Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Thanks "Why I hate DC"

This story is so unreal... and kinda hilarious. Thanks!

Stop the fucking presses, there's a white woman panhandling in Silver Spring. So we already know that DC social service agencies are stretched very thin. There are plenty of homeless people in DC, and shelters have been closed due to budget problems. Those stories, the stories of people turned away from social services in DC, or stories of families on the street, those aren't really worth covering. What's worth covering is the fact that there's a white woman panhandling in Montgomery County. Yup, WJLA-TV did a whole piece on this woman:

SILVER SPRING, Md. - The bad economy is taking a big toll on local social service agencies. In Montgomery County the need is so high some people say they're being turned away.

More than seven months ago Kathleen Waltos lost her $70,000-a-year job. She says she's been unemployed or underemployed ever since. She says she's used up all her savings and her 401K and, at times, has actually turned to panhandling.

Waltos told us, "In order to survive I have to do something...and that's stand on a corner and collect money."
Wow, it's like someone took People's District, vomited all over it and then bottled it and sold it at Whole Foods saying it's healthy. While I'm sure that Kathleen Waltos is suffering, I do have a bit of a hard time feeling for someone who made $70K and has only been unemployed for seven months. How about those people who made $20K and have been laid off for a year? Yes, Waltos has faced some obstacles getting access to social services, but I have a hard time sympathizing with any of this. I don't wish her any ill, but I don't see why this deserves the 11 o'clock news treatment. Meh, of course it makes sense. It's TV news.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

An Open Letter to Eddie Vedder

Dear Eddie,

While I can say with confidence that Versus is a great album, I must confess with the same confidence that it is not one to consider as background music whilst making out. In fact, "Rats" might be the least sexy song ever recorded. I hate to be the bearer of this sad news, especially because I will continue to enjoy Versus, as well as other well-loved Pearl Jam albums. However, I must admit, it will not be on rotation during intimate moments.

Thanks anyway.

Your fan,

Shelby L. Thompson

P.S. A certain gentleman would like you to know that he agrees with the un-sexiness of this album, but will also continue to love it anyway.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

You Snob.


Well, yeah I know, I'm behind on this one, BUT, better late than never. And I have to mention this now, and just accept it and move on... I am such a music snob. Sigh. Ok... read ahead.


Music Favs of 2009 (in no particular order):


First Aid Kit: Drunken Trees - Fantastic! Melodic, lovely, haunting, sad, sweet. All the things you love in a chick guitar only band. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-JWshmx_OA
The Rural Alberta Advantage: Hometowns - Just good!
The Dead Weather: Horehounds - Dirty, hard rocking goodness. P.S. I still love The Kills, without whom, this album would not exist.
Phoenix: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - Yes, I know, they ended up on a frakin Cadillac commercial, but hey, without a caddy, whose a pimp?
The Love Language: The Love Language - Merge Records band, and some of my peeps from the 'Ville! Too catchy not to love. and the lyrics... "Just blow me away, like a birthday candle!"
White Rabbits: It's Frightening - This band has 6 members (I know!) and this album is great.
Harlem Shakes: Technicolor Health - great band name.
Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavillion I mean, we all know Animal Collective is ridiculous, but this album is so nice in so many ways, especially "Fireworks".
Yeah Yeah Yeahs: It's Blitz - FUCK YEAH! P.S. One of the best shows of 2009 too.
She Keeps Bees: Nests - somber, but damn this chicks voice is killer.
Telekinesis: Telekinesis! - Yet another Merge piece of brilliance...
Lightning Dust: Infinite Light - Best song on the album? "I Knew"
Grizzly Bear: Veckatimist - really, it's only because I'm supposed to love it. I just like it... no love.
Great Northern: Remind Me Where the Light Is - "Story" and "Houses" are worth this album alone.
Dirty Projectors: Bitte Orca - Fucking fantastic album title, and the cover is REAL creepy.
SCORE! 20 Years of Merge Records: Covers! - What can I say? I'm in love with Merge Records... consider picking up "Our Noise: The Story of Merge Records" its beautiful and fantastic. :)