We've Got a Letter

Mail Call
Yesterday I received two (count 'em), two care packages! Yeah! I'm not trying to brag, I just want the world to share in my excitement. Total number of CDs received: 8. I crap you negative ... 8 CDs (4 mixes, 4 copies). One of the packages was from Robert and one was from Francesca. So much love, many thanks, and mad props to both. Francesca also took a sweet poloroid self-portrait.
Beyond that, nothing really happened yesterday. I mowed two (count 'em), two lawns, read my mail, then worked for my Grandma from 5:00pm to 6:00am. And now I'm awake, and someone (Peter) is asleep in my bed, so I thought I would blog. Well happy Sunday to all.
Thanks for the prayers for Harry.

For my dear readers ... Francesca and Aidan

End of Week, Bike Camp is Over
I don't even think I mentioned it on this blog before, but this past week I've been volunteering off and on at Bike Camp at the Co-Op, and today was the last day. We had a pizza party at Lorenzo's pizzeria. Yeah! "Pizza, guys!"
I fixed up this sweet Bike that I found in the Bike Graveyard, named it "Birdfriend," and took it home. I love it, but I think "Ping" is jealous. Uhhh, I'm a freak.

Uncle Harry Giles Vincent III
I missed Bike Camp one day this week because my Uncle Harry is in the hospital and I went to visit him. Uncle Harry, who also happens to be my godfather, has had an incredible track record of health problems since he was 20 years old. He has skin cancer, has had two kidney transplants, and currently desperately needs a liver transplant. He was always able to overcome his health troubles and even took a cross-country bike trip once.
But I've never seen his health this bad before so please pray for him.
Uncle Harry is a big time Democrat, and has never missed a chance to Bush-bash, so I thought I would draw this little charicature (sp?) for the front of the card I gave him, while trying to remain as politically moderate as possible.

We Jam Econo
I drove to Detroit tonight with Aidan and Noah to see a documentary called "We Jam Econo" about one of my favorite bands of all time, the Minutemen. It was a really fun time; not only did the movie have great footage of some rare live performances and plenty of bassist Mike Watt spittin' spiel & waxin poetic, but the 2 hour drive each way made for some great time for me, Noah, and Aidan to reminisce, catch up, and laugh our asses off.

Dear Francesca and Aidan,
Also, I realized that this whole blogspace I have is somewhat absurd. I write about my life so that two people can read about it, and one of them experiences all these things with me, so he already knows about them! Pretty dang funny when you think about it.

Oh my! I'm ... Repressed!

Psychological Self-Evaluation As Overseen by Dr. Max Lüscher
Following the instructions from his book, "Color Test," Dr. Lüscher and I have concluded these cliche-pop-pshychological findings (about me) according to the order of colors I selected:

Table I: Desired Objectives - "Discriminating Control"
Needs a peaceful environment. Wants release from stress, and freedom from conflicts or disagreement. Takes pains to control the situation and its problems by proceeding cautiously. Has sensitivity of feeling and a fine eye for detail.
(Oh, Lüschy! Stop! You're makin me blush! ...)

Table II: The Existing Situation - "Thirst for Adventure"
Imaginative and sensitive (Lüschy!), seeking an outlet for those qualities - especially in the company of someone equally sensitive. Interest and enthusiasm are readily aroused by the unusual or the adventurous.

Table III: Chracteristics Under Restraint - "Dramatization"
Circumstances are restrictive and hampering, forcing him to forgo all joys and pleasures for the time being.
(I'm gonna have to restrain you, Lüscher.)

Table IV: Rejected or Suppressed Characteristics - "Depletion"
The existing situation is disagreeable (Do you agree?). Has an unsatisfied need to ally himself with others whose standards are as high as his own, and to stand out form the common herd. His control of the sensual instincts restricts his ability to give himself, but the resulting isolation leads to the urge to surrender and allow himself to merge with another (Oh my!). This disturbs him (Oh my!), as such instincts are regarded as weakness to be overcome; he feels that only by continued self-restraint can he hope to maintain his attitude of individual superiority. Wants to be loved and admired for himself alone; needs attention, recognition and the esteem of others.
(Yes, Lüscher, tell me more about ... me.)

Table V: The Actual Problem - "An Interval of Tranquility"
Needs to acheive a stable and peaceful condition enabling him to free himself of the worry that he may be prevented from acheiving all the things he wants.
(All that I want ... is another baby ... I'm gone tomorrow. Thanks for joining us, Dr. Lüscher. I'm Dan D'Ag. Goodnight, America).

P.S. Best band ever.

A Slob's Life

Harry Potter
I have never read any of the Harry Potter books. For this reason, when the new one came out, it did not affect my life at all ... until I was forced into "the Harry Potter World" by a boy of about 10.
The story you are about to read is true, only the character names have been omitted to protect the innocent that have not yet finished reading the book (and because I don't know any characters from Harry Potter so I have no idea what names this kid said anyway).
SCENE
I was waiting at the checkout desk at the library, when I heard a voice beside me ...
BOY: Hello.
When I turned to the boy, he was looking away, which made me uncomfortable and uncertain whether or not he was actually speaking to me, so did not acknowledge his "Hello."
BOY: I finished the new Harry Potter book.
DAN: Oh yeah?
BOY: (Nods his head) [Character 1] dies.
DAN: Uh, really?
BOY: Yeah, [Character 2] kills him.
DAN: You know, I've never actually read any of the Harry Potter books.
BOY: You are weird ...
The End.

Jug O Juice
Yesterday, after Eddie got off work, he and I took a picnic of Burger King cheeseburgers, and a big ol jug o Tops' Orange Flavored "Drink," down to the beach. It was hilarious. Eddie and I looked like total slobs, sitting on the beach with burger king and synthetic juice, listening to the Indians game on the portable radio we brought down. We then made a half-assed attempt at wading in the Lake and looked totally ridiculous.

The Spits
Last night I saw a band called the Spits. They were AWESOME. They had costumes (including one Robot costume made out of silver spray-painted cardboard), onstage fireworks, and synthesized robotic noises. They claim their influences to be the Ramones, Devo, and alchohol.

Whining Like a Big 'Ol Baby

Yesterday Sucked
Yesterday was one of those days when everything goes wrong. Yesterday was one of those days when you reach for the King Size M&Ms rather then the regular, so your over-the-counter seratonin boost can be doubled from its regular daily value. Yesterday is one of those days when you trip on the steps of your porch and knock over like 3 plants. Yeah, that was yesterday.

Bewitched Negative
So when I saw the Bewitched movie, my reaction to it was that it had a weak beginning and end, but a stronger and more entertaining middle. Yesterday's events were kind of the opposite of that. Starting with a long bike ride with some pals, the day seemed to have promise, but then it just got crappy. As mentioned before, crappy middle, yada yada yada. Towards the end of the day, after eating my chicken patty with my head in my hand to visably show my family (as if they already didn't know) that I was having a rough day, I got a really touching email from Francesca and a really funny one from Richard's Brother Kenny. I then watched a Gene Hackman / James Coburn western from the 70's called "Bite the Bullet." So it wasn't a bad day after all.

Rated PG for mild suggestive language

Miracles
Yesterday, a kid named Jimmy, who frequents the Bike Co-op, said of the design of the bike frame, "You know, it's kind of a miracle that someone turned two triangles into a mode of transportation." Normally Jimmy drives me crazy (cause he's a little bastard) but I actually really enjoyed that comment.
As for me, I think a watermelon is kind of a miracle.

YOU bastard!
I recently stumbled across some material online that was written (indirectly) about me by a girl whose heart (I think) I broke ... if not broke, maybe bruised ... like a banana mistaken for a football.
So last semester, I had something that kind of almost sort of really did happen with a this girl. Yes, readers. Any way, mutual interest was shown, but the timing was terrible. I was about to graduate and leave in less then a week and there didn't look like much of a real possibility in the relationship. Neverthelss, I allowed myself to get mildly involved involved. Then when I realized that we were starting to get somewhat attached, I used my STUPID defense mechinism, first developed by Paleolithic Cavemen, known as "run and hide." Leaving this poor girl confused and ostrasized.
At any rate, I feel terrible about the whole ordeal and would like to apologize publicly on this forum both to the girl and to you readers ... I have ... let you down. Say it ain't so. If you know me well, make sure I don't do this again. It's kind of a terd move.
Yours truly,
Bastard Dan

Me & Ping

I Love My Bike ...
... really. His name is Ping and he is made by Free Spirit Bicycles.
Today, he and I went on a 20 mile ride through rural Ohio. It was great.

I have the Power! (Radio-Control Super-power, in Stereo)
So, it wasn't until I was driving by myself to Detroit at one A.M. a couple weeks ago that I remebered a super-power I possess.
I was on my way to the Detroit airport and desperately felt the desire to hear Coldplay's new song. I tuned into an NPR station, got a feeling and said to myself, "Self, wait for it ..." Now, if anybody else had been in the car with me, I am sure they would have doubted my judgement at this point. It was the middle of the night and the NPR station was playing some pretty damn obscure songs from a variety of genres (including one song by the Ditty Bops (sp?) who are quickly becoming my new love) ... my chances were slim that this station would play a "radio hit" by one of England's biggest bands. Sure enough ... there it was. "Speed of Sound."
Since then I have used this power on several occasions to make the radio play things like Maroon 5, a No Doubt song that I am EXTREMELY embarressed to admit I like but here I am, that slow jam "I Wanna Be Your Man", and a Prince song that I didn't think a restaurant could legally play in the middle of the day.

Chahley an'na Chahk'lit Fac'ry
Oh my goodness. Oh my gracious. Tim Burton, once again you have made me proud. See it, friends, see it.

More DIY
Last night I saw a punk show at someone's house (R.T.A. and Robotjet) while Eddie worked at our local bookstore for the Harry Potter Midnight release party. Eddie cracks me up. Constantly. I mean, just LOOK at that picture I linked! Hilarious.

What DID ever happen to Keith Partridge?

Keith Partridge
So, apparently Francesca has taken to comparing me to Keith Partridge. While being very flattering, I can't say that I am not more than a little confused. But I'll take it!

The Band
So, apparently the band that is currently being formed to go on tour consists of 3 members ... and we will sound like Tears for Fears and cover at least 1 Carpenters song nightly. I'm getting pumped already. If anyone else wants to join the band, just leave your name/musical-instrument/super-power/direction-you'd-like-the-band-to-take in the "comments" section. I'm sure we'll be no Maurice Starr concoction, but maybe we'll get a hit or two out there.

Netflix
I have to admit, after resisting for a while, I am beginning to LOVE Netflix. How else could Eddie and have the opportunity to see great movies like "Crimewave" (also known as "The XYZ Murders")? Thanks Netflix!

At the Drive-In

Aut-o-Rama
Eddie, Aidan and I went to the Drive-In on Monday. It was great. We saw Fantastic 4 (which was disappointing) and Herbie: Fully Loaded (which was great).

Double Nickels on the Dime
Seeing Joel (and his band) on Sunday was really great. They were so talented and had alot of fun when they played. Joel talked with me on the drive back to Oberlin about touring. It was inspiring the way he talked about how to set up a DIY-style tour. Makes me want to get on the road and rock the country.
Anyone out there that wants to start a band and go on tour, let me know.

"Art"
Just wanted to share an "art-piece" I made yesterday entitled:
"My Heart is Angry Because There is a Comet Storm on the Bike-Path"
by Dan D'Ag.

Beachland Ballroom
Tonight I am going to see some friends' bands play at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland. One of those friends is Joel from Philadelphia. Oh and if Francesca is reading this, that band consists of (I think) 3 of the "studs" you posted on your site that one time. They're called "The Perfectionists."