Where were you? My experiences on election night/

Where were you?

We all love to ask ourselves that question when a seminal moment comes to mind. However, it seems to always represent some moment of great tragedy; that is until Nov. 4th 2008.

The Doug Fir lounge was packed by sardines by the time Ohio was announced and the election began quickly to resemble a forgone conclusion. All packed together to witness the high water mark we’ve been waiting for. Equal parts pep rally and prom, with concentrated anticipation spread on top.

As 8pm struck the gathered mass counted down the closing of the west coast polls and as the clock struck: 00 so did the election, the long awaited words were on the screen in front of us: “BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES”.

What followed next was quite possibly the most remarkable moment of the evening, silence.
It only lasted a millisecond but it was there. A millisecond where everyone realized the ultimate goal had been achieved, a millisecond where all the sadness of the last 8 years and the potential of the last two collided in our minds like when you combined vinegar and baking soda in science class to create…an eruption.

And that eruption was like few things anyone in that room had experienced before. This gathered mass was resplendent with unmistakable joy. Tears were shed by Man and Woman alike, embraces shared by people who had never met before. It was hard not to imagine some anthemic fanfare in your head, as if you were in the final scene of the feel-good movie of the fall.

The house DJ cranked up “America, F&@K Yeah” from the Team America movie, and while the song is meant to be tongue-in-cheek, it was oddly fitting. Fitting because many of those in attendance were consumed by feelings they hadn’t yet felt in their lifetimes: Pride and Patriotism. Now that’s not to say, regardless of what some may say, that those in that crowed concert hall weren’t patriots before, or didn’t love their country prior to this evening, but finally these long suffering patriots could feel that their country got something right.

No one in that room was making the mistake that everything would be OK when they woke up the next morning, but at least we all could embrace the potential that possibly the most dismal decade in our country’s history could end on an definitive up note.

As the new President-Elect delivered his acceptance speech you could hear a pin drop. And as one of the most significant speeches this country has ever seen reached its close, it was met by yet more tears and again more embracing.

“Fight the Power” the next song in the rotation, seemed to take on a whole new meaning. Public Enemy’s anthem of the plight of African-Americans in this country seemed to change and represent all of us, who stood arm in arm over the last eight years, together in disagreement of the travesties put upon us by this administration. We had fought, and seemingly, we had won.

Not unexpectedly, the party poured into the streets of Portland well into the night, and this united mass was a shining beacon of that one word that had been bandied about so much the last 2 years that it almost became a cliché: Hope.

No one will ever forget where they were that evening, and just over seven years after “Where were you” took on the most negative connotation possible, if for one night only, everything had seemingly come full circle.

MusicFestNW Day3- Discovery and Dissapointment

Day 3 started well enough. Trucked over to the VERY humid Wonder Ballroom for a great set from Boise-born Indie Legends Built To Spill. They were playing thier album Perfect From Now On in it's entirety and it was fantastic.

From there it was up to Towne Lounge where I discovered what could be one of my new favorite bands. Andy Combs and the Moth. A fantastic Tom Waits-esque band with the interesting musical line-up of Guitar, Bass, Drums, Accordian, Trumpet, Xylophone and numerous other Percussion instruments including a JAWBONE OF AN ASS! Seriously, it really is a Jawbone of an Ass, it makes a great crashing sound.

From there came the dissapointing part of the evening. First, we missed out on TV on the Radio due to The Roseland being well past full capacity.

From there we decided to hit up Jimmy Mak's for Velella Velella. Now I had never heard the band but was intrigued because a) they are originally Spokanites like myself and b) Recently scored a record deal with the HUSH label.

What ensued was a horribly jumbled and discombobulated Hipster/Frat Boy attempt and "Indie" dance music that made me sick. And the worst was everyone in the bar seemed to buy into their bullshit. Frustrating.

Today should prove to be more fulfilling. First it's a VIP party at The Fez with my good pals Lincoln's Beard among others. Followed by an Ass Ton of Rockabilly goodness at Slabtown.

MusicFestNW Day2-Free Booze and Fresh Beats

So I marched into Day 2 of fest 2008 by meeting up with pals Rachel, Drew and Brandon at a VIP party outside the Wonder Ballroom.

Nothing like free booze and snacks to properly begin a night. We also took great delight at the R&B hits of the 90's being spun by the House DJ.

From there it was inside the Wonder for Battles, a noiserock band out of New York that I was less than impressed with.

After that we quickly realized we had run into a situation of all the shows we wanted to see overlapping.

First was Singer-Songwriter M. Ward at the Crystal, Ward sounded great but I must admit I was a tad dissapointed it was him by himself and not his fantastic side project with actress Zooey Deschanel.

After a few tunes it was off to The Roseland for the tale end of a set by an up-and-coming Hip-Hop artist BuKu One, followed by a great set by Del The Funky Homosapien.

Tongiht brings many a highlight. Built To Spill and TV on the Radio among others.

Back on the gird- Show Recap and MusicFestNW is underway.

Ok, sorry again about the absence.

Big night last night in ole Stavy land.

First it was the bands big show at Ash Street Saloon.

Dare I say, Troubadour Deluxe was playin thier balls off last night. We had a great set and a good turnout as well.

After that, we moved on to Bebati's Pan where Old 97's were finishing up the first night of MusicFestNW.

Great set from the 97's including a dynamite cover of Mama Tried. Now tonight is out and about again including Love as Laughter, Cool Kids and a late night set by Del The Funky Homosapien.

Full report tomorrow.

OK So I lied

Been real busy this week gettin busy for my Band's show tonight at Ash Street Saloon.

So to tide you over here is the REDBAND TRAILER for the new Kevin Smith flick "Zack and Miri Make a Porno"

Hey Ya'll

So havent posted in a bit. But I promise a full post on Monday. In the meantime. I have started up my Cougar Blog again in time for opening day.

So check in over there and I'll be back in a couple days.

Wow, now I feel much better

So I got canned today, which sucks real bad. But the sting of my newfound unemployment has been salved.

The above video shows Alicia Sacramone (who's two falls last night cost the U.S. Women a gymnastics gold) straight knockin some dude the fuck out!

She does share a last name with the great Johnny Sack, so perhaps it's understandable.

Zombie Prom FTW

So I havent posted for a while, mainly because I was out of town, and running like a chicken with my head cut off after I returned. But what do I greet upon my return. This beautiful Trailer.

It may be straight to dvd, and cheesey as hell, but equally beautiful.

I Give You, DANCE OF THE DEAD!

5 Guys Most Deserving Of A Punch In The Face.

So as some of you may know I am a total nerd for Pro Wrestling, and in the world of Rasslin nothing is more satisfying than seeing that one guy you have been conditioned to hate over the last few weeks and/or months finally get the pleasing ass kicking he's been asking for.

That said, it will always be more fulfilling to see someone you knwo to be an actual douchebag in real life (instead of a charecter) get the popped right in the smush.

That said, I give the 5 guys most deserving of a mouth fulla chiclets!

And if you don't believe me, watch this brilliant Andy Samburg short from SNL:







Now watch it imagining one or all of the following five guys are there instead. (With the exception of Jon Bon Jovi, who totally deserves to be there).






5. Kanye West

This one saddens me a bit, Because when his first couple records came out, they were so fresh and creative, you couldn't help but get excited.

But then came the whiney tantrums after not winning grammy's, the AIDS/Racism conspricy theory in "Jesus Walks" that nobody wanted to recognize as completely insane, His pointless stage show that put him on three hours late at this year's Bonnaroo Festival (getting him booed and trashed throughout the rest of the weekend.)

Quite possibly his most punchable moment was the infamous rant at the Hurricane Katrina benefit.

Sure, everyone remembers the "George Bush Doesn't Care" quote, but watch the diatribe leading up to it and you'll see what I mean.




4. Chris Berman

What boy didn't love this guy as a kid? What guy didn't grow out of his bullshit by age 15? Well there you have it.

With his "back, back, back, back", his stupid ass nicknames, his ham-handed gravitas anytime something vaugely tragic happens (making the VT shootings his #1 play of the week was the last straw). What a beating this guy deserves.


The only solace is taken in the following clip: A) is proves he's an asshole off camera too and b) it probably humiliated the shit out of him.








3. Gene Simmons

Look I like KISS as much as the next guy, but you shouldn't have ever opened your mouth dude.

Nowadays, Gene is more known for putting the KISS name on any shitty product that will holding, starring on an absolutely atrocious reality show, being a holier than thou prick, tagging on bands like Radiohead because they "don't put on enough of a show live", and finally making the single worst celebrity sex tape this side of Fred "pencil-dick" Durst.





And if that wasnt enough, check out this great cover of "Firestarter".







2. Donald Trump



Wow. Narrowing down the reasons it would be nice to see this ass get slapped around is like asking a parent to pick a favorite kid.



However, how about every word that ever come out of his mouth for starters.



How about the fact that he continues to be the embodiment of the evil that is greed?



Or, for my old school sports fans, the fact that his bullshit single handedly killed the USFL?



How about that he's just a complete asshole?



Not enough? I give you exhibit A: and Look, I don't like Rosie O'Donnell anymore than the next guy, but Trumps just a horses-ass.









1. Spencer Pratt

Seriously, just look at this douchebag. Nuff Said.

I could give plenty of evidence but this clip pretty much sums it up.

Warning: From The Desk Of Stavros is not responsible for broken hands and/or computer screens due to you becoming so enraged you try to actually punch fancy-pants through the screen.

And the Coup de Grace

And Another

I've Been Busy

My Apologies to the five or so folks who actually read my blog. But I figured I would the three episodes I've done for my webshow thus far so you can see them.

I plan to get better with the hole posting thing.

Have a great weekend

The Most Awkward Video Ever

The Webshow Formerly Known as

My webshow is now known as The Pulse and episode two is up and running.

Check it out right chere

or Here

in this episode we take in the sights and sounds of Pride Parade 2008

Enjoy and tell your friends!

Quite Possibly The Greatest Sports Call Ever!

Leave it to the Brits. Adrian Headley is the man.

In case you were wondering, Beckham is Good at Soccer

Okay, so occasionally I am an asshole

So passing a co-worker in the hall today I unfortunately put my foot very deep into my cavernous mouth.

Now said co-worker is a friend, a friend I have no problem joking around with but that backfired a tad.

Passing her in the hall she was running her finger at the bottom of her nose in an attempt to scratch an itch I presume. So I figured it was perfect time to kid with her a bit.

Her is the conversation verbatim:

Matt: "What's up, you blowing rails in the back office?"

Co-Worker: "Huh?"

Matt: "Blowin Rails!"

Co-Worker: "Oh you mean Cocaine"

Matt: "Yeah, I was kidding you because you were scratching your nose"

Co-Worker: (Now laughing with a huge smile) "Heres a tidbit for you, on July 7th I will be 18 years clean and sober." (Holds hand up for a high-five)

Matt: "I am so sorry"


Yep, I'm that asshole. I made the coke joke to a recovering addict.

Granted she laughed and seemed even happy to tell me she was getting ready to celebrate a milestone. But still...

My own ability to be that guy is really mind boggling sometimes.

The actual Griffey Home Run

Griffey
Video sent by bsap11

I can't say enough about how much Griff deserves every accolade anyone ever wants to give him.

A true champ, it's just too bad bad he'll probably retire without a ring

Album Review: Aimee Mann

AIMEE MANN- @#%&*! SMILERS

Can you make a pop album and jab at pop culture at the same time? The answer is yes if you in turn prove that pop music can have more lyrical substance than what listeners are used to hearing… enter Aimee Mann.

Mann’s new album Smilers takes its title from the derogatory term Mann uses to describe the “Shiny happy pop-culture that surrounds us”.

Mann’s 7^th studio record opens with the single “Freeway” a song of new beginnings that a brings a full synth-pop sound. In fact the word full is a good way to describe the record as a whole. The album is considerably more musical than Mann’s previous work, with her signature dark yet strong lyricism still holding down the fort.

“Pheonix” is a lament of a relationship gone sour, while “Looking for Nothing” is a story of wondering when holding on becomes holding on too long.

On “31 Today” Mann sings "Drinking Guinness in the afternoon/taking shelter in the black cocoon/I thought my life would be different somehow/I thought my life would be better by now," a statement on the anxiety of getting older and the insecurity of wondering if you’ve accomplished enough yet.

In the end, Mann brings a knowing voice to all over those “Smiley People” even if they do get on her nerves.

MY GRADE- B+

Atta Boy Griff!

Ken Griffey Jr. finally hit number 600 hundred today (Interestingly enough, for me anyway, against former Washington State Cougar Mark Hendrikson).

It really warmed my heart to see Junior get the mark but still bothered me a little because if he hadn't lost so much time to injury we would very likely be talking about him right now instead of that Bonds guy. AND WE WOULDN'T NEED AN ASTERISK!