I'm Not There

I was fortunate enough to catch an early showing of I'm Not There tonight at Baxter Ave. Theater. The movie utilizes six different actors, including a black child and a women (Cate Blanchett) to play the role of Bob Dylan.

The movie has a profound, though not necessarily blatant, message. By interweaving seven separate story lines, which at times range from the historical to the bizarre and even absurd, I'm Not There portrays the elusive singer/songwriter far more accurately then a traditional movie ever could. In a sense, I'm Not There suggests that it is necessary to venture into the absurd to understand this larger than life figure. While a movie like Ray or Walk the Line worked to tell the story of other musicians from the same era, it simply wouldn't in this case.

From a postmodern perspective, whether or not the events actually occured is not as important as reflecting the truth of the individual. Cate Blanchett is especially successful in her role, as anyone familiar with the Martin Scorsese Documentary, No Direction Home, will recognize she has 1965 Bob Dylan down pat.

I will say, it would be difficult to enjoy this movie without being a fan of Bob Dylan (The soundtrack is completely composed of Dylan songs). However, if you are not a Dylan fan, I highly recommend becoming one so you can watch and appreciate this film.

Random: Eclectic

Working Black Friday wasn't too bad-- just long. We stopped by J.C. Penny's after my shift. The Men's section looked like a straight up battle zone.

Currently I am bedless, sans a sheet spread out on the floor. It's actually not too too bad. One is prone to wake up a little sore though.

On the subject of my my room, it's pretty messy right now,. Hopefully I'll find time to clean it up next week.

Watoto

Last night the Watoto Children's Choir from Uganda performed at Sojourn.

The Watoto vision is to provide for the millions of children orphaned by civil war and AIDS in Uganda. Their ministry model is truly holistic; it meets physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

I highly recommend supporting this ministry.

Carver 346

Tonight is my last night in Carver 346, the room that has been my home away from home for the last 2 1/2 years.

I can't say that there is anything particulary special about this moldy old dorm room, but over the years I guess I've developed a bit of an attachment to it... i mean a lot has happened here.

*sigh*

Okay... enough with being sentimental, I got to get this place cleaned out so i can move tomorrow!.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Some I haven't been able to stop listening to Jose Gonzalez as of late.

He's playing at the 930 on December 1st. You're crazy if you don't go.

Something of an End

I am still in shock by how amazing the My Brightest Diamond w/ Tim Fite concert was. Experienced scenesters and cultural elitists alike referred to it as "the best yet at the 930" and even "the best show I've ever been to".

I simply do not have the vocabulary to accurately describe Tim Fite's live show. If pressed, I would probably resort to using words like bizarre, weird, eclectic, and possibly genius- though none of these really do him justice . One fellow Sojourner described him as a revival preacher on drugs- an apt description. Definitely worth your time to listen (his most recent album is available to download).

To say that My Brightest Diamond blew me away is an extreme understatement. It's one thing to hear Shara Worden's sultry, operatic voice on her highly polished studio recordings (which are quite fantastic). It's quite another thing to hear her in person- transversing multiple octaves with her intricate vocal acrobatics while shredding on both electric guitar and Rhodes. For an artsy group of musicians, these guys rock hard.

Drake, as always, recorded the show and should have the mastered copy on the web in a few days. I'll post a link so you guys don't have to miss out.

Alleycat

I'm thinking about going fixie..

No, that doesn't mean what you think it does. I'm considering buying a fixed-gear bicycle .

What is a fixed-gear bicycle? I'm glad you asked. Read about them here.

I'm kind of nervous about the no brakes thing, but besides that I think the benefits far out way the cons.

Now if I can just scrape together the dough.

Safety First

I recently bought this handy flashing light to keep cars from hitting me when I ride my bike at night. So far it's working... now if I could only find a bike accessory that keeps drunk frat boys from yelling at me on Friday nights.

I also recently snapped this picture on a bike ride, of a monument for some civil war general who killed a bunch of rebels or something.

Wow. I am ready to be done with this semester like nobody's business.

Seriously, it's none of your business.