Willo O'Brien

After posting that message yesterday I’ve had a few concerned friends and darling aquaintances from afar, emailing and IMing to see if I’ve found something yet. One email was from a total stranger here in SF who apparently hosts a big Orphan Dinner Thanksgiving at his loft in Mission/Potrero. They seem like a lot of fun peeps around my age who like to drink wine & have a good time – sounds like my kinda crowd!

Update: turns out my friend Rachel knows a ton of these peeps – and she used to work w/ Ian who sent me the CDs last week. So cool! ha! This is *such* a small town!

Rick is sorta orphaned too, so I think we’re both going to go over there and eat Thanksgiving w/ 25-30 new friends! :) haha! We love meeting new people – so I’m actually really looking forward to it. Thank you Brian W.!!!

Mmm, I’m getting quite excited for the delicious smells that fill a house on Thanksgiving Day… !!

The Mando Diao show is tonite! I’m pretty psyched to see this band play live. I sure as hell hope they’re good. I hate falling in love with a CD and getting all excited to see a show to find they suck live. The pressure is on, Swedey boys!! They have a couple video’s on their site that make em look like they’ll be a fun band. I’ll of course bring my good attitude and give them the benefit of the doubt, be sure my head is “bobbable” for any tunes that may strike it’s fancy to do just that. I’m no stiff at these shows – I’ll shake if I’m moved to! shake shake shake it!

Ok so then tomorrow night is Les Savy Fav at GAMH – which I’m psyched about TOO! They’re more like that NY punk rock sound that I *luv*… so between the two of em we’ve got some pretty rockin shows! wahoo! vs. the more emo slower type stuff we’ve been seeing… It’s good to have bands that make you wanna move and shake shake shake it.

I’m starting to get white… I need a tan. I wish I was going to Costa Rica like Jee and Sarah!! My mom even just got back from a quick Cozumel trip. I’m pretty much *always* dreaming of tropical vacations. Sandy – if you’re reading this – I *WILL* be coming to see you in Maui dammit! (and email me for goodness sakes, how are you guys doing out there?)

I’m still sitting here working away, wishing someone was cleaning my house. (I know, don’t we all?) I think that’s most likely how I’ll spend my holiday (thanksgiving) morning: Cleaning.

Speaking of – Can you believe I don’t have anywhere to go eat turkey on Turkey Day?!

Matt & I had a whole group of friends we used to do Thanksgiving with every year… in fact last year we even held it at our house for the first time! We had a great group of friends we always did Easter and even most 4th of July’s, etc. It was nice. Now 2 or 3 of them are married w/ kids, one couple is moving away I heard, and Matt & I have split up. Life goes on I guess… it’s just weird to feel so orphaned this year.

I wish I could even go back and be with my family for 24 hours. They’re all having dinner at my Aunt & Uncle’s new home in Denver. I could see my family and everyone’s kiddos (cousins of mine) for the first time in a couple years since the last O’Brien reunion.

Then again I am pretty easy – I could just as easily go get some take out somewhere, too. But then I start thinking of homemade pies, and stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean cassarole… I’m sure I’ll find someplace by Thursday.

I post a lot of movies & I often get asked what the best way is to optimize video for the web. So forever in the left column I had a “Here Soon (possibly)” thing saying I was going to post my tips for optimizing video for the web using Quicktime Pro. It’s nothing fancy by any means – but a lot of newbie digital camera users have the option for 30sec-1min video clips packaged in their nifty little camera, but then don’t know how easy it is to take those 7MB files and make them only 1MB or so for the web & email.

So, it’s pretty basic – and I’m sure could use some advice from someone who’s played around with it more… but here’s my Tips on Optimizing Quicktime Vids – and even a How-To on making Poster Frames.

And show me your movies! Or better yet – submit them to WeeklyDV.com!

Huzzah! I didn’t realize Haloscan was so easy! cool!

I’ve been wanting to ask you all – Do any of you use that check box thing up there? The “Click this to open links in new window” thing? I think it’s a cool feature – and I used to want blogs to open things in a new window – but now I like it when they don’t. So – just wondering if any of you use that.

UPDATE 11/25, 12pm: Wouldn’t ya know it implementing my comments messed w/ that code for the “open links in new window” thingy – so I stripped it out. Ajax might be the smarty pants that comes up w/ a solution – so keep commenting if you DID in fact use that handly lil’ thing. (and if you don’t know what the heck I’m talking about now, since it’s no longer on my page – then don’t worry about it. )

Alright – I must get myself tucked in now so I can get up for the gym tomorrow! (my only motivation is to read my book!)

Update again: I didn’t go workout – cuz I stayed up till 2am implementing Haloscan! And I’m *STILL* trying to kick this godfersaken cold!! ARG!

I like all things smooth.

I like friendships that go smooth… and Craigslist deals that go smooth. I like smooth clean sheets – and pretty smooth new CDs.

My arms are really smooth right now cuz I just showered and put on a bunch of yummy smelling lotion. As I type I can feel my smooth buttered up arms greasin around on the desk. (uh… that part is nicer than it may sound :)

Friendster is so *not* smooth. GAWD. Can that site get any more SLOW? hmph!

My computer not having enough RAM, and pissing me off on a daily basis because of it, is SOO not smooth.

My kitchen floor is way *not* smooth because it needs to be mopped worse than possibly any kitchen floor in this whole city. I hate mopping. And scrubbing the tub. Seriously, does anyone want to take care of those two things for me? Actually – if you can do that & take care of the damn dog next door who barks ALL. THE. DAMN. TIME. that would be great. Cute dog & all – but someone save her from her miserable “I’m so bored all I can do is bark to keep myself company” existance in her backyard that is LITERALLY pushing me over the edge!!!! I wake up to it every morning & have to hear it all day. That put’s serious ripples in my otherwise smooth like butta’ disposition.

My day has gone pretty smooth. Working my booty off has helped… but the long list still remains. Working hard is fun though… and rewarding. Concept on that one, huh?

You know what smooth and creamy delight I get to have later? Homemade punkin pie!!! Lyne unfortunately can’t come to Kristin’s dinner party tonite, but I still get to swing by & pick up her pie… oh man am I excited!! I love whip cream so much I’m almost a tad more excited for that!!

Lastnight, after some *delicious* sushi, I went & checked out Kill Bill – finally! It was good… funny in a badass, bloodbath sorta way. But I liked the story telling and animation – very cool.

I still can’t wait to see Lost In Translation!!!!

I got a great package in the mail yesterday w/ ton of new music from this guy Ian: The Stills, Longwave, Clientele, Jim Yoshii PileUp (which he plays in), a mix, Kelly Stoltz and maybe even something else that I can remember right now. Anyway – it’s always great to get goodies via mail like that – I’m psyched!!!

OK back to work..

Lastnight Rick & I went to The Darkness show at Slims. These guys are *hilarious*, not to mention talented musically. If you haven’t heard of them yet – you’ve got to go check out their videos right this second.

They’re actually playing “I Believe In a Thing Called Love” a ton on LIVE105 and MTV these days and apparently they’re playing for stadiums of like 15K people in Europe – so we were really lucky to see them at a small venue like Slims! The band is like this British metal band – sorta like Queen with the spandex & hittin the high notes – but they also can laugh at themselves. Too many musicians take themselves so seriously these days – so it’s always refreshing to see a band that can make hilarious videos and have such a great time rockin out.

The show totally ROCKED and was PACKED at Slims. I got super lucky scoring tickets last week at the last minute after they were all sold out. I emailed a guy on CL and when he wrote back saying he was just looking for the highest bidder (which I’m not such a fan of), I simply offered him just a little over face value and said pretty, pretty please – hoping that somehow it would work.

Turns out the CL guy took a peek around my site and saw my Mars Volta review. He had wanted to go to that show too, and after reading my review & seeing my site he could tell I’d be someone who would appreciate this show. YAY!!! I was thrilled and so grateful. He had even flown down to see them in LA! Anyway – nice guy, we were so psyched to have the hookup.

The show itself was awesome! Rick and I are spoiled on our small venue front row spots we score at almost every show – and this one was so packed we couldn’t get up much closer than probably 20 rows back, but it was still an awesome show. The lead, Justin had originally come out in some leather pants & some crazy tshirt – which I was bummed about cuz I was set on seeing the spandexy outfits :) However, it was hilarious to find out this image of a flames tatoo on his pelvis is really his tatoo there!!

He also had one of his arm that was classic – his name with a lighting bolt… It was so Steve-O, Rick & I loved it. Luckily about 1/2 way through he changed into some of that good ol’ spandex – aww yaa!! And then even changed one more time! I loved it & the crowd was so psyched – and Justin had all of our thumbs up in the air all at once which was hilarious and of course the classic lighter tribute. Totally ROCK. So much fun!

After that we decided to head over to Rick’s friend’s opening night for a new bar here in town. Its where that Jack’s Elixer bar used to be (not sure of the new name). We went hoping to run into some friends of his and I thought we might see Sarah there, too, since a couple months back when Rick & Sarah met they realized they both knew “H”! And we did! She was there w/ Mat, Kathleen and some others. It was great to see her & rap w/ Mat about what we missed at the TV on the Radio show last Tuesday. Much fun…. it was a fantastic Friday night :)

Sorry – I meant to post this yesterday but just worked, worked, worked instead.

Thursday night Jane & I hit Sleepy Jackson at Ameoba – they were great!! I was psyched to have been listening to their CD for awhile. And even as *bright* and acoustic the Ameoba setup is, they sounded fantastic. On the postcard they handed out it had a quote from Rolling Stone I hadn’t seen yet – and I thought it summed it up perfectly:

“The evidence here suggests the Sleepy Jackson could make a great punk album, or a great country album, or a great psychedelic album. Instead, they’ve simply made a great album, and one of the best debuts of the year.” ~ Rolling Stone

Here’s some more reviews of their new album, if you’re interested. The lead singer is really talented. Go get the album – they’re awesome.

After that Jane & I couldn’t muster up the energy to clack through the used CD’s at Ameoba – so we went & had dinner at Asqew Grill before I dropped her off & I headed over to meet Rick for the Broken Social Scene show at GAMH.

The opener Jason Collett was pretty good – he reminded me a lot of Ryan Adams…. we were a little caught up in just taking notice to him being all about becoming someone like Ryan Adams, but he actually does have a nice voice and a fairly good stage presence – so I’m sure if we actually knew some of his songs we woulda been having fun like some of the *true* fans jammin out with him in the front row. He ended up playing w/ everyone the rest of the night through, which was cool too.

Stars went on 2nd and I thought they were great. I want that CD actually. The lead singer guy was “interesting” but harmless and I kinda liked how cooky he was coming off – but then again, I have a soft spot for freaks. And the other lead, Amy Millan has SUCH a beautiful voice (OMG!!!) just beautiful… I can’t wait to hear more of her.

About this time I was starting to totally stress out – I’m on all these major deadlines and despite the great music I felt myself just totally freaking about all the work I have to do – and who was I to think I could just be here at this show and not home working!??! I tell you this for the review to come…

Broken Social Scene: Again – so happy that I had their CD for awhile before I saw them… but I am not even sure I would have needed it because I *LOVED* their set. They opened w/ the instrumental songs they have (no vocals) and I was so into it. By the 3rd song, my stress had melted away (well, for the most part – enough to let myself stay for one more hour & THEN go home & work till 2am!)… I was just loving every bit of their diversity, energy, style, horns!!!!They’re all just phenominal musicians. So professional and such a family on stage – it was EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wish I would have gone to this show Wednesday night – so that I could have told 10 more people to go w/ me again lastnight.

Interestingly enough my friend Rick didn’t get into it as much as me… Granted I think he was just in the mood for a more rockin show (which he got lastnight at The Darkness!!!!!!) But it’s funny cuz it was our same experience w/ Mars Volta where I totally freaked I loved them so much – and he was like “ya, it was good, sure”.

Anyway, that’s the best thing about music, it moves everyone in different ways….. I personally feel HEALED by a great show. I felt great after lastnight’s and was SOO happy that despite my work and stress I stayed for the experience. It was fantastic.

here’s something to spruce up that last boring post.. I was just going through some old files and found this funny animation of myself:

This is back when I had bangs… about a year ago… very Chan Marshall looking at it now.

Now my bangs are all grown out. see?

What’s hilarious is that shot of me w/ my mouth open (if you’re not seein that you might need to refresh) totally reminds me of my good friend Michelle from HS. The girl cracks me up – I swear she should be on SNL. One of the best things about her is the hilarious faces she makes… I can’t even count how many times the girl has had me crying laughing. God love’r.

I feel like I have nothing interesting to say right now.. but I always think that when I start posting and then once I’m rollin’ stuff comes out and it might be sorta slightly interesting – depending on who you are out there.

Part of the reason I feel particularly boring right now is that my stupid sore throat is back. hmph. :( I have been taking such good care of myself! I’ve been taking vitamins and garlic and Emergen-C and orange juice and drinking a ton of fluids…. Really good besides maybe getting like 6.5-7 hours of sleep a couple nights in a row. Do I really need 8 hours a night all the time now? 28 is so *old* all of a sudden. I can’t party like I used to without paying for it the next day… and now I have to consistantly sleep more? I don’t have time for that!! This getting older crap is overrated! Oh wait, then again nobody said it was good anyway huh? Well, actually I did. Personally I can’t wait to be 30 something. The 20’s are fun and all – but a lot of the first 1/2 was just painful figuring out who I am crap……. and I’m already loving 28 more than any other year in my life… it’s only getting better. Except at this rate I’ll need a cane and a urine bag soon. (I just said “urine” for the first time on my blog.)

Matt (my “ex”) came over for lunch today. It was the first time we’ve seen eachother in weeks… he’s been gone away to Italy & the East coast. I loved his family so much – it’s weird to think I might not see them all ever again. He brought me over some of the Chicken Caccitore (too lazy to look up the right spelling of that) he made lastnight. It was yummy. He’s an amazing cook – he was always way more into it than I feel like I will ever be… which worked out nicely for me in the 4+ years we were together. He always made us some really yummy food.

So he got to see Kazoo and reminded me I need to be, as he says, “combing the shit out of him”. Matt’s a big proponent of the combing. I totally need to, too – especially with him not shedding as much as the spring – my poor lil’ buddy boy has puked a couple times in the last 24 hours due to hairball action.

Wow, this is exciting huh? urine & puke so far. waahoo, this site is so cutting edge. (she says with a straight face, looking tired and bitter at this stupid goddamn cold that won’t just go the F*** away!)

Oh let’s see – so anyway – Matt brought a new toy – we looked at photos from his trip – blah blah blah. It was good to see him… and I got the new Ryan Adams from him, too.

I have a lot of work to do… I have so much work right now – it’s a great thing, but stressful. Especially when really I’d love to take a nap and see if it’d help my dumb cold take a hike to a far away place. But alas – more work & then off to a show later this evening. I’m not missing this one – I missed 2 shows already this week due to work and being sick. I’m actually jonesin’ to get better so I can party! How sad is that? it might be alarming actually – but really it’s just my plight to feel normal.

alrighty – boring mcboringster signing off.