My Boy Derrick Rose...

Surprised to find myself watching NBA basketball on a thursday night. Maybe because I'm a Chicago boy, and the Bulls are playing LeDoucheBron James and his Miami Heat at home. I've come to admire Derrick Rose so much. So much. Brother is all guts, all grit, wickedly talented, humble, proud, tenacious. You ever read a book and feel like you're getting better as a person just by being exposed to it? I feel like that watching Derrick Rose - not just the way he plays, but also how he behaves. You ever been out drinking all night, like 25 drinks, the next morning finding your clothes covered in shit, body in bruises, eye split open from some Marine breaking your head on the sidewalk before experiencing the feeling of having to drink a beer or shot to stop your thoughts on wanting to die right then and there? I feel like that watching LeBron James.

Am I unfounded? Start this next one at 2:15. Watch the parade of clowns end on two Chicago boys, Rose and Dwayne Wade. Pure class. I'm trying to not be the guy who says Bird, Jordan and Barkley would have never put up with shit like we see today...but Bird, Jordan and Barkley would have never put up with shit like we see today. The world would not have. There's a whole generation coming where men in positions that used to hold reins are children. They will not go far.

Thom Yorke, We Fucking Love You...

Lia Ices...

Yeah yeah just what I need - another sickly beautiful songbird to fall in love with. Just what I need...and a director who approaches her pre-shoot saying something like, "Yeah, so people are going to resent you out of the gate because you're talented and beautiful, so what I'm going to do is hide you in blurs, and behind branches and leaves, and get so abstract when the song drops that they literally won't know who you are...you know, so that your music, your beautiful music can actually stand a chance." My quotes, not actual. On repeat...

The Process of Genius...

New Radiohead Out Saturday...

No single, no tracklist, just coming soon to a website near you. Style.

Stefon, You Will Always Have A Home Here...

It's Hard To Be The Queen Of Things...

Because people are going to expect so, so much all the time. And when that happens, they'll hear a good single off a big album and say things like, I remember that sound back when it was called Express Yourself, unless that's an obvious nod on her part, which at this point I wouldn't really understand anyway. Still good. Kinda feel it. But okay, when you say things like, "This is going to be the new gay anthem," which is sort of like going "H.A.M," which we already talked about, and try to control people's reactions in a world growing increasingly more into a fuck the machine, machine...good luck. Really, good luck.

The Los Angeles Zoo...

Every now and then, I'd find some kids to talk to about something, because I'm a ranter, and because otherwise no one would have been there to hear all of the wildly hilarious and witty and intellectual observations I would make about the animals. It wouldn't take long before a supervisor, or employee, or parent would approach, take a child or children by the hand, and lead them away. Then they would look back, over their shoulder, eyes on me.

Actually, it wasn't like that at all.

Honestly, it was a half dozen single moms having an afternoon with their young children, their young children following me, eyes on me, stalking me, minds of the moms saying, yeah...I wish he was your daddy too. More like that.

Speaking Of...

First images of Walter Salles' On The Road have been circling today. First glance, something about this just doesn't feel right. Maybe because about a week ago, we were talking about actual Kerouac writing actual Brando to make this movie. Now, 50 years later, here it comes with Garrett Hedlund and Sam Riley as Dean and Sal. And yeah, that's Kristen Stewart in on another "let's go looking for the faded relevance of an old classic, but today." Is it strange to anyone else that the people most profoundly affected by this book are either dead or disconnected from this generation's actors? This is an objective stance, mind you, because I like Kristen Stewart, and Garrett Hedlund, and Sam Riley, and Walter Salles, whose Motorcycle Diaries is incredibly precursor to this...so it all makes sense. Everything makes sense...but it doesn't feel quite right. I took On The Road for what it was when I read it, a visit. It's sitting on my shelf, and I would have no problem visiting it again. This isn't my rebellion against something. It's not that. To be quite honest, of course I'm going to see this movie. But something here feels abused...

Two Great Movies...

Missed these until now, as they were summer circles, I think, and in the summer, I was in places they could not make it to. It's been a movie week this week. Also pretty big on the Joaquin Phoenix - I'm Still Here. But these are both high Netflix 4 stars, very high. It's good to see truth again in movies, and back to back. Nothing like good indie. Nothing like bad indie. This stuff is excellent times 2.

Harvey Keith...

When I worked at Mozza, there was a guy who used to come and sit at the far end of the bar, by the wall. He liked me because I "got it," because wine for him was always "on the arm," and because I refused his tips (Not trying to sound generous, just trying to not sound like I was pulling a scam). He taught me a lot about life, mostly his, and always kept things moving. Since I left, we meet up for a bite every couple of weeks. Sometimes tough company, he is absolutely unique, and rare, and the kind of company that can not be replicated. He told me this video was online. The director is a fucking moron, I can not say this enough, because I could not think it enough as I was watching. Don't let him distract you from the gems, because there are plenty. There are plenty.