people who know something about the subject will correct it. Or worse like the entries you...
3 tags
CTA everyday
Communting by train is new to me still, and will probably never become boring. There is endless opportunity to observe all sorts of human behaviors, the rare and the mundane.
The other day a man in a tattered purple track suit boarded, pulling a suitcase on wheels with a boombox haphazardly duck taped to it. He (consideratly) asked what we wanted to listen to. When no one responded, he announced,...
3 tags
Talking about my generalization
I’m glad I didn’t listen to Bob Dylan when I was kid. I think I would have been spoiled and turned off to a lot great music. It seems like kids who listened to Bob Dylan were above listening anything that came after Bob Dylan. I’m basing that on my first girlfriend who ridiculed people who liked the Ramones (even though she had what she called a punk phase). I know this is a generalization.
...
6 tags
parsley sage rosemary and thyme
When Chris returns from Iraq we are going to play music.
You are probably thinking, “Andrea, I didn’t know you play an instrument.” That’s because I don’t. I have eight months to learn how to play keyboard or guitar or maybe both. We will have to find someone else to sing with a voice as angelic as Art Garfunkel’s; I only sing in the shower or alone in my car...
Lazy Sundays
Sunday is my only day off. The captain will stop by around noon to see if I want go to lunch with him. I try to not be in my room around noon. If I go to lunch with him, he’ll want to play chess or another board game afterwards. Then he will want to go to the store. Next thing I know, I am spending my whole day with him and that’s just like being at work.
~Chris
2 tags
Mission Statement Mix Tape
I’m making Andrea a mix. It’s going to be my mission statement for the band. I’m putting songs on it that have elements that I want us to use. I’m keeping in mind our limitations by considering there are two of us.
I’m going to put it in the mailbox on Monday. I’m not sure how long it takes to get from the Middle East to Chicago. I’m looking forward to hearing what she agrees with and what she...