4.25.2002
Saw Paul Westerberg at Virgin MegaMega yesterday. He sang his heart out throughout, winging it beautifully most of the time, mugging heartily now and then, forgetting the lyrics frequently, ending some songs abruptly. As we love him to be, he was contradictory: in his element but twitchy-punchy, self-deprecating and not-so-thick-skinned, masterful and losing it at the same time, shudderingly tender and then suddenly embarrassed.
And eventually a particularly obnoxious heckler got the best of him. Or maybe that's only one side of the story, 'cause Paul came right off the stage and out there on the floor and got in the heckler's face... maybe it was Paul's victory after all. Whatever the case, when he was done playing he took his ball and went home.
I've read that he's testing the water to see if a full-on tour would be a good idea. I hope he still thinks it was a good night, overall. I know I was thrilled to hear him.
And eventually a particularly obnoxious heckler got the best of him. Or maybe that's only one side of the story, 'cause Paul came right off the stage and out there on the floor and got in the heckler's face... maybe it was Paul's victory after all. Whatever the case, when he was done playing he took his ball and went home.
I've read that he's testing the water to see if a full-on tour would be a good idea. I hope he still thinks it was a good night, overall. I know I was thrilled to hear him.
4.19.2002
Din Tai Fung. This is the name of the restaurants where you get the shao lung bao. The original is in Taipei, and they have one in Tokyo and one in Hong Kong. And one in Arcadia, who knew?! (That's like ten minutes from my brother's place. Yeah, baby!)
SoCal people, please go eat there for me. Go!
SoCal people, please go eat there for me. Go!
4.08.2002
Musical Highlights of the Far East:
• Catching a great band playing on the street in the Shibuya district of Tokyo. They are called Art Mind's Impression and made up of four guys playing danceable guitar rock on the sidewalk with practice amps about one foot tall and a little drum set. Guitar Spender be damned, they are pouring on the passion and drama, folksy and epic at the same time. And the singer is a really nice guy.
• Hearing East Bay janglers Naked Barbies (who were once Naked Barbies, then Vagabond Lovers, now Naked Barbies again) on United 857 in-flight entertainment. So cool.
• Karaoke in Seoul. That's right, you think it's uncool, but you'd be remiss not to try it. Picks: Van Halen's "Jump", Paul Simon's "Mrs. Robinson", George Michael's "One More Try".
• Catching a great band playing on the street in the Shibuya district of Tokyo. They are called Art Mind's Impression and made up of four guys playing danceable guitar rock on the sidewalk with practice amps about one foot tall and a little drum set. Guitar Spender be damned, they are pouring on the passion and drama, folksy and epic at the same time. And the singer is a really nice guy.
• Hearing East Bay janglers Naked Barbies (who were once Naked Barbies, then Vagabond Lovers, now Naked Barbies again) on United 857 in-flight entertainment. So cool.
• Karaoke in Seoul. That's right, you think it's uncool, but you'd be remiss not to try it. Picks: Van Halen's "Jump", Paul Simon's "Mrs. Robinson", George Michael's "One More Try".
4.04.2002
Fresh wasabi. Trust me, it's the taste you're after.
