But I love October even more.

October

October
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

Today on the way into work, after doing my radio show, I was thinking about how Cleveland is most beautiful in October and May.

That's it. Don't ever visit any other time. Unless of course you love raw cold uglyness. Then visit in January and go down to Edgewater Park. There you can crunch icy dead fish-cubes under your sneakers on the beach and stare out into the wet gray cold Lake Erie.

But now...NOW it's just gorgeous here. But maybe I am too easy. I think that I find too many things beautiful.

There is a story on This American Life about a man who removes all the Testosterone in his body and then all the sudden everything looks more beautiful to him.

I wonder if I need some hormone therapy to get over my crush on blue skys, yellow leaves and red bricks today?

By the way, if you want to listen to that This American Life episode, go to their website and do a search for "Testosterone." I think it was an episode from August of 2002.

Christine To Watch Out For

Christine To Watch Out For
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

One other thing about yesterday....

I was lucky enough to have Alison draw a cartoon of me.

I was really embarrassed at the time having to "pose",

...but now of course I am thrilled to have it!

If you could have dinner with someone famous,
dead or alive, who would it be?

I was lucky enough to go see Alison Bechdel speak at Joseph Beth booksellers last night. I had not seen her in 17 years and was very excited to hear her talk about her new graphic novel, Fun Home.

If you haven't read it yet, ya should. It's amazing.

After the reading and book signing, my friends and I convinced Alison to have dinner with us before she had to head back to her hotel. It wasn't easy. She was trying to find some friends that had asked her to dinner earlier. She turned them down but changed her mind I guess. Lucky for us she could not find them.

Another exciting part of the evening was that Harvey Pekar was there to introduce her.

Oh...and there is one more interestesting thing...I discovered today that there is a Decemberist's song that I like. It's called Yankee Bayonet. It's from their new cd The Crane Wife.

Tune into my show tomorrow morning and I will play a cut or two from it.

By the way...if you want to read a REAL review of Alison's talk last night, check out Austin Kleon's blog. He has a gorgeous stamp carving illustration of Ms. Bechdel at her computer.

September 6, 2006

Diary9-6-06
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

Drawing Diary September 5, 2006

Diary9-5-06
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

Drawing Diary September 3, 2006

Diary9-3-06
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

"Burn Out Ledges"

Nelson-Kennedy Ledges02
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

When I was in high school all the bad school-skipping kids would drive to Nelson Ledges to get high and hang out.

I only did it once with my friend Tim. We didn't get high. We just snuck away from school.

This past Saturday I went back with Monica and Kozmo.

I didn't get high then either.

This is why I got so lazy updating my blog.

diarypicture2
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

I started keeping a daily drawing diary on August 27th.

My friend Leslie who is a 'real' artist does it and showed me hers.

It inspired me.

Cleveland

Cleveland Bridge
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

Doesn't this picture say "Cleveland" to you?

One the BEST songs ever.

I had never seen the video for this song before. Notice how cute Kristen Hersh is in her short haircut!

My two favorite Kims.

Am I lame? Yes...Yes I am lame.

I have been very bad about updates. Things will change soon...I promise.

In the meantime....




Via: VideoSift

Before Jens, Concretes, Peter, Bjorn and John...

...there was Bettie Serveert. In 1992 they released Palomine. A great album. Very different then the rest of the stuff that was out there then.

This isn't the best track on that album...I think "kid's alright" was better. But I could not find a video for that song.





Bettie Serveert has a new cd coming out called 'Bare Stripped Naked'.

I like the second track, 'Hell=Other People'. If ya like it, go buy the cd. These guys deserve yr hard earned cash in my opinion.

Boys Skate.

Remember going to Garrettsville Roller Rink every Friday night in 8th grade?

Remember wearing the navy blue Gap cords and rainbow striped velour blouse with a tab collar?

Remember having the big 'ol comb in yr back pocket and Love's Baby Soft sprayed on yr neck?

Remember how angry you would get when the DJ would play 'Black Betty' and then announce that it was a "boy's skate" and you would roll to the snack bar and watch the guys skate soooooo fast around the rink to that RAWKIN song?!?!

I do.

Cleveland to Conneaut

Along Lake Erie on the way to Ashtabula.
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

This past weekend I did a one day roadtrip along Lake Erie.
I tried to drive along the shore as much as possible.

After about 60 miles of driving along Lake Erie there is only about 5 miles where you can actually see the lake.

That kind of stinks don't ya think?

The high point of the trip was a stop at the White Turkey Drive In. A cheeseburger and rootbeer.

What more could a girl ask for?

Song for the summer of '06

Peace
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

I was wondering just the other day, "What is the song for the summer of '06"?

I found it.

I found it thanks to Mark who listens to my show from England. he requested it today on my radio show.

The song is by the band Peter Bjorn and John. They are from Sweden, natch.

This song features vocal by the former Concretes vocalist Victoria Bergsman. This song, called The Young Folks by the way, also features bongos and whistling.

What more could you want for a summer song.

Go to their MySpace page and check out the video for the song. Very cute.

Butch Factory

Butch Factory
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

On the way to work this morning I stopped and took a picture of the Lakeshore Generating Station.

I did not know exactly what the building was until I asked a co-worker, Brian, who is the expert on all things Cleveland.

He proceeded to tell me that it is a 500 megawatt station, the smallest of the 5 that serve the Cleveland area.

He then proceeded to tell me about the other ones. I had to interupt him.

Anywho...I just wanted to show you the picture I took. I call it 'Butch Factory'.

'Butch Factory' was what my friend LuAnn wanted to name a band that we joked about starting.

It never started.

Saugatuck

Saugatuck
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

This past weekend Monica and I went to Saugatuck on Lake Michigan. It's really a lovely little town.

I have to admit tho...I saw more bad art there then I have seen anywhere in a long time.

We went to Oval Beach and took a swim in the Great Lake. Afterwards we went back to town and ate and drank too much at "The Butler".

On Sunday we walked around Saugatuck poking our noses in art galleries and shops and restaurants.

We had lunch at a place with a guy playing guitar. I thought it would be awful but he was playing Gillian Welch, Elliot Smith and other pretty good selections.

Okay...this is a lame post and I apologize.

"Repent or rejoice... I'll choose to rejoice."

Amy Linton, where are you? Why are you not making new music? If you are when will I get to hear it?

Here is an Aislers Set song from a new various artist cd called "Slaying since 1996"

TracyAnn, I'm ready to be heartbroken.

















I got the chance to go see Camera Obscura at the Grog Shop last Saturday. I enjoyed the show, although not as much as I would have liked to enjoy the show.

There were too many people talking too much and too loudly while the band was playing slow, quiet songs. What is wrong with you people? Shut UP!

I've seen bands in other cities and it seems like people in other cities know how to be a considerate audience. Weird. Why pay 12 bucks to go to a club and talk over a band.

The band also complained about the sound. I guess there wasn't a whole lot coming out of their monitors. The lead singer, TracyAnn did not seem too happy about that.

The Bears, a local cleveland tweepop band opened for them. They are very good. Check 'em out.

I just found out today that there is an "indie pop fest" going on in Toledo this Thursday and Friday. They aren't doing an awful lot of advertising are they? Why can't we do something like this in Cleveland?

Whipped cream and other Swedish delights

Monday night I went to see Jens Lekman at the Beachland Ballroom. It was one of the best live shows I have seen in a long time.

Jens had a back up band consisting of 6 women, one of whom was his opening act. They were all dressed in some sort of white frock. That sounds like it would be sexist and stupid, but it really was kinda cool.

The backup band had trumpets, saxophones, accordions, recorders, COW BELLS, etc. At one point my friend Sharon who was at the show suggested that it was a bit Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.

It was....but in a GOOD way.

During an encore he played the song Julie. He was up on stage all alone with his guitar playing along and then all of the sudden the horns came in from behind the audience. Part of the band had formed behind the crowd. It was really lovely. I am rarely surprised by anything at live shows, other then the amount of second hand smoke that I am huffing in at about a pack an hour.

Here are a couple of songs for you if you don’t know his work. Black Cab (my fave) and Sweet Summer's Night on Hammer Hill.

If you like them, go buy the cds at Music Saves!!

Whipped cream and other Swedish delights
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

The Terrible Twos!

The Terrible Twos!
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

Saturday I went to the 2 year birthday party of my favorite record store. Music Saves.

it's just the best place to find yr indie rock and pop gems.

Also the owners Melanie and Kevin are the nicest people.

I love when folks call my radio show and ask where they can find that Jens Lekman ep, Maple Leaves. I happily send them to Music Saves.

There was also a concert next door at the Beachland Tavern to help celebrate the occasion.

I went so I could see Machine Go Boom. Check em out. They, like all the other indie kids, have a MySpace page. Kinda like the Thermals, but more Cleveland-ish.

"Take me out to the ballllllllllll gaaaaaame

"Take me out to the ballllllllllll gaaaaaame
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

I have not been updating this blog like I would like to. I can blame computer crashes and nothing to really write about. Both sorta true...both not true enough.

Last Friday I took Monica to her very first professional baseball game.


She likes to tell the story about when she moved to the United States as a 12 year old and had the pleasure of her very first American Jr. High gym class. They played softball. A game she knew nothing about.

The gym teacher, being the sensitive caring type that most gym teachers are handed her the bat and chose her to go “up to bat” first.

Monica told me that she didn’t even know how to hold the Louisville Slugger so she cradled it in her arms like a baby and went and stood in the middle of Home Plate. That’s what she thought she was supposed to do. They eventually showed her how to swing the bat and she hit the ball. After she hit it everyone yelled at her to “RUN”!

I think she said she ran out towards the pitcher.

Even with all that emotional damage she loved going to see the Indians get their butts kicked by the Minnesota Twins. I think it had something to do with all the snacks that were available and the 7th inning stretch. She did not believe me when I told her that everyone was going to stand up and sing a song.

The main interest in life and work

is to become someone else that you

were not in the beginning.

If you knew when you began a book

what you would say at the end,

do you think that you would

have the courage to write it?

What is true for writing and for a
love relationship is also true for life.

The game is worthwhile insofar as

we don’t know what will be the end.

-Michael Foucault

Prostituting oneself for a bus ride

I took the bus into work this morning. I needed to because my scooter is at work and I wanted to be able to ride it home.

While I was waiting for the 326 to take me from Public Square to W. 73rd and Detroit I saw posters for the new "trolley" line of busses. The sign said something like "Smile and Ride for Free."

Something about that bothers me.

I wonder if they make EVERYONE smile.

I wonder if male bus drivers make men smile before they get on the bus.

I can just see that.

A male bus driver telling men trying to get on... "C'mon....let's see a smile!" "Come on...smile for me!"

Yeah. I kinda guess that doesn't happen.

From the press release:
If the nostalgic green-and- gold vehicles, complete with cow catchers, wooden rails, and brass bells, don't put a smile on the face of downtown travelers, the price of riding will. The trolleys are free now through Labor Day for -- a smile. This was accomplished through a partnership between RTA and the Cleveland Convention & Visitors Bureau. RTA is studying the feasibility of maintaining the appealing smile fare indefinitely.

Ick.

Whose crying now?


I DJ every Monday night at the Grid, a queer nightclub here in Cleveland.
The night is called SpinTheBottle and it's an indie rock and pop music extravaganza.

I love the indie rock and pop. I love that I can play Arcade Fire and people dance to it.

Here's the rub... for some reason, the 20-somethings request and LOVE cheezy 80s music. Music that I have heard enough of. Journey gets 'em on the dance floor, Heart, Billy (M)Idol, all the stuff that was overplayed ON Y103 in my '73 TransAm car radio as a teen.

All the stuff that was overplayed on my best friends clock radio when I would sleep over her house every Friday night after the football games.

All the stuff that was overplayed at the "teen dances" on the basketball court at the campgrounds I stayed at every summer.

ALL THE STUFF THAT IS BEING OVERPLAYED ON VH1 RIGHT NOW!!

Last night on the way home from the bar I was trying to remember what I was listening to in my mid-20s that drove people in their EARLY 40s crazy. I think there was a sorta psychedelic 60s scene. I remember reading something about a cult of kids (remember...this is in the late 80s early 90s) who just WORSHIPPED the song "The Time has Come Today" by the Chambers Brothers. They built a whole scene around that song. I think it was that song. Oy. Then there were the swirly paisley Three 'O Clock. A band of fey boys with 60s girl haircuts.

I believe 40 somethings probably rolled their eyes at them quite regularly.

It would be cool to go back in time. Talk to my 1981 self. That's the year I went to see Journey at the Richfield Coliseum with "Peaches" and Julie. Two juniors. I thought I was such a cool sophomore

If I could go back in time I would:


Suggest a better college.

Suggest a better haircut.

Suggest NOT buying the Hoodoo Gurus album


Okay... so here's a compromise. Giant Drag covering Journey. Doing a much better job than Steve Perry ever did.

I just can't help myself. I love Smiths covers.
Especially this one by the band Saloon.
Just gorgeous.

Too late. I removed the MP3.

Sorry.

Prince Albert in a can

This past Sunday I found out that I had a brush with royalty a few years ago and did not even know it.

We had the big black out here in the rust belt on August 14th, 2003. It was sooo hot and humid. It felt crazy.

Monica called me from the East side and wanted me to come over so we could go forage for something to eat in a city sans power. I was living in Old Brooklyn at the time.

It was kind of stupid of me to drive over there...but still kind of exciting too. At the time we had no idea how much of the area the power failure had reached.

We drove around thinking we'd find something. It took a while but finally we did. The only place in the area that had power was Nighttown Restaurant. They had some sort of giant generator going.

We didn't have tons of money but decided to give it a try anyway. I'm glad we did. It was so amazing. The place was packed and everyone was talking to each other. We waited in line with a bunch of people. The lighting was dim and foggy. It was kinda coolish in there, like a cave. I felt a little drunk just being there.

After about 30 minutes they led us to this wonderful old style vinyl corner booth with a crisp white tablecloth. Just sitting there felt so refreshing.

The waitstaff was so kind and good humored. Monica and I enjoyed two wonderful salads and a few glasses of wine. We had such a great time, it felt like being on an amusement park ride. Scary and dangerous...but really isn't.

Okay...skip ahead almost 3 years. I was having coffee at the E. 185th St. Arabica with Dan P., Laura and Monica. Two people stopped and chatted with Dan P. They were talking about musicians and shows. I eventually found out that the guy is the owner of Nighttown. I told him about what a wonderful time Monica and I had that night of the blackout and he asked us if we enjoyed having dinner with the Prince of Monaco.

He proceeded to tell us the story of how one of the pricey hotels, I think the Ritz called him and asked if they could accommodate 12-14 people ASAP. He told them that his local customers come first but he would do what he could. Then the hotel told him who it was and how the Prince and his posse could not get into their rooms because of the power outage.

When they arrived he was able to set them up and said they stayed for hours eating and drinking $400 bottles of wine. He said they were very kind and generous. He said he joked with Prince Albert about having an Irish mother.

Okay...so Monica and I didn't ACTUALLY break bread with Prince Albert....but it's still kinda cool we were there huh?

NO!? You think this story is lame?

Okay...well then here is a song for you. It's from the new PonyUp! cd called "Make Love to the Judges With Your Eyes" The song is called 'What's Free is Yours'. I just love her voice on this song. It's gorgeous.

Lazy.

I have been terribly lazy about updating my blog. Maybe not as much lazy as not wanting to "share".

Sometimes ya kinda don't want to talk. That's me lately.

So to make up for it, I am going to share. I discovered this song last week. It's by Kimya Dawson who used to be part of Moldy Peaches. (too late...I removed the file. Go BUY IT!)

Kimya Dawson has a new cd out called 'Remember that I Love You'. I really like the whole thing.

The song I really love tho is one I can't stop playing in my car. I play it over and over and it almost feels like a prayer of sorts. A prayer I need lately.

If you like the song, support the artist and go buy her cd at an independent record store.